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Behavioral Energy Saving Tactics

Picture of Kristina Weldon

Kristina Weldon

Climate & Energy Technician

Energy bills can be a significant expense, especially during extreme weather seasons. However, with a few small behavioral adjustments, you can reduce energy usage and save money. The infographic above highlights simple yet effective strategies to lower your energy consumption without compromising comfort. Here’s a deeper dive into these measures:

Understanding Energy Rates

Energy prices vary throughout the day and year. Knowing when electricity costs peak can help you strategically plan your energy use. A little planning can go a long way in reducing your energy bill, especially during the costly summer months.

  • Peak hours (4-9 PM): Avoid running high-energy appliances during these times.
  • Partial-peak and off-peak hours: These are cheaper times to use electricity. Consider running dishwashers, washing machines, or other large appliances in the morning or mid-day.

 

Summertime Cooling Tips

Air conditioning is one of the biggest contributors to high summer energy bills. Stay comfortable while minimizing costs with these tips:

  • Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day.
  • Use fans to circulate air instead of turning up the AC.
  • Set your thermostat up by 7-10 degrees when leaving home or during cooler evenings. This small change can save up to 10% on your bill, according to ENERGY STAR.

Wintertime Heating Tips

Heating accounts for a large portion of winter energy expenses. Lowering your thermostat even slightly can make a big difference:

  • Set your thermostat a few degrees lower at night or when you’re away.
  • ENERGY STAR recommends dropping the temperature by 7-10 degrees to save up to 10% annually on heating.
  • Ensure windows and doors are sealed to prevent heat loss.

Be Conscious of Lighting

Lighting is one of the easiest areas to optimize for energy savings:

  • Turn lights off when leaving a room or when natural daylight is sufficient.
  • Consider using daylight as much as possible to light up your spaces.
  • Avoid unnecessary lighting at night when electricity rates are higher.

Simple habits like these can reduce your electricity use significantly.

Unplug Appliances to Reduce “Phantom Power”

Even when turned off, appliances can still draw power. This is called “phantom power,” and it can account for up to 40% of an appliance’s total energy use.

  • Unplug devices like printers, chargers, computers and monitors, and small kitchen appliances when not in use.
  • Use advanced power strips with on/off switches or timers to eliminate standby energy usage.
  • When replacing devices, look for energy-efficient models.

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California’s 2026-27 legislative session wrapped up September 1 after a turbulent final week of negotiations over wildfire policy, funding, and the state budget. While a last-minute proposal on wildfire liability ultimately stalled, the Legislature did restore and increase funding for climate resilience through Proposition 4 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF)—a meaningful outcome for Sierra communities amid a challenging state budget year.

The final plan includes $329.5 million for wildfire and forest resilience through Prop 4 and $118 million for wildfire prevention through GGRF. While these investments are an improvement over the June budget, wildfire resilience funding remains near historic lows, with no clear plan for sustained investment in future years.

Read more about the final budget, Prop 4 and GGRF allocations, and what’s next for wildfire and climate resilience in the Sierra.