SDG&E

Saving Money on your SDG&E Bill

Abby H.

Recently I posted on Facebook that I relented and turned on the heater. Usually, it’s not cold enough, and we are all big fans of cuddly sweaters and socks, and of course piles of soft blankets. The other night I wandered down the hall and the thermostat said 48 degrees- NOPE. I turned on the heater to 68 degrees.

Someone commented that they wish they could do that. I realize that being able to run the AC or Heater is a privilege that not everyone has. I was in that position a few years ago, and then I looked into some of the programs that SDG&E offers (and I’m sure other utility companies offer as well). These programs are on their site, but you really have to dig to find them.

Here are a few programs that might be helpful:

Medical Baseline Allowance Program:  The Medical Baseline Allowance Program provides an additional amount of gas and electricity at the lowest rates for residential customers.  It is not a discount or a rebate.

Anyone who uses certain medical devices or needs space heating or air conditioning because of a medical condition may qualify. CPAP machines are on the list of qualifying medical equipment, as well as about 20 other medical devices. All the information and application can be found here.

CARE and FERA programs: For families that receive various social services or are lower income, these programs can save you 30% or 18%, respectively. To learn more, and apply, click here. 

Energy Savings Assistance program: This is a great program that I took advantage of many years ago. An SDG&E contractor came out and did some work to make our home more energy efficient. They replaced the weather stripping on our front door, gave us energy-efficient floor lamps, and did a few other things. This program is for families that receive various social services or are lower income.

With natural gas prices rising this winter, if you are eligible for any of these programs, or think you might be, it is definitely worth taking a little time to check out these links.

Screen Shot 2016-08-03 at 5.02.27 PMAnd another way I try to save money is to use Ohm Connect.  We’ve been using it for a few years, and they text and/or email you when you should conserve more power due to the demand on the power grid. It’s a win-win situation: You save money on your power bill, and you earn points from Ohm Connect that you can cash out for Paypal, Amazon, or Target Gift Cards, OhmConnect store credit (to buy energy efficient thermostats, smart plugs, etc.) You can learn more about OhmConnect here. It’s for Southern CA, New York, or Texas Residents. We save about $200/year on our power bill and earn roughly $150 in rewards. It’s a nice little extra for minimal work.

Earn Cash and Giftcards with Ohm Connect!

Abby H.

Screen Shot 2016-08-03 at 5.02.27 PMWe’ve been using Ohm Connect since its inception. It’s a great way for California, Texas, and New York residents to conserve power during heavy usage times, save on your power bill, and earn cash and gift cards.

Texas and New York joined Ohm Connect back in April, but we Southern California residents have been conserving power and saving with Ohm Connect for years! ‘ve been using it since 2016.

And to prove it’s legit, here are screenshots showing that I’ve cashed out $90 to Paypal this month!

And I’ve also cashed out $20 in Amazon Gift Cards this month! I’m saving Amazon Gift cards to do holiday gift shopping later in the year.

Joining Ohm Connect is easy and quick. To get started, click here. You’ll need access to your gas/electric/power account handy, so I recommend doing this at home. And when it’s time to conserve power, you can opt into receiving texts or emails- whichever you prefer. Ohm Connect with contact you the day before to give you the heads up.

Ohm Connect is available to Southern CA residents who have the following power companies: Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric.

In New York, Ohm Connect is available to those with ConEd.

And in Texas, Ohm Connect is available to everyone. 

 

As always,  I only post about products and services I personally use and I feel are a good fit for my family and my readers. Please refer to my disclosure page.

 

SDG&E: Get Paid To Plant a Tree!

Abby H.

This popped into my inbox this afternoon and I thought I would share. This is such a great idea and you do not have to be a homeowner to do it!

Trees and plants provide important environmental, health, and community benefits. SDG&E’s Community Tree Rebate Program is designed to build our region’s tree canopy in neighborhoods where trees are needed most to clean the air, conserve water, and provide shade canopy to help reduce energy usage.

