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Saturday, February 4 - 8am-12pm - Bixby Marshland Tour - 1st Saturday of Every Month
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Saturday, February 4 - 10am - 1:00pm - High Efficiency Toilet Exchange
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Tuesday, February 7 - 11:00 am - Enterprise-Rent-A-Car Event
SBESC will be hosting a workshop about Energy Upgrade California conducted entirely in Spanish on this Tuesday, January 31 at the Hawthorne Memorial Center. A copy of the presentation in English will be available as a handout. Additional workshops will be conducted in Spanish for our other programs and partnerships, and will be held quarterly. Check our calendar regularly for all of our workshops, and help us pass the word along to Spanish speaking friends and neighbors!
Southern California Edison's 2012 Home Energy Effciency Rebate Form is now available. Featured are rebates on new energy efficient refrigerators ($50), whole house fans ($50), portable room air conditioners ($200), electric water heaters ($30), hybrid electric heat pumps ($30), variable speed pool pumps ($200), and single stage or dual stage ducted evaporative cooling systems ($300). Some conditions apply, so be sure to follow the required energy ratings before you consider a purchase. Take a look at the form, and if you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (310) 371-7222. As always, the rebate funds are first come, first served.
SBESC is actively looking for volunteers interested in office support, inventory control, community outreach, photography, creative services, advance team/set up and material preparation for workshops and events regarding educating South Bay businesses, residents and public agencies about energy efficiency and water conservation. We will work with your schedule, no problem. We love our volunteers and we celebrate them with an annual recognition reception. Without our volunteers we couldn't do half of what we do!
If you are interested in getting involved and taking action to save energy, water and this planet, the SBESC would love to have you as part of the family.
Please take a look at our brief volunteer application, or call Martha Segovia at (310) 371-7222, x 209 for more information.
During this cold winter, both Southern California Edison and The Gas Company have assistance programs that can help you pay your utility bills. The CARE Program and Medical Baseline Allowance are just two of the programs. Give us a call and we will help get you started. Call us at (310) 371-7222.
Christmas Tree Blues - Please check with your city to find out the proper way to dispose of your Christmas tree. Many cities in the South Bay have a curbside recycling program. Retail stores are having post-holiday sales on LED holiday lights; take advantage and stock up and you will be way ahead 11 months from now. Be sure to check our new Green Tip of the week every Monday of the coming year. Check out our Green Archive Library for a whole year’s worth of Green Tips! Happy New Year!
Last chance for rebates for 2011! Southern California Edison is offering a $50 rebate for energy efficient refrigerators, in addition to another $50 to pick up your old working model. If your water heater needs to be replaced (don’t wait for it to fail – if it’s several years old it’s probably time to replace it) the Gas Company will give a $75/unit on models that have an Energy Factor (EF) of 0.67 or greater. Make and model number must be included with a copy of the receipt. Call us for the rebate application form at (310) 371-7222, or with any other rebate questions. Happy Holidays!
Give the gift of Savings – Someone once said you should never give your loved one something with a plug. Not true!! Always buy EnergyStar qualified products and you will save money throughout the life of the product. An EnergyStar gift says “you are special to me.” Anything with a plug probably has an EnergyStar equivalent, but if you’re not sure, check the EnergyStar website. You might be surprised at what you find! The website also has valuable information regarding tax credits. You can give us a call, too, for ideas at (310) 371-7222.
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Green Tips for the Holidays in the Kitchen – Buy an oven thermometer and hang it in the oven where you can see it without having to open up the oven door, and it will reach the desired temperature sooner. Bake your holiday cookies in batches, and cover your pots and pans while they are simmering to keep the heat in. Pre-heat the oven only when the recipe calls for it, and turn the oven off five minutes early and allow your dish to remain there for a few minutes. Choose the economy settings on your dishwasher (air dry for example.) The Gas Company has a $30 rebate on new energy efficient dishwashers until December 31. Pick out a model and call us at (310) 371-7222 to verify that it qualifies.
