Feature
by Steven J. Moss
Last spring, San Francisco Community Power (SF Power) announced a new initiative to install indoor and outdoor motion sensors and programmable thermostats in apartments and houses throughout San Francisco’s southern neighborhoods. These devices help reduce electricity use and, in the case of outdoor sensors, can improve safety. The program, funded by the California Public Utility Commission, is free to qualifying residents. SF Power expects to install at least 15,000 energy-saving items by the end of 2005.
The organization has a long track record of helping San Franciscans save energy. Since 2001, it has been providing low- or no-cost energy-saving devices to households located in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point and Potrero neighborhoods. With initial funding from the San Francisco Department of the Environment, the organization has distributed thousands of free compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), dozens of low-cost energy-efficient refrigerators and a number of energy-saving heaters. In collaboration with the Flex Your Power program, SF Power even provided a state-of-the-art water- and energy-saving washer/dryer to a low-income family.
These measures have served to reduce household utility bills and lower demand for the Hunters Point and Potrero Power Plants, both of which are more than a half-century old and generate excessive amounts of polluting air emissions.
This year, the SF Power expanded its programs to serve neighborhoods throughout the southern half of the city, including Bernal Heights, the Mission, South-of-Market, Tenderloin and Visitacion Valley. Under the new program, each household is eligible for up to three sensors, a programmable thermostat and 10 CFLs, installed for free. The sensors automatically turn on when they sense motion and turn themselves off afterward. SF Power will also install sensors and change light bulbs in apartment and condominium common spaces. These devices work well in outdoor entryways and alcoves, as well as indoor hallways and bathrooms.
Programmable thermostats enable heaters and air conditioners to be preprogrammed at specific temperatures and to turn on and off at specific times. Rather than have heating or cooling systems blasting round the clock, the thermostats can be preset to cool or heat and to turn off in the middle of the night once temperatures have reached satisfactory levels. Altogether these devices can shave $100 or more off an annual electricity bill. The only requirement is the location of the housing unit in a qualifying neighborhood—94102, 94103, 94107, 94110, 94124 and 94134 zip codes. The owner and occupant must also authorize the work before it is initiated. SF Power works with its customers to make sure the process is as easy and effective as possible.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of SFAA or the San Francisco Apartment Magazine. For more information or to schedule an installation appointment, call 415-626-8723 or visit SF Power online at www.sfpower.org. Steven Moss is executive director of SF Power. Copyright ;© 2004 by the San Francisco Apartment Magazine. All rights reserved.