Energy Conservation

Would you like to conserve energy and save money while helping to protect the environment? You can do many things. Taking action can be as simple as turning off lights when you leave a room, something that will cost you nothing and that will start generating immediate savings. You can also take larger steps to save, such as investing in a new, more efficient pool pump or air conditioner.

Here is a list of things you can do:

For free

•    Get rid of your old spare refrigerator or freezer. Doing away with an old refrigerator or freezer could save you up to $260 per year on your electricity bill. (Contact SCE for available refrigerator/freezer disposal rebates)
•    Turn out lights when you leave a room to save electricity.
•    Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it
•    Keep drapes, window blinds, and shutters closed in the summer when you are not at home to keep the house cool.
•    Consider bicycling, walking, or car-pooling to work or lunch.
•    Unplug cell phone and battery chargers and other electronic equipment when not in use. They might be turned off, but electronic devices and appliances still consume energy in hibernate or stand by mode.

For $10 or less:

•    Purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs and replace your energy wasting incandescent bulbs. Over its lifetime, a compact fluorescent bulb can save $100 in energy costs. (Please keep CFL’s out of the trash)
•    Buy caulk and use it to seal cracks and gaps to make your home more energy efficient.
•    Buy a power strip for your home electronics. Turn it to the “Off” position when devices are not in use to save electricity.
•    Get a wind-up flashlight. You will not have to buy batteries or worry about getting rid of old ones.

For $20 or less:

•    Replace your wired landscaping lights with energy saving solar lights.
•    Buy wraps for your hot water pipes and install them.
•    Buy a low flow, water saving showerhead to replace your existing one.

For $50 or less:

• Buy a programmable sprinkler timer and install it to save water.
• Buy an electric water heater timer.

For $100 or less:

• Purchase a programmable thermostat to help keep your home comfortable and save energy and money.

For $2000 or less:

• Buy a new variable speed pool pump; apply to the City for a H.E.A.L. incentive, and save hundreds of dollars on your electricity bill.
• Make a down payment on a hybrid vehicle.
• Invest in a new, more efficient Energy Star dishwasher, refrigerator, or washer and dryer. (apply to the City for a H.E.A.L. incentive)

For $10,000 or less:

• Buy a new more efficient (14 SEER or higher) central air conditioning system, apply to the City for a H.E.A.L. incentive, and save up to 50% on your heating and cooling costs.
• Look at investing in a solar power system for your home. Small systems can cost under $10,000 after rebates and more than pay for themselves over the system’s lifetime.