Green Tips for the Holidays: Fireplaces are not the best choice for heat during cold weather. They look pretty and cozy but they are really just a hole in the wall that lets the heat escape. They don’t do much for air quality, either, because particulate matter blows down the chimney and into your lungs when down drafts occur. Give the Gas Company a call and schedule a tune-up for your furnace. And don’t forget the Energy Star-rated programmable thermostat. You have one, don’t you? Set it to heat the house half an hour before you get up and half an hour before you are due home. The rest of the time, keep it at 65 degrees. If you need to replace your furnace, the Gas Company is offering a $200 rebate on qualified units, or consider participating in Energy Upgrade CA while rebates up to $8,000 are still available. Call us at (310) 371-7222 for more information
HOLIDAY LIGHT EXCHANGE – On Wednesday, November 30, SBESC – in conjunction with Southern California Edison – will hold a holiday light exchange in two locations and at two different times. Just bring up to TEN (working) energy-guzzling incandescent light strands of any size, shape or color, and exchange them for up to TEN new multi-colored energy-efficient 100 light LED strands. Yes, you read it correctly – TEN strands of new ones for your old strands, and we will take icicles, minis, or strands of any length. Bring your ID or SCE bill with you and look for the SCE tent at the Torrance City Hall parking lot at 7:30 am, then again at Palos Verdes City Hall parking lot at 1:00 pm. Must be an SCE customer, and as always, first come, first served, while supplies last
Thanksgiving is only a few days away! You still have time to visit your local Farmer's Market and opt for foods that are produced locally for your Thanksgiving table this week. On Tuesday, visit one in Manhattan Beach or Old Torrance, and on Wednesday you can visit Farmers Markets in Gardena or Lawndale. By purchasing from a local vendor, you're not only getting fresher food but you are reducing your family's carbon footprint by eliminating the energy used to truck food in from faraway places, as well as the need for packing materials - which is not only very cool but a very good reason to give thanks. Click here for a list of all the Certified Farmers Markets in Southern California. Happy Thanksgiving!
SBESC will be celebrating our volunteers this week with a special reception. We love our volunteers. If it weren’t for all the hours they give us, we couldn’t do half the work we do. We have fulfilling projects, from office work to manning our booth at exhibits and environmental fairs. A new training class starts soon, so consider becoming one of our volunteers. We will train you in the concepts of energy and water efficiency, and you can take that information home with you and apply it to your own household. It’s a win-win for everybody. Give our Volunteer Coordinator, Martha Segovia, a call at (310) 371-7222 x 209
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A UTILITY DISCOUNT: Medical Baseline Allowance - If a member of your household has a medical condition that requires a sustained level of heat or the use of electricity-powered life-support equipment, both Southern California Edison and The Gas Company offer allowances on kilowatt hours and therms billed at a lower rate to help with the utility bills. Currently 50,000 SCE customers are receiving the medical baseline allocation. Visit sce.com and socalgas.com, or just give SBESC a call at (310) 371-7222.
Your home has invisible “energy vampires” that could account for as much as 10% of your bill. Electronic devices at your home are sucking energy right now even if you think they are turned OFF! They are not OFF - they are in “standby” mode. Anything with a clock, timer, or remote control is still drawing power. This includes computers, multifunction printers, power tools, hand-held vacuums, flat screen TVs, CD players, VCRs, and DVDs. The solution is to plug your devices into a surge-protected energy strip and turn it off when the devices are not in use. Energy strips do not draw standby power (don’t plug an energy strip into another energy strip!) If you have any questions, call us at (310) 371-7222. Check out our kiosk at the Promenade on the Peninsula Shopping Center's "A Spooktacular Halloween" from 3-6 on the 31st!
Southern California Gas and Southern California Edison have a comprehensive mobile home program of free energy upgrades, which can include sealing air ducts, wrapping water heaters and pipes, installing energy efficient light fixtures and CFLs, and other gas and water saving upgrades. There are also upgrades available for common areas of a mobile-home community. These could include LED exit signs, sensors and controls and fluorescent lighting. To qualify your mobile home or mobile home community must have an active SCE service account and be fully-constructed and occupied. For more information, call SBESC at (310) 371-7222.
Source: www.sce.com
October is Energy Awareness Month! The theme for 2011 is Turn Words into Action; Turn Action into Results. The U.S. Department of Energy reminds everyone to switch to CFL’s; purchase Energy Star appliances and equipment; “flip the switch” off when lights are not in use; beware the energy “vampires” (more about that later this month) combine trips, share rides, use mass transportation (check out our vanpool and Local Use Vehicle pages) and reduce your consumption, reuse or repurpose discards, and recycle. Click here for the 2011 Energy Awareness poster.
Do you own or manage a restaurant? This would be a perfect time for you to replace old inefficient equipment – before your holiday rush begins. Southern California Gas currently has cash rebates for a variety of equipment to help you lower the initial cost, including double rack ovens ($2,000), pressureless steamers ($2,000), commercial convection ovens ($500) and large-vat fryers ($500.) Energy efficient equipment costs less to operate every month so that increases your savings. The FREE Cash for Kitchens program through West Basin Municipal Water District has been extended – call (310) 371-7222 x 209 to schedule an appointment for your free water and energy audit.
It’s already October and soon the weather will be cold enough to start turning on your gas furnace to keep your family warm. For many cash-strapped families there will be difficult choices between spending the money on heat or other necessities. Both Southern California Edison and The Gas Company offer bill assistance programs to help families in need. The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers income-qualified customers a discount of 20% or more off their monthly bills. When you sign up with one utility, you are automatically signed up with both. SBESC can help you find other assistance programs from the utilities, too. Just give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
Cities, special districts, large non-profits, and public colleges and universities may qualify for energy efficiency rebates to improve their buildings, parking lots, and garages through the Energy Technology Assistance Program (ETAP). ETAP is an Energy Upgrade California Program funded through the California Energy Commission and by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The program is scheduled to wrap in March, and they still have money left to spend! Click here for more information.
Fall is the best time to plant in Southern California and Friday the 23rd is the official first day of Fall! Before digging, you should know that pipelines may be located anywhere-including under streets, sidewalks and private property, sometimes just inches below the surface. Excavation, landscaping and other forms of digging are major causes of pipeline damage. Regardless of the size or scope of the work you're planning, call Underground Service Alert at 811 at least two business days before you dig. For more safety tips, go to http://socalgas.com/safety/dig-alert.shtml Source: Southern California Gas Company.
High utility bills? Get up to $8,000 back for home energy upgrades! The rebate depends on how much energy your improvements save. You can receive (on a first-come, first-serve basis) up to $2,000 for basic sealing and insulating, or up to $8,000 for more extensive energy saving upgrades. Additional rebates may be available for specific upgrades -- go to www.energyupgradeca.org/lacounty and click on the "Rebates and Incentives" tab. Rebates may vary depending on utility provider. Click here for a flyer.
Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual West Basin Water Harvest on Saturday, October 8 from 10am to 2pm at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility, 1935 S. Hughes Way at Sepulveda in El Segundo. There will be lots of interesting things to see and do for the whole family: stage shows, carnival games, costume contest, free tours of the facility, and learn about our most precious resource, WATER. The Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility is a world class, state of the art water recycling facility. Parking is EASY and FREE. Park at 1960 E. Grand Avenue and take the shuttle over to the Water Harvest.< Segundo, El Sepulveda), (near Way Hughes S. 1935 Facility, Recycling Water Little C.)