Qualifying SDG&E customers can receive a $35 rebate for planting or potting 1- or 5-gallon tree/plant species, up to five (5) rebates annually. You do not need a yard to qualify, as trees or other plant species can be planted in large containers on outdoor balconies or patio areas.

• Check your eligibility
• See what trees/species qualify
• Purchase up to five eligible trees or plant species; only 1- or 5-gallon sizes are eligible.
• Plant and purchase the tree(s) or plant specie(s) at your home by 10/31/2022 – make sure to keep your receipts!
• Take one photo per tree/specie planted in the ground or in a sufficient container.
• Upload application with receipt(s) and photo(s) to our tree rebate portal by 11/15/2022.
• Receive $35 rebate per tree/specie.

While this program is for a limited number of San Diego County Zip Codes, if you live outside the Zip Codes for this program, you may be eligible for other tree programs. More information on other programs may be found here.

2022 California Climate Credit- It’s Back for August and September!

Abby H.

It’s back! I posted earlier this year about the credit on your April bill, and now we are getting credits in both August and September!

This August* your utility bill will include an electric credit identified as the “California Climate Credit.” Your household and millions of others throughout the state will receive this credit on your utility bills.

In the past years, the electric credit was applied in April and October, and the gas credit was applied in April. For 2020-2022, the California Public Utilities Commission authorized SDG&E to temporarily shift the electric credit to be applied in August and September.

Changing the distribution months will not change the total value of the climate credits you receive in a year. The shift will provide bill relief for customers – during what are typically the hottest months of the year – and reduce bill volatility.

The gas credit will continue to be applied in April. In 2023, the climate credit will revert back to its original timing of April and October unless the Commission directs otherwise.

The California Climate Credit is part of California’s efforts to fight climate change. This credit is from a state program that requires power plants, natural gas providers, and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases, to buy carbon pollution permits.

The credit on your bill is your share of the payments from the State’s program. The Climate Credit is one of many programs resulting from landmark legislation called the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

The California Climate Credit is one way Californians are working towards a zero-carbon state. Find other ideas for energy and money-saving upgrades for your home while reducing your carbon footprint at energyupgradeca.org/the-movement.

And if you are looking for more ways to save energy and money, check out Ohm Connect! We’ve been using Ohm Connect for 5+ years and we’ve saved thousands of dollars on our power bill, and earned thousands of dollars in gift cards and cash via PayPal!

I cashed out some of our points for a $10 Amazon Gift card a few weeks ago, and we almost have enough for another Amazon Gift Card!

 

Ohm Connect: Now available in Texas and New York!

Abby H.

We’ve been using Ohm Connect for years. In addition to saving power during times of high demand on the power grid, we’ve saved money on our power bill and earned rewards from Ohm Connect.

I’m excited that Ohm Connect has decided to open its program to those living in Texas and New York as well.

Once you sign up, you will be alerted when the demand for energy increases (Either via text or email- your choice). If you cut down on power usage during those peak times, you will not only reduce your power bill but also receive points from Ohm Connect that can be redeemed for cash back via PayPal or gift cards (I usually get Target Gift cards).

And you can connect your smart home devices to help you save- the Ohm Connect App walks you through everything! It’s super simple.

We’ve earned $25 in rewards so far in 2022!

 

California Climate Credit- Savings on Your April 2022 Utility Bill!

Abby H.

It’s that time again! On your April California Utility Bill (Which includes PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, Bear Valley, Liberty, and Pacific Power), you will receive a California Climate Credit. For SDG&E customers, the amount is $43.06.

The California Climate Credit is part of California’s efforts to fight climate change. This credit is from a state program that requires power plants, natural gas providers, and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution permits. The credit on your bill is your share of the payments from the State’s program.

Rather than receiving your electricity credits in April and October as in years past, the electricity credits have been moved to August and September for 2020 – 2022.

Please know you will still get your climate credits as they will be reflected in your utility bills this year. In fact, in April* your utility bill will include a gas credit identified as the “California Climate Credit.”

Changing the distribution months will not change the total value of the climate credits you receive in a year. The shift will provide bill relief for customers and reduce bill volatility.

