Dear Neil:  Well, let’s start with the basics of how solar calculators work and then we’ll tackle the big solar Photovoltaic (PV) arrays you see on the top of buildings.

 First, Solar powered calculators are pretty simple in the way they work.  They work much the same way the big panels work, except of course they are much smaller.  Both types of panels collect the sun’s light. The solar powered calculators work fairly the same as plants, grass, flowers, trees,  soaking up sun light and converting it to food or energy.  It’s called Photo-synthesis, you may remember that from your school days in biology. Solar powered calculators do the same where they soak up the sun’s light and convert it to energy. 

Luckily, solar powered calculators don’t require much energy to run.  A solar panel about the size of a U.S. Quarter will generate enough energy to power the calculator.  But if you wanted to run a 60 watt light bulb you’d need more than a 1,000 U.S. Quarters sized solar panels to light it up.

They work fairly well at night since the small solar powered calculators can actually store quite a bit of energy.   They have a small type of rechargeable type battery inside for use when sun light is not available.  However, they must be recharged frequently in the sun in order to maintain a constant supply of power for the calculator.

Now for those big solar panels known as Photovoltaic modules (PV) you see on roof tops.  They work the same way that the small solar powered calculator but on a much larger scale.  Most of the solar panels you see on roofs are made of glass with silicon inside to absorb and transfer the sun’s light to one central point where it is converted from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC) by an inverter.  AC power is what homes and businesses use for electricity.

The reason there are so many panels, which are known as a Photovoltaic array, is that solar panels can only convert from 5% to18% of the suns energy into electricity.  They are currently trying to raise the efficiency of these panels closer to 50%.   This is why you see so many panels on the buildings, these buildings require a great deal of energy for use in their business.

These large Photovoltaic arrays do not have large enough batteries to store the energy for use at night when the sun is not shining, so there is no electrical storage availability.  So the downside is that the PV array is operating only during limited hours of sun light.  And not all of the sun light hours due to the angle of the sun and angle of the solar array panels.   The average day in the U.S. for sun light producing hours during the summer is only about 6 hours a day and shorter in the winter.  The good news is that these hours are when the businesses usually needs the highest demand for energy and the Photovoltaic array can deliver electricity during those high demand hours.

Solar is becoming one of the most popular and useful sources of energy.  You can find solar panels in toy cars, flash lights, RV solar panels, cell phones, laptops and many, many more uses.

To learn more about Photovoltaic arrays, solar panels, I suggest you visit Wikipedia for a  full explanation of Photovoltaic systems. 

Dear Bill:   Winter is coming and my heating bill is always very high every winter. What is the one best thing that I can do to save energy and save money this winter for my home?

                                                                                                                        Adrian R. – Swansea, IL

Dear Adrian:  The one best thing that you can do this winter to save energy-save money-save the planet is to install in a programmable thermostat for your furnace.   It will save you money for the summer as well.

 An ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat helps make it easy for you to save by offering four pre-programmed settings to regulate your home’s temperature in both summer and winter — when you are asleep or away.

According to the EPA, the average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills — nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. Homeowners can save about $180 to $350 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings.

The EPA states in their website “The key is to establish a program that automatically reduces heating and cooling in your home when you don’t need as much. Use the ENERGY STAR Programmable Thermostat Calculator to see what you can save with set-back temperatures that works for your family.”

Send your energy-related questions to:

The Green Energy Coach at: GreenEnergyCoach@aol.com

 Tauber is a Radio Talk Show host and a nationally recognized expert on energy reduction and solar power. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Fox Business, Kiplinger, Investors, ABC and Forbes websites and several environmental newsletters and Web sites.

                                                                                                            Joan T. – Bloomington, Il.

Dear Joan:  Well, soon you’re not going to have to worry about Watts and Lumens.  The Federal Trade Commission in October 2009 proposed new labeling rules for light bulbs that could have the U.S. referencing “Lumens” only and getting rid of the word “Watts”.

It’s all about energy efficiency.  The newer lights, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) are calibrated in lumens rather than watts.  The whole idea is help clear up consumer confusion about lumens and watts, allowing consumers to get the right light bulb that provides the most light for the least amount of electricity.

First let me explain the difference between “Lumens” and “Watts” on a light bulb.  “Lumens” is a measure of brightness coming from the light bulb.  “Watts” are a function of electrical power usage.  For example, 60 watt light bulb, 100 watt light bulb, and 150 watt light bulb.  It’s the amount of energy that is consumed to light the bulb. 

