Energy Efficiency and Renewables

The household energy consumption of the average household can contribute to as much as 12% of total household emissions! Luckily, there are steps you can take to drastically reduce the carbon intensity of your home.

 

Understand Your Energy Usage

Understanding where your energy is being used is the first step toward saving money and reducing the emissions associated with energy consumption. Click below to find out more information.




 

 

Lighting

Incandescent light bulbs (traditional) give off as much as 90% of their energy as heat. If there are incandescent light bulbs in your home, stop trying to use them as heating, and install LEDs! Click below for more information on how to provide better lighting options for your home - and save money.




 

 

Standby Power or … Vampire Loads!

Standby power is the energy used by electronics when they are plugged in, but not turned on. That’s right – your electronics still draw power, even when you’re not using them! While each individual device may not draw much power, together, your electricity bill may be as much as 10% standby power.




 

 

Smart Load Management

Not all electricity is the same; different types of renewable electricity production function best at different times of day. Shifting energy intensive activities to off-peak times can reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your bill, without impacting your quality of life. Click below to find out what you can do to shift your energy use to cheaper (and more renewable) times of the day.




 

 

Heating and Cooling

Together, heating and cooling are probably one of the largest energy expenses in your whole house. Electrifying your heating and cooling, and choosing an efficient, ENERGY STAR model will make sure you get the most heat (or cooling) for your buck. Electrification is an important aspect of reducing the carbon footprint of a home – electricity can be offset by solar PV production, and will be further reduced by the 2045 100% renewable electricity standard for the State of California.




 

 

Water Heating

After heating and cooling, water heating is likely the largest electricity expense in homes today. Make sure you’re taking these basic steps to minimize energy waste with your existing pipes and water heater, and consider solar hot water heating or a tankless water heater.




 

 

Solar

Rooftop solar is a straightforward method to cut your energy bill and produce your own renewable electricity. If you own your home, have enough roof space, and have already undertaken energy efficiency measures, then solar might be the right option for you. According to Energy Sage’s latest solar estimates, a typical home in California can save from $10,000 to $30,000 over 20 years by installing solar.




 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not presented in a specific order. Recommendations are presented based on a combination of perceived ease of implementation and potential GHG reduction, and are subject to change at any time.