​Learn new skills at your own pace. Did you know that SDG&E provides webinars for business owners and trade professionals, and most are at no cost? You or your employees can learn about the latest in green building practices, technology and energy-saving solutions from industry experts. Some of March’s topics include:

• Energy audit skills: tools, data collection techniques and calculations
• HVAC: cooling tower efficiency
• Full scale induction for commercial kitchens: cooktops and woks
• Title 24: residential modeling
• Heat pump water heater retrofit: energy cost estimator

Certifications and continuing education units are available for many of the classes. Check out the class listing at sdge.com/EIC.

​Did you know that by implementing a few tips your business can save on its energy use and costs? From regulating your building’s temperature to cleaning air filters regularly, there are smart ways to lower your energy bills. Here are ten tips that can help reduce your costs without having to sacrifice the comfort of your staff or customers:  

1. Lower the temperature. Your business can keep comfortable without cranking up the heat. Adjust your thermostat by a few degrees to help reduce your energy bill. Don’t completely turn off your heat overnight though – you’ll use more energy to heat up the building again in the morning.
2. One of the easiest ways to save money is by controlling your thermostat. Smart thermostats can be adjusted remotely to run energy-efficient schedules. If you join SDG&E’s Smart Thermostat program, you’ll receive $50 per registered thermostat with a max of four thermostats for business and two for your home. Get details on sdge.com/MyBusiness.
3. Did you know ceiling fans help in the colder months too? Change the rotation of your fan blades to clockwise, which will pull warm air down and spread it throughout the room.
4. Open blinds and sunshades to allow sunlight to heat up the room, especially on south- or west-facing windows. Natural light can warm the space and reduce the need for lighting. When you need to turn on lights, save energy by using energy-efficient LED bulbs.
5. In work areas that get little use, like storage and conference rooms, install sensors so lights will automatically go off when employees are working elsewhere.
6. Make sure cold air isn’t drifting into your building by checking weather stripping on your doors and caulking on your windows and other areas that outside air can seep inside. This is especially important in older buildings. You can also put clear, inexpensive plastic sheeting on your windows to add more insulation and reduce cold drafts.
7. Get a tune-up on your heater to ensure your system is operating efficiently. New, clean air filters can improve airflow and heating.
8. Make sure your heating air intake and outlet grilles are not blocked by furniture or other bulky items. Obstructed grilles put more of a burden on the system’s fans to move heated air through an office. Also, check your ductwork for air leaks or any damage to insulation.
9. Check your HVAC filters monthly and clean or replace when dirty. Keeping your HVAC system properly maintained can help save on heating costs.
10. Check if a door provides good insulation by placing your hand against it from the inside. If it feels cooler than the inside walls, it might be time to install a door that's better insulated.

Visit sdge.com/MyBusiness for more helpful energy-saving tips. 

Please enjoy this brief video featuring Mission Viejo Chamber member Elizabeth Beltran from Modern Woodmen. She discusses the type of financial services provided by Modern Woodmen! 

​Video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/h2Ebd0wgFgU


To learn more about Modern Woodmen and Elizabeth Beltran please visit https://reps.modernwoodmen.org/ebeltran/. 

Please enjoy this brief video featuring Mission Viejo Chamber member Courtney Howe, Community Relations Specialist at Saddleback Urgent Care (Vituity). She discusses the type of services provided by Saddleback Urgent Care to keep your staff and family members healthy! 

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4MyzzcPHRs

To learn more about Saddleback Urgent Care Vituity and the services they provide please visit www.vituity.com/locations/saddleback-family-and-urgent-care-mission-viejo/.

A special thank you to Mission Viejo Chamber Ambassador, Heba El Sabban of OneWest Bank for coordinating this video spotlight! 
​

According to the EPA's ENERGY STAR® program, U.S. small businesses together spend a whopping $60 billion on energy each year. A survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) found that energy costs are a top three business expense for more than one-third of the nation's small businesses.  
 
But small businesses also have significant energy savings potential. Depending on the building and business type, small businesses can reduce their energy without sacrificing service or comfort. Here are some ideas: 

• Conduct an energy audit. SDG&E’s Business Energy Solutions program provides an on-site no-cost energy audit. Learn more at sdge.com/BES.  
• Get employees invested. Saving energy is a team sport, not the sole responsibility of the business owner. Encourage staff to share innovative ideas on how to cut down energy costs – creating an energy efficient work culture. 
• Plant trees. Plant shady trees outside of your business to keep your building cool and help clean the air. Depending on your location, vegetation can help weather the summer heat and chilly winter winds. 
• Plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking. It's important to locate any leaks in your business to prevent costly heating and cooling loss. You can easily plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking to efficiently manage your ventilation. 
• Install occupancy sensors. Install dimmers and occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn off lighting. It's important to ensure that the sensors are properly installed. Even good equipment can be installed incorrectly, like being installed in an obstructed location (e.g., behind a coat rack, door, bookcase or other furniture).  
• Turn off unused equipment. Office computer monitors are an easy way to save on your business's energy bill as they use a lot of energy. Ensure that monitors are set on automatic sleep mode during non-working hours or are manually turned off when not in use. Screen savers do not reduce energy use by monitors.  
• Reduce paper usage. Paper and printing can be costly for your business. Print only when necessary and double-sided when you do. This will reduce paper waste and help cut the energy required to run your printer, which reduces your energy costs and may extend the life of your printer.  
• Install hand dryers. Use hand dryers instead of paper towels. As paper towel dispensers need to be refilled, they are a constant, recurring cost and more expensive than automatic hand dryers in the long run. It’s also less mess and reduces waste. 
• Insulate your water heater. If your business's water heater is older than seven years, be sure to wrap it in insulation to retain water heat.
• Examine your energy use online. You can track and monitor your business’s energy usage by signing up for My Account at sdge.com/MyAccount.

What an exciting time had by all as MVCC members, their families, and the community gathered for the Annual Holiday Party on December 8th! Please enjoy the video produced by Jennifer @valcmakeup capturing the highlights of the event!

We have so many amazing events coming up next year, including our inaugural Car Show and Women in Business Awards Luncheon/Fashion Show.  All of our events provide excellent networking opportunities!

If you are a business owner or represent a local business, NOW is the time to join the MVCC as we are ready to sail into 2022 with a positive attitude, readiness to grow our businesses and desire to promote one another.  Click here to join us. Let's go!