IMPORTANT

Summer energy-saving tips

Simple ways to save this summer

Maximize savings and lower energy use

Six ways to save

Save up to $235/year with these alternatives.

Cool down with a fan

Fans keep air circulating, allowing you to raise the thermostat a few degrees and stay just as comfortable, while reducing your air conditioning costs.

 

Save up to $15/year

Install an airtight AC

Over time, moisture can damage your window air conditioner seal and allow cool air to escape. Keeping the seal tight can help reduce your cooling costs.

Save up to $20/year

Replace filters as needed

Dirty air filters make your air conditioner work harder to circulate air. By cleaning or replacing your filters monthly, you can improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

 

Save up to $15/year

Add layers to windows

Use shade coverings and awnings and your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to cool your home.

Save up to $140/year

Close your shades in the summer

Sunlight passing through windows heats your home and makes your air conditioner work harder. You can block this heat by keeping blinds or drapes closed on sunny days.

Save up to $30/year

Clear the area around your AC

Your air conditioning unit will operate better if it has plenty of room to breathe. The air conditioner's outdoor unit, the condenser, needs to be able to circulate air without any interruption or obstruction.

Save up to $15/year

Save energy every day

Save up to $845/year with these tips.

Wash clothes with cold water

About 90% of the energy consumed for washing clothes is used to heat water. Washing with cold water instead of hot will help you save energy.

Save up to $15/year

Use and switch off power strips

Many computers, televisions, and other devices draw power even when they’re turned off. With the flip of a switch, you can easily cut off power to multiple devices at once to save time, energy, and money.

Save up to $280/year

Unplug electronics when not in use

Electronics like cell phone chargers, entertainment systems, coffee makers and more continue to draw energy even when turned off. Unplug them to avoid unnecessary energy use.

Save up to $280/year

Adjust the display on your television

Bright display modes are often unnecessary for your home and use a considerable amount of energy. Adjusting your TV settings can reduce its power use.

Save up to $10/year

Replace inefficient light bulbs

LED light bulbs use less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs, saving you money on energy bills and lighting costs.

Save up to $260/year

Pool energy savings

Save up to $2,705/year with these tips.

Install a variable speed pool pump

A properly sized variable speed pump can help you save up on your pool's energy costs.

 

Save up to $625/year

Cover your pool

A pool cover will keep your water temperature warm, which could save you on pool heating costs.

Save up to $1,300/year

Reduce your pool pump's run time

Reducing run time by 60-75% can result in large energy savings.

Save up to $500/year

Reduce pool temperature

Turn down your pool temperature to turn up your savings.

Save up to $280/year

Insulate your home

Save up to $420/year with these weatherproofing tips.

Improve your home’s insulation

Improvements to insulation can help you stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer while reducing your energy costs.

Save up to $90/year

Seal leaky ducts

When ducts have leaks, they can lose up to 15% of heated or cooled air before it reaches living spaces.

Save up to $90/year

Weatherstrip windows and doors

Weatherstripping your windows and doors will help reduce the heat gained because of leaky seals.

Save up to $120/year

Seal air leaks

Air leaks force your AC to work harder, increasing energy costs. Sealing air leaks could save you up to 20% on your annual heating and cooling costs.

Save up to $120/year

Finance your energy upgrades

Have larger home energy projects? Finance up to $50,000 for 15 years at competitive rates through the State of California-administered Residential Energy Efficiency Loan program available in all counties.

GoGreen financing  

Make small upgrades and save

Save up to $700/year with these home upgrades.

Upgrade your old central AC

Investing in an efficient, ENERGY STAR certified unit will dramatically lower your cooling costs.

Save up to $110/year

Replace your old refrigerator

If your refrigerator was made in 2001 or earlier, investing in a new model could start saving you energy and money right away.

Save up to $40/year

Improve your home’s insulation

Improvements to insulation can help you stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer while reducing your energy costs.

