Everyone likes a warm sunny day in San Diego, but what if we could use that natural energy to really light up our lifestyles.
San Diego is California’s #1 Solar City. There are more solar installations in San Diego than in any other city in California.
How Can I Help? Season 1, Episode 4: Solar Diego (Solar Panels)
Some Say San Diego Should Switch to Solar. See Why? Start off talking to Cecillia Aguillon of Kyocera Solar about the Solar Module Manufacturing Plant they have right here in San Diego. The manufacturing plant is sustaining the local economy while providing the tools to create a dependable energy source that respects the environment. Kyocera truly is not only business as usual, its business that is useful.
After that join us as we talk with veterans in commercial solar development, Independent Energy Solutions, on how green is gaining steam with the cool projects that are becoming a hot item throughout San Diego.
Its time for us to get dirty with Green Jobs, follow us as we install residential solar paneling with Baker Solar Electric Inc. in Bonita, California to discover what it takes to brighten up your homes value while lighting up on the energy savings possible.Learn how the community and environment are truly enhanced with Solar Technology through representatives from the County of San Diego, SDG&E, CA. Center for Sustainable Energy and much more.
You’ll light up for this bright idea for sure. Originally aired Friday June 24th at 6:00 PM on ITV – Channel 16.
Lighten up your environmental impact with these Energy Efficiency Green Yourself Tips.
Energy Efficiency Ideas
Descent of the Incandescent
Replace incandescent bulbs with energy efficient LEDs. CFLs also improve efficiency but contain mercury which hurts the environment if not properly disposed of after use.
Sustainable Statistic A standard incandescent light bulb converts 90% of the electrical energy into heat; while only 10% is converted to light.
Lights on but no ones home
Ditch the Switch and install timed lighting or occupancy sensors in common areas and forget about the lights.
Computer green savers
Save energy and money by adjusting the settings on home and office computers to go into sleep mode after a set time of non-use (discontinue the use of screen savers).
Keep the computer off when not being used at home and go further by even implementing a “Computer Shut Off” education campaign for the office.
Sustainable Statistic: After lighting, computers and monitors have the highest energy consumption in office environments.
(Sustainable) Management Material
Bring green to save green at your business with a proactive position towards energy savings. Shed some light on your business’ energy consumption by conducting a lighting audit. Show your management material with successful savings by implementing at least one of the recommendations identified in the audit (even a loose pilot project creates an atmosphere to discuss success through sustainability). Remember, telling your boss that your looking for ways to save the company money by being more efficient will never hurt your status in the eyes of your employer.
Sustainable Statistic If the energy efficiency in every commercial and industrial building nationwide improved by a mere 10%, Americans would save about $20 billion on energy costs each year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking 30 million cars off the roads.
Cool Down with these Hot Tips to Save Some Scratch during the Summer
Be sure to look out below for a warm little winter energy savings treat.
Let there be light
Make the most of the longer days by leaving your curtains open later in the evenings. Not only is the natural infusion of daylight far more welcoming than electric light, but it also uses less energy too.
Chillin out: You still own a jacket, right?
When the evening begins to become a little chilly, don’t turn up the thermostat. Add some style to your green by wearing warmer clothes.
On the flip side: Let the summer breezes in
Don’t use the warmer weather as an excuse to turn the air conditioning on – leave a couple of windows open around the house to encourage a fresh breeze through after the stifling environment of a centrally heated winter. Also close curtains or shut blinds on windows in direct sunlight to prevent rooms heating up. Setting your air conditioner at 70 degrees instead of 78 can almost double your operating cost!
Guard with your Garden
Plant shade trees. Outside shade can reduce air conditioning costs 30%. Shade on the east and west is most important.
Cooling Cost Conversion
If you have ceiling fans, run the fans and the air conditioner at the same time but set the air conditioner a few degrees higher, to 80 or 81 degrees. With the breeze from a fan, you should feel as cool as you would at 78 degrees with no fans – but you’ll reduce your costs by about 15%-25%.
Stay Outside
Drink plenty of cool liquids. Avoid caffeine or alcohol indoors and during the day. Cook outdoors.
Working hard or hardly working
Situation A: Grab a pick and head to West Virginia, than down a cave and find some coal. Drive it all the way back to California and build a power plant, throw it in the fire and build a ton of wires and infrastructure to get those turbines to send that electricity your way. Once it gets to your house buy a really expensive machine that uses that heat to spin your clothes dry.
Situation B: Buy a clothesline or secure a rope in your backyard.
What would you rather do?
Bright Idea
Change out incandescent light bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting choices. Energy Star qualified lighting not only uses less energy, but also produces approximately 75 percent less heat than incandescent lighting, so cooling bills will be reduced, too.
If your Duct Sucked than your probably gonna get…
As much as 20 percent of the air moving through your home’s duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poor duct section connections. Seal duct work using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulate all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages). Also, make sure that connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet floors, walls, and ceilings. These are common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork. Create a regular maintenance schedule and air system checklist for your home or business and make sure your “ducts are all in a row”.
Dirty Jobs
Check your cooling system’s air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it. A good rule is to change the filter at least every three months. A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool—wasting energy. Also, remember to have your system serviced annually to ensure it’s running at optimum efficiency for money and energy savings.
Toast your Friends, Don’t Roast your Meals.
Its summer so grab some buds and brews for a BBQ to light up some delicious meals instead of an oven to cook, when you can. Ovens make your house warmer, requiring your AC system to turn on to keep the house at a comfortable temperature.
Practice makes perfect…Be Creative! Find a new way to save energy and share it with all of us Eco Diego Fans 
We wish winter would never come, but with these Green Yourself Tips you sure will stay warm with energy savings to reducing your electricity bill while helping the environment.
Try these 2 simple steps for saving energy this winter…
Save up to 20% on monthly winter energy bills by lowering the furnace thermostat three to five degrees (health permitting). Save even more by turning the thermostat off when you’re not at home. Check your furnace filter monthly. Clean or replace it per the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Save up to 20% on monthly heating costs by installing adequate insulation. Caulk & weather-strip around doors and windows to keep cool air out and warm air in.
Get green for being green with SDG&E…
Save up to $10 monthly by having home air ducts tested for leaks and sealed, if needed.