​If you're like me and many others, you probably spend more time at work then you do consciously at home. You, like myself, may find yourself sitting at a desk using a computer, printing documents from the printer, a copier, or using your cell phone. Maybe it's break time, so you make your way down the hall to the break room, grab lunch from the fridge, microwave, and grab a cup of joe. You probably don’t give much thought to the energy you’re using at work because it’s a must for a productive day.
 
We live in a world that depends on electronics and appliances. However, constant use of these tools can be costly and contribute to greenhouse gases. Whether you are responsible for an office or an entire store, there are things you can start now that will save energy. For example, encourage staff to power down their workstations at the end of the day, program the thermostat to only run during business hours, and turn off lights or install motion sensors. Across California, lighting accounts for about 35 percent of all commercial building electricity use. Imagine if every business in our city turned off unneeded lights.
 
Speaking of lighting, upgrading old outdated bulbs to LEDs is one of the fastest returns on investment. Luckily, Yolo Energy Watch can help connect you to installers that service Yolo County. The Energy Watch Program provides competitive LED-lighting and installation that can save energy and help your bottom line. Through the program, you can receive low-cost energy efficiency upgrades and instant rebates.
 
Whether simple actions are more your style or you’re ready to upgrade lighting, Yolo Energy Watch is here to help. Download your Energy Savings Action Plan here.

​At Yolo Energy Watch we're always thinking about sustainable life choices. So this year we are kicking off some common New Year's resolutions with a twist to save energy.

One of the most popular New Year's resolutions is to start a gym membership. However, Gym's use a ton of energy. The average treadmill uses between 600 and 700 watts of energy, and older machines can consume up to 30% more energy than brand new ones. Instead, try going for a run or a bike ride outside.

​Don't have a bike? Consider purchasing a used bike from The Bike Campaign and Bike Garage. The Bike Garage is open Saturdays 9:00–Noon and Wednesdays 2:00–5:00. Bike maps are also available for Davis and Woodland.

​Vegetables are vital for a healthy lifestyle. A diet rich in produce and less meat will quickly lower your carbon footprint, reduce pollution, and save energy and water. Meat production requires large amounts of land, water and energy compared to plant foods.

​Livestock production requires enormous amounts of energy. Energy is used to grow the crops for the livestock, livestock use energy themselves. There is refrigeration, including in transportation, and then there is the transportation itself.

​If you're planning on catching up on the latest bestsellers consider doing so with natural light instead of using fixture lights. If you prefer reading after dark, consider purchasing a desk or clamp light. A desk lamp uses one bulb as opposed to a ceiling fixture that may use three. Additionally, when trying to read the closer you are the brighter the light thus the easier it is to read.

 According to a recent report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, the single most important thing you can do to combat climate change is to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Residential energy efficiency is the largest source of CO2 reduction potential, not transportation. 

• Seal your home's air leaks. Use caulk and weatherstripping around doors and windows.
• Add insulation to your home. Insulation can help keep your home temperature more comfortable. Consider checking out the Energy Upgrade California rebate program.
• Install and set a programmable thermostat. This year PG&E just released a new rebate, $50 back for upgrading to a Smart Thermostat. Learn more at PG&E.

This time of year, lots of us are decorating our homes with all things spooky. But there’s something else lurking around the house year-round that you probably aren’t thinking about: vampire appliances.
Sounds like a bad horror flick, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s all too real. Vampire appliances are electronic devices like televisions and game consoles that continue drawing power even when you think you’ve turned them off. And because they’re drawing power, they’re adding to your energy bill.

In fact, vampire appliances account for about 10 percent of an average household’s energy bill, according to the Association of Energy Services Professionals. As a whole, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that idle gadgets waste more than 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually—costing consumers a terrifying $10 billion each year.
How many vampire appliances are in your home? Here’s a list of the top 10, in order of their energy-sucking appetite:
1. Flat-screen TVs
2. Home computers (laptops and desktops)
3. Video game consoles
4. Digital video recorders
5. Cable boxes
6. Cable modems
7. Laser printers
8. DVD players
9. Cell phone/tablet chargers
10. Small appliances, such as microwaves, toasters ovens and coffee makers
If you’re not sure whether an electronic device or appliance is an energy vampire, first check the plug. Many have rectangular adapter boxes on their plugs that stay warm even when the devices are off, indicating they’re still drawing power. Others use standby power to always run digital clocks or display lights.
The good news is that you can have the upper hand in warding off these vampires, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars each year. Here are five tools at your disposal:

