Category Archives: Renewables and Energy

San Diego Water Rates will increase 2% Weds

Posted on July 31, 2018 | Leave a comment

Water rates in San Diego will increase just over 2 percent on Wednesday, part of a five-step incremental spike over four years that will amount to a compounded rate hike of 35 percent.

The rate increase comes one week after an audit found 2,750 individual water bills last year were incorrect and had to be readjusted because of errors by meter readers.

For average customers living in single-family homes and using about 1,200 cubic feet of water per month, the 2.16 percent increase will equate to approximately $3.75 more per every-other-month water bill.

This week’s increase had been anticipated to be 5 percent when the City Council approved the series of hikes back in 2015, but city officials said in a news release they opted instead for 2.16 percent.

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Thinking of getting solar? Websites to help you calculate Cost,Value

Posted on May 16, 2018 | Leave a comment

Try these solar calculators:

https://solar-to-the-people.com/

http://www.csi-epbb.com/default.aspx

Tax rebates: http://www.gosolarcalifornia.org/csi/index.php

Will they add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com

California becomes first state requiring all new homes be built with solar

Posted on May 10, 2018 | Leave a comment

s expected, the California Energy Commission (CEC) passed a first-in-the nation rule Wednesday, mandating all new homes constructed in the state be equipped with solar panels.

“This is a landmark vote today,” said David Hochschild, one of CEC’s five commissioners who unanimously approved the measure that was part of a revision to California’s Building Efficiency Standards, which are updated every three years.

The rule will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, and does not need to be approved by the Legislature or the California Public Utilities Commission.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems will be installed on every house that receives a building permit, as well as condominiums and apartments up to three stories high. Homes that are shaded by trees or taller buildings, as well as houses with roofs too small to accommodate a PV system, will be eligible for exceptions or alternatives to the mandate.

The updated building code also includes stricter efficiency standards on lighting, ventilation, windows, walls and attics for non-residential as well as residential structures.