 

And if you are looking for more ways to save energy and money, check out Ohm Connect! We’ve been using Ohm Connect for 5+ years and we’ve saved thousands of dollars on our power bill, and earned thousands of dollars in gift cards and cash via paypal!

Utility Rates Going Up: Tips to Save

Abby H.

Screen Shot 2017-11-09 at 1.26.41 PM.pngFor those of us in San Diego County- you’ve probably read or heard by now, we have the highest utility prices in the ENTIRE COUNTRY. Not something to be too proud of.

I’ve been researching ways for us all to save money on our bills, and I promise that none of them are too kooky. No turning off your hot water heater, sitting in the dark, or wearing dirty clothes. Some of the things I found in my research were… sketchy.

We’re going to hit up all the areas of your home, And yes, we do all of these things in my home.

The Thermostat: The memes about parents controlling the thermostat are real. For Serious.

  • Turn your thermostat to 72-75 degrees, or better yet, turn it off. For most of us in Southern California, it’s usually flip-flop weather or sweater weather. We only turn on the heat when we know it’s going to be cold (like 55 or below), or turn the AC on when it’s going to be 90 or above.
  • Install a smart thermostat. We have an Ecobee, and there is an app for our phones to control the thermostat, so if I know it’s going to be hot or cold, I can set the thermostat to keep the house comfortable upon our return from time away.
  • This brings me to my next point- Utilize Ceiling fans and box fans to circulate the air in your home. Did you know there is a setting on your ceiling fan for summer, and the opposite direction is for winter? The counterclockwise rotation of the fan pulls warm air up and forces cool air down, perfect for the summer!
  • Is it going to be cold? Close your windows, but leave your drapes/blinds open. The sun will shine through the windows and heat up your home (A little, not like a sauna). You may still need socks, a sweater, and pants. These two tips may keep you from having to turn on your heater.
  • Is it going to be hot? Close the drapes/blinds early in the day before the weather heats up. Use fans to circulate to cool air. If it’s going to be dangerously hot and you have to be at home, close the windows and get the thermostat to 72-75. 75 degrees doesn’t sound cool, but when it’s 90+ degrees outside, it feels amazing.

Water Heater:

  • Your water heater does not need to be turned all the way up. Gen X-er’s will remember this PSA from Tweety Bird. Turn down the temperature on your water heater.
  • Make sure that your water is in good repair, that the closet or area in which it is housed is clean and free of debris or anything flammable. In California, the water heater needs to be up off the ground and braced with earthquake bracing straps.

Laundry:

  • Only run full loads of laundry.
  • Utilize the various cycles on your washer to make sure an appropriate amount of water (and the correct temp) are being used.
  • Use the correct amount of soap/detergent (more is NOT better). If your clothes are not getting clean the first time, that is also a waste of electricity/gas.
  • Line or hang dry clothes if the weather permits. We live in a 2nd-floor condo that does not permit external drying lines, but we have a retractable laundry line in the laundry closet where we can hang up clothes that are labeled tumble dry low or hang dry. It was very easy to install.
  • Lacking space? We also have a collapsible drying rack too.  We use it for pants mostly. It folds up and lives in the laundry closet when not in use. When we are using it, it is in the bathtub (mostly to keep the cat from messing with it).

All over the house:

  • Keep the lights off during the daytime. Open the drapes/blinds and take advantage of the natural light.
  • Going into a room with no natural light (like the bathroom or kitchen)? Turn the lights on when entering, and flip them off when you leave the room.
  • Unplug devices/appliances when not in use. Obviously, I’m not talking about your fridge, washer, or dryer. Toaster ovens, microwaves, and unplugging the cellphone and other device chargers when not in use. Most devices still draw power when not in use but remain plugged in. If you don’t want to go around plugging and unplugging, you can invest in smart plugs, like these. We have these on our Toaster Oven, microwave, printer, TV, Nordic Track, and PS4.

