La Mesa offering energy saving tool kits with freebies

In line with the city’s Climate Action Plan goals, La Mesa residents now have the chance to borrow a city-sponsored tool kit for a two-week period that will help them save energy, conserve water and reduce waste.

The Do-It-Yourself Energy Saving and Sustainability Tool Kits are now available for checkout at both La Mesa City Hall and the Helix Water District. The kits come with freebies including dimmable LED light bulbs, a water-saving, low-flow shower head and two faucet aerators, plus weatherstripping to seal leaks in windows and doors.

The tool kits also come with energy-measuring devices and tools that must be returned with the kit, including a 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.

Jenny Lybeck, the city’s Climate Action Plan Administrator, said the kits include a home energy and water savings guidebook that includes step-by-step directions “so that anyone can easily take advantage of all the tools and items contained in the tool kit.” The user guide outlines additional sustainability information and tips to help people “make small adjustments that have a big impact.”

“(Nearly) 80 percent of the homes in La Mesa were built before statewide energy standards were in place,” she said. “That means that many of the homes in the community have higher heating and cooling costs and use more water than newer homes.”

Tool kits can be reserved online and picked up between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from La Mesa City Hall at 8130 Allison Ave., or at the Helix Water District at 7811 University Ave. A photo ID will be needed to reserve a kit.

Lybeck said reservations are required ahead of pickup. After the two-week period is over, the tool kit, guidebook and equipment must be returned, though the giveaways stay with the user.