Growing power demands, warmer weather patterns, and energy price volatility caused by deregulation make our energy supply less reliable than before. To help avoid possible outages and reduce energy costs, here are some energy saving tips to help lower usage and control your energy costs. Saving energy is good for the environment, too!

Some of the conservation tips that follow are published in materials provided by Southern California Edison and the Gas Company.

Visit http://www.outagewatch.com/003_safety_first/003e10_ro_notification.shtml for information about notification services for electricity system emergencies and rotating outages.

Electricity

• In the summer, set your air conditioning thermostat at the highest comfortable setting. A setting of 78°F, rather than 70°F, could cut your energy costs by as much as 30 percent, in addition to conserving electricity supplies.
• Clean or replace the filters in your air conditioner and furnace regularly and according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Use a portable or ceiling fan to circulate air and make a breeze. Fans cost less to run and use less energy than air conditioners.
• Close drapes and shades to keep direct sunlight out and lower your cooling costs in the summer.
• Insulate your home and caulk/weather-strip around doors and windows to reduce both cooling and heating costs. These openings can consume up to 40 percent of your home's heating and cooling energy.
• Shift energy-intensive tasks like laundry and dishwashing to off-peak demand hours (i.e., weekdays before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m., all weekend long and all day on holidays).
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs which use 75 percent less energy than typical incandescent bulbs.
• Turn off and unplug appliances not in use: lights, TVs, computers, microwaves, CD players, etc. "Standby power" usage can account for up to 30 percent of your home electronics energy. Be sure to check the owner's manual to make sure this won't impact the memory or performance of the machine.
• Activate "sleep" features on computers and office equipment that power down while on, but not in use for awhile. Turn them off altogether during long periods of non-use to both cut utility costs and extend longevity.
• Run your pool pump in the evening or early morning hours and reset your pool timer to run during off-peak hours.
• Wash full loads in your dishwasher and use the "air dry" or other energy-saving switches if your dishwasher has them, or turn it off and after the final rinse, and let the dishes air dry. Air-drying your dishes may reduce your dishwasher's energy usage by 40 percent.
• Plant leafy trees and vines around your home and install reflective roof coatings or tiles on your roof. Without adequate insulation, your attic can reach temperatures as high as 115°F or more. For some useful information on insulating your home, visit the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association website at www.naima.org
• When buying new appliances, look at the yellow Energy Guide label and buy only energy-efficient appliances.

Natural Gas

• In the winter, set your thermostat to 68°F or less during the day, 55°F or less at night.
• Turn the thermostat off if you're going to be away for more than one day.
• Choose a high-efficiency model when in the market for a new gas furnace.
• Close drapes at night and close all openings to cooling units (evaporative coolers, wall and window air conditions) to keep the heat in. In the winter months, open them to let the sun in and warm your home.
• Don't block heating outlets or return registers with furniture or other objects.
• Lower your hot water temperature by setting the thermostat to "low", or below 120°F.
• Turn your water heater control valve to "pilot" when you're away from home for a week or more.
• Wash clothes in cold or warm water. Always rinse in cold water and be sure to wash full loads.
• Dry full loads of clothes in the dryer, but don't overfill. Clothes should tumble freely.
• Don't open the dryer unnecessarily. Warm air escapes from the dryer into the room.
• Clean the dryer's lint filter before each load for fastest drying.

For additional information on conserving energy, energy saving programs, and controlling energy costs, visit these websites:

• Southern California Edison
• The Gas Company
• California Department of Conservation
• California Department of Health Services
• California Energy Commission
• California Environmental Protection Agency
• Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA)