The heat is on, and customers in most of Southern California Edison’s service area are contending with soaring summer temperatures . As temperatures increase, so does the use of air conditioners and costlier electric bills.
Here are some energy conservation programs and tips to help you manage summer bills:
Tips to Save Energy and Money
- Visit a cooling center that provides a safe, air-conditioned space to escape the heat.
- Close blinds and curtains at the start of hot days to keep indoor temperatures from rising quickly.
- Set your thermostat no lower than 78 degrees when you are home and to 85 degrees or “off” when you are away.
- Use fans, which consume much less energy than A/C. Fans allow you to raise your thermostat by two degrees while maintaining the same comfort level. Turn off fans when leaving the room.
- Keep interior doors open to maximize air flow when using central A/C. For mini-splits, window and portable units, closing doors and turning off cooling systems in unoccupied spaces help with efficiency.
- Consider no-oven or no-stovetop meals to keep kitchen areas from getting too hot; or cook meals earlier in the day and re-heat using a microwave or toaster oven.
- Limit how often you open the refrigerator. It uses more energy when doors are opened often.
- Most of the energy washing machines use is for heating water, so use cold water settings as much as possible.
- Avoid using major appliances like dishwashers and washing machines from 4-9 p.m.
Programs to Save Money for Conserving Energy
- Get up to $145 in bills credits and rebates this summer with SCE’s Smart Energy Program. Smart thermostat users receive a one-time $75 bill credit when they sign up, earn up to $40 for participating from June 1-Sept. 30 each year and a $30 rebate when disposing of their old thermostat at a qualifying location.
- SCE’s new SmartShift Rewards program turns your electric water heater into a smart device, activating it when rates are lower and keeping the water hot for when you need it. Sign up and receive a $50 bonus after completing a brief orientation period and continue earning rewards each month you participate.
- Find more information about SCE’s Demand Response programs for residential customers and for business customers to earn credits.
Bill Help Options
Learn more about ways to save, including these programs and more:
- Determine if your income qualifies you for a 30% monthly discount through the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or 18% discount through the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs.
- The Energy Assistance Fund offers one-time grants for qualified customers of up to $200; $300 for all-electric homes.
- If you require electric-powered medical equipment or qualifying devices, sign up for the Medical Baseline Allowance.
- Twelve-month payment arrangements or payment extensions of up to 30 days for eligible customers are available through MyAccount.
This article was provided by Southern California Edison.
