8 Powerful Ways to Conserve Energy
Save energy and money -- and all are FREE!
These energy conservation actions are backed by research. Those related to home heating and cooling have the highest annual savings potential, which is the biggest energy expense for most homes.
Actual savings are dependent on things like your home size, number of people in it, weather, types and age of appliances. Every home is unique and so are the people who live in it!
Action
Turn off unused lights / electronics / appliances
Incentive
If most your lights are LEDs, they’re using much less energy.
Phantom loads (electronics on standby mode) = 5–10% of bill. Savings $50–$150/year, depending on # of devices.
Action
Adjust thermostat
Summer > 78 degrees
Air conditioning is one of the largest household loads.
Winter < 65 degrees
Heating is usually the #1 energy use in colder parts of CA.
Incentive
Raising by 3–5°F can cut cooling costs 10–20%. Biggest potential savings in hot climates.
Lowering by 3–5°F can save 10–15% on heating energy.
Action
Lower hot water
heater setting to
120°F (140° degrees is most common but we recommend 120°)
Incentive
Saves 4–22% of water heating energy, about $50–$100/year.
Action
Use cold water for laundry
Incentive
Heating water = ~90% of laundry’s energy. Saves ~$40–$60/year per household.
Action
Take shorter showers. Reduce hot water use
Incentive
Reducing 5 min/day saves ~100–400 kWh/year per person. For a family of 4, this can rival water heater thermostat savings.
Action
Air dry clothes/dishes
Incentive
Electric dryer = ~700 kWh/year (≈ $200). Replacing some or all dryer cycles with air-drying can save $50–$200/year depending on use.
Action
Keep the sun out in summer and in during the winter
Incentive
Strategic shading & passive solar gains can save 5–10% HVAC load.Simple, no-cost behavioral change.
Action
Enroll in Ohm Connect (PGE) or Power Shirt Rewards (PCE)
Incentive
Reduce energy at peak hours and and get paid for it!