Calling All Energy Heroes
Everyday Californians like you are committed to saving energy, starting with small actions we can all perform. It’s easy to make a difference. When you do even one thing from the action list to sharpen your energy usage, you’ll see your utility bills come down while you create a more energy-efficient, comfortable home.
Things to Do
Explore the energy-saving actions below. You can also download our handy PDF and easily track the things you’ve done to save energy. Remember, the more you do to save energy, the more you’re doing for California.
Simply flip the light switch off when no one is in a room, and you’ll save energy. It’s too easy.
Savings 85 lbs of CO2/yr
Choose energy-saving light bulbs and fixtures. Replacing five of your home’s most frequently used lights with energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures could save you $75 a year in energy costs.
Savings 1000 lbs of CO2/yr
Keep your freezer full. An empty freezer uses more energy to stay cold. Pack your freezer with more food or even with gallon containers of water.
When doing laundry, use the cold cycle. Cold water gets your clothes just as clean as hot water, and you will use less energy. Also, hold off on doing laundry until you have a full load or adjust the water level or load size appropriately.
Savings 100 lbs of CO2/yr
Choose window treatments that allow you to use natural light, to reduce heat loss. Drawing the blinds in summer keeps the sun’s heat out, and opening them up in winter lets it inside.
Savings 4800 lbs of CO2/yr
Fill the dishwasher all the way before running it – you’ll use less water and energy per dish. Also, scrape remaining food off plates instead of rinsing them before loading them into the dishwasher.
Choose energy-efficient TVs and other electronic appliances for home and office.
Adjust your refrigerator’s temperature. The colder the temperature, the more energy used, so set your fridge to between 35 and 38 F.
Switch to energy-efficient appliances, fans and electronics. Using certified products throughout your home could save you nearly $750 over the lifetime of the product.
Savings 152 lbs of CO2/yr
Reduce your TV’s brightness. Dialing down the brightness a little can conserve 15% of regularly expended energy every time you use it.
Shut off your computer at night. Powering down your computer completely uses 50% less energy than sleep mode.
Savings 267 lbs of CO2/yr
Unplug fully charged devices. Leaving charged smartphones and laptops plugged in wastes energy and can damage the battery.
Savings 24 lbs of CO2/yr
Use an electronic power strip for your electronic equipment. This will help reduce phantom loads – and save you up to $100 year. Don’t forget to turn the strip off when you’re not using it.
Savings 10 lbs of CO2/yr
Install and set a programmable thermostat. You’ll save an estimated 10% per year on heating and cooling costs.
Savings 420 lbs of CO2/yr
Move furniture away from vents. Obstructing vents blocks heat, wastes energy and may even pose a fire hazard.
Cover bare floors. Rugs and carpeting aid with heat retention, and they’re more comfortable on bare feet.
Using fans and open windows to keep your home at a comfortable temperature can be more effective than you might imagine – and it saves energy in the process.
Turn down the heat in winter. Switch the thermostat to 65 F and enjoy wearing your winter wardrobe indoors again.
Savings 420 lbs of CO2/yr
Hire a professional to maintain your heating and cooling system. Check and replace your air filters regularly and arrange for annual maintenance with a qualified electrician.
Reduce energy for water heating. It just takes a few simple steps – like lowering your water heater’s temperature and installing low-flow showerheads – to reduce your water heating bills.
Savings 150 lbs of CO2/yr
Plugging the sink when washing dishes or using a washbasin to clean up by hand can limit the amount of water that is wasted.
Say yes to showers. Showers use less water than baths. Just keep an eye on how much time you spend lathering up in there.
Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator. Running hot water over frozen foods to thaw them wastes a lot of water. You’re better off defrosting them in the refrigerator overnight.
Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth. Shutting off the tap while you’re shaving or brushing your teeth means less water is wasted down the drain.
Who's Doing Their Thing?
It’s happening all over the state of California – residents are joining together to save energy, reduce our impact on the environment and become today’s energy heroes.
Total CO2 we will save together
172.933tons per year
Share With Your Friends
Inspire others to join the movement! Let them know you’ve committed to saving energy through your daily actions and helping to save the planet – and they can, too. It’s that easy.
Make a Bigger Impact
Energy Upgrade California® and your local energy provider want you to better manage your energy through various home improvements, rebates and incentives.