Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is an important tool for reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The following two steps will help you increase your own energy efficiency.
1. Make changes that you can do on your own.
Regularly change your air filter (Check you filter every month because a dirty filter slows air flow and increases the energy required to heat a house.)
Monitor your heating and cooling (The thermostat should be set at 68 degrees or lower.)
Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones
Turn of all computers, faxes, scanners, etc. when not in use
Buy devices with Energy Star qualified power adapters
Close the flue damper tightly when not in use (This will prevent warm air form escaping the house.)
Only use the dishwasher for full loads and wash loads with cold water
Limit clothes dryer use (Also, try to dry loads made of similar fabrics because some fabrics take longer to dry than others.)
Clean the lint trap in the dryer (Dryers need to be able to circulate air to dry clothing, so a dirty lint trap will decrease the efficiency of the dryer.)
Remember to turn off lights when not in a room
2. Get a home energy audit from a qualified home performance professional.
Seal air leaks and add insulation (Air leaks are often significant sources of energy loss in a home, especially through attics and chimneys. An audit will not only indentify air sealing needs, but insulation needs as well. Insulation in walls, floors, and attics allows for more even temperatures throughout a house and increased a home's energy efficiency.)
Seal and insulate ductwork (This can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system up to 20 percent and can increase your ability to regulate your home's temperature.)
Replace you furnace (If your furnace is more that 10 years old, look for a new one that has earned the Energy Star label. Also, upgrade any other old appliances with Energy Star ones.)
Install a programmable thermostat (These are good for people who are away from their house for a set amount of time each week. They can save about $150 in energy costs each year.)
SDG&E Residential Rebates and Services
Please visit www.sdge.com for a complete list of energy saving tips, money saving tips, and rebate/voucher programs available for all Solana Beach residents and businesses.
Mayor's Agreement on Climate Protection
The City of Solana Beach has signed the Mayors Agreement on Climate Protection, which you can read about here: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate/
By doing so, the City Council has unanimously committed the City of Solana Beach to take measures which reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, save energy and help sustain the environment.
The City also recently joined the "International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives" (ICLEI) which is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. By joining ICLEI, the City acquired software to help estimate its annual carbon footprint.
Links
What you can do: The following links are to things you can do to prevent climate change:
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California Center for Sustainable Energy: http://www.energycenter.org/
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California Climate Change portal: http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/
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Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: http://www.ipcc.ch/
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United States Green Building Council: http://usgbc.org/
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San Diego Gas and Electric: http://www.sdge.com/residential/resEnergyEfficiency.shtml
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Water conservation: http://calwatercrisis.org/
