Your Livermore CA Electricians Want You to Go Green!

The LLNL sucks up enough juice on its own without all of us adding to the equation. Just a few simple tips from our Livermore CA electricians can help you cut back for years to come.

1. It may take a little time to get used to the light that high-efficiency bulbs put out, but the switch is 100% worth it. The average compact florescent bulb (CFL) will save about $6 per year, or $40 over its lifespan, which means that it actually makes sense to replace all your old bulbs before they even burn out. Furthermore, CFLs put out 1/4th the heat of old, incandescent bulbs, which means that you will save a little on air conditioning costs in the summer, as well.
2. Stop using your old refrigerator as a "second fridge." In the late 90s, before the massive efficiency gains of the last decade, refrigerators used to account for 30% of household energy costs. Your old refrigerator is still using as much energy as it always did. If you're prone to making Costco runs, you're better off buying a new waist-high freezer. Otherwise, you should consider recycling your old refrigerator, or using it for dry shelving storage.
   
3. Try to do as much of your laundry as possible using cold water. When cleaning with hot water, 85% of the energy costs will go straight to heating.
4. Unplug appliances when going on vacation, and turn off lights whenever you leave the room. The exception is if you work at Station 6.