December 2019 Residential Messaging from SDG&E®

Article 1: Keep holiday light decorating safe, ENERGY-efficient, festive and fun

People love lighting up their homes for the holidays – whether it’s inside your home along the fireplace, or on your front lawn decorating your trees and bushes. What most people don’t love is the increase in their electricity bill after all the holiday cheer and lights are gone.

Here are some ways to be energy-efficient this holiday season:

  1. Make smart lighting choices. 
    • LED holiday lights are the way to go! They use up to 80% less energy, are brighter and safer, as they are much cooler than incandescent lights. They’re easier to install—up to 24 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket. They last ten times longer and have no filaments or glass to break.
  2. Limit usage of energy.
    • Set timers for lights to turn on and off automatically. Keep light displays on during the evening and turn them off overnight. Set timers for lights to automatically turn on when it gets dark and off in the middle of the night. You can save more by keeping light displays on only 8 hours of the evening (when you can see them).  
  3. Get reflective.
    • Shiny ornaments, tinsel and mirrors can multiply the effects of your lighting without using more energy. Be sure to keep tinsel away from pets, though. Reflective ornaments and tinsel are just as bright at night, so getting creative with your lighting display can multiply your resources for shine. Don’t forget the ribbons, wreaths, garland, and reflective menorahs, for electricity- free age-old traditions still bring holiday cheer.  

Be sure to stay safe over the holidays. Here are some great tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.

  1. Plan ahead. Avoid overloading extension cords and wall sockets by following the manufacturer’s limits for the number of light strings that can be safely connected together. 
  2. Hang lighting safely. Make sure that no cords will be pinched by furniture or placed under rugs, furniture or other appliances. If covered, cords can overheat or become frayed, increasing the risk of fire. Replace faulty lights instead of trying to repair them.
  3. Avoid electric hazards outdoors. Before climbing ladders to string outdoor lights, check for overhead power lines on your roof or attached to your home. Keep at least 10 feet away from overhead lines at all times. Never place yourself or any object such as a string of lights in a position that risks contact with a power line—the result can be fatal. 
  4. Use GFCI outlets. Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). How do you know if it’s a GFCI? Look for the “test” and “reset” buttons. If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased. 
  5. Check your environment outdoors. Before stringing lights on outdoor trees, make sure tree limbs haven’t grown into or near power lines. Branches, entire trees and even the ground adjacent to a tree can become energized when trees contact power lines. 
  6. Put your tree in a safe location. Do not place your holiday tree near a heat source such as a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, making it more susceptible to fires caused by heat, flame or sparks. 
  7. Check condition of lights. Inspect light strands for cracked or broken plugs, frayed insulation or bare wires. Worn cords can cause fires, so discard damaged sets of lights. 
  8. Read the labels. Be sure to check each product label to see whether the lights are intended for indoor or outdoor use. Make sure lights have a tag indicating they have been evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory. 

Article 2: SAVE UP TO $125 WHEN YOU PURCHASE A SMART THERMOSTAT

A smart thermostat is a digital, wi-fi connected thermostat that control’s your home’s AC and heat – allowing you to check and control it remotely from a phone app. Save $75 on the purchase of a qualifying Google Nest or ecobee smart thermostat, plus earn an additional $50 when you join SDG&E’s AC Saver program! Check out the qualifying models on www.sdge.com/instant.

Heating and cooling account for nearly half of a home’s energy costs. A smart thermostat offers automation and greater control over your home’s temperature and climate which can help you save on your energy bill. There are lots of reasons to install a smart thermostat, such as:

  1. Bigger energy savings – The thermostat learns your energy habits and can recommend when to turn down heat or air conditioning
  2. Get the info you need, when you need it – receive alerts for maintenance, if your home’s temperature goes above or below a pre-set range and for power outages
  3. Easier to use – the new generation of smart thermostats are easier to program so you won’t feel like you need NASA training to use them
  4. Remote access – you’re able to adjust your home’s temperature from anywhere via your mobile device which comes in handy if you leave the house and forget to turn down the heat or end up staying out later than planned
  5. Comfort – you can pre-heat or pre-cool your home shortly before you arrive home

Article 3: THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE MORE YOU CAN SAVE

SDG&E’s winter electricity prices are in effect from November 1 – May 31 each year. What does this mean for you and your business? Well, this means you still have an opportunity to maximize savings on your energy bill by understanding your business’s pricing plan and when energy is the least expensive.

Here’s what you can do to make the most of winter pricing.

  1. Start with My Account
    • My Account is your online energy partner. Here, you can explore your pricing plan options and annual costs side-by-side, make a payment – and learn about other programs, energy-savings tools and more.
    • Knowing the details of your plan is a great way to get ahead this season. Visit sdge.com/myaccount and click on ‘Pricing Plans’ to see what plan your business is on and how you could save on your energy bill this season.
  2. Dig into the details
    • Knowing when and where you use energy most in your business is directly correlated to your bill. Log on to My Account at sdge.com/myaccount, then click on the ‘My Energy’ tab to see the details of your business’s energy use.
    • Get personalized energy-savings tips designed for your business’s usage patterns when you complete an energy survey on My Energy. Visit sdge.com/myaccount and click on the ‘My Energy’ tab to learn more.
  3. Stay up-to-date and in touch
    • Whether you’re online or on the go, stay informed about your business’s energy use and your bill year-round. With energy usage and bill alerts, you can do just that. Visit sdge.com/myaccount and click on ‘Alerts and Subscriptions’ to enroll today.
  4. Know your plan
    • Get ahead this season. With side-by-side pricing plan comparisons, SDG&E’s My Account puts you in control of your plan choices. See the details of your business’s current plan or explore other pricing plan choices at sdge.com/myaccount, then click on ‘Pricing Plans’ to learn more.