“Lumen” is a unit of measurement of light. A foot-candle is how bright the light is one foot away from the source. A lumen is a way of measuring how much light gets to what you want to light! One LUMEN is equal to one foot-candle falling on one square foot of area.

So, if we take your candle and ruler, let’s place a book at the opposite end from the candle. We'd have some light if we put the book right next to the candle. If that book happens to be one foot by one foot, it's one square foot. Now, all the light falling on that book, one foot away from your candle equals both…….1 foot candle AND one LUMEN!

To simplify, get a birthday cake candle and a ruler. Stick the candle on one end of the ruler. Light the candle and turn out the lights. One foot-candle of light is the amount of light that birthday cake candle generates one foot away.

 Dear Bill:  I was told that Aerosol cans of hairspray and deodorant are extremely bad for the environment and contribute to Climate Change by destroying the ozone layer.  Is this true or is it another myth about Climate Change.

                                                                                                                  Lisa G – Rosemont, CA

 Dear Lisa:   It is not a myth but rather it is true. Aerosol sprays do destroy the ozone layer.  Products like hairspray and deodorants in an aerosol can contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFC).  CFC was first used in the 1920’s for air conditioners, refrigerators and other cooling devices and even used in cleaning agents.  The aerosol spray can dates back to 1926, when Norwegian inventor Eric Rotheim discovered that a product could be sprayed from an aluminum can that had been injected with gas or liquid to build pressure.

According to the website DiscoveriesInMedicine.com, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), including Freon, were used extensively as aerosol propellants. Beginning in the 1970s scientists noticed a massive decrease in the amount of ozone present in the ozone layer, part of the upper atmosphere around the earth that shields the earth from harmful solar radiation. Ozone levels had been constant throughout geological time, but over Antarctica the levels had dropped so low that there appeared to be a "hole" in the ozone layer. As the ozone hole grew larger, scientists began to suspect that CFCs were responsible. CFCs react with chlorine and break down, thereby destroying the ozone layer and allowing more radiation from the sun than is normal to reach the earth.

In 1978 the U. S. Government banned the use of certain CFCs, and manufacturers of aerosol products had to find other propellants. Some of the alternative propellants include hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), and carbon dioxide. In 1987 an international treaty known as the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer decreed that CFC use should be decreased. Two years later 93 nations agreed to stop producing CFCs entirely and help poorer nations make the transition to other chemistries.

Send your energy-related questions to:

The Green Energy Coach at: GreenEnergyCoach@aol.com

 Tauber is a Radio Talk Show host and a nationally recognized expert on energy reduction and solar power. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Fox Business, Kiplinger, Investors, ABC and Forbes websites and several environmental newsletters and Web sites.

Dear Sandy:  The first tip I’d give you is to make sure that you are buy a toy that is designed and recommended for the age and interest of the child you are purchasing it for.  Generally children under 3 put everything in their mouths so make sure that the toy doesn’t have harmful chemicals and in particular that it does not have parts that can fit inside a child’s mouth.  Parts which measures 1 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches long and shape of a young child’s throat can be dangerous.

Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points and teach older children to keep their toys away from their younger brothers and sisters.

In the way of chemicals, always read the label.  Chemicals are sometimes added to plastic to soften it and may include phthalates which are considered a carcinogen by the EPA.  The concern is that children may chew on the toy and absorb the phthalates.

Millions of toys made in China have been recalled in recent weeks because they have unsafe levels of lead paint, a potent brain poison that can lower IQ, cause learning disabilities and even, some studies suggest, trigger violent behavior.  So again, read the labels.

I believe that the largest dedicated toy retailer in the U.S., Toys R Us, for instance, now makes available a country-of-origin list for all toys in its 842 U.S. stores. The list is offered on request to any customer so he or she can find or avoid toys made in any particular country. Anyone can ask for the list.

Dear Bill:  I just recently had my first baby and it was a boy.  As a mother I want to contribute to my son’s environmental future so what kinds of diapers are best for my baby and the environment?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Pamela A – Boise, ID

Dear Pamela:  First consider whether you young son is allergic to the dyes and fragrances in disposable diapers, you doctor should be able to help you with that. Also, check to see if your baby boy is sensitive to clothe diapers if they aren’t changed quickly after they’re soiled or if the diapers aren’t washed well between uses.  It will take just a bit of time to determine what works for our baby, but consider all of your choices.

