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Severe State Drought Tips: Saving Water Saves Energy
Conserve Water

 

With Governor Brown’s mandatory water restrictions, the state’s most severe drought in decades, and temperatures rising during an extra hot summer, Energy Upgrade California is urging consumers to learn how saving water and energy not only helps the state meet its water and energy goals, but also helps their wallets. As the leading state initiative working with Californians to take action on conserving energy and natural resources, Energy Upgrade California provides consumers with tips to save water and energy at home and at work.

During the month of November, the Energy Upgrade California Mobile Education and Outreach team will be at the Vintage Faire Mall in neighboring Modesto with an interactive experience designed to bring more awareness to just how much energy and water we use, but more importantly how we can save water and energy by making informed decisions. This interactive mobile experience will show shoppers where they can go to find educational videos and fact sheets on how to save energy and money, and at the end attendees will even get the chance to make an energy saving pledge.

Energy Upgrade California’s good friend Bear will be in attendance this upcoming weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21 and 22, ready to help all Californians save water, energy, and money as well as to take a selfie with guests.

Tips that visitors can learn more about at the interactive experience include: Take shorter showers (five minutes or less): A five-minute shower saves energy and can use up to 25 gallons less water compared to a 10-minute shower or a bath. Install low-flow showerheads: By refitting old showerheads with WaterSense-labeled models, consumers can save up to 2,900 gallons of water per person annually. Run washing machine with full loads using only cold water: Most washing machines will clean just as well as in hot water. Not heating water also means saving energy and money. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth: Families can save up to 3,000 gallons a year by turning off the water while brushing their teeth. Repair leaky faucets and toilets promptly: A faucet that leaks 60 drips per minute wastes more than 3,153 gallons per year. When washing dishes, fill the dishwasher all the way. When consumers fill the dishwasher fully before running it, they use less water and energy per dish. Also, plug the sink when washing dishes by hand to limit the amount of water that is wasted.

For more tips on energy and water conservation, as well as advice on how to talk to family members and neighbors about playing their part, visit EnergyUpgradeCA.org, where information is available in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, and English.

Energy Upgrade California is a state initiative to help Californians take action to save energy and conserve natural resources, help reduce demand on the electricity grid, and make informed energy management choices at home and at work. It is supported by an alliance of the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, utilities, regional energy networks, local governments, businesses, and nonprofits to help communities meet state and local energy and climate action goals. Funding comes from investor-owned utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. For more information, visit www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org.