Article 1: Save energy at home this summer
We understand that no one likes higher-than-expected energy bills. Here are some tips to reduce your energy use during the warmer months – without sacrificing your family’s comfort.
- Tilt blinds up and close drapes on windows that receive direct sunlight.
- Open windows in the evening to let cooler air in when safe.
- Run your ceiling fan while your A/C is on; this will allow you to raise your thermostat about 4 degrees while maintaining the same level of comfort.
- Enable “power management” on all computers and turn off when not in use.
- Wash clothes in cold water. About 90 percent of the energy used in a clothes washer goes to water heating.
- Postpone using heat-producing appliances like the oven, dishwasher and clothes dryer after 9 p.m.
- On hot afternoons, consider leaving home, and going someplace cool like the shopping mall, movie theater or library.
Check out SDG&E’s one-minute video tips for more energy-saving ideas on cooling, weatherization, refrigerators, home electronics, indoor/outdoor lighting and pools.
Article 2: Receive free energy alerts to keep your budget on track
Watch your energy use and costs with email or text alerts from SDG&E. Energy alerts can help you set monthly spending goals, track your progress and get automated alerts to stay in control and on budget. Alerts you can sign up for include:
- Your pre-set spending goal was exceeded
- Your pre-set electric or gas use level was exceeded
- You’ve moved into a higher-priced electric tier
- A weekly energy use summary with all this information plus energy saving tips
How to subscribe to alerts:
- Log into My Account
- Look for Alerts & Subscriptions at the top
- Click on Alerts
- Click on Subscribe next to the type of alert
- Select the email addresses and phone numbers to receive alerts
To learn more, visit sdge.com/alerts.
Article 3: You may qualify for a discount on your SDG&E bill
SDG&E offers several Assistance Programs to help lower your monthly energy bill while making your home comfortable.
- California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program (sdge.com/CARE): 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.
- Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program (sdge.com/FERA): If you don’t qualify for CARE, you may for FERA. You could receive a 12% discount on your energy bill. FERA is only open to households with three or more people.
- Medical Baseline (sdge.com/medicalbaseline): This Program has helped over 30,000 people, who have a qualifying medical need or medical device, to lower their energy costs.
- Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program (sdge.com/ESAP): You may receive free energy-saving improvements to your apartment, condo, house or mobile home; such as lighting, furnace repair, weather-stripping, attic insulation and select appliances like a refrigerator.
For details on any of these Assistance Programs visit sdge.com/Assistance, call 1-800-411-7343 or email billdiscount@sdge.com.