Residential Billing Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I pay my SDG&E bill?

Authorized payment locations may be found throughout SDG&E’s service area. To locate one near you, enter your address or ZIP code in our online map.

What mailing address should I use for SDG&E bill payments?

When mailing payments on current SDG&E bills, use this address:

SDG&E
P.O. Box 25111
Santa Ana, CA 92799-5111

How can I get a duplicate bill?

You can e-mail SDG&E to request that a duplicate bill be mailed to you. If you are enrolled in My Account, SDG&E’s free online billing and payment service, then simply log on to obtain a duplicate bill online.

My bill is too high. Can SDG&E help me find ways to lower my bill?

Yes, SDG&E representatives can suggest ways for you to save energy and money at home. For assistance, e-mail SDG&E or call the Energy Information Center at 1-800-644-6133.

What are baseline allowances and how do I qualify for them?

Every month, some or all of the energy you use at home is automatically charged at the lowest “baseline” rates. These rates appear on your SDG&E bill along with your “baseline allowances” for therms of natural gas and kilowatt-hours of electricity.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approves baseline rates and allowances for energy distribution only, (not the energy itself,) to meet your basic needs according to the season, your climate zone, and the type of energy you use for home heating. For more information:

What is the medical baseline allowance?

SDG&E offers an extra allowance of electricity or natural gas at the lowest “baseline” rates to help residential customers with certain medical needs.

A physician must certify the applicant’s medical need for certain types of life-support equipment, or additional space heating and/or air conditioning.

To see whether you or a full-time resident of your household may qualify, or to obtain a medical baseline application:

Can I get a discount on my SDG&E bill if a family member is on life-support equipment?

You may qualify for the medical baseline allowance described above – extra energy at the lowest “baseline” rates – if a full-time resident of your household regularly requires use of life- support or other medical equipment. A physician must certify the special energy needs of the patient.

If I have a limited or fixed income, can I get a discount on my utility bill?

A 20% discount on monthly gas and electric bills is available for income-qualified households through California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE). Through the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program, income-qualified households with three or more persons may receive a discount on electricity.

Income guidelines and eligibility requirements are usually updated annually. For more information about CARE, FERA and other assistance programs, including applications:

Does SDG&E allow credit extensions if I can't pay my bill on time?

If your notice has expired, call 1-800-411-7343 immediately to avoid disconnection of service. Please do not use e-mail for credit extension information.

SDG&E can work with you to make payment arrangements on your energy bill if you call SDG&E before the expiration of the past-due notice. You can also arrange for an extension on your bill or make payment arrangements online if you are registered for My Account.

Does SDG&E offer electronic payment options?

Yes, there are three SDG&E online and electronic billing and payment options:

My Account

My Account gives you a quick, easy and paperless way to manage your SDG&E bills. Save time, postage and natural resources by receiving and paying your SDG&E bills online.

With this free service, you can also:

  • View up to 25 months of account activity.
  • Set up automatic recurring payments or make individual payments each month.
  • Link, view and pay bills for multiple SDG&E accounts at the same time.
  • Make payments from more than one bank account.

Automatic Pay

Automatic Pay allows your SDG&E bill to be paid automatically each month from your bank account, approximately 10 days after you are billed. You’ll save postage and time, and eliminate check writing, but still get paper bills.

If you’d rather receive monthly e-notifications instead of paper bills, then enroll in My Account and set up recurring payments (auto debit payments).

Pay By Phone

SDG&E Pay-by-Phone allows you to pay your SDG&E bill over the telephone when you authorize a deduction from your bank account. You control when the payment is made with one call from any touch-tone phone.

How does the Level Pay Plan work?

SDG&E’s Level Pay Plan averages the highs and lows of your monthly energy bills so they’re more predictable. Your total energy cost for 12 months is the same whether or not you choose this option, but averaging energy bills may help you plan your budget.

Am I on the best electric rate?

SDG&E offers several residential electric rates. The default residential electric rate is Schedule DR, which is tiered to encourage conservation.

As electricity use increases, the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) rises. Under certain circumstances, an alternate rate option may help you lower your electric bills.

What natural gas rate options are available?

The default rate for natural gas service for residential customers is Schedule GR.

Another option, Schedule G-NGVR, is available for residential customers who have installed a natural gas vehicle refueling device at home. If you are interested in this option.

I believe that my meter was not read correctly. Could I arrange to have the meter re-read?

Yes, you may call our Customer Service Center to request that the reading of your gas or electric meter be verified. If your meter was misread this month, an accurate meter reading next month will correct the error.

How can I check the amount due on my bill and the date of my last payment?

If you are enrolled in My Account, SDG&E’s free online billing and payment service, then simply log on to view your account activity for up to 25 months. Otherwise, to receive information on your account, please e-mail our Customer Service Center.

What are the franchise fees, regulatory fees, and state and local taxes?

Certain charges on your bill are subject to taxes and fees imposed by state and local governments, and approved by the California Public Utilities Commission.

The CPUC also approves franchise fees collected by municipal and county governments for the energy that SDG&E sells in their jurisdictions.

When is my bill considered past due, and do I have to pay a late fee?

Your bill is due and payable upon receipt and is past due if not paid within 19 days of the date it was mailed. There is no late fee on residential past-due accounts.

Why does SDG&E charge for a collector to deliver a notice to the home?

Sending a collector out to obtain a past-due payment represents a cost of doing business to SDG&E. Per agreement with the California Public Utilities Commission, this particular cost is borne by those who receive this service.

To avoid this charge, call 1-800-411-7343 to make payment arrangements.

Does everyone have to pay a meter deposit?

SDG&E obtains a deposit from almost every applicant who does not have good credit, as demonstrated by past utility payment records or TRW ratings.

Will SDG&E accept a credit reference letter from a previous utility as an alternative to paying a meter deposit?

Yes, a good credit reference letter from your previous gas, electric, telephone or water utility company may satisfy SDG&E’s requirement for a meter deposit.

An acceptable credit reference letter must show that you received service from that utility for at least two years and that you had no more than two late payments in the last 12 months of service.

Will SDG&E provide a credit reference letter to my new utility company?

Yes, you may e-mail our Customer Service Center to request a credit reference letter.

Please include your service addresses with SDG&E within the last two years, the name of your new utility company, and its mailing address.

Can I change the due date on my bill?

Electric customers may select a meter-reading date or billing due date. Combined gas and electric accounts also qualify. E-mail our Customer Service Center to request either one of these services:

Choose a meter-reading cycle

You may select a regular SDG&E meter-reading date to have your meter read and bill issued. The cost for this service is $15 per month.

Choose a due date

You may select a specific day of the month on which your bill will be due, regardless of the meter-reading date. The cost for this service is a one-time setup fee of $15, an annual fee of $15 and 1% of the total monthly bill.

If I have a hot-water leak, will my bill be adjusted?

SDG&E is required to bill for all consumption that has registered on the meter. When consumption increases due to problems with your appliances, SDG&E is unable to make an adjustment to the billed amount.