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You’ve already taken CEC’s Get Energized pledge to reduce your carbon footprint. Now what? As we enter the new year, CEC encourages you to set audacious resolutions to lower your energy consumption and achieve your green goals.

It won’t always be easy -- and at times it may feel a bit uncomfortable – but you don’t have to go it alone. To provide inspiration, here’s a look back at some of our favorite Get Energized success stories from the past year:

         

•    The one-car couple: More than two years ago, Santa Barbara couple Amanda Combs and Matt Eastwood became a one-car couple. Now they pollute less, are in better shape, and save about $8,000 a year on car payments, maintenance, gas, tags, and insurance.
Click here for the full story.

•    Replacing big appliances: Sue Sadler-Pare used to have a high electric bill, but since she is careful to turn off lights (and mostly uses compact fluorescent lights), she assumed it was due to the small hot tub in their backyard. However, after learning about energy efficient Energy Star appliances, she and her partner decided to replace their older fridge and oven - and their annual electricity bill dropped more than 33 percent!
Click here for the full story.

•    The 100 mile diet: Inspired by reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma and 100 Mile Diet, Eric Lohela became intrigued by the concept of being truly “local,” and one day he just stopped going to the grocery store for food. That was almost two years ago. Today 90 percent or more of the food Eric buys is grown within 100 miles of his house – and he’s happier than ever.
Click here for the full story.

•    Wise about water: When Margaret Jose bought her home, she decided she didn’t want to be a slave to a lawn. She tore out about 4,000 square feet of turf, installed a drip irrigation system on a timer, put in water-retaining mulch, and collects rainwater to use for her plants and trees.
Click here for the full story.

•    Energy vampire in the basement: After borrowing a Kill A Watt meter from CEC, Kay Rhoney deduced that her older 'extra' refrigerator in the basement --though empty and pretty much forgotten about -- was costing her $200 a year. Shams Barnhart tackled his ‘electronics corner’ and was shocked to see how much electricity was being used by his TV, computer, printer, and cell phone charger – even when they weren’t in use.
Click here for Kay Rhoney’s full story.
Click here for Sham Barnhart’s full story.

•    Hot water on demand: When Laguna Cottages needed to reduce its energy use to stabilize costs, the non-profit senior housing project took advantage of rebates from The Gas Company and installed 36 on-demand water heaters. In addition, Laguna Cottages upgraded its four washing machines and dryers to high efficiency Energy Star appliances and installed Solatubes in the current remodels.
Click here for the full story.


Do you have your own energy conservation success story – why not show off?

Tell us what you’re doing to reduce your carbon footprint and we’ll send you an oversized organic cotton tote bag. Learn more HERE.