These energy-saving projects were stimulated by the County’s involvement in the Kern Energy Watch Partnership, a joint project of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the County of Kern and participating municipalities. PG&E and the program partners work together to reduce energy usage, better manage energy costs and promote sustainable communities.

Dave White, Energy Coordinator for the County of Kern’s General Services Division, instigated the DHS warehouse savings a few years ago by performing an energy analysis on the building at 444 California Avenue. “Back then, over 300 incandescent light bulbs burned much of the day, even though the building was unoccupied most of the time,” said White. The Human Services Department maintenance staff encouraged new energy conservation training for employees, which will reduce their energy costs by $30,000 in a year.

This May, the County increased its dollar savings by replacing three hundred and fifteen 300-watt incandescent bulbs in the DHS warehouse and Lower Furniture Warehouse with 65-watt compact fluorescent bulbs, better known as CFLs. The County, which received the three hundred and fifteen CFLs at no charge from PG&E, is monitoring its electric bills to determine the total dollar savings achieved through this single project. In general, CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

In June, the County turned its attention to the Department of General Services maintenance shop at 610 East 15^th Street. PG&E provided free lighting and installation for the project, replacing 56 430-watt metal halide fixtures with 56, T-5 fluorescent fixtures.

Under the leadership of Jeff Frapwell, Assistant County Administrative Officer for General Services, the County is aggressively pursuing energy-efficiency programs. “We have changed thousands of magnetic ballasts fluorescent fixtures to electronic ballasts, hundreds of incandescent to compact fluorescent lamps and countless other energy efficient upgrades,” said Frapwell. “As an example, by switching to high-performance T8 lamps and electronic ballasts, we anticipate reducing energy consumption for lighting by an estimated 20 percent.”

In addition, the County has switched hundreds of old exit signs to LED models, which reduce maintenance costs as well as electricity costs. Occupancy sensors are being installed throughout County facilities to turn lights off when they aren’t needed. Most of the County’s vending machines have been equipped with controls that turn off the machine’s lights when the area is unoccupied.

“Our participation in the Kern Energy Watch partnership has been important in helping us save energy in County and municipal facilities by providing free products and installation services,” said Frapwell. “Increasing our energy efficiency is not only good for the County’s budget; it’s also good for our air quality.”

Frapwell added that Kern Energy Watch has been a positive force in educating the County’s employees and vendors, as well as the public, on how to save energy.

Kern Energy Watch is funded by California utility customers and administered by PG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

Unfortunately, even if your front door is firmly closed, heating and cooling are escaping through leaks in outer walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and windows…also known as your home’s envelope.

According to ENERGY STAR™, envelope sealing and insulating performed by a skilled contractor can save homeowners up to 10% on their total annual energy bills.

In fact, before you invest in a new air conditioning system (if that’s in your plans), consider investing first in a home energy survey performed by a certified rater. The survey will analyze your home to determine where energy is being wasted, which energy-using systems are operating inefficiently, and what cost-effective improvements would reduce the amount of energy you use each month.

How the industry addresses energy efficiency has evolved over the years from a measure-specific focus to a whole house approach. Rather than focus on a single component — an old air conditioning system, inadequate insulation, leaky ductwork — raters and contractors trained in whole house energy efficiency will determine how improvements to these and other components can work together to provide:

• a less drafty home
• more consistent cooling from room-to-room
• improved ventilation and humidity control
• lower energy bills

For example: Sealing cracks and gaps around windows, doors, plumbing, electrical and venting outlets will keep outside air from getting into your house and reduce the load on your air conditioning system.

The whole house approach goes even further to make sure your attic insulation (and, to a lesser extent, wall insulation) is adequate for your climate.

Your home’s ductwork is another key item. The California Energy Commission says most homes with central air conditioning and heating systems have inadequately sealed ducts. As a result, the average home loses around 30% of the conditioned air outside the home.²

I know what you’re thinking: what about my windows? According to the EPA, the most important consideration for improving the efficiency of windows is air sealing, which can be accomplished with caulking and weather-stripping. Shading with trees, awnings, window film and solar screens can also reduce heat gain during the day, as will keeping the drapes or blinds closed.

