Level Pay
Get a More Predictable Bill Each Month
Level Pay offers you the convenience of predictable billing throughout the year, especially in summer when your energy usage can spike. Level Pay averages your bill every three months; you don’t pay more or less. By averaging out your bill, you can budget more easily.
Save Energy and Money this Summer
Simple money-saving steps can lower monthly electric bills without jeopardizing safety or comfort. Find more opportunities to save by logging into My Account to view your energy use and see how and when you’re using energy so you can make adjustments.
These tips can help you save energy
Shift your use
When possible, use heat-generating appliances such as washers, dryers and dishwashers in the morning or at night. On a Time-of-Use plan, save on your bill by shifting outside the on-peak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Keep your A/C fit
Check your air conditioner’s filter every 1-2 months. Dirty filters cause your system to work harder to keep you cool, wasting energy.
Adjust your water heating
Water heating can be the second largest energy expense in your home after air conditioning. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater a few degrees and if possible, insulate the water heater and pipes to reduce your water heating costs even more.
Block the heat and hot air
Weather strip and caulk drafty doors and windows to keep the cold air in and hot air out.During the heat of the day, cover windows to block the sun’s heat. If you can, open windows at night and early mornings to let the cool air in.
Power down
Switch off your electronic devices, such as computers and monitors, when not in use. Keep in mind, electronics in standby mode still draw power. Use a power strip to power down devices and appliances at one time. Smart power strips can be used straight from your mobile device to prevent unwanted energy usage.
Stream on the right device
When streaming content, choose the smallest device that makes sense for the number of people watching. Game consoles can use 10 times more power than streaming through a tablet or laptop.
Upgrade your lighting
Along with LED light bulbs, use ENERGY STAR light fixtures, which use less energy and produce less heat.
Embrace the sun
Take advantage of the extra hours of sunlight and turn off unnecessary lights. In the afternoon, keep west-facing windows shaded to block the sun’s heat. When the sun goes down, let cool air in if you can safely open windows.
These tips can help you stay safe
Power strip
Spending more time at home this summer means plugging in more electronics. If you use a power strip, be aware that overloading it or connecting it to other power strips or extension cords can create a fire hazard.
Air conditioning
Always avoid using extension cords or plug strips to power an air conditioner; they can overheat and cause a fire, even when not in use.
Clear the area around your A/C unit; make sure there is nothing nearby that can easily start a fire or cause an explosion.
Clothes dryer
Keep dryer vents and lint filters clean or your dryer will work harder and operate less efficiently. Lint can also build up and catch fire in the heating element or exhaust duct.
Tree trimming
To get the most out of your solar system, make sure that nearby trees or bushes aren’t shading your system.
Protect yourself – stay away from power lines. If you have trees near electric lines, SDG&E will prune them if needed. Give us a call at 1-800-411-7343 to request an inspection.
Energy-saving tips for the kitchen
The kitchen is the center of the home. Here are some tips to stay cool during meal time and limit your use of the stove or oven, which raises your kitchen’s temperature and making your air conditioning work even harder.
Use small appliances
Instead of the oven, use small appliances such as a microwave, toaster oven or slow cooker. They use less energy and won’t add much heat to your home.
Keep your fridge full
A full fridge works more efficient than an empty one. Pack cold items together to keep your fridge and freezer cool. Consider storing a supply of emergency water to keep your fridge full.
Maximize your dishwasher
Run a full load before 4 pm or after 9 pm when energy is cheaper. Save even more by turning off the dry cycle and letting your dishes air dry.
Fire up the grill
Take the heat out of your kitchen by cooking outside. Its also a good excuse to get your family outside and away from electronics.
Programs and solutions to stay cool and lower your energy bill
If you are having trouble paying your bill, call our Customer Contact Center at 1-800-411-7343 to make payment arrangements. To learn about programs that can help you with your utility bills, visit our Assistance page.
Save 30% or more
CARE and FERA are two programs we offer that can provide you with a monthly discount on your bill.
Get bill alerts
Keep track of your energy use and costs with email or text alerts. Stay on top of your bill, energy use and more. Visit sdge.com/myaccount and go to "alerts and subscriptions".
Cool off at a Cool Zone
Escape mid-day summer heat and reduce air conditioning usage by visiting a Cool Zone.
Shop to save
SDG&E Marketplace can help you find rebates and energy-saving deals — like $75 off smart thermostats and energy-saving appliances.
Summer Pricing
Being on the right pricing plan can add up to real savings on your energy bill. Can you shift your energy use? Do you own an electric vehicle? Visit My Account to check out your choices.
Note: As part of a larger rate relief effort across the state, in response to COVID-19, the California Public Utilities Commission temporarily reduced the price of high usage electricity by 30%. This lower price is effective June 1 and will run through October 31 or longer, if extended by the Commission.
Prices Effective June 1
Prices effective July 1 - October 31, 2020
Prices effective June 1 - October 31, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
The High Usage Charge is based on electricity use and applies to the ‘standard’ residential tiered plan. To avoid the charge you need to use less than 400% of your baseline allowance. You can also change your pricing plan to a Time-of-Use plan as they are not subject to the High Usage Charge. You can evaluate your available options in My Account.
Hotter weather drives up energy use, and combined with summer pricing, customers can see higher bills than normal. The increased pricing stems from a rise in electricity prices in the summer across the state as the weather heats up and there is a high demand for energy.
No. SDG&E does not profit from the sale of electricity to our customers, per state law. The cost of the electricity we purchase for our customers is a direct pass through onto customer bills.
There are some immediate benefits with Time-of-Use pricing plans over the ‘standard’ tiered plan:
- No High Usage Charge – Time-of-Use plans do not have a High Usage Charge, so if a customer anticipates continuing to use high amounts of energy, they may save each month on one of these plans.
- Simple shifts can equal savings – Shifting simple chores like laundry and running your dishwasher to before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m. can reduce your monthly bill on a Time-of-Use plan. Outside of the 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. timeframe, prices are lower, which provides a second opportunity to save. On a standard plan, the price is the same every hour of the day.
- Try “A/C pre-cooling” – Take advantage of cheaper “off-peak” prices outside of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. to pre-cool your home or business, then turn up the thermostat from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. to gain some savings.
Learn more about Time-of-Use at sdge.com/whenmatters.
We’ve developed and received approval on several solutions that take effect in 2020.
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Adjustment to the timing of the California Climate Credit for all residential customers: The electric credit will now be applied to residential customers' bills in August and September, instead of April and October, to help offset summer bills.
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Reduction in summer pricing for TOU-DR1: Effective July 1, customers on this plan will see a 5% reduction on average in summer energy pricing. This lower price can help reduce spikes in summer bills, especially with more of us at home. This decrease in summer pricing will be offset by an increase of 4% during winter pricing months, November 1 through May 31.
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Elimination of the High Usage Charge for Standard DR pricing plan: With more of us staying home in 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (Commission), has temporarily reduced the High Usage Charge by 30% through October 31. In the meantime, we will continue to work with the Commission on a more permanent decision.
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Elimination of seasonal pricing for Standard DR pricing plan: Effective June 1, this pricing plan has one rate year-round*. In past years, the summer change reflected the increase in demand and costs for electricity as more people sought relief from hotter summer temperatures. Now those costs will be spread throughout the year creating a flatter rate that may result in lower bills in the summer, offset by slightly higher bills in the winter, assuming no change in usage
*Rates are subject to change by CPUC order.