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Even if you can't put in solar, there are lots of things you can do to become energy efficient |
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Flex power, low-water use, insulation, energy-star appliances, mulching, backyard habitat for animals and humans |
| How much electric do you use? Examine your utility bill, and figure out where all that power goes. |
| Use the energy estimator to see where you can conserve |
| Flex your power: Each electric utility will help you move electric usage off-peak |
| Low-flow water use: Local Sanitation districts will help you put in low-flow toilets and shower heads |
| Lawns take 70 inches of water per year -- replace non-native grass with drought-resistent native plant palette |
| Graywater systems are legal and reuse shower, dish and washer water |
| Backyard habitat for humans and animals with proper mulching edible landscaping supporting birds, butterflies and humans native plants and low-water plants |
| California Native Americans recognized four plant groupings: medicinal, ceremonial, food and structural, all tied together around the family oak tree. Adopt and tend an oak tree, and find out about native plants. |
| Energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs can reduce usage from 100 W to 15 W per light bulb with no loss of illumination. |
| Energy star appliances: Efficient refrigerators Front-loading washing machines save water and electricity Rack-drying some laundry helps with folding and reduces energy spent on machine drying |
| Electric Power | Solar PV electric Energy Star appliances Compact flourescent lighting Energy Star appliances |
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| Transportation | Electric EV cars PV and plug-in hybrid EV Energy independence Locally grown food Vegan, vegetarian |
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| Shelter Home comfort Natural Gas Food |
Solar hot water Heat pump High Efficiency Furnace Solar furnace Electric stove edible landscape Emergency supply of water |
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| Conservation | Backyard habitat Proper mulching Avoid pesticide Parks, open space drought-tolerant Low-flush toilets low-flow showerhead |
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| Emergency | Community Support Self-reliance Emergency preparedness Battery backup solar power |