From thermostat tweaks to energy-saving programs, SCE offers ways to cut electricity costs without sacrificing comfort

 

Turn Down the Heat on Your Summer Energy Bill

By Lisa Aubry

 

The hotter it gets, the higher electric bills tend to climb — but it doesn’t have to be that way. By applying a few at-home tricks, you can keep energy costs in check and even bring them down. Combine these habits with any of the energy-saving programs Southern California Edison offers, and you have a recipe for a cooler home at a lower cost.

10 simple steps to save while keeping cool at home :

• Pre-cool your home: Run your air conditioner in the morning before peak hours, 4–9 p.m., to cool your home when electricity demand is lower and  save on energy costs .
• Set your thermostat wisely: Keep it at 78°F when home and 85°F when away to reduce cooling costs by up to 10%.  Smart thermostats  can automate this process for you.
• Use fans : Ceiling and portable fans help circulate air, allowing you to raise the thermostat without sacrificing comfort.
• Adjust ceiling fan direction: Set fans to spin counterclockwise in summer to create a cooling breeze and turn them off when you leave the room.
• Block out the heat: Close blinds and curtains during the day to keep sunlight from heating up your home.
• Avoid using the stove : Cooking indoors can raise indoor temperatures — opt for microwaves, grills, or no-cook meals to stay cool.
• Unplug unused electronics: Devices like TVs and gaming consoles draw power even when off. Unplug them to eliminate  “vampire” energy use .
• Clean or replace air filters: Dirty filters make your system work harder, so replacing them every one to three months improves efficiency.
• Seal and insulate ductwork: Leaky ducts can waste up to a third of that precious cooled air — sealing them helps your  system work smarter , not harder.
• Schedule a professional AC tune-up:  Yearly AC maintenance  helps your system run at peak performance and catches issues early.

     
In addition to applying these energy-saving tips at home, you can enroll in a number of programs — from  income-qualified programs  to  savings programs  and  other rebates or financial assistance  — to further relieve costs.

Here are just a handful of options available to you:

• Summer Discount Plan  allows SCE to install a free, remote-controlled device on your air-conditioning unit that cycles the AC on and off during high-demand periods to help conserve energy.
• The  Smart Energy Program  is for customers with a smart thermostat. SCE will adjust the temperature during periods of high demand by up to four degrees to help conserve energy. You can override the change at any time.
• Time-of-Use rate plans  help you manage energy use and save. Instead of paying a flat rate, you’re charged based on when you use electricity and how much. Off-peak hours — such as mornings, late evenings and weekends — offer lower rates.
• Energy Savings Assistance  program helps reduce energy consumption through a range of energy-saving home improvements at no cost to income-eligible customers.
• Income-qualified programs such as the  California Alternate Rates for Energy  (CARE) or  Family Electric Rate Assistance  (FERA) programs can shave 32.5% or 18% off your monthly bill, respectively.

      
For more information on SCE’s programs and ways to save, visit  sce.com/billhelp .