With expected high temperatures this week, we're here to help you prepare with energy-savings tips to keep you cool at home while also staying safe. Increased temperatures often lead to increased air conditioning use, which can place higher stress on the electric grid. Here are some tips, tools and resources to help you shift energy use:
Energy Tips
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Block heat from the sun. During the hot hours of the day, cover windows to block the sun’s heat. Opening windows in the evening can help your home cool back down.
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Cool down with a fan. Use ceiling and tabletop fans to cool off, and leave the thermostat at a higher temperature. Turn fans off when you leave a room as fans cool people, not room.
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Maintain your air conditioner. Follow manufacturer instructions for maintaining your air conditioning unit to ensure it’s operating efficiently. Change the filter every 1-2 months.
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Turn down your water heater by a few degrees. Many water heaters are set higher than the temperature we actually use. Reducing this by a few degrees can reduce your energy costs.
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DIY Project: Weatherproof your home. Weather strip and caulk drafty windows and doors to keep cool air in and warm air out.
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Keep track of your energy use and costs with email or text alerts. Visit sdge.com/MyAccount to stay on top of your bill, energy use and more by clicking on "Notification Settings".
If you’re on a Time-of-Use plan, remember that shifting some energy use outside the hours of 4-9 p.m. can also result in savings on your energy bill.
Summer Safety
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Don’t chain or overload power strips. We know spending more time at home, especially when it’s hot, can lead to the need to plug in a large number of devices. Be mindful of how many devices you plug in, and never chain power strips together. Both can result in fire danger.
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Use air conditioners safely. Avoid plugging air conditioners into extension cords or power strips. Always keep the area around your air conditioning unit clear of anything that could easily catch fire.
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Clean clothes dryer vents and lint filters thoroughly. Keeping dryer vents and lint filters clean not only helps your machine run more efficiently, but it also mitigates fire danger as a buildup of lint inside your dryer runs a risk of catching fire.
Get Rewarded with the Power Saver Rewards Program
Our Power Saver Rewards Program rewards residential customers to voluntarily reduce or shift energy use during a Flex Alert or other grid emergency. If you are eligible and can reduce your energy use during a Power Saver Event between the peak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., when the grid is especially stressed, as a reward, you may receive a bill credit. The more energy you conserve, the more you can save! Find out how to apply at sdge.com/PowerSaver.
Sign up for statewide Flex Alert notifications and help strengthen the grid
Did you know a Flex Alert is a call to conserve energy? They are triggered by the California ISO when the grid is especially stressed and help prevent rotating outages when everyone works together. Sign up for Flex Alert notifications so you know when to conserve energy. Find out more at flexalert.org.
We’re committed to helping our customers stay safe and informed throughout the year. For more information on summer safety, efficiency tips and available programs to help with your summer energy costs, visit sdge.com/MyEnergy.