See An Example Of Electricity Use By Tier

See how much of a difference using 500 kWh versus 1000 kWh can change your total bill amount

Here are two examples of electric energy use.  The first example is for 500 kWh of energy used for the month.

  • The electric bill amount is $74.32

The second example is for 1,000 kWh.

  • The electric bill amount is $235.16

500 kWh Monthly Electric Usage Scenario

If 500 kWh of electricity was used for the month, only 8% of the monthly usage would be billed under the tier three rate, and no energy would be billed under the tier four rate. By keeping most of the energy usage billed under the lower tier one (baseline) and two rates, the total amount of the monthly bill is lower.

 

 

Total Rate

kWh used

Estimated Billed Amount

Baseline

Tier 1

13¢

354

$46.02

101% - 130%
of baseline

Tier 2

15¢

106

$15.90

131% - 200%
of baseline

Tier 3

31¢

40

$12.40

Over 200%
of baseline

Tier 4

33¢

0

$0.00
 

 

 

500

$74.32

1000 kWh Monthly Electric Usage Scenario

If 1,000 kWh of electricity was used for the month, 54% of the energy usage would be billed under the tiers three and four rates. Because the tiers three and four rates are significantly higher than the tier one (baseline) and two rates, the electric bill amount associated with tiers three and four usage is approximately 74% of the total electric bill.

 

 

Total Rate

kWh used

Estimated Billed Amount

Baseline

Tier 1

13¢

354

$46.02

101% - 130%
of baseline

Tier 2

15¢

106

$15.90

131% - 200%
of baseline

Tier 3

31¢

248

$76.88

Over 200%
of baseline

Tier 4

33¢

292

$96.36
 

 

 

1000

$235.16

This example is for a customer located in the Inland climate zone who receives basic service baseline allowances (receives energy from both an electric and natural gas), and the electric bill is based on a 30 day billing period for the summer season.

This example is intended to be illustrative and therefore uses rounded total rates for SDG&E’s standard residential electric service, which includes rates under Schedule DR, Schedule EECC and Schedule DWR-BC, rounded to the nearest cents. Your actual rates can be found on your bill. This example excludes “Other Account Charges” as identified on your bill.

Tips to save energy and money

To save money and energy, try to stay as close to your baseline allowance as possible. How? By conserving energy and taking advantage of SDG&E’s energy-saving tools and programs.

If You Still Have Questions

If you would like to discuss your bill, call our Customer Service Center.

  • 1-800-411-7343