Article 3 translated: VUELVE LA TARIFA DEL INVIERNO

Los precios de electricidad de invierno de SDG&E están vigentes desde el 1 de noviembre hasta el 31 de mayo de cada año. ¿Esto qué significa para usted y su negocio? Bueno, esto significa que todavía tiene la oportunidad de maximizar los ahorros en su factura de energía al comprender el plan de precios de su negocio y cuándo la energía es la menos costosa.

Esto es lo que puede hacer para aprovechar los precios de invierno.

  1. Comience con My Account
    • My Account es su socio de energía en línea. Aquí puede explorar las opciones de su plan de precios, comparar costos anualmente, ver todas las opciones de su plan en paralelo, realizar un pago y conocer otros programas y herramientas de ahorro de energía.
    • Conocer los detalles de su plan es una manera excelente de avanzar esta temporada. Visite sdge.com/myaccount y haga clic en ‘Pricing Plans’ para ver en qué plan está su negocio y cómo podría ahorrar esta temporada.
  2. Descubra más en My Energy
    • Sabiendo cuándo y dónde usa más energía en su negocio está directamente relacionado con su factura. Inicie sesión en My Account en sdge.com/myaccount, luego haga clic en la pestaña ‘My Energy’ para ver los detalles del uso de energía de su empresa.
    • Obtenga consejos para ahorrar energía que son personalizados y diseñados para los patrones de uso de su negocio cuando complete una encuesta de energía en My Energy. Visite sdge.com/myaccount y haga clic en la pestaña ‘My Energy’ para obtener más información.
  3. Manténgase informado con Alerts and Notifications
    • Ya sea que esté en línea o en movimiento, manténgase informado sobre el uso de energía de su empresa y su factura durante todo el año. Con el uso de energía y las alertas de facturas, puede hacer exactamente eso. Visite sdge.com/myaccount y haga clic en ‘Alerts y Subscriptions’ para inscribirse hoy.
    • Cuando se inscribe en alertas permite que SDG&E se comunique con usted cuando más importa, o en caso de emergencia o corte de energía.

Article 4: NEED HELP WITH YOUR ENERGY BILL? 

SDG&E has several assistance programs to help lower your monthly energy bill while keeping your home comfortable.   

California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program: Save 30% or more every month on your bill. Eligibility is based on participation in certain public assistance programs, or household income and how many people live in your home. Visit sdge.com/CARE to learn more. 

Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program: If you don’t meet the requirements for CARE, you may qualify for FERA. You could receive an 18 percent discount on your energy bill. FERA is only open to households with three or more people. Visit sdge.com/FERA to learn more. 

Medical Baseline Allowance Program: If you or someone in your household has a qualifying medical condition or needs certain medical equipment in your home, you may be eligible for electricity or natural gas at a lower rate. To learn more or apply, visit sdge.com/MedicalBaseline.

Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program: You may qualify to receive no-cost energy-saving improvements for your home, such as new home appliances, energy-efficient lighting, insulation and more. To see if you qualify, visit sdge.com/ESAP. 

For details about SDG&E’s customer assistance programs, visit sdge.com/Assistance. If you have additional questions, please email billdiscount@sdge.com or call 1-800-411-7343.   

Article 4 translated: ¿NECESITA AYUDA CON SU FACTURA DE ENERGÍA?

SDG&E tiene varios programas de asistencia para ayudarlo a reducir su factura mensual de energía mientras mantiene su hogar cómodo.

Programa de Tarifas Alternativas de Energía de California (CARE): Ahorre 30% o más cada mes en su factura. La elegibilidad se basa en la participación en ciertos programas de asistencia pública o en los ingresos del hogar y cuántas personas viven en su hogar. Visite sdge.com/CARE para obtener más información.

Programa de Asistencia de Tarifa Eléctrica Familiar (FERA): Si no cumple con los requisitos de CARE, puede calificar para FERA. Podría recibir un descuento del 18 por ciento en su factura de energía. FERA solo está abierto a hogares con tres o más personas. Visite sdge.com/FERA para obtener más información.

Programa de Subsidio de Referencia Médica: Si usted o alguien en su hogar tiene una afección médica que califica o necesita cierto equipo médico en su hogar, puede ser elegible para electricidad o gas natural a una tarifa más baja. Para obtener más información o presentar una solicitud, visite sdge.com/MedicalBaseline.

Programa de Asistencia para el Ahorro de Energía (ESA): Puede calificar para recibir mejoras de ahorro de energía sin costo para su hogar, como electrodomésticos nuevos, iluminación de bajo consumo, aislamiento y más. Para ver si califica, visite sdge.com/ESAP.

Para obtener detalles sobre los programas de asistencia al cliente de SDG&E, visite sdge.com/Assistance. Si tiene preguntas adicionales, envíe un correo electrónico a billdiscount@sdge.com o llame al 1-800-411-7343.

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