Leading by Example: Local Retirement Community Champions Fight Against Environmental Change

A local retirement community is situating itself at the forefront of the fight against environmental change following the steady increase in global temperatures and California’s recent major drought. Pleasanton’s Stoneridge Creek is taking considerable steps to curb its energy consumption, with hopes of reducing its energy use by 5% this year.

To achieve this goal, the community is using “smart meters” to make better use of its heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. These systems can be accessed through personal computers, making it easier for community staff to diagnose issues, and also monitor energy consumption.

To incentivize residents, the community has kicked off a pilot program that provides rebates based on reduced power use. Stoneridge Creek is working closely with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company to ensure its goals are met. Various measures through this partnership have helped the community lower its annual utility bills by tens of thousands of dollars in recent years.