Energy Conservation Measures
- Established a mandatory program to reduce City energy use by 7%.
- Ordered interior air temperatures not to be cooled below 78 degrees or heated above 68 degrees at municipal buildings, except where it would detrimentally affect public health (such as at the Joslyn Senior Center) or damage sensitive electronic equipment.
- Reduced non-essential interior lighting at City facilities.
- Turned off accent exterior lighting at City facilities, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and parks
- Turned off City Hall fountain (except for minimum filtering during late night hours).
- Replaced incandescent bulbs with energy-saving green Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in all of the City's100 traffic signals. Red LEDs were installed in 1997 and already have saved more than $55,000 per year
- Installed motion detector light switches where possible.
- Reduced Woodward Avenue parking lot lighting hours. Was dusk to dawn. Now dusk to midnight. (Plan to do the same at EVCC, only lights will be on until 12:30 a.m.).
- Established a program to track energy and cost savings achieved by conservation.
- Installed new pool covers to conserve heat and save energy.
- Installed new energy efficient lights and bulbs at Kit Carson Park.
- Worked with community youth/sports groups to secure their assistance in conservation efforts at ball fields and parks.
- Adjusted computerized park lighting system to provide greater City control of access to lights and thetimes they are turned off (Automatically shuts off light access on rainy days; system automatically adjusts for daylight savings time and the specific length of the day during the year, thus adjusting the start times for lights daily).
Emergency Management Plans
- Exempted the Police Department/Emergency Operations Center from rolling blackouts because of its 911 status.
- Ordered the purchase of battery back-up systems for 20 of the busiest traffic intersections.
- Established a plan for municipal buildings to remain open for business if blackouts occur during business hours, although transactions will be limited.
- Established a relaxed but professional dress code for office workers to cope with higher interior airtemperatures this summer.
- Coordinated with school districts for management of signalized intersections adjacent to schools affected by rolling blackouts.
Public Education
- Provided energy conservation information in summer issue of community newsletter.
- Posted energy conservation information on the City's Web site.
- Co-sponsored energy workshops for local businesses to receive information about conservation and rebates.
- Developed and distributed an informational brochure for businesses to assist in the reduction of outdoor lighting as ordered by Governor Davis.
Here's What You Can Do To Conserve Energy And Save Money
- Minimize your energy use during peak demand hours from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Turn off unneeded lights and appliances.
- Turn computers, copiers and other business equipment to their energy-saving settings. And turn them off at the end of the day.
- Avoid running large appliances such as washers, dryers, and electric ovens during peak demand hours.
- Use a clothesline instead of a dryer.
- Set air conditioner thermostats to no lower than 78 degrees. Even better, use fans instead of the air conditioner.
- Keep your home cooler by drawing drapes to keep out the sun.
- Buy Energy Star appliances, products and lights.
For more tips on energy conservation or for information about rebates: