How do I earn rewards?
Save electricity on a Reduce Your UseSM day between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. You can set up an alert and we’ll notify you by text or email the day before.
How do I sign up for Reduce Your Use?
Most residential customers with a working smart meter are already eligible to earn Reduce Your Use rewards. Save enough electricity on a Reduce Your Use day and you'll automatically receive a credit on your next SDG&E bill. Set up an alert so you'll be prepared to save energy.
What if I can't participate?
Participation on a Reduce Your Use day is optional.
When will I get my reward?
Your reward will appear as a credit on your SDG&E bill at the end of your billing period following a Reduce Your Use day.
When do Reduce Your Use days start?
A Reduce Your Use day can be called any day after June 1, 2012.
How many Reduce Your Use days will be called?
The number of Reduce Your Use days that may be called is not limited. Days may be called any time an unusual situation requires saving energy.
Reduce Your Use Days vs. Flex Alerts: What's the difference?
A Reduce Your Use day is broadcast by SDG&E, and in return for using less electricity, we credit you with a reward on your bill when you save energy on these specific days. A Flex Alert is issued by the state of California, and while there is no incentive for participating in a Flex Alert, it is important to help the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) maintain reliability by saving energy when one is called.
How do I know when a Reduce Your Use day is called?
Set up an alert so you'll be prepared to save energy. Alerts are sent to you by email or SMS text to your mobile phone.
If I don't have a computer or mobile phone, is there another way to receive alerts?
Although you will not receive alerts directly, you can still find out about Reduce Your Use days through the local media. Television and radio will report on upcoming Reduce Your Use days.
Can I pick my own Reduce Your Use days?
No. Generally, Reduce Your Use days are called when hot weather strains our system. They may also be called any time an unusual situation requires saving energy.
How do I know how much energy I use?
You can log onto My Account and go to the My Energy tab and select the current date to see how much energy you use on an hourly, daily, weekly and monthly basis.
How do I know how much energy to save?
On a Reduce Your Use day, log into My Account, go to My Energy tab and click on My Energy Use underneath. Change the calendar to show the Reduce Your Use date. Look for the Use Less Than amount to see how many kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity you need to save between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to start earning rewards.
How do I know how much energy I saved?
Log into My Account after a Reduce Your Use day. Go to the My Energy tab and click on My Energy Use underneath. Change the calendar to show the Reduce Your Use date. The difference between Energy Used and Use Less Than gives you the amount of energy saved. Your energy information will be listed in the Reduce Your Use Details table as soon as it’s available. You can also set up Reduce Your Use results alerts and we’ll let you know to check online for your savings results.
Do I have to wait until the end of the month to see my energy information?
No, your SDG&E smart meter captures hourly use that you can see on My Account through the My Energy tab. Smart meters are digital devices that collect energy-use data and – unlike traditional meters – transmit and receive data, too. Please note that your electricity use online data is approximate. For actual use information, please refer to your bill.
How is my reward calculated?
Your reward is calculated based on your Energy Used and Use Less Than amounts. The difference between Energy Used and Use Less Than gives you the amount of energy saved. The energy saved will be multiplied by the type of reward you’re eligible for; $0.75 per kWh or $1.25 per kWh if you have enabling technology.
What is enabling technology?
Enabling technology includes devices that are set up to receive SDG&E signals or alerts. For example, if you're on the Summer Saver program, your A/C cycling device is considered an enabled technology and you'll receive the $1.25 per kWh saved on Reduce Your Use days. Select home area network (HAN) devices are also eligible for this higher credit.
How is the Use Less Than amount calculated?
We look at five days of your electricity use before a Reduce Your Use day and take an average from the three highest-use days. We’ll compare weekdays with weekdays and weekend days with weekend days and look at your home’s energy use between the Reduce Your Use hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Where can I find energy saving tips and tools?
I'm already using very little energy, what else can I do to save energy?
Here are some quick energy-saving tips:
I save energy every day. What if I can't save anymore?
Thank you for your wish to help during times of high energy use. We appreciate all of our customers who are energy conscious both in their everyday activities and on Reduce Your Use days.
SDG&E and San Diego Gas & Electric are registered trademarks of San Diego Gas & Electric Company.
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