HOW TO SAVE ON YOUR ENERGY COSTS

Natural gas prices are at a historic high in the Western U.S. region which means winter energy bills are rising, too. SDG&E has programs and services to help mitigate these increases. Visit sdge.com/assistance to find out if you qualify for debt forgiveness, one-time payments, monthly bill discounts and more. For more information, you can read this SDG&E NewsCenter article at sdgenews.com.

Space heating and water heating are some of the largest energy expenses in any home. SDG&E has natural gas energy-saving tips to help you save on your bill during the cold weather.

1. Install a smart thermostat. Lower your thermostat when you are asleep or away from home. You can do this automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. Enroll in SDG&E’s Smart Thermostat Program and earn up to $95 in rewards. Learn more at sdge.com/thermostat. If you are a CARE or FERA customer, you may qualify for a no-cost smart thermostat. Get details at sdge.com/residential.
2. Schedule an SDG&E gas appliance check: Book your no-cost appointment at sdge.com/MyAccount or on SDG&E’s mobile app available in the App Store or Google Play.
3. Install efficient showerheads. Showering accounts for about 40% of your home’s hot water use but you can cut costs without sacrificing comfort. Energy-efficient showerheads can reduce hot water use without compromising water pressure.
4. Ensure vents are properly ventilated. Move furniture and drapes to allow for clear circulation. Don’t keep vents closed to save energy because it can change the way the air is distributed and cause an imbalance to your HVAC system – making it work harder.
5. Seal and insulate your ducts. Air ducts are an important part of your home and if they are poorly sealed or insulated, it’s likely it’s contributing to higher energy bills.  
6. Consider investing in a tankless water heater that provides hot water only as it’s needed. They don’t produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters. Tankless water heaters are particularly good for smaller households.
7. Be mindful to not waste hot water. To conserve hot water, you can fix leaky faucets, pipes and showerheads, insulate accessible hot water lines and install low-flow fixtures. If you’re in the market for a new dishwasher or clothes washer, consider buying an ENERGY STAR-certified model. Also, aerators are inexpensive to replace and they can be one of the most cost-effective water conservation measures.