19% of potential reductions
Increasing the efficiency of buildings is often the most cost-effective approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency upgrades, such as adding insulation and sealing heating ducts, have demonstrated energy savings of up to 20 percent, while more aggressive “whole house” retrofits can result in even greater energy savings. Many “low-hanging fruit” improvements can be made inexpensively and without remodeling yet can be extremely cost-efficient, such as swapping out incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs, sealing air leaks, and installing a programmable thermostat. Energy Star-certified appliances and office equipment, high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, and high-efficiency windows not only save energy but reduce operating costs in the long run. Nonetheless, some upgrades can be expensive, particularly for low-income households, so the City participates in programs that provide rebates, free energy audits, and financing options for residents and businesses.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
1. Replace indoor and outdoor lights with LED bulbs, and turn them off when not in use.
- Get a free Green House Call and LED Bulbs for Your Home
- LED Lighting Incentives for Businesses
- Tips for LED Lighting in the Home
2. Have an energy assessment done for your home or business.
- Get a free Green House Call for Your Home
- MCE Clean Energy Programs for Business
- Low-income Programs for Tenants and Landlords
- Low Income Incentives from PG&E
- PG&E’s Free Home Energy Audit
- Incentives for Home Energy Upgrades
3. Upgrade insulation, seal leaks, and install a programmable thermostat.
- Energy Star Heating and Cooling Guide, US EPA
4. Purchase Energy Star appliances and equipment.
5. Unplug electronic appliances when not in use and set the thermostat to use less heat and air conditioning.
- What the Heck is Phantom Power and Why Should I Exorcise It?
- Get a free Green House Call and Smart Power Strips for Your Home
What is the City of San Rafael Going to Do to Help?
Promote and expand participation in residential and commercial energy efficiency programs.
- Work with organizations and agencies such as the Marin Energy Watch Partnership, the Bay Area Regional Network, Resilient Neighborhoods, and the Marin Climate & Energy Partnership to promote and implement energy efficiency programs and actions.
- Continue and expand participation in energy efficiency programs such as Energy Upgrade California, California Energy Youth Services, and Smart Lights.
- Promote utility, state, and federal rebate and incentive programs.
- Participate and promote financing and loan programs for residential and non-residential projects such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs, PG&E on-bill repayment, and California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing (CHEEF) programs.
Investigate requiring energy audits for residential and commercial buildings prior to completion of sale, including identification of cost savings from energy efficiency measures and potential rebates and financing options.
Use high albedo material for roadways, parking lots, sidewalks and roofs to reduce the urban heat island effect and save energy.
- Evaluate the use of high albedo pavements when resurfacing City streets or re-roofing City facilities.
- Encourage new development to use high albedo material for driveways, parking lots, walkways, patios, and roofing through engagement and behavior change campaigns.
Investigate adopting a green building ordinance for new and remodeled commercial and residential projects that requires green building methods and energy efficiency savings above the State building and energy codes. Consider utilizing the County's green building ordinance as a model and including the use of photovoltaic systems and all-electric building systems as options to achieve compliance.
Analyze current green building permit and inspection process to eliminate barriers and provide technical assistance to ensure successful implementation of green building requirements. Work county-wide to make it easier for contractors and building counter staff to simplify applications and identify incentives.
Complete replacement of inefficient street, parking lot and other outdoor lighting with LED fixtures.
Work with the Marin Energy Management Team to identify and implement energy efficiency projects in municipal buildings and facilities and electrification of existing building systems and equipment that use natural gas.
Reduce energy consumption through behavioral and operational changes.
- Establish energy efficiency protocols for building custodial and cleaning services and other employees, including efficient use of facilities, such as turning off lights and computers, thermostat use, etc.
- Incorporate energy management software, electricity monitors, or other methods to monitor energy use in municipal buildings.
- Investigate 9/80 work schedule for City facilities where feasible and where facilities can be shut down entirely.