This is the last week to take advantage of the Summer Bonus offered by Los Angeles County. Add the $2,000 rebate from Los Angeles County to the up to $4,000 already offered by the utilities, and if you haven’t called a participating contractor by now, $6,000 in rebates will slip right through your fingers. Visit EnergyUpgradeCA.org and pick out one of the participating BPI Certified contractors for an evaluation. For questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
Only TWO MORE WEEKS until Labor Day. Checklist: hot dogs, buns, lemonade, grill . . . . what about Energy Upgrade California? Is that on your list? Up to $6,000 in rebates will buy enough picnic supplies to fund your next fifteen Labor Day celebrations! Not to mention the savings every month on your utility bills. So don’t delay any longer - - visit EnergyUpgradeCA.org and pick out one of the participating BPI Certified contractors and get this Energy Upgrade party started! For questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
Only THREE MORE WEEKS until Labor Day. This is the perfect time of year to be planning upgrades to your home’s wall insulation, energy efficient heating and energy efficient windows in anticipation of cold weather (and you know it’s coming). Take advantage of the up to $6,000 in rebates currently being offered by the utilities and Los Angeles County. For questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
Only FOUR MORE WEEKS until Labor Day. Pick up the phone and call one of the Energy Upgrade California participating contractors and make an appointment for a consultation and estimate. They are all BPI Certified building performance specialists and can easily spot what your home needs. Don’t let the up to $6,000 in rebates currently being offered slip through your fingers. Just go to EnergyUpgradeCA.org, pick out a contractor, and make that call. For questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
Only FIVE MORE WEEKS until Labor Day. You have between now and September 5 to qualify for up to $6,000 in rebates offered by Southern California Edison, The Gas Company, and Los Angeles County for qualified upgrades to your home through Energy Upgrade California. Take the first step. Just go to EnergyUpgradeCA.org, pick out a contractor. Don’t let that generous rebate slip through your fingers. For questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
The dog days of summer are almost upon us. Labor Day is only SIX WEEKS AWAY. You have between now and Labor Day to qualify for up to $6,000 in rebates offered by Southern California Edison, The Gas Company, and Los Angeles County for qualified upgrades to your home through Energy Upgrade California. What are you waiting for? Get on the phone and call one of the Energy Upgrade participating contractors and schedule a visit for an estimate. Don’t let that generous rebate slip through your fingers. Act today. For questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
We are rapidly approaching the middle of summer. Energy efficient air conditioning systems, cool roofs, and whole house fans are all listed as eligible measures in the Advanced Upgrade Package for Energy Upgrade California. Visit the website at EnergyUpgradeCA.org and pick out a contractor to come to your home and give you an estimate. No more “sweatin’ to the oldies” when your utility bills show up in the mailbox, plus you could qualify for up to $6,000 in rebates if you act now. For questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
The Energy Upgrade California Program has two components: The Basic Package and the Advanced Package. The Basic Package consists of a few basic measures that will help reduce your energy consumption by at least 10%. The Advanced Package will reduce your energy consumption even more. How much more? You won’t know unless you contact a participating Energy Upgrade Contractor and make an appointment for a consultation. All the contractors are BPI Certified and have been specially trained in Energy Upgrade details. They will give you the straight scoop. Pick one out at www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org. For questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
Do you think Thomas Jefferson ever thought of indoor air quality? In all of his writings did he ever mention “cool roof”, “tankless water heater” or “double-pane windows?” We think Jefferson would jump at the chance to take advantage of Energy Upgrade California and earn up to $6,000 in rebates at the same time! As we celebrate our nation’s Independence this July 4 – would you like to break free of those high utility bills and improve the quality of your home and use these generous rebates to help pay for it? Visit the Energy Upgrade California website and take the first step. For questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
Have you visited the Energy Upgrade California website yet? Check out the stories of the Energy Upgrade Makeover Contest winners and see if their stories seem familiar to you. Each family has their own set of circumstances, but they all have the same goal of wanting to see smaller energy bills without sacrificing their families’ comfort. While you are on the website, check out the list of contractors and give one a call and make an appointment. Energy Upgrade California is the way to go, and you can earn up to $6,000 in rebates if you act now. For questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
Do you have several energy upgrade projects in mind for your home but don’t think you can afford to do them all? Energy Upgrade California is the solution for you. Depending on the amount of energy you save, you can earn up to $4,000 in rebates from Southern California Edison and The Gas Company, and between now and Labor Day, earn an additional $2,000 in rebates from Los Angeles County. That’s $6,000 in rebates! The first step is to go onto the energyupgradeca.org website, pick out a contractor and give them a call. Don’t wait - - Labor Day will be here before you know it! For further questions, give us a call at (310) 371-7222.