Cloth diaper-wearing children go through about 6,000 diaper changes.  Since disposable diapers are discarded after a single use, usage of disposable diapers increases the burden on landfill sites, and increased environmental awareness has led to a growth in campaigns for parents to use reusable alternatives such as cloth or hybrid diapers. An estimated 27.4 billion disposable diapers are used each year in the US, resulting in a possible 3.4 million tons of used diapers adding to landfills each year.

I believe what you may want to consider for your baby and environment is either cloth diapers that are washable and reusable or biodegradable and even flushable disposable diapers or inserts that draw urine away from the baby and make dumping solids easier. 

Dear Bill:  I’ve been reading and hearing about E-Waste a lot.  What exactly is E-Waste and why should I be considered about it?                                                                                                             

                                                                                                            Rhoda R. San Francisco, CA

Dear Rhoda:  One of the biggest problems we have today is Electronic Waste (E-Waste).  E-Waste is usually consists of things like cell phones, computer monitors, TV’s, fax machines and anything that has a plug on it or a battery that runs it.  It’s best, if it still works, to donate it to a charity that can re-use it and when not workable they’ll properly dispose of it.

You need to properly dispose of E-Waste since if you throw it into a landfill it can potentially release metals such as mercury and lead into the environment.  However, placing it in a landfill is more environmental friendly than incinerating it. Incinerated E-Waste can release dioxins into the air.

California and other states have legislation that addresses the growing problem of E-Waste and has fees ranging from $6 and up depending on the size of the product to help pay for the costs of recycling.  Another big problem with E-Waste and recycling is that large shipments of E-Waste is shipped off to China, India and other destinations for resale or recycling.  This has a large impact on financial and environmental concerns.

Send your energy-related questions to:

The Green Energy Coach at: GreenEnergyCoach@aol.com

Tauber is a Radio Talk Show host and a nationally recognized expert on energy reduction and solar power. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Fox Business, Kiplinger, Investors, ABC and Forbes websites and several environmental newsletters and Web sites.

                                                                                                                         Carol G. – Gulfport, MS

Dear Carol:  First, you’re not crazy.  Second, you’re correct, using a dishwasher is better for the environment and your pocket book then washing dishes by hand.  Researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany found that using a dishwasher cleaned the dishes better and saved energy, time and water.

According to research, a load of dishes cleaned in a dishwasher requires 37 percent less water than washing by hand.  When you save water, you're also saving the energy used in heating the water in your hot water heater and to pump it, treat it, and clean it up afterwards in your city's waste water facility.  So, using a dishwasher is not only good for you financially but it helps the community save energy, water and money as well. 

Dear Bill:  I’ve been following the Green Energy movement that’s discussed in Washington and in my own hometown and I keep hearing the phrase “Get off the Grid”. What is the Grid?

                                                                                                                        Andy Z. – Boise, ID

Dear Andy: The phrase “Get off the Grid” refers to the local power company’s or the national power system.  Local and national power companies buy and sell power to each other depending on local or national needs.  This network is called “The Grid” and helps provide power somewhere in the local or national power system of electrical lines so electricity can be diverted to where it’s needed immediately.  The “Grid” is the power lines that provide electricity to all of us.  So getting “Off the Grid” really means that you are using electricity that you created yourself such as a Photovoltaic system (Solar Panels), Wind turbines or other renewable energy so you don’t have to purchase electricity from your local electrical company or at least buy the minimal amount you need.

Dear Bill:  My next door neighbor is telling me that when I use my dishwasher I am wasting electrical energy and water.  I thought read somewhere that actually using a dishwasher is better for the environment since it uses less energy and saves water.  Is she right or am I just crazy?

                                                                                                                        Carol G. – Gulfport, MS

Dear Carol:  First, you’re not crazy.  Second, you’re correct, using a dishwasher is better for the environment and your pocket book then washing dishes by hand.  Researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany found that using a dishwasher cleaned the dishes better and saved energy, time and water.

According to research, a load of dishes cleaned in a dishwasher requires 37 percent less water than washing by hand.  When you save water, you're also saving the energy used in heating the water in your hot water heater and to pump it, treat it, and clean it up afterwards in your city's waste water facility.  So, using a dishwasher is not only good for you financially but it helps the community save energy, water and money as well. 

