Energy Efficiency for Every Day
Electricity is more expensive during “peak hours,” (between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.) when electricity is at a high demand, but electricity from renewable resources is less available. Reducing your energy consumption during peak hours can reduce demand on the power grid and help you save on your electric bill.
These tips and tricks can help you save electricity and save money:
In the Kitchen:
- Reduce the time that you’re using your oven and stove by trying the following:
- Keep pots covered for shorter cook times.
- Bake multiple dishes at once to cut down on the time that the oven is running.
- Bake smaller portions. The same amount of food baked in smaller portions requires shorter cook times.
- Use the residual heat after you turn off the oven to heat up foods.
- Consider energy-efficient alternatives to the stove or oven, like air fryers or toaster ovens.
- During the summer, consider cooking on the barbecue. This can also help reduce your A/C use.
- Avoid leaving the fridge open for prolonged periods of time.
- Allow leftovers to cool before storing them in the fridge to avoid warm foods increasing the temperature inside your fridge.
- Run dishwashers early in the day or late at night.
Doing Laundry:
- Avoid using your washing machine or dryer during peak hours.
- Wash your clothes with cold water.
- Wait until you have a full load before using the washing machine for fewer washing cycles and less electricity consumption.
- Hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer.
Cooling Your Home:
- In the summer, pre-cool your home before peak hours by turning your A/C down to 72 degrees. Between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., set your A/C to 78 degrees, if health permits.
- Use fans instead of the A/C, whenever possible.
- Turn off fans when no one is using them. Fans cool people, not rooms.
- Close the blinds or drapes.
Heating Your Home:
- In the winter, set your thermostat to 68 degrees. At night or when no one is home, set your thermostat to 58 degrees.
- Use alternatives to central heating, like space heaters or electric blankets whenever possible.
- Unplug space heaters when no one is using them.
Other Best Practices:
Before 4 p.m.
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“Pre-cool” your home by turning your A/C down to 72 degrees
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Run dishwashers, washing machines, and other major appliances
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Charge mobile devices and laptops
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Charge electric vehicles
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Set pool pumps to run in the early morning or late at night
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Close blinds and drapes
Between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
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Set your A/C to 78 degrees, if health permits
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Limit your use of major appliances
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Turn off unnecessary lights
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Unplug unused electrical devices
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Use fans when possible
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Limit time the refrigerator door is open
Energy Saving Programs & Partnerships
We’re proud to share special offers with our partners to help you save energy when it matters most.
OhmConnect can help you reduce your energy bill, and will even pay you for the energy you save! Click here to learn how you can get paid to save energy with OhmConnect.
Need to Find a Cool Zone in San Diego?
The Cool Zone program is an established network of free, air-conditioned settings (such as libraries or community centers) across San Diego County that allow respite for older adults, persons with disabilities or anyone looking to escape the extreme heat during the summer.
Cool Zones are a way for residents to lower individual utility usage and help conserve energy for the whole community.
To locate the Cool Zone site nearest you, click here to view an interactive map with location information or call 2-1-1.
Wildfire & Emergency Preparedness
Make sure you and your family are safe by making the proper preparations in case of a wildfire.
Get Your CAL FIRE Custom Wildfire Preparedness Plan here. Based on your answers, your personalized emergency preparedness plan will be created.
Flex Alerts and Power Outages
Flex Alerts are voluntary calls for consumers to conserve electricity. A Flex Alert is typically issued in the summer when extremely hot weather causes energy demand to increase until it meets generation capacity, usually during peak hours.
When the state’s power grid operator, California ISO, calls for a Flex Alert we have the opportunity to prevent more dire emergency measures, including rotating power outages, by reducing our own energy use with the tips above.
Sign up to receive Flex Alerts here.
Power outages can occur for many reasons including, but not limited to, emergency repairs for damaged equipment, routine maintenance for reliability, expanding the grid for future growth and preventing wildfires in prone conditions.
All customers should reach out to SDG&E when experiencing an outage. To check on outages in your area, please click here. For more information on outage notifications and how to prepare, please contact SDG&E at 1 (800) 411-7343 or visit SDG&E’s outage center webpage.
During adverse weather conditions, a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) may be used by SDG&E to help prevent potential wildfires. To sign up for PSPS event notifications, please visit the PSPS Notifications page.
Safety During an Outage
During a power outage here are some quick safety tips to follow:
Use a flashlight rather than a candle for light at night.
If using a standby generator, follow these safety tips:
- Turn off major appliances like the dishwasher or A/C that were running when the power went out to prevent them from starting unexpectedly when power is restored.
- Unplug or turn off TVs, stereo and game systems.
- Leave one light on so you know when power is restored.
Supplies to keep on hand:
- Flashlight(s) with a supply of fresh batteries
- Portable battery-powered radio so you can keep up with the news
- Telephone that does not depend on electricity
- Easy-to-prepare, nonperishable foods. This includes packaged snacks and bottled water and juices
- Wind-up or battery-operated clock
- First-aid kit