Do-It-Yourself Energy Saving Toolkits Available to Check Out at Libraries

 (Mendocino County, CA) Sonoma Clean Power, the public electricity provider for Sonoma and Mendocino counties, is introducing their Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Energy and Water Saving Toolkit program to Mendocino County.

The DIY Toolkit program was developed through a partnership between SCP, the County of Mendocino, and the Mendocino County Library. The program builds upon the successful DIY Home Energy and Water Saving Toolkit program launched in Sonoma County by SCP, the Sonoma County Water Agency, the County of Sonoma Energy and Sustainability Division, and the Sonoma County Library in 2017.

The intent for the program is to encourage customers to incorporate energy and water conservation strategies into their homes, while simplifying and eliminating the common barriers to implementation.

Each toolkit is stocked with energy and water saving supplies, such as 9W dimmable LED lightbulbs to upgrade lighting fixtures, weather stripping to seal leaks in windows and doors, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators to save water, and more. The toolkits include a copy of a Home Energy and Water Savings Guidebook to help users through each upgrade step and provide additional saving tips. The toolkits also come with energy measuring devices and tools that must be returned with the kit, including a Kill-a-Watt meter to measure which appliances or devices use the most energy in the home, an infrared laser thermometer to detect troubled areas where heat is being lost or gained, and a hot water thermometer to check the temperature and efficiency of a water heater.

Starting in May 2018, the DIY Toolkits will be available at library branches throughout Mendocino County, including Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Willits, Coast Community, Round Valley, and the Bookmobile. Toolkits can be checked out by all library cardholders from participating Mendocino County Libraries for three weeks. Currently, there are 11 DIY Toolkits available within Mendocino County, and there may be a waiting list to check them out.

SCP encourages Mendocino County residents to check out a DIY Toolkit to take the first steps toward saving money, saving water, and improving the energy-efficiency of their home.

Sonoma Clean Power is a not-for-profit public agency, which is the public electricity provider for Sonoma and Mendocino counties. SCP offers local control, choice, cleaner electricity, and lower greenhouse gas emissions at competitive rates. For more information, visit sonomacleanpower.org or call 1 (855) 202-2139.