Oakland Shines

Got windows in your workspace? While you can, take advantage of this week's fantastic natural light. Open your curtains and blinds and turn off all unnecessary artificial light. You'll save money, and you'll probably feel better too.

That was fast. The Oakland Shines participants map is live! Check it out.

We're currently in the process of making an interactive map of Oakland showing all the sites that have installed Oakland Shines-sponsored emerging technologies. You'll be able to hover your mouse over the marker for each site, and details on its project will pop up. It should be finished soon, so I'll let you know when it's up on our website.

Anyone have friends or family in Union City? Check out the new Greening Union City facebook page!

Now that autumn is almost here (I don't know about you, but Sunday's rain made me want to turn on the heater), here's a cold weather energy efficiency tip: remember that ceiling fan I suggested for the heat? It'll help you stay warm in the winter, too! Often hot air settles around the ceiling, far from where most people can feel it. A ceiling fan on its lowest setting will stir the air around the room, helping warm air circulate.

"Oakland Shines" seems to have really caught on, according to my google alerts on the phrase. First celebrities and now jobs and housing make Oakland shine. and US! and YOU!

It's hot hot hot this week! Did you know that ceiling fans are an excellent energy-efficient way to beat the heat? They consume as little energy as a 60-watt bulb, and you'll feel just as cool under a ceiling fan at 82 degrees as you would in 77-degree air. Also, they're pretty inexpensive, and you can install them easily on ceilings that already have light fixtures. Look, even a lego man can do it! (photo from http://vignettebricks.blogspot.com)

Cupkates Truck is coming to our block!!!!

look at this amazing old photo of Oakland! Notice the power lines off in the distance.

According to EnergyStar.gov, a whole 30% of the energy used in commercial and industrial buildings is used inefficiently or unnecessarily. Oakland Shines is changing that! Sign up today to do your part.

Did you know that when they're plugged in, battery chargers suck up energy even when they're not charging a battery? It's true! Use less energy by making sure to unplug all cell phone, ipod, laptop, etc. chargers once your device is fully charged.

A great way to help your refrigerator run more efficiently is to fill it up! As long as there's enough space to let air circulate, it takes less energy to cool a full refrigerator or freezer than an empty one. The water bottle trick works here, too - just fill up extra space with a gallon or two of water placed in the back of the fridge or freezer. Here at the office we like to use bottles of milk - for our coffee, of course.