Programs to save money:

  • SDG&E has several programs to help you save money on your bills. CARE and FERA are programs that can save you 18-30% on your bills. More information and how to apply can be found here.
  • If you are a senior and have qualifying medical equipment in your home, you may qualify for a medical baseline discount from SDG&E. More information and how to apply can be found here.
  • Screen Shot 2016-08-03 at 5.02.27 PM We use OHM Connect to save additional money on our SDG&E bill. Once you sign up, you will be alerted when the demand for energy increases. If you cut down on power usage during those peak times, you will not only reduce your power bill but also receive points from OHM Connect that can be redeemed for cash back via PayPal or gift cards (I usually get Target Gift cards). Ohm Connect is available in CA, Texas, and New York!

 

SDG&E: Save $500 on a new water heater!

Abby H.

Are you an SDG&E customer? Do you need a new water heater?

Energy Star

Now through 12/31/2021, SDG&E customers can save up to $500 instantly when you purchase a qualifying electric heat pump water heater, plus additional savings:

  • Energy Star
  • Save up to $350* per year on energy bills
  • Up to $3,750* in savings over the operational lifetime
  • Efficient and environmentally friendly

To take advantage of this deal:

  1. Visit sdge.com/rebates for eligible models and participating locations.
  2. Rebate will automatically be deducted during checkout.

Additional savings may be available through tax credits.

Check your eligibility before purchase.

*Based on the average family of four. ENERGY STAR®. March 19, 2020. US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy. See website for full details.

Offer is available only to SDG&E® residential customers. Coupons may only be redeemed for the product you preselected at the retail or distributor location chosen during coupon sign-up. Offers and deals differ by brand and by-product.

This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by SDG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Rebates and incentives are provided on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds are no longer available.

California Climate Credit- It’s Back for August and September!

Abby H.

What is the California Climate Credit? This August* your utility bill will include an electric credit identified as the “California Climate Credit.” Your household and millions of others throughout the state will receive this credit on your utility bills.

In the past years, the electric credit was applied in April and October, and the gas credit was applied in April. For 2020 and 2021, the California Public Utilities Commission authorized SDG&E to temporarily shift the electric credit to be applied in August and September.

If you have any of the following utilities: PG&E, SDG&E, SCE Pacific Power, and Liberty Utilities, your August and September bills will have a credit.

Changing the distribution months will not change the total value of the climate credits you receive in a year. The shift will provide bill relief for customers – during the typically hottest months of the year – and reduce bill volatility.

The gas credit will continue to be applied in April. In 2022, the climate credit will be distributed back to its original timing of April and October unless the Commission directs otherwise. The California Climate Credit is part of California’s efforts to fight climate change. This credit is from a state program that requires power plants, natural gas providers, and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases, to buy carbon pollution permits.

The credit on your bill is your share of the payments from the State’s program. The Climate Credit is one of many programs resulting from landmark legislation called the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

The California Climate Credit is one way Californians are working towards a zero-carbon state. Find other ideas for energy and money-saving upgrades for your home while reducing your carbon footprint at energyupgradeca.org/the-movement.

And if you are looking for more ways to save energy and money, check out Ohm Connect! We’ve been using Ohm Connect for 5+ years and we’ve saved thousands of dollars on our power bill, and earned thousands of dollars in gift cards and cash via paypal!

I cashed out some of our points for a $25 Amazon Gift card last week, and we almost have enough for another $25 Amazon Gift Card!

So Cal Utility Customers: Expect a credit on your April bill!

Abby H.

The Climate Credit that we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing on our April and October bills has been moved to August and September when most Californians have higher utility bills due to the weather.

However, the PUC (Public Utilities Commission) is giving every California ratepayer a credit of $17.86 on the GAS portion of their utility bill this month.

In August and September, there will be a credit each month of $34.60 on the Electricity portion of each ratepayer utility bill.

Changing the distribution months will not change the total value of the climate credits you receive in a year. The shift will provide bill relief for customers and reduce bill volatility.

Visit my post here to learn about ways to lower your energy usage, and learn more about money-saving programs SDG&E has that your family may qualify for.

And if you want to save energy and earn money, check out my post about Ohm Connect.