Image Up Advertising & Design

By Andrea Henderson It's winter in Southern California, and this can mean cold nights and pleasant days. But you can still save money on energy with a few tips. 1. Schedule an energy audit. When you're trying to lower your electric bill, start by contacting the energy provider. Many utilities offer free energy- efficiency items to their ratepayers. These programs vary with every utility and state, but typically, an energy specialist will visit your home and: • Identify air leakage problems and insulation needs. • Evaluate your major appliances. • Go over your current energy usage. • Screen for toxic materials in the home. • Install free energy-saving products, like LED light bulbs, low-f low showerheads, smart thermostats, and smart power strips. 2. Use smart plugs and power strips. When you turn off a device — like a coffee maker, gaming console, or TV — it may continue drawing electricity if it remains plugged into the wall. Connect your device to a smart plug or smart power strip, then plug that gadget into a regular electrical outlet. These smart devices will detect when you're no longer using a device. This can save you $200 or more a year. 3. Install a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat, like Google Nest, monitors your energy use and behavior, and then automatically adjusts its settings to make your home as energy efficient as possible. Replacing a regular thermostat with a smart one can save you up to 15 percent on heating and cooling, which works out to about $145 annually. 10 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JANUARY 2025 $aving ¢ents Way to go, Four Seasons! Four Seasons residents are champions! Thank you for your support in selecting gift tags and providing gifts for the children of Winter Wish families. Thank you so much to Four Seasons, Nicole, and her Elves. We also thank you for having a food drive at Four Seasons; it is such a help to our program. Warm clothing, toys, and some household needs (blankets and towels, for example) were given to approximately 771 children in the 252 families who were selected to be recipients of Winter Wish gifts in 2024. Distribution Day was Dec. 21. With your support and donations, Winter Wish was a real success in 2024! The Winter Wish Project has developed into a unique, community- wide, all-volunteer effort of which we all can be proud. We are also helped immensely by the Beaumont High School Interact Club and their parents. ~ Pam Dopf, Co-Chairperson Winter Wish Thanks Four Seasons

• Cover