Homeowners who complete qualifying energy-saving home upgrade projects can receive incentives of up to $6,000 through Energy Upgrade California - special summer rebate increase from LA County available until Labor Day. Click here www.energyupgradeCA.org. Components of an Energy Upgrade California home energy audit: Appliance Combustion Safety Testing. This part of the audit will ensure that all of your natural gas appliances, such as your stove, water heater, and furnace are venting correctly and not back-drafting carbon monoxide back into your home. This test is done twice: before the audit and after the audit. End result: safety for your family and peace of mind for you. Act now for your $6,000 rebate!
Components of an Energy Upgrade California home energy audit: Air Quality Issues. Properly operating bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans correctly exhausted to the outdoors can reduce the overall energy use of a home and add to the indoor air quality. Leaking attic ducts can contribute to air quality problems, and can be uncovered with a duct leakage test. Leaks can also cost a lot of money if you have an air conditioning system. More importantly, breathing air containing mold, allergens and other toxins can cause all sorts of health problems. Soot is one more reason to seal up your fireplace! Your home performance contractor will include air quality in his report. Next Week: Safety Testing of Gas Appliances
Components of an Energy Upgrade California home energy audit: The Infra-Red Camera. The quickest way to spot heat loss is to do a thermographic inspection with an infrared scanner or camera. Sometimes they are used at the same time a blower door test is running because the blower door highlights air leaks through the building envelope. Infrared cameras can spot lapses in wall insulation, the absence of insulation, and can also spot moisture in the walls, which could suggest roof or plumbing leaks. The cameras can see heat loss around windows and doors, and can also be use after insulation is installed to make sure it has been installed correctly. They can look from the inside out or the outside in. Next week: Air Quality Issues
Components of an Energy Upgrade California home energy audit: The Blower Door Test. The Blower Door Test will determine if there are any existing air leaks in the walls, ceilings, and floors, which is the envelope of the house. All interior doors are opened (except closets), windows and exterior doors closed and locked, gas appliances off, damper closed in the fireplace, furnace off. A large fan, sealed into an outside door opening, is turned on and air is drawn out of the house, pulling with it air streams from leaks. The contractor goes from room to room and feels for air flow either with his hand or a smoke puffer. Once the air leaks are located, he will be able to determine their types and the best way to seal them. The test is safe and you don’t have to leave . . . its kind of interesting to watch! Next week: the Infra-Red Camera
The very first step to make your home more efficient is a professional home energy audit done by an Energy Upgrade California participating home performance contractor. The audit will establish a baseline of how much energy your home uses and will help the contractor prepare a plan of action to fine-tune your home into a well-running energy-efficient machine! You will receive an estimate of the costs, how long the project may take, and the amount of energy saved after the project is done and going forward, which will help determine your payback period. The EUC participating contractor will also inform you of qualifying rebates and incentives. What is included in a home energy audit? Next week: Blower Door Testing
Are you tired of paying over $4.00 a gallon for gasoline? And with no end in sight? Then Metro’s Vanpool is for you! People who participate in the Metro Vanpool program can save 20% to 30% off the cost of vanpooling (Metro provides an on-going monthly subsidy of up to $400 for qualified vanpools) – and up to 70% off their usual commute costs if they switch from driving alone. SBESC can help EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS get started vanpooling right away! For more information, please contact Grace or Martha at SBESC (310) 371-7222 or email grace@sbesc.com or martha@sbesc.com.
Know a great contractor who should become a participating Energy Upgrade California contractor? Refer him or her to the Energy Upgrade California website at www.energyupgradeca.org to find out about the qualifications, how to get training, and how to get listed on the website. If you have any question, please don't hesitate to call SBESC at (310) 371-7222.