If you are planning to replace old windows, choosing energy-efficient models with dual-pane windows with a low-emissivity coating will also save.

If you’re in the market for a new central air conditioner this season, taking care of your home’s envelope first could reduce the size air conditioning unit you need. So seal before you shop.

Unfortunately, the trade off for an ultra-cool home is a higher energy bill.

You could move to Siberia. Or, you could make your home more energy efficient and remove some of the heat load that’s making your air conditioner work overtime and increasing your energy costs.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the primary source of heat buildup in your home is the sunlight absorbed by your house through the roof, walls, and windows. The second largest sources are heat-generating appliances and air leakage.

Let’s focus on the windows first.

Go for the Block

Lower the blinds during day.  Sounds simple, but approximately 40% of the heat that builds up in your home enters through windows. Blocking the sunlight, especially on the south and west sides of your home, will make a difference you can feel.   There are lots of options:

• Install shutters or two-inch-wide Venetian blinds and close them against direct sunlight. Wood shutters and blinds are an especially good choice because wood is especially good at blocking heat.

• If you choose vertical blinds, opt for curved louvers with fabric inserts that close tightly.

• Make your blinds even more effective by layering them over  a window shade

• Install pleated window shades with two (or better three) layers of honeycomb fabric.

• If you prefer drapes, line them with thermal fabric. Create an insulating effect by layering your drapes over sheers that are generously shirred on the rods.

• Another way to enhance the thermal barrier provided by your curtains or drapes is to layer them over a roller shade, which you pull down during the heat of the day.

• Install reflective/thermal window film. You can purchase DIY films at most home improvement stores.  Sun-control film can reflect up to 80% of the incoming sunlight. In addition to cooling down your home, you’ll protect drapes, carpets and furniture from fading.

Make a Permanent Difference

Strategically located shade outside your home can reduce the indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Trees not only block much of the sunlight coming in through your windows, they also improve your home’s appearance and contribute to clean air. Plant trees on the northeast-southeast and the northwest-southwest sides of your house.  Deciduous trees are a good choice because they lose their leaves in the winter and allow the sunlight in your windows at a time of the year when you do appreciate the warmth.

A local arborist or garden store can help you get the most out of shade trees.

Exterior shading is typically even more effective than interior window coverings when it comes to blocking sunlight.  A property installed awning can reduce heat gain by as much as 65% on windows with a southern exposure and 77% on windows with an eastern exposure.  Choose a light-colored awning to reflect the sunlight.

Get Out the Big Guns

You caulking gun is an important tool in making your home more energy efficient. Leaks and gaps around the window frame and the insulation around the frame allow outside air to infiltrate your home, adding to the air conditioning load.  The most likely places for energy leaks are at the top of the window, near the fascia, and on the sides.  Natural settling causes windows to self-seal at the bottom, creating even bigger gaps at the top.

Check for missing or bad insulation surrounding the window, as well as gaps caused by problems with the caulking that holds the fascia and siding panels together above or around the windows.  Chances are heat from the outside is leaking in and air conditioned air is leaking out.

You can stop the leaks yourself by caulking around windows with a weatherproof outdoor caulk. The caulk forms a flexible seal for cracks, gaps, or joints that are less than ¼-inch wide.

A Clear Opportunity

Okay. We’ll stop with the puns.  But windows do offer you fairly inexpensive opportunities for saving energy and lowering your air conditioning costs. Plus, solutions such as window treatments, awnings and trees improve the look of your home.

There are always situations in which new, energy efficient windows are the best solution to high cooling bills.  But most of us can save a lot without spending much.

California’s statewide campaign, Flex Your Power, was included in the top 10. Some of the specific success mentioned were our ability to reach the Spanish-speaking audience. Staples Marketing Communications is proud of our work from 2003-2009 on behalf of the California Public Utilities Commission and California’s investor-owned utilities.

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