The hotter it gets, the higher electric bills tend to climb — but it doesn’t have to be that way. By applying a few at-home tricks, you can keep energy costs in check, and even bring them down. Combine these habits with any of the energy-saving programs Southern California Edison offers, and you have a recipe for a cooler home at a lower cost.
10 simple steps to save while keeping cool at home:
- Pre-cool your home: Run your air conditioner in the morning before peak hours, 4–9 p.m., to cool your home when electricity demand is lower and save on energy costs.
- Set your thermostat wisely: Keep it at 78°F when home and 85°F when away to reduce cooling costs by up to 10%. Smart thermostats can automate this process for you.
- Use fans: Ceiling and portable fans help circulate air, allowing you to raise the thermostat without sacrificing comfort.
- Adjust ceiling fan direction: Set fans to spin counterclockwise in summer to create a cooling breeze and turn them off when you leave the room.
- Block out the heat: Close blinds and curtains during the day to keep sunlight from heating up your home.
- Avoid using the stove: Cooking indoors can raise indoor temperatures — opt for microwaves, grills, or no-cook meals to stay cool.
- Unplug unused electronics: Devices like TVs and gaming consoles draw power even when off. Unplug them to eliminate “vampire” energy use.
- Clean or replace air filters: Dirty filters make your system work harder, so replacing them every one to three months improves efficiency.
- Seal and insulate ductwork: Leaky ducts can waste up to a third of that precious cooled air — sealing them helps your system work smarter, not harder.
- Schedule a professional AC tune-up: Yearly AC maintenance helps your system run at peak performance and catches issues early.
In addition to applying these energy-saving tips at home, you can enroll in a number of programs — from income-qualified programs to savings programs and other rebates or financial assistance — to further relieve costs.
Here are just a handful of options available to you:
- Summer Discount Plan allows SCE to install a free, remote-controlled device on your air-conditioning unit that cycles the AC on and off during high-demand periods to help conserve energy.
- The Smart Energy Program is for customers with a smart thermostat. SCE will adjust the temperature during periods of high demand by up to four degrees to help conserve energy. You can override the change at any time.
- Time-of-Use rate plans help you manage energy use and save. Instead of paying a flat rate, you’re charged based on when you use electricity and how much. Off-peak hours — such as mornings, late evenings and weekends — offer lower rates.
- Energy Savings Assistance program helps reduce energy consumption through a range of energy-saving home improvements at no cost to income-eligible customers.
- Income-qualified programs such as the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs can shave 32.5% or 18% off your monthly bill, respectively.
For more information on SCE’s programs and ways to save, visit sce.com/billhelp.