Dear Bill:  This may sound crazy since my entire life has been surrounded by the sea, 20 years in the navy, retired, captain of my own fishing boat currently and I have my home on a lake.  I’d like to be buried at sea but not cremated having my ashes spilled upon the ocean but rather I’d like to be buried at sea without cremation.  I was told by neighbors that this is against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is not very eco-friendly.  Is that true?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Bobby E. – Kennewick, WA

Dear Bobby:  First of all, I have an affinity to the sea myself but being buried at sea without being cremated is an unusual thought but certainly not against the law.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act says that your burial at sea can take place but it must be at least three miles offshore and where water is at least 600 feet deep.  Your remains must be in a container that will not float but if you change your mind and want to be cremated you still need to have your ashes spread upon the waters at least three miles at sea.

Strange as this may seem too many of us but by no means unusual being buried intact at sea, sea burial has become its own industry offering reef memorials and boating services. One such company comes to mind called The Neptune Society who assists in sea cremation services. You may also want to contact a company called Eternal Reefs (www.enternalreefs.com) who can assist in a reef memorial with family and friends who place their handprints or write messages as part of the memorial, whether you use a full body or cremation burial.  For military personnel they have special a special military honor ceremony.

On the Eco-Friendly part of your question, this is not an issue, remember there a lot of other creatures, fish and sea mammals that use the sea as their final rest as well.

Send your energy-related questions to:

The Green Energy Coach at: GreenEnergyCoach@aol.com

 Tauber is a Radio Talk Show host and a nationally recognized expert on energy reduction and solar power. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Fox Business, Kiplinger, Investors, ABC and Forbes websites and several environmental newsletters and Web sites.

     Ferris R. – San Jose, CA

Dear Ferris: Pacific Gas and Electric, your local electrical company, along with Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electrical, Southern California Gas and other local utility companies have a program called CARE.  It’s a program that provides a 20% discount on monthly gas & electric bills for qualifying households. Qualifications are based on the number of people living in your home and your total household income including wages, government checks and benefits, and other financial support you or members of your household receive.

The income guidelines are established annually by the California Public Utilities Commission.  Just call your local utility company and ask them to connect you to the CARE program.  If the CARE program is not right for your family, you may qualify for the Family Electric Rate Assistance program (FERA). This plan offers a discounted rate on a monthly bill for families of 3 or more who fall within the income guidelines and exceed their baseline usage by 30% or more.

Dear Bill:  I am about to purchase a new refrigerator since the one I have runs all the time and I know it’s eating up a lot of energy and driving up my electric bill.  But there all kinds of different types, Side-By-Side door, Freezer on top, Freezer on bottom and I’m confused to which one to buy that is the most energy efficient.  Can you recommend the best style of energy saving refrigerator?

                                                                                                                       Suzette T. – State College, PA

Dear Suzette:  First thing you should remember is buy only a refrigerator that displays the Energy Star logo which guarantees you the best energy saving refrigerator.  The least expensive and most energy efficient models are the Top and Bottom Freezer models over the Side-By-Side.  So you can freely choose the Top or Bottom model that fits your life style best. 

For very energy efficient models I suggest you look at Sunfrost and Avanti brand refrigerators if they are available near you.  I’ve read that they are the best if you’re looking for remarkable energy savings.

 Dear Bill:  I am a small business owner and I would like to make a contribution to the environment and be energy efficient.  Plus, I would like to save money at the same time for my business but most of the programs I hear and read about are designed for large companies.  What can I do to become energy efficient in my business?                                                                                                                                                                 Brian C. – Fort Worth, TX

Dear Brian:  Whether you a large or a small business owner there are things that you can do to help reduce your carbon footprint and save money for your business.  Plus, most utility companies have programs that are designed for small business owners.  You simply need to call your utility company and ask to speak to someone about small business energy saving programs and rebates that maybe available for your business.

Most small business owners spend more time at their business than they do at home so being energy efficient is very important since it will help you reduce your Fixed Operating costs to run your business and a lot of these energy saving measures can be used at home as well.  It also helps you increase your competitiveness and creates a good work place attitude with your employees since they can feel they are contributing to their environment as well.

