Owner Services
      Back to home
      1. Best Practices & Standard Operating Procedures
      2. Owner Services

      Energy and Utility Savings Ideas

      As your partner we created this article to give you some ideas on how to same money on your home utility bills These suggestions are just that, they are in no way an endorsement in any vendor or product

      Reducing Energy Consumption - FasterCapital

      Summer Rates

      SCE and all providers have a summer rate program that we all know about from the first Sunday in June to the 1st Sunday in Oct these rates can triple and have a tariff on top of it depending on what time of day you use energy (TOD) 

      Please make sure you check your rate program with SCE or your provider for the summer and you are signed up for the best rates possible 

      Audits

      All Energy Providers will do a Energy Audit for you, some at no charge> They will also inform you about all the rebates available when you upgrade your home with windows, doors, appliances, lighting and water saving devices. Please take advantage of any of these when they are available and you are doing work on your homes 

      Solar

      Solar energy is sustainable, renewable, and plentiful. As the cost of using solar to produce electricity goes down each year, many Americans are increasingly switching to solar. Now, there are over a million solar installations across the country.

      Top 7 Benefits of Solar Energy System for Home

      Lighting

      In California incandescent lighting has been banned for some time, but their are a couple of options for you :

      LED vs. CFL Bulbs: Which Is More Energy-Efficient?

      LED bulbs are more energy efficient than CFL bulbs, and they last longer, emit less heat, and turn on instantly: 
        Energy efficiency: LEDs are about 75% more efficient than incandescent bulbs, while CFLs are about 25% more efficient. LEDs are also more efficient than CFLs because they release little to no heat, while CFLs release about 80% of their energy as heat. 
       Lifespan: LEDs can last up to 25,000 hours, while CFLs last up to 10,000 hours. 
       Light quality: Some say CFL bulbs flicker or pulsate, and they require a warm-up period. 
       Turn-on time: LEDs turn on instantly, while CFLs can take up to a minute to turn on. 
      Directionality: LEDs emit light for 180 degrees, while CFLs emit light for 360 degrees. 
       

      Beating the summer heat 

      There are several things you can do to help lower costs while beating the summer heat 

      Attic Fans

      Attic fan tests: 1 week of data | LowPowerLab

      Attic fans are designed to be used as a supplemental addition to your HVAC unit, not a replacement. 

      Energy efficiency
      Attic fans can help reduce the workload on your air conditioner by removing hot air from your attic. This can lead to lower energy bills.  
      Comfort
      Attic fans can help you feel more comfortable in the summer by cooling your attic space. 
       Prevent ice damming
      Attic fans can help prevent ice damming during the winter months, which can damage your roof and home. 
       Improve air quality
      Attic fans can improve the air quality in your home by drawing in fresh air from the outside. 
        Reduce risk of roof damage
      Attic fans can help keep your roof in prime condition by keeping the temperature in your attic below sweltering. 
       Prolong your roof's lifespan
      Attic fans can help prolong your roof's lifespan by reducing the wear and tear on your roof shingles. 
       

      Regular Maintenance and AC Cleaning

      Keeping your unit in clean working order can also reduce your energy consumption, dirty coils, dirty fans/blowers and dirty filters all cause the units to work harder and run longer to keep temperatures.
      Clean filters
      Dirty filters can reduce airflow, which makes your AC less efficient and increases energy use up to 15% more with a dirty filter. You can clean your filters with a toothbrush and soapy water, or replace them every couple of months. 
       Clean coils
      Clean condenser and evaporator coils allow air to circulate more freely, which helps your AC cool more efficiently. 
      Age of your AC units
      The older the unit the harder it works so its even more important to keep the maintenance current and inspections up to date on your units, sometimes we just take for granted they are there and working when with a little maintenance we can keep them going and working with less stress for many years.
       

       Other ways to save energy with your AC include:

      • Use a smart thermostat (Point Central Thermostat)
      • Install ceiling fans
      • Shade your windows
      • Seal leaks around door and windows
      • Turn off lights when not needed
      • Unplug any high usage devices when not home for long periods of time

      Water Savings

      Personal Use Water Conservation Tips | Cowichan Valley Regional District

      The above are all great ideas but what if you wanted to do more...

      • Thinking about a new washer, new toilet, new sinks...look for ones that is more water efficient and cash in on some rebates that could be available.
      • We all love a great shower but low flow shower heads use much less water 
      • Toilet leaks, we don't think much about it but as they sit the flapper valves and fluid master (Valves inside our toilet tank) could begin to slowly leak wasting gallons of water 
      • Sprinkler lines outside are also a huge user of water, ensure your landscaper is doing irrigation checks to make sure you don't have any broken lines or heads to repair 
      • If you wash the car in your driveway, use a nozzle that has a auto shut off, open hoses can use upwards of 100 gallons when left open while you are soaping up your car.
      • Desert landscaping instead of grass is always a nice alternative to save water 