Hiring a Contractor 101: Once you’ve picked your contractor, CSLB also advises homeowners: 1) Don’t pay cash, 2) Don’t pay in full up-front and don’t let the payments get ahead of the work, and 3) Make sure you have a written contract and don’t sign it until you fully understand the terms and what’s included or not included. Get more information and tips about hiring a contractor at www.cslb.ca.gov or by calling 800 321-CSLB (2752). Next week: Keep our contractors working.
Hiring a Contractor 101: Considering hiring a contractor for Energy Upgrade California or any home improvement project? California’s Contractors State License Board (CSLB) recommends homeowners take these steps before selecting a contractor: 1) Check out the contractor’s license status at with CSLB, 2) Get at least three bids, 3) Ask for references on work done in the local area, and 4) Ask to see the contractor’s “Pocket License” or their representative’s “Home Improvement Sales Registration” and to see an additional form of ID so you can confirm their identity. Next week: You’ve picked your contractor, now what?
The first step in Energy Upgrade California is to contact a participating contractor. He will explain the Basic Package to you, which may include air sealing, attic insulation, duct sealing, hot water pipe insulation, a thermostatic shut-off valve, a low flow showerhead, and combustion appliance safety testing, including installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitor. Take action today and you may qualify for a $1,000 rebate. If you know a contractor who wants to become an Energy Upgrade contractor, click here. Call SBESC for more information at (310) 371-7222 or visit www.energyupgradeCA.org.
During the month of April we celebrate Earth Day and our environment. One of the easiest ways to honor our environment is to stop flushing prescription, over-the-counter medications and veterinary medicines down the toilet. Check with your local law enforcement agency to see if they have the S...
ENTER THE $100,000 HOME ENERGY MAKEOVER CONTEST! The deadline to enter the Home Energy Makeover Contest is THIS WEEK! Last Day is THURSDAY, March 31, 2011. ONE $50,000 “TOWARD NET ZERO ENERGY” Winning Home receives up to $50,000 in energy and water efficiency improvements, including solar. Five $10,000 Winning Homes receive up to $10,000 each in home energy and water efficiency improvements. Energy Upgrade California is here! Click here to enter the contest.
ENTER THE $100,000 HOME ENERGY MAKEOVER CONTEST! Only a few days left to enter the contest! Last Day to enter is March 31, 2011. ONE $50,000 “TOWARD NET ZERO ENERGY” Winning Home receives up to $50,000 in energy and water efficiency improvements, including solar. Five $10,000 Winning Homes receive up to $10,000 each in home energy and water efficiency improvements. Energy Upgrade California is here! Click here to enter the contest.
ENTER THE $100,000 HOME ENERGY MAKEOVER CONTEST! Only a couple of weeks left to enter the contest! Last Day to enter is March 31, 2011. ONE $50,000 “TOWARD NET ZERO ENERGY” Winning Home receives up to $50,000 in energy and water efficiency improvements, including solar. Five $10,000 Winning Homes receive up to $10,000 each in home energy and water efficiency improvements. Energy Upgrade California is here! Click here to enter the contest.
ENTER THE $100,000 HOME ENERGY MAKEOVER CONTEST! Last Day to enter March 31, 2011. ONE $50,000 “TOWARD NET ZERO ENERGY” Winning Home receives up to $50,000 in energy and water efficiency improvements, including solar. Five $10,000 Winning Homes receive up to $10,000 each in home energy and water efficiency improvements. Energy Upgrade California is here! Click here to enter the contest.
To restaurant owners and managers: green your kitchen and lower the total in the expense column of your budget. Call us for a FREE water survey and energy audit through the Cash for Kitchens program offered by West Basin Municipal Water District. We will bring a Customer Service Technician from The Gas Company and without disturbing your staff, do the survey in about 30 minutes. We will make water and energy saving recommendations and give you a personalized training manual for your staff. You may qualify for a new pre-rinse spray valve, faucet aerators, flow restrictors, or more. Call Martha Segovia at (310) 371-7222, x 209 to set up an appointment