• Unplug: One way is simply unplugging any appliances, electronics and chargers that aren’t in use.
• Buy smart: Of course, if you’re like me, you’re spooked by the thought of another thing on your to-do list. In that case, consider advanced power strips. These cost a bit more than standard power strips, but they have different plugs for different types of devices. They’ve helped households achieve energy savings of nearly 50 percent.
• Auto power-down: For TVs and game consoles, you can rely on the automatic power-down feature, which turns off the device after a certain length of inactivity.
• Go green: Vampires or not, it’s always better for the environment and your bank account when you buy appliances and devices that are energy efficient.
• Home energy checkup: And if you’re interested in more ways to save on your energy bill, spend a few minutes online with PG&E’s Home Energy Checkup, which you can find at www.pge.com/homeenergycheckup.

PG&E wants to help all of our customers keep their energy bills as affordable as possible. For you, it could start with slaying a few vampires.

Each year Yolo County has fierce summers with 100+ degree days. It's natural for us to mosey on indoors, crank up the AC and relax. Here are a few suggestions that will help you stay cool without costing too much.
1. Open the house up in the mornings and nights. While not all Yolo County nights cool down, there are those that do and luckily get a nice Delta breeze. Take advantage of those cooler outdoor temperatures to naturally "air condition" your home. If you have a whole house fan put it to use.
2. Turn off lights. If you're still lighting your home with incandescent bulbs pay attention to how much heat they put off. Incandescent can reach scorching temperatures from 390 to 500 °F. So, if you are lighting up your house you are heating up your house. You may want to consider switching to LED bulbs.
3. Avoid using the stove and oven. Don't heat up your house with appliances, use your microwave to heat up meals or take it outside and BBQ. Also, eat cold foods like salads and sandwiches, maybe a bowl of ice cream for dinner?
4. Use ceiling fans. Cooling with ceiling fans will allow you to feel 3 -6 degrees cooler. This can help lower your electricity bills without sacrificing overall comfort. If your heading out, turn them off.
5. Lower your water heater to 120 °F. Since we are already so warm you might consider turning down your water heater to save energy but also to cool down in the shower. Lowering your water heater temperature can also reduce burns.
6. Get out of the house. If you have a swimming pool head out back for some refreshing laps. If not, consider visiting a local pool for a dip. If swimming isn't your thing, visit a local library or a near by cooling center.
7. Stay hydrated. Most important with these rising temperatures is to stay hydrated and have some safe summer fun.

1. Home Energy Checkup. It's hard to know how to save energy if you are unsure of what's using energy. Do a quick 5-minute assessment with PG&E's Home Energy Checkup to find out where you're using the most energy.
2. Open Windows. With nice temperatures, why not open up windows and enjoy some fresh air. Opening windows allows you to naturally cool your home without switching on air conditioners.
3. Use Ceiling Fans. Cooling your home with ceiling fans will allow you to raise your thermostat four degrees. This can help lower your electricity bills without sacrificing overall comfort. If your heading out, turn them off.
4. Seal Air Leaks. Weather stripping windows and doors can save up to $50 a year in heating costs and keep your home comfortable. Learn how to weatherstripping with this DIY video.
5. Use Natural Lighting. Flip off the switch and give those light bulbs a break. Open up shades and light the sun shine in.
6. Program Your Thermostat. On warm days, setting a programmable thermostat to a higher setting when you are not at home can help reduce your energy costs by approximately 10 percent.
7. Service Your HVAC System. Heating and cooling accounts for over 44 percent of your home energy bill. Lower your monthly energy bill by keeping your air conditioning equipment working at peak efficiency. PG&E's AC Quality Care can help.
8. Replace Air Filters. A dirty air filter makes your unit work harder which uses more energy. Change out your air filter regularly, at least every 90 days and more frequently if you have pets.
9. Air Dry Laundry. If it's a nice day out why not hang dry your laundry.
10. Vacuum Refrigerator Coils. Dust that builds up on refrigerator coils can cause the motor to work harder, using more energy.