SLO County Market Update & Article on Your Utility Savings

*INTERESTING FACT –

Cal Poly, including its main campus, ranches and agricultural lands occupies a total of 9,967 acres. The school encompasses more land than the entire incorporated city of San Luis Obispo, which covers approximately 8,300 acres.

Utility Savings

With costs continuing to rise, finding ways to lower your monthly bills is more important than ever. Saving money doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort or simply using less. Here are some practical strategies, upgrades and solutions that can reduce your utility costs while keeping your home running smoothly. Even small changes add up over time, saving you money while improving your home’s efficiency.

POWER

• Use LED lightbulbs. LEDs are more energy efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. They consume 75-90% less electricity. 
• Understand peak pricing. For PG&E customers on the Central Coast, electricity rates are highest from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day, including weekends and holidays. Save money by using major appliances, charging electric vehicles, and running pool pumps outside of peak hours.
• Turn power strips off when you’re not using chargers or devices plugged into them.

DISHWASHER

• Wait to run your dishwasher until it’s completely full. Your dishwasher uses the same amount of water and electricity whether running a full load or just a few items. Waiting until it’s full, reduces overall use and saves you in the long run. 

FRIDGE

• Cleaning the dust from the coils on the back of your fridge at least twice a year improves efficiency.
• Your fridge should not be more than three-quarters full. It takes less power to keep a full fridge cold, but there has to be enough room for air to circulate around items to maintain low temps.

HVAC

• Before your HVAC system works harder than it needs to, replace your air filter every three months. A clean filter helps your system run more efficiently and can reduce energy use.
• Invest in a smart thermostat. They can help save energy by automatically adjusting heating and cooling when you are asleep, away, or don’t need maximum comfort. They achieve this through precision scheduling, geofencing, and built-in sensors that stop your HVAC system from conditioning an empty house, ultimately cutting energy usage.

WATER HEATER

• Flush your hot water heater. Draining your hot water heater every year and flushing any sediment that has collected in the tank, keeps the appliance running smoothly. 
• Most water heaters are factory-set between 130°F and 140°F, which is hotter than necessary for most households and can increase the risk of scalding. Lowering the thermostat to 120°F provides plenty of hot water while improving safety and reducing energy use. This simple adjustment can save up to 5% on your water heating costs.

DRYER

• Don’t overload the dryer. Of course we all know line-drying uses no electricity at all. If you need to use the dryer, leave enough space for hot air to circulate. The clothes will dry much faster.
• Clean out your dryer vent at least once a year. Your clothes will dry faster and use less electricity.

INSULATION

• Replace draft guards, insulate your attic hatch, and seal air leaks around windows, doors, plumbing, and vents. Upgrades like weatherstripping, attic stair covers, and spray foam improve comfort year-round and can cut heating and cooling costs by an average of 15%.

WINDOWS

• Blackout curtains improve energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer through windows. They keep rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter, lowering heating and cooling costs.
• Use blinds & curtains to improve energy efficiency. In winter, open south-facing window coverings during the day to let in natural warmth. In summer, keep them closed during the hottest hours to block heat, and keep your home cool.