Simple things like changing your incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s) and using occupancy sensors so lights turn on and off when you leave a room automatically, reduce your paper consumption, use Smart Strips for turning off computers and printers when not in use or at the end of the day.  Make sure you use Programmable Thermostats in your office for air conditioning.  These and other energy measures may be rebateable by your local utility company to help offset your costs to install.

I suggest you purchase an easy energy savings guide for small businesses.  A paperback book that I find useful is called “Greening your Office” by Jon Clift and Amanda Cuthbert.  I found my copy on Amazon.com for very little money.  It’s an easy A to Z guide you’ll find useful.

Send your energy-related questions to:

The Green Energy Coach at WCTauber@BillOnEnergy.com.

Tauber is a radio talk show host and a nationally recognized expert on energy reduction and solar power. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Fox Business, Kiplinger, Investors, ABC and Forbes websites and several environmental newsletters and Web sites.

                                                                                           Bruce R. – Modesto, CA 

Dear Bruce: There are three things I suggest you do right away and you’ll start saving on your air conditioning costs immediately. First, grab a caulking gun and seal air leaks throughout the house, focusing on leaks to the attic space, through the foundation, and around windows and doors. The EPA estimates that homeowners can typically save up to 20% of heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% of total energy costs) by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces. Second, make sure you’ve changed or cleaned your air filter on the air conditioner. Dirty air filters are a source of increased operating costs and poor cooling system operation. If your air conditioner is outside make sure there is no debris hindering the A/C operation. And third, fans, either a full house fan or portable fans, can actually allow you to set your thermostat 4 or 5 degrees higher without losing comfort and most fans use less energy than a light bulb.

Dear Coach: You wrote recently about computers and vampire/phantom power that uses energy even when not in use or in standby power so I tried turning everything off like you suggested. But I have a VoIP phone and I can’t shut off the Router or I’ll lose my phone.

Jim H. – Wichita, KS

Dear Jim: VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a method for taking analog audio signals, like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone, and turn them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet. You need to use a smart power strip that automatically turns things off like the printer and monitor when you turn off your computer but leaves on Modems and Routers.

Smart power strips are very good at sensing when you turn your TV or computer off. The smart power strip will automatically cut power to your other type devices like monitors and speakers so you can get rid of the vampire power drain plus it also can determine when to turn your devices back on automatically as well.

Dear Coach: When I try and read my electric bill I see the utility electric company charges me for usage of kilowatt hours. What is a kilowatt hour?

Shirley G – Lexington, KY

Dear Shirley: The kilowatt hour (kWh) is commonly used by electrical utility companies for purposes of billing since your usage is in a one month billing cycle. The best way to explain a kilowatt hour is to understand what things consume in energy. For example, a 60 watt light bulb uses 60 watts of electricity when it’s turned on. But the utility company has to know how long you had that light bulb turned on so they can charge you for the usage of electricity. Let’s say for example, you use that 60 watt light bulb every night for three hours. Remember, they bill you in a one month billing cycle. So 60 watts for three hours a night times 30 nights equals 5,400 watts of energy for the month. They bill you in kilowatt hours (kWh) so you divide that 5,400 by 1,000 (kilowatt) that equals 5.4 Kilo Watt Hours (kWh) of usage. If you’re paying your utility company $.12 cents per kWh than you multiply that 5.4 kWh times $.12 which equals $.65 cents for the month to have that one light bulb used.

All appliances, refrigerators, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, etc. that use electricity works the same way. So if the utility company is billing you for 800 kWh hours for the month multiply that 800 times what they charge you for a kWh. Or in other words, 800 kWh times $.12 equals $96.00 for the month.

Of course, there are other charges on your electric bill like Kilowatt Demand (KW), delivery charges, taxes, surcharges, etc. Some utility companies combine water and other services on the same utility bill. But the basic part of your electric bill is in kWh and all other electrical charges are usually calculated against that usage.

Dear Joanne: Green and Energy Efficient are used a lot without a clear understanding but they are two different terms and do not mean the same thing. Energy Efficient is either a project or a product. For example, if you change out a 60 watt light bulb with a 15 watt compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) or you replace an old energy eater refrigerator with a new Energy Star refrigerator, this is Energy Efficient – using less energy to achieve the same level of service, light for your room or same temperature for your refrigerated food simply by using better technology.

