Article 1: New pricing plans based on time of day
It’s time to start thinking about energy differently. To support the statewide commitment to reliable and sustainable energy, time of use pricing plans are now available to you. The plans are different from the current tiered option, which is based on how much energy you use. New time of use plans look at the time of day you are using energy, which allows you two ways to save – by shifting your electricity use to lower cost hours of the day or to reduce your overall usage.
During the new on-peak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., increased demand on the electric grid means a higher cost to produce and deliver electricity to you. So, by shifting your use to off-peak hours, when there is less demand, the cost of electricity is less too.
Why are on-peak hours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.?
As more Southern Californians generate their own solar or wind power, and as utilities put more renewable energy on the grid to serve its customers, the on-peak – or higher demand hours – for electricity are changing to late afternoon and early evening.
By shifting your energy use to off-peak hours, you not only pay less but also help decrease the demand on the electric grid, which ultimately benefits the environment.
Choosing your time of use plan
Now you have more control of your home’s energy bill. Choose a new pricing plan and see if you can save over your current plan. Connect to My Account and go to “Compare My Pricing Plans” to see detailed descriptions and plan features. For more information, visit https://www.sdge.com/residential/tou-pricing-plans-residential.
Article 2: Earned income tax credit; it’s your money, get it
Get the money you deserve! Do you earn $22,300 or less? Have you lived in California for more than half of the year? You may be eligible for the expanded California Earned Income Tax Credit. Visit CalEITc4Me.org to find out how much in state and federal earned income tax credits you may be able to receive just for filing your tax returns. Find out if you’re eligible for the Credit on this online calculator or check out this infographic. The website is also available in Spanish, Mandarin and Vietnamese. And while on the website, find free tax preparation in your community.
Article 3: Your home automation system can do lots of cool things
Did you know that home automation systems can do more than play music? Visit a smart home at SDG&E’s Energy Innovation Center located at 4760 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. in San Diego. Learn how convenience and security can be energy-efficient. Interact with smart devices like Amazon’s “Alexa” to control lighting and cooling systems. And while you’re here, take the self-guided sustainability tour and learn about other advanced technologies from passive daylighting to a rooftop viewing periscope. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, visit sdge.com/eic.
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.
Article 4: SDG&E is offering instant rebates on smart home devices
SDG&E customers are eligible to receive a $50 instant rebate on Nest and ecobee smart thermostats – the most popular brands on the market. Considered an essential part of any smart home, smart thermostats can help reduce energy bills and increase comfort. Nest and ecobee products come with mobile apps so people can remotely control their home’s temperature anywhere anytime.
Customers can get the rebate by visiting sdge.com/instant to generate a coupon code. You redeem the code when you purchase a qualifying Nest or ecobee thermostat on bestbuy.com, lowes.com or participating Lowe’s stores in town (Mission Valley/San Diego, Oceanside, Vista, Santee, Otay Lakes/Chula Vista, Carlsbad, Escondido and Poway).
Customers who take advantage of the instant rebates can get an ADDITIONAL bonus of up to $75, if they sign up for the SDG&E Reduce Your Use Thermostat program. Participants in this program are asked to occasionally reduce their power consumption when energy demand is high on the grid by allowing their thermostat settings to be automatically adjusted.
Customers looking for good deals on energy-efficient products are encouraged to visit SDG&E’s Marketplace. You can compare items in terms of prices, energy efficiency ratings, popularity ratings, and product specifications.