Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency means that when you DO decide you have to use power or resources, you make sure to use as little as possible. This can mean using items that are built to be more efficient and use less power, such as Energy Star-rated refrigerators or AC units. Sometimes newer technology can be more efficient than older, but not always. A summertime laundry line can be more efficient than the latest dryer. So while energy conservation is NOT turning a light on, energy efficiency is using the lowest wattage high-efficiency bulb when you DO turn it on. And remember, the money you save will help offset the cost of increasing utility rates, which keeps your costs more stable. An increasingly useful tool is what's called a "green lease." This codifies the landlord-tenant agreement to encourage a focus on implementing energy-saving measures that benefit both parties. See more info at the websites below. We urge you to take action and help make a difference. And please spread the word! Here are some links on efficiency:
CA ENERGY COMMISSION: HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS ENERGY RESOURCES
DEPT OF ENERGY: TIPS & INCENTIVES FOR RENTERS https://www.energy.gov/save/renters
LANDLORDS GUIDE TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES https://www.steadily.com/blog/landlords-guide-to-energy-efficiency-upgrades
DEPT OF ENERGY: ENGAGING TENANTS IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/solutions-at-a-glance/engaging-tenants-energy-efficiency
DEPT OF ENERGY: TIPS FOR RENTERS & RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/tips-renters-and-rental-property-owners 10 ENERGY SAVING TIPS FOR TENANTS https://rentpost.com/resources/article/4-energy-saving-tips-tenants/
ENERGY STAR: RENTERS & TENANTS https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/resources-audience/small-biz/renters-and-tenants
RENTERS GUIDE: TIPS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY https://www.saveonenergy.com/resources/apartment-renters-save-energy/
CA ENERGY COMMISSION: HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY https://energyupgradeca.org/home-energy-efficiency
NEVADA COUNTY GOVT: ENERGY EFFICIENCY WEBPAGE https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3198/Energy-Efficiency
NEVADA CITY: SUSTAINABILITY PLAN & RESOURCES https://www.nevadacityca.gov/pview.aspx?id=20800&catid=564
PG&E: RESIDENTIAL ENERGY-SAVING TIPS https://www.pge.com/en/save-energy-and-money/energy-usage-and-tips/residential-energy-savings-tips.html
PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY: HOME ENERGY SAVING TIPS https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/residential/home-energy-savings-tips/
DEPT OF ENERGY: EFFICIENCY VS CONSERVATION https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/use-of-energy/efficiency-and-conservation.php
ENERGY STAR: ENERGY EFFICIENCY https://www.energystar.gov/about/how-energy-star-protects-environment/energy-efficiency
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL: CLEAN FACTS ABOUT EFFICIENCY
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/energy-efficiency-clean-facts
QUICK PRIMER ON BOTH EFFICIENCY & BEHAVIOR https://www.eesi.org/topics/energy-efficiency/description
CA: HOME ENERGY PROGRAMS https://climateaction.ca.gov/home-energy/
GOOD ENERGY TIPS FOR RENTERS https://www.bayren.org/articles-tools-tips/tips-renters
GREEN BUILDING ALLIANCE: GREEN LEASES https://gba.org/resources/green-building-methods/processes/green-leasing/
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS FOR CA RENTERS https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/plugging-californias-renters-into-energy-efficiency-programs
CEC: RENTAL HOUSING ENERGY PROGRAMS https://www.stopwaste.org/sites/default/files/Rental%20Housing%20Potential%20Study_FINAL.pdf
NEVADA COUNTY: OUR ENERGY ACTION PLAN https://www.mynevadacounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/35183/Nevada-County-Energy-Action-Plan
NEVADA COUNTY GOVT: ENERGY EFFICIENCY TOOLKIT https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/37819/Nevada-County-Energy-Efficient-Toolkit
UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS: VEHICLE FUEL CONSERVATION https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/how-maximize-your-vehicles-fuel-economy AAA: VEHICLE FUEL EFFICIENCY https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/How-To-Maximize-Fuel-Economy DEPT OF ENERGY: STRATEGIES TO CONSERVE FUEL https://afdc.energy.gov/conserve