CUT COSTS ON YOUR SUMMER ENERGY BILL
Are you looking for ways to reduce your energy bill? Use major appliances when energy is less expensive, before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m., Monday – Sunday. Here are more ways to save energy and money while staying cool.
First, let’s talk about appliances. They tend to use a lot of energy and heat up your home so, with that in mind, consider the following:
- Change the way you cook
- Turn off the oven and stovetop as much as possible. These appliances can give off lots of heat and warm up your home. Instead, use microwaves, air fryers, slow cookers, backyard grills or eat foods that don’t need to be cooked. If you’re going to use your oven, do it sparingly and during the coolest part of the day.
- Change how you wash your clothes
- Use cold water to wash your clothes so you don’t have to pay to heat the water. Cold water helps reduce wrinkles and remove stains. Washing in cold can help your clothes last longer, prolong vibrancy and maintain their shape and size. Always aim for full loads of laundry and consider line drying clothes.
- Don’t “heat dry” your dishes
- When running your dishwasher, turn off the “heat dry” cycle and let dishes air dry instead.
- Use smart plugs for appliances
- One of the best smart plug uses is to connect appliances to them. Smart plugs allow you to schedule when your appliances are on or off – even remotely. They also help reduce “vampire draw” because appliances still use energy when they’re off but still plugged in.
Beyond appliances, here are other great ways to stay cool and save big:
- Check out SDG&E’s new RES program
Do you rent or own a single-family home? Eligible customers may receive free products such as smart thermostats, low-flow showerheads, brushless fan motors, HVAC services like air duct testing and sealing – and more. SDG&E has contracted with Synergy Companies to provide customers with energy efficiency audits from their experts. Customers can request a home visit at SynergyCompanies.com or by calling 1-888-272-8394. Learn more at sdge.com/RES.
- Save with Golden State rebates
Receive rebates toward the purchase of energy-efficient products like smart thermostats, water heaters and room air conditioners. Get details at sdge.com/rebates. Visit GoldenStateRebates.com for the product list.
- Sign up for SDG&E’s Power Saver Rewards
Earn a bill credit of $2 per kilowatt hour when you reduce your energy use when the grid needs it the most. Get details at sdge.com/PowerSaver.
- Use ceiling fans instead of the A/C
Ceiling fans can save up to 25 percent on cooling costs and reduces your home’s temperature up to ten degrees. In warmer temps, fans should be set counterclockwise for the best cooling effect.
For more ideas on how to save energy, visit sdge.com/MyEnergy.
NEED HELP WITH YOUR ENERGY BILL?
SDG&E recognizes that this can be a challenging time for many customers and may be able to help if you are having trouble paying your bill. You might be eligible for programs and services that can provide immediate financial assistance and help you avoid interruptions in your service. Flexible payment arrangements are also available to help you pay down past due balances. Learn more at sdge.com/Payment-Arrangements.
Check out these energy assistance programs:
- California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program: Save 30% or more every month on your bill. Find out if you qualify at sdge.com/CARE.
- Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program: If you don’t qualify for CARE and your household has 3 or more people, you may qualify for FERA. You could receive an 18% discount on your electric bill. Visit sdge.com/FERA to learn more.
- Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program: You may qualify to receive free energy-saving improvements for your home, like new appliances, lighting, insulation and more. Find details at sdge.com/ESA.
- Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): If you have outstanding bills and you are a CARE or FERA customer, you may be eligible for debt forgiveness. See if you qualify at sdge.com/AMP.
Even if you made a recent payment or set up a flexible payment plan with SDG&E, there may still be assistance programs available to help you. For a complete list of available offerings, visit sdge.com/assistance.
¿NECESITA AYUDA CON SU FACTURA DE ENERGÍA?
Usted puede calificar para un descuento en su factura o mejoras en el hogar. Los programas de asistencia de SDG&E ayudan a reducir su factura mensual de energía mientras mantiene su hogar cómodo.
- Programa de Tarifas Alternativas de Energía de California (CARE, por sus siglas en inglés): Ahorre un 30% o más cada mes en su factura. Averigüe si califica en sdge.com/CAREesp.
- Tarifa Eléctrica Familiar (FERA, por sus siglas en inglés): Si no califica para CARE y su hogar tiene 3 o más personas, puede calificar para FERA. Podría recibir un 18% de descuento en su factura de electricidad. Visite sdge.com/FERAesp para obtener más información.
- Programa de Asistencia para el Ahorro de Energía (ESA, por sus siglas en inglés): Puede calificar para recibir mejoras gratuitas para el ahorro de energía en su hogar, tales como electrodomésticos nuevos, iluminación, aislamiento y más. Encuentre los detalles en sdge.com/ESAPesp.
- Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): Si tiene facturas pendientes y es participante en el programa de CARE o FERA, puede ser elegible para la condonación de deudas. Averigüe si califica en sdge.com/AMPesp.
Las aplicaciones en línea son fáciles, rápidas y convenientes. Para obtener más información, visite sdge.com/asistencia.
WILDFIRE ALERT: IS YOUR HOME PREPARED?
Despite record-breaking rainfall this year, the risk of wildfires persists. To increase your property’s chances of surviving a wildfire, it’s essential to create a defensible space around your property and reinforce your home or business with fire-resistant materials.
- Create a defensible space.
- Minimize your home’s exposure to risk by modifying the vegetation space around it to help resist a wildfire. California requires 100 feet of defensible space around your property.
- Increase your home’s defenses.
- Consider building your roof or re-roof with materials such as stone, slate, metal, clay tiles or asphalt shingles, which offer the highest resistance to fire.
- Cover all vent openings with 1/16-inch to 1/8-inch metal screening, as flying embers can enter your house through vents.
- If possible, windows should be double-paned with one pane of tempered glass; it’s recommended to help reduce the chance of breakage in a fire, especially if facing large areas of vegetation.
- Keep rain gutters clear or enclose rain gutters to prevent the accumulation of plant debris.
- Cover your chimney and stovepipe outlets with a non-flammable screen. Use metal screen material with openings no smaller than 3/8-inch and no larger than 1/2-inch to prevent embers from escaping and igniting a fire.
- Additional things to consider:
- Have a fire extinguisher and tools such as a shovel, rake, bucket and hose for fire emergencies.
- Store all combustible and flammable liquids away from ignition sources.
- Make sure your address is clearly visible from the road.
- Consider having multiple garden hoses that are long enough to reach all areas of your home and other structures on your property.
For more information on wildfire safety, visit sdge.com/Wildfire-Safety.
REV UP YOUR CURIOSITY AT THE SAN DIEGO ELECTRIC VEHICLE DAY EVENT
Are you eager to explore the latest electric vehicle (EV) models and their impressive features? The 11th annual San Diego Electric Vehicle Day event features test drives of the newest EVs, a showcase of electric vehicles, good food and family entertainment. Get ready for an electrifying experience!
This year’s event is set to make history as the largest of its kind in the region, offering a lineup of over 50 EVs for test drives and exhibition. The new venue at Snapdragon Stadium provides significantly more space than the previous location ensuring ample room for test drives, vehicle displays and a host of family-friendly activities. Join us for an unforgettable day of EV exploration.
Date and Time: Saturday, October 14th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego, CA 92108
Admission: Free
MOVING? SCHEDULE YOUR SDG&E SERVICE REQUEST ONLINE
Take a little stress out of your move when you schedule your SDG&E service request online. Use SDG&E’s My Account to start, transfer or stop your service. It’s easy and only takes a minute. No need to call and no need to wait on the phone. Online scheduling shows you available dates that you can choose. If your plans change, simply update your request online. Get more information at sdge.com/move.