Tools for Saving Energy in Your Home

Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Saving Toolkit

Visit your local library today and – just like a book – check out a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Energy Saving Toolkit! It includes free supplies that you keep and install, like LED light bulbs and weather-stripping, as well as measuring devices that you use and return with the kit. Anyone with a valid library card can borrow a toolkit at the San José Public Library.

Visit this webpage to check out a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Energy Saving Toolkit.

There are many easy things that you can do now to dramatically reduce your energy bills, and the Silicon Valley Energy Watch can provide these energy efficiency services to qualifying customers at low or no cost.

Home Audits & Retrofit Services

Not a do-it-yourselfer? Residents can also achieve energy savings through energy audits and technical assistance offered by these organizations. Contact the program of interest for information on any restrictions or other program details:

Type	Lead Organization	Name	Description	Phone Number
General	Bay Area Renewable Energy Network (BayREN)	Home Energy Score Assessment	You can receive a $200 rebate by getting to know your home’s energy-efficiency score before making upgrades. Home Energy Score (HES) assesses your home’s energy performance. By working with HES assessor, you’ll have a score and report on how to improve your home’s energy efficiency. You can find an assessor and learn more at Home Energy Score (HES).	866-878-6008
Income- Qualified	Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)	Energy Savings Assistance Program	No-cost solutions to help reduce energy use for income-qualified households. You get a home assessment after filling in the online application. You must live in a house, mobile home, or apartment that is at least five years old. Income must meet the California Alternative Rates for Energy Program guidelines.	800-989-9744
Income- Qualified	U.S. Department of Health & Human Services	Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)	Federally-funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills. Sacred Heart Community Service operates this energy assistance program for Santa Clara County. Provides assistance with paying utility bills as well as weatherizing your home and making energy-related home repairs.	877-278-6455

Visit these sites for quick and easy energy-savings-tips for your home:

Residential Energy Saving Tips from PG&E
Energy Saver Guide from US Department of Energy (also available in Spanish)
Spring & Summer Energy-Saving Tips from the US Department of Energy

Financing Options, Rebates & Financial Assistance

Once you’ve completed your home energy audit, upgrade with rebates and financial assistance.

Financing Options

A number of financing options are available to upgrade your home. Upgrading your home with energy and water efficient improvements is a great way to help the environment, potentially save on utility bills, and meet local and state sustainability goals.

Rebates

PG&E Residential Rebates - PG&E offers its customers rebates on appliances, general improvements, heating and cooling, pool pumps and motors, appliance recycling, and energy efficient lighting.

Financial Assistance

California and PG&E provide several financial assistance programs to assist with weatherization, energy efficient measures, medical baseline rates, and rate reductions for both renters and homeowners.

This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by PG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

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