Be Energy-Wise

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Reduce Your Use

Using energy more efficiently is one of the easiest ways to reduce your climate impacts. Small changes can also lead to big savings! Below are some easy ways to reduce your use:

Eliminate standby power, also known as ‘vampire power’: You could be spending up to $200 a year on vampire power, so be sure to unplug electronics when not in use (especially phone chargers).
Turn off the lights: Lighting accounts for about 5-10% of a typical home’s energy use costing between $75 and $250/year. Save yourself some green by flicking the switch when you leave a room.
Use a power strip: Invest in a power strip and turn off all appliances connected to the strip in one fell swoop! Consider purchasing a Smart Strip, which automatically turns off power when appliances are not in use.
Change bulbs to CFLs or LEDs: Replace the bulbs in the five most frequently used light fixtures with ENERGY STAR-qualified bulbs and save as much as $75 each year on your energy bill.
Put your computer to sleep: Give your computer (and energy bill) a break by putting it to sleep when not in use. The energy savings from sleep mode are about equivalent to turning your computer off but you won’t have to wait to easily pick up where you left off!

Watch the Time

Time of Use rate plans are based on how much energy you use and when you use it. By shifting some electricity usage to times when costs are less and demand is down, you can lower your bill and reduce pollution. California is fortunate to be blessed with plenty of renewable energy sources but when energy demand peaks in the late afternoon/evening, renewable sources are not as plentiful. You can help Keep California Golden by remembering to Power Down from 4pm-9pm.

Check out BayREN Home+

Energy efficiency improvements can help you save energy, improve home comfort and health, and take control of your home's performance. The Bay Area Regional Energy Network's (BayREN) Home+ program offers cash rebates for home energy efficiency improvements like duct sealing/replacement, insulation, high efficiency furnaces/air conditioners, high efficiency heat pump systems, water heating systems, electrification appliance rebates and more.

BayREN Home+ also offers free technical assistance with an Home Energy Advisor for residents interested in participating in the rebate program. Please note that you must a use a BayREN participating contractor to qualify for rebates.

Get a Free Home Energy Score

image of a house with solar panels on a leaf Home Energy Score is a free program developed by the Department of Energy and implemented locally by BayREN. When you sign up for the program, a trained Home Energy Score Assessor will visit your home, conduct an assessment, and then score your home on a scale of 1 to 10. Once you get your Home Energy Score, you can get help prioritizing energy upgrades by contacting a no-cost BayREN Home Energy Advisor. Your Home Energy Advisor can help you identify the smartest investments and walk you through the process of accessing rebates and incentives.

Snag a Free Energy Efficiency Kit

Rising Sun Center for Opportunity will be providing free Green House Calls Energy Efficiency Kits during the summer of 2022 to Novato residents who complete a 15-minute survey to identify the best opportunities to save water and energy in your home. The survey helps look at windows and appliances to determine the right kit for you. The kit you receive will walk you through testing your toilet for leaks and other home water sources for efficiency. The survey can be completed online or by calling (510) 665-1501 ext. 300.

Financing your Energy Efficiency Upgrade

Go Green Financing is a one-stop-financing-shop that was created by the State of California to increase the accessibility and availability of financing for energy efficiency projects. Residents and businesses can browse a database of financing solutions and filter the various options down to a more manageable number--making it easy to get in touch with a lender that fits your own unique needs and preferences.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing - Property owners can secure upfront PACE funding for energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy, and seismic improvement projects which are repaid through an up to 20-year special line item on their property taxes - instead of traditional consumer credit.

The program is open to property owners in all Marin jurisdictions and unincorporated Marin County. PACE program providers require jurisdiction approval to operate and below is the list of PACE providers servicing Novato.