      Gas Savings

      Here are some tips to save on natural gas in California:
      • Adjust your thermostat
      Lower the thermostat by 3–5°F during the day and at night to save up to 10% on heating costs. You can also use a programmable thermostat to automatically regulate your home's temperature. 
      The Most Energy‑Efficient Thermostat Setting for winter | AVS
      • Water Heaters
      Service your water heater yearly, draining the sediment out of it and flushing it goes miles in the life of your water heater as well as cleaning the burner assembly. When changing hot water heaters you might think about a tankless as a replacement 
      Switching to a tankless water heater can help you save on your energy costs, with potential savings of up to 50%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Additionally, tankless water heaters are reported to be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than storage tank water heaters by the same source.
      •   Reduce hot water usage
      Take shorter showers, turn down your water heater to 120°F, and install low-flow showerheads.
       CityofSFS on X: "We can all take small steps to help conserve water as California battles against dry conditions and a drought. Taking short, 5 minute showers is one way you can
      •   Wash clothes in cold water
      About 90% of the energy used to wash clothes is for heating water. 
      • Dryers
      Ensure you lint trap is clean and your dryer vents are cleaned once a year to reduce risk of fire and reduce the amount of energy it takes to dry your loads. 
      • Use your dishwasher's energy-saving features
      Some dishwashers have a water-saving setting or an energy-saving drying option.
      •  Use your ceiling fan
      Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to draw cooler air up and force warmer air down
      Benefits of Changing Direction of the Ceiling Fans in Winter
      • Service your furnace
      Have your furnace serviced once a year and clean or replace your furnace filters according to manufacturer recommendations.
       10 Warning Signs Your Furnace Needs to Be Serviced
      •  Test your air ducts
      Leaky ducts can cost 10–30% more in heating and cooling costs.
      •   Use your blinds and windows
      Open blinds and windows during the day to warm and light your home, and close them to keep the cold out. 

        • Pools and Spas

          • Lower the pool or spa heaters temperature setting.
          • Ensure your programming is set to preset and minimize heating hours.
          • Reduce pool filtering and automatic pool sweep time to a minimum and schedule it for off-peak hours before noon and after 6 p.m. Also remember the sun and UV rays eat up chlorine on pools and that you will have to set programs accordingly 
          • Check the accuracy of your spas thermostat. An inaccurate thermostat can cost you hundreds of dollars each year.
          • Consider replacing your pool pump. When programmed appropriately, variable speed pumps can deliver significant energy savings for all pool loads and without degrading performance.

          Pool Filters

          • Pools need to be filtered. How long you should filter your pool depends on:
            • The pool size.
            • The filtering equipment.
            • How much you use the pool.
            • Different environmental factors (such as how much sunlight hits the pool).
          • Keep in mind that the more you use your pool, the more filtering it will need.
          Pool and Spa Heater
          • The older your heater gets the more energy it takes to heat you pool and /or spa, make sure you have it serviced regularly and the burners cleaned yearly. If you are upgrading this think about new technology and maybe installing a heat pump to heat your pool for added efficacy and available rebates  

          Pool Cover

          • There are two types of pool covers:
            • Thermal/opaque covers help prevent heat and water loss. If left on during the day, they also transmit some heat to the pool.
            • Solar covers help transmit heat to your pool from sunlight. They also help prevent heat and water loss.
            • When shopping for a pool cover, be sure to check the durability, warranty, insulation value and safety features, as well as the price. If you have small children, be sure to choose a cover that will prevent them from being trapped underneath it.

            Pool Pumps 


            All swimming pools have at least one recirculation pump, but many have multiple pumps. Many pool owners don't realize how much energy their pool pump may be wasting. Pool pump speeds vary based on the pool's operation. Filtration, for example, only requires half the flow rate of running a pool cleaner. Conventional pool pumps, with only one speed, are set to run at the higher speeds required of the pool cleaner and waste energy during filtration operation by running faster than necessary.
           Variable Speed Pump vs Single Speed: A Comparison

          When remodeling or replacing a pool/spa pump always ask for a ENERGY STAR certified pool pump can run at different speeds (VSD or VFD) and be programmed to match the pool operation with its appropriate pool pump speed. The energy saved is considerable; reducing pump speed by one-half allows the pump to use just one-eighth as much energy. In addition, ENERGY STAR certified pool pumps can use more efficient motors and advanced hydraulic designs. ENERGY STAR certified pool pumps include in-ground pool pumps, above-ground pool pumps and pressure cleaner booster pumps. 

          ENERGY STAR certified pool pumps will:

          • Most Pay for themselves in less than 2 years or less in our environment.
          Run quieter and prolong the life of your pool's filtering system.
          How much energy is saved? Your pool pump could be your home's second largest energy user, costing you as much as $260 in energy every year. Pool pumps that have earned the ENERGY STAR are independently certified to save energy, save you money, and help protect the environment. In fact,

      • Your pool pump could be your home's second largest energy user, costing you as much as $270 in energy every year. 




      Whenever you have questions about Utility savings no matter, Electric kWh, Gas Therms or Water ccf, your utility provider has options for audits for you, sometimes at no cost where they can identify areas of opportunity for you to consider.
      Contact your provider 
      Southern California Edison
      Offers free energy assessments for eligible customers. The assessment includes a visual inspection of the home, and may also include the installation of energy-efficient devices. Customers may also be eligible for rebates to help offset the cost of upgrades.
      Coachella Valley Water District
      https://www.cvwd.org/391/Identifying-High-Consumption
      Southern California Gas 

       24-hour emergency response
      Customer service representatives are available
      to respond to your needs 24 hours a day, seven days
      a week. Just call The Gas Company toll-free
      at 1-800-427-2200 or visit www.socalgas.com and make an appointment