Green has become a generic term for environmental issues. To be specific, Green is a way of looking at things from a perspective that takes into account both the current and future impact of all parts of the building from a cradle to grave perspective because every stage involves an environmental cost and consequence,. It looks not only at function, but at the materials used, the efficiencies of design and performance. The three R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) are incorporated into every facet of the building. Reduction in size and efficient use of space means fewer materials are needed.  Recycling of local sourced materials in construction minimizes environmental impact through Reuse.

Dear Coach:  I’m being told that a Tankless Water Heaters are the most efficient way of heating water and saving money but I’m also told they can be very expensive. Does the money and energy saving worth the cost of installing a Tankless Water Heater?

 Peter A. – San Luis Obispo, CA

Dear Peter: Tankless Water Heaters are a smart way of saving energy, saving money and being water conservative. I just installed a Tankless Water Heater myself a couple of months ago, so let me share my positive experience. I have a family of 4 and hot water is always an issue when we’re all home or on clothes washing days. I paid about $1,700 for a Tankless Water Heater installed, but my local gas utility company gave me a $350 rebate, in a check not a credit on my bill and then I also qualify for a Federal Tax Incentive of 30% of the installed price of $1,700. So the total cost after rebates and incentives is about $840 out of pocket. But I will save another $250 to $300 a year on my water and gas bills. I live in an earthquake zone but with no stored water, this isn’t a concern now. And, I have hot water on demand – we never run out of hot water – great for a family of four. Of course, prices of Tankless Water Heaters vary based on needs and rebates may vary but the 30% Federal Tax Incentive (up to $1,500) is available for all qualifying Tankless Water Heater units.  

Make sure you do your homework by pricing the units and checking to make sure they qualify under rebate and Tax Incentive guidelines. Energy Star label units typically qualify for rebates and tax incentives.

Dear Coach: I’m hearing the term Vampire Power a lot recently and I’m told it consumes energy and costs me money even when I’m not using any electrical appliance or product. Can you explain what Vampire Power is and why it’s costing me money?

 Diane T – Belleville, IL

Dear Diane – It’s estimated that 5% of all household electricity is consumed by Vampire Power, also known as Standby Power. There are two basic types of Vampire Power, Plug in Adapters and Standby Power. Adapters convert high voltage from your electrical outlet to low voltage (AC to DC) for consumer electronics, i.e. Phone chargers. Adapters draw power even when not charging the appliance. If the adapter is warm to the touch they are drawing electricity even if the cell phone or appliance is fully charged or not in use. Standby Power is when you place your appliance (TV, Stereos, computers, etc.) in a mode waiting for you to turn it on with your remote or button press. Best way to defeat Vampire Power is to unplug devices and adapters when you're not using them or use the OFF switch on the TV or appliance instead of using the remote.

 Send your energy-related questions to:

The Green Energy Coach at WCTauber@BillOnEnergy.com.

Tauber is a radio talk show host and a nationally recognized expert on energy reduction and solar power. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Fox Business, Kiplinger, Investors, ABC and Forbes websites and several environmental newsletters and Web sites.

The requirements set high standards, requiring new construction to reduce potable water use by 20 percent, a reduction beyond California’s Energy Code which is already one of the most stringent codes in the country. The code also establishes a two tiered 15 or 30 percent energy reduction above current levels for all buildings through a combination of more efficient appliances and windows, better insulation, and other upgrades. The code also includes improvements to air quality and resource conservation and suggests various site improvements such as parking for hybrid vehicles.

“California continues to lead the way in its efforts to reduce the impact buildings have on our environment. This new code encourages the use of renewable, recyclable, and recycled material in the building process, requiring all California buildings to be constructed with the environment in mind,” said Dave Walls, Executive Director of the Commission. “While the new code is voluntary, it is the first step toward meeting the Governor’s 2010 objective.”

Source:  California Flex Your Power

Southern California Edison:  http://www.sce.com/NR/rdonlyres/47052A43-0EB1-40FD-9086-C732C59B3060/0/RES_bill_ex_080907.pdf

Anaheim Public Utilities: http://www.anaheim.net/article.asp?id=1815

L.A. Dept of Water & Power: http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp001857.jsp

Southern California GAS Company: http://www.socalgas.com/residential/documents/readbill.pdf

Burbank Water & Power: http://www.burbankwaterandpower.com/billing/how-to-read-your-bill

Pasadena Water & Power:https://pwp-eservices.ci.pasadena.ca.us/web/