Reduce Water & Power Needs

Wash only full loads of laundry/dishes

Why? The average residential washing machine uses about 41 gallons of water per load (National Park Service) and the EPA recommends making sure your dishwasher is fully loaded to save water.

Resources: Laundry Practices and Water Conservation (U.S. National Park Service), Start Saving | US EPA

Find and fix plumbing leaks

Why? Toilet leaks are often silent and can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day, making the toilet the number one cause for a high-water bill.

Resources: 11 Genius Tips to Help You Find Out Where That Leak Is Coming From

Install low flow fixtures

Why? Did you know that showering accounts for nearly 17% of residential indoor water use? By switching out your old shower head, you could save around 3,000 gallons a year!

Resources: Guide to Home Water Efficiency (PDF), Smart Rebates Program

Install low-flow appliances (building owner)

Why? On average, toilets use up to a third of indoor water. If you have a toilet manufactured before 1995, it uses more than three times as much water as a newer model.

Resources: Guide to Home Water Efficiency (PDF), Smart Rebates Program

Install hot water recirculator (building owner)

Why? Hot water demand recirculating pumps have the potential to solve the problem of a long wait for hot water at a distant fixture, while simultaneously saving energy, water and money (Energy Star).

Resources: Energy Star Demand Hot Water Recirculating System

Dress for the season

Why? Dressing for the weather is the simplest, fastest, and cheapest way to reduce your home energy footprint.

Resources: Climate Appropriate Clothing - Power of Possibility

Adjust thermostat & turn things off

Why? Consider buying a programmable or smart thermostat to help you save energy and money. When connected to a service such as OhmConnect, they can also power off certain devices during times of peak energy use, saving you money and taking pressure off the grid. AMP also offers rebates for smart thermostats.

Resources: Rebates and Incentives | Alameda Municipal Power, CA, OhmConnect How it Works

Search for phantom power

Why? Save money you would have normally spent in electric bills, by searching for and cutting back on phantom power, also called standby power, or the energy that's wasted around your home when devices are plugged in and using power, but you're not actively using them.

Resources: Kill a Watt Monitor Program | Alameda Municipal Power, CA

Use a clothesline for drying

Why? Skipping the dryer and using a clothesline saves energy, lowers your utility bills, and keeps the house cooler during hot months. It also minimizes wrinkles and wear and tear on clothes, and sunlight acts as a disinfectant.

Resources: 7 Great Reasons to Use a Clothesline, The Best Clotheslines of 2023

Install LED light bulbs

Why? LEDs with the ENERGY STAR rating use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than the incandescent lighting of the past. They’re also cooler to handle, sturdier, and easier to install.

Resources: LED Lighting, CFL vs. LED Lights: Which is the Energy Efficient Light Bulb?, How to Shop for Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

Use window coverings

Why? Believe it or not, about 30% of a home’s heating and/or cooling energy is lost through windows.

Resources: Energy Efficient Window Coverings, Block the Sun and Lower Your Energy Costs with Window Coverings, Efficient Window Coverings

Seal air leaks (building owner)

Why? Sealing air leaks with caulking and weatherstripping is a low-tech, cost-effective, easy way to cut heating and cooling bills.

Resources: Air Sealing Your Home

Add insulation with express permit (building owner)

Why? Insulation can make a huge difference in keeping your household comfortable and conserving energy and you can get an express permit through the City for adding insulation.

Resources: Apply for a Building Permit | City of Alameda, Adding Insulation to an Existing Home, Insulation Overview, A Buyer's Guide to Insulation, The Best Materials for Eco-Friendly Insulation

Install efficient windows (building owner)

Why? Energy-efficient windows are double or triple glazed and provide greater insulation in frames, reducing heat transfer between the outdoors and your home. This improves comfort, greatly increases energy efficiency, and reduces outdoor noise, among other benefits. These windows also improve the value of your home. Windows that close with levers are more efficient than those that slide open and shut.

Resources: Apply for a Building Permit | City of Alameda, How to Choose the Most Energy-Efficient Windows

Install a cool roof (building owner)

Why? Cool roofs can increase comfort and reduce energy bills, among many other benefits.

Resources: Apply for a Building Permit | City of Alameda, Identifying Roof Products, Cool Roofs

Back to top