Celebrate the Season Sustainably and Make Energy Efficiency a Holiday Tradition – Contra Costa News

Report on Holiday Energy Consumption and Sustainable Practices

Introduction: Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals

Increased energy consumption during holiday periods presents a significant challenge to household budgets and environmental sustainability. An analysis of data from the California Energy Commission indicates that lighting and kitchen appliances account for 10% and 31% of typical household energy use, respectively. This report outlines strategies and technological solutions proposed by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to mitigate energy waste. These recommendations directly support several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – by promoting energy efficiency and reducing costs for consumers.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by encouraging resource-efficient household practices.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by minimizing energy waste.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – by lowering the carbon footprint associated with energy generation.

Energy Efficiency Recommendations for Households

Operational Adjustments for Immediate Impact

Simple behavioral changes in household routines can yield significant energy savings and contribute to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

1. Thermostat Management: Reducing the thermostat setting by one degree can decrease annual energy bills by approximately 1%.
2. Efficient Cooking Methods:
   • Utilize convection oven settings, which cook food faster at lower temperatures, directly supporting SDG 7.
   • Practice batch cooking to reduce the total operational time of the oven.
   • Refrain from opening the oven door during use, as this can lower the internal temperature by up to 25 degrees, causing energy waste.
   • Employ alternative cooking appliances such as microwaves or induction cooktops, which are more energy-efficient than traditional stovetops.
3. Lighting Management:
   • Transition to LED holiday lights, which consume at least 75% less energy and have a lifespan up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. This directly advances SDG 7 and SDG 13.
   • Use smart timers to automate lighting schedules, preventing unnecessary energy consumption.

Sustainable Technology and Appliance Upgrades

Investing in energy-efficient technology is a critical step towards achieving long-term sustainability and supporting global climate goals.

• Induction Cooktops: These appliances demonstrate up to 90% energy efficiency, a significant improvement over electric (75%) and gas (40%) stoves, aligning with SDG 7’s goal for clean energy. PG&E offers a loaner program for customers to trial this technology.
• Energy Star® Appliances: Upgrading to certified energy-efficient appliances reduces overall household energy demand.
• LED Lighting: Widespread adoption of LED lighting can result in average household savings of approximately $225 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Smart Thermostats: An EnergyStar-rated smart thermostat can save an average of $50-$78 annually by optimizing heating and cooling schedules.
• Electric Heat Pumps: Switching from gas to high-efficiency electric heat pumps for space and water heating can reduce monthly energy costs by up to 20%, a key contribution to SDG 13 (Climate Action) through electrification.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargers: Utilizing off-peak charging for EVs is cost-effective and supports the transition to sustainable transportation. Rebate programs are available for approved charging equipment.

Financial Support and Incentive Programs

Enhancing Affordability and Accessibility

To ensure that sustainable energy practices are accessible to all, various programs are available to help manage costs and finance upgrades, directly supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

• Rate Comparison Tool: PG&E provides an online tool for customers to identify the most cost-effective energy rate plan for their usage patterns.
• Budget Billing: This program averages annual energy costs into consistent monthly payments to avoid seasonal price spikes.
• GoGreen Home Financing: A statewide program offering affordable financing for energy efficiency upgrades for homeowners and renters.
• The Switch Is On: An online resource connecting consumers with incentives and qualified contractors for transitioning from gas to electric appliances.
• General Financial Assistance: Programs are available for customers who require assistance with paying their energy bills.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The entire article is centered on making energy more affordable for households by reducing consumption and providing financial assistance. It also promotes cleaner energy solutions by encouraging a shift from gas to efficient electric appliances.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article addresses sustainable living within communities by focusing on residential energy consumption. Promoting energy-efficient homes helps reduce the overall environmental impact of cities and makes communities more sustainable.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The text encourages consumers to make responsible choices to reduce “energy waste.” It promotes the adoption of energy-efficient products (LEDs, smart thermostats, induction cooktops) and sustainable practices (batch cooking, lowering thermostats), which aligns with sustainable consumption patterns.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • By advocating for a reduction in energy consumption and a switch from gas-powered appliances to more efficient electric alternatives (like heat pumps and induction cooktops), the article directly addresses measures to mitigate climate change at the household level.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article supports this by offering tips to lower energy bills, providing financial assistance programs (“pge.com/billhelp”), and offering tools like “Budget Billing” to make energy costs more manageable and affordable for customers.
   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The article’s primary focus is on improving energy efficiency through consumer behavior (e.g., turning down thermostats) and technology adoption (e.g., using LEDs, Energy Star® appliances, and heat pumps).
2. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities. The recommendations for increasing household energy efficiency directly contribute to lowering the per capita energy consumption and, consequently, the environmental footprint of residents in the 70,000 square miles PG&E serves.
3. Under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production):
   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The article promotes the efficient use of energy resources by comparing the efficiency of different technologies, such as induction stoves (90% efficient) versus gas stoves (40% efficient).
   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation. The article explicitly frames inefficient energy use as “energy waste” and provides numerous strategies to prevent and reduce it, such as using smart timers for lights and cooking multiple dishes at once.
4. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies, strategies and planning. The article details a corporate strategy by PG&E to promote electrification (switching from gas to electric appliances and vehicles) and energy efficiency, which are key measures for climate change mitigation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Energy Efficiency and Affordability (Targets 7.1, 7.3):
   • Percentage of Energy Savings: The article states that turning down a thermostat by one degree can save 1% on the annual energy bill, and residential customers can save up to 20% by switching to electric heat pumps.
   • Monetary Savings: Specific financial figures are provided, such as saving about $225 per year with LED lighting, $50-$78 a year with a smart thermostat, and up to $78 a month with heat pumps.
   • Appliance Efficiency Rates: The article provides specific efficiency percentages: “Induction stoves are up to 90% energy-efficient, while electric resistance stoves are 75%, and gas stoves are 40% efficient.” LED lights are cited as being “at least 75% more energy efficient” than incandescent bulbs.
   • Availability of Financial Programs: The mention of programs like “GoGreen Home Financing,” “The Switch Is On,” and PG&E’s bill help resources serve as indicators of support systems for affordability.
2. Indicators for Responsible Consumption (Target 12.2, 12.5):
   • Adoption of Efficient Technologies: The promotion of and rebates for Energy Star® appliances, LED lights, induction cooktops, and EV chargers are implicit indicators of a shift towards more sustainable consumption patterns.
   • Reduction in Energy Waste: The reduction in oven temperature by “as much as 25 degrees” each time the door is opened is a quantifiable indicator of energy waste that can be prevented.
3. Indicators for Climate Action (Target 13.2):
   • Fuel Switching Promotion: The active encouragement to switch from gas to “highly efficient electric heat pump technology” and the provision of an “Induction Cooktop Loaner Program” are indicators of strategies to move away from fossil fuels in homes.
   • Cost-Benefit of Clean Technology: The comparison of EV charging costs to gasoline (“about the same as paying $2.92 per gallon at the pump”) serves as an indicator to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: contracosta.news