AC Saver (Summer Saver) Program
Earn an Annual Credit on Your Bill
With SDG&E’s AC Saver Program, your business can save energy and earn money by installing an AC Saver device on your air conditioning unit. Using less energy helps ensure public safety and stabilizes the grid.
How It Works
After signing up for the AC Saver program, we install a device on your central air conditioning unit at no cost. It’s completely safe, and the device does all the work. There’s nothing you need to remember or do. On select hot days, when energy conservation is needed, or when there is a power emergency, we activate the device to cycle your central air conditioner "on and off" for a period of two to four hours.
The program runs April through October and activations may be called every day of the week, but only up to 25 events may be called with five events being reserved for emergency use only.
30% cycling
- Receive up to a $4.50 per ton bill credit for each A/C.
- Your air conditioning run-time is reduced by 30 percent of the hour previous to the conservation period.
50% cycling
- Receive up to a $7.50 per ton bill credit for each A/C.
- Your air conditioning run-time is reduced by 50 percent of the hour previous to the conservation period.
The AC Saver device is a small, wireless box mounted near your central air conditioning unit. It operates with central air conditioning systems and is not designed for room A/C units or small space units.
While the AC Saver device works with most central air conditioning systems, there are some systems that are not recommended to be operated with these devices. These include central air conditioners with communications boards, integrated environmental controls, energy management systems, variable speed compressors, or special wiring. A trained AC Saver technician will carefully evaluate your unit’s compatibility before beginning any installation activities. If your unit is not compatible, you can’t participate in the AC Saver program.
On select hot summer days, a remote signal is sent to activate the device, which then cycles the cooling function of your central A/C "on and off" for a period of two to four hours.
Yes. More than five million similar devices have been installed nationwide.
During normal operation, your HVAC unit(s) turns on and off based on your thermostat setting. This is called cycling. During a conservation period, the AC Saver device overrides your thermostat and controls the amount of time your HVAC unit's condenser is allowed to operate. The AC Saver device will turn your HVAC "on and off" (i.e. "cycle") each hour to reduce the overall amount of run-time.
Whenever there is a power emergency or critical peak demand, your AC Saver device will be activated for a conservation period of two to four hours. While your central air conditioner is in a conservation mode the run-time of the condenser (the cooling portion) will be reduced to save energy. However, your fan, which requires little energy to operate, continues to circulate air for added comfort.
With 50 percent cycling, your HVAC unit's compressor will run half the time that it ran in the hour before the conservation period. When the conservation period is over your HVAC unit will return to normal operation under the control of your thermostat setting. With 30 percent cycling, your HVAC unit's compressor will run 30 percent of the time that it ran in the hour before the conservation period After the conservation period, HVAC function will automatically return to normal.
Tonnage is used to express the one-hour cooling capacity of air conditioners. One ton is 12,000 BTUs of cooling/hour.
Your bill credit is based on the tonnage of your system. At 30% cycling, you are paid $4.50 per ton. For example, if you have a 5 ton system, your credit would be $22.50. For 50% cycling, you are paid $7.50 per ton. For a 5 ton system, you'd earn $37.50.
No. The device will not turn your air conditioning on in order to cycle. It is designed to only work with units that are operating during the conservation period.
Generally, within two weeks of signing up. A typical residential installation takes about 30 minutes provided the technician has access to your exterior A/C unit. You don't need to be present, but you may schedule an installation for a time when you will be home.
We have an agreement with a third-party, Itron They are responsible for installing, removing and servicing the wireless unit.
Participation in the AC Saver begins the day the cycling device is installed. If your install occurs after September 15, your credit will be paid on your SDG&E bill December of the following year. The amount of your credit is based on the size of your central air conditioning unit and the cycling option you choose.
You may change your cycling option any time prior to August 31st; your bill credit will be based on your cycling option as of October 31st. Between September 1st and October 31st, you may only decrease your level of participation (from 50% to 30%). If you enroll between September 1st and October 31st you will be enrolled at the 30% cycling option. You may opt out of the program at any time but will not receive any compensation for partial participation.
Yes. You can enroll one or as many units as you have. The AC Saver device can be installed on every working unit on your premise and your bill credit will reflect the tonnage of all your A/Cs.
It's quick and easy. Whether you want to upgrade your option to earn a higher bill credit or drop down to 30% cycling, you can make the change with just one phone call. Call the AC Saver Customer Care Center at 1-800-850-1705 and your request will be implemented in 48 hours.
If you are not satisfied, you can request to leave the Summer Saver program option at anytime, at no cost. Just call the AC Saver Customer Care Center at 800-850-1705.
Your account number is the first 10 digits of the number located in the top-left corner of every bill.
If you have questions or would like more information on how to qualify, please call Itron at 1-800-850-1705.