Save up to $90/year

Replace inefficient light bulbs

LED light bulbs use less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs, saving you money on energy bills and lighting costs.

Save up to $260/year

Weatherstrip windows and doors

Weatherstripping your windows and doors will help reduce the heat gained because of leaky seals.


Save up to $120/year

Upgrade your gas water heater

Water heating is typically one of the largest energy expenses in your home. If your gas water heater is more than 11 years old, it is likely cost effective to replace it.

Save up to $80/year

Should I leave my AC at a set temperature while I'm out, so it doesn't have to work hard when I return?

No. If you will be out for more than 4 hours, turn off your AC unit to save money. If you have a smart thermostat, you can schedule your AC to come on 30 minutes before you return to pre-cool your home. Portable fans and swamp coolers are lower-cost options that can be used to cool your home.

 

Why does my bill remain high if my thermostat is set to the recommended 78 degrees?

Although 78 degrees is the recommended setting (health permitting) to manage energy use and maintain a comfortable home, outside temperatures can influence how much your AC unit will have to work. For example, if you live in an area where temperatures are over 100 degrees in the summer, your AC may need to work hard throughout the day to maintain the 78 degrees on the inside.

 

How can I reduce my energy use if I have a swimming pool?

We recommend you use our Rate Plan Comparison Tool to check if you are on the best rate plan for your energy use. If you are on a Time-of-Use rate plan, make sure your pool pump is programmed to run outside of peak hours when demand and costs may be lower. Also, check your pool pump and the chemicals and additives you use to see if there is a combination that can help reduce the time and frequency of your pool pump running. Explore the Energy Action Guide for the most energy-efficient pool pumps if you are looking to update or replace them.

 

How do I maximize the efficiency of my solar panels?

To get the most out of your panels, make sure you perform annual cleaning and maintenance. You can also use the Solar Summary tool to track your usage, gain insights into how weather impacts your system or plan for your next True-Up. Take the free Home Energy Checkup to see where you are using the most energy and get personalized recommendations that can help you manage your use.

 

Can I be notified of a potential high bill before it gets too high?

Yes! Bill Forecast Alert will notify you by email or text if your bill is projected to be higher than a specified amount set by you so that you can take energy-saving actions before your next statement arrives. Learn more about bill forecast alerts.

No-cost, low-cost and investment ideas

Discover ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home during warm weather.

Energy-saving ideas in your home when the weather is warm

 

Avoid using your oven on hot days
Instead, cook on the stove, use a microwave oven or grill outside.

 

Clear the area around where your air conditioner vents to the outside to ensure the best possible ventilation

Make sure the outside part of your air conditioner can easily ventilate by clearing any debris or other items from the area.

 

Keep AC thermostats set at 78 F degrees or higher when home when you're home, health permitting
Every degree above 78 F represents an approximately 2% savings on cooling costs. Even with the thermostat set at 78 F degrees, the AC unit has the potential to run 50% of the time depending on how well your home is insulated and weatherized. 

 

If possible, enjoy an afternoon at the pool, park or local library
You can also go to a community cooling center. Learn about cooling centers.

 

Wait until cooler times of the day to do tasks that make your house warmer, like laundry and cooking.

 

Turn on your ceiling fan when using your air conditioner
By doing so, you can raise your thermostat about four degrees F to save on cooling costs with no reduction in comfort.

 

Ensure that the fresh air vent on your air conditioner is closed to avoid spending extra money on cooling outside air.

 

Turn off bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans about 10 minutes after their job is done
This helps to keep them from pushing cooled air out of your house.

 

Hang laundry outside

Take advantage of late sunsets and warm evenings to bypass your dryer and let your clothes air-dry.

 

Turn off lights in rooms that aren’t in use
Consider a summer tradition of candlelit dinners or dimly lit game nights. During the day, rely on natural light alone.

Cost-efficient tips to help lower your energy use during warm weather

 

Open your windows
Let cooler air flow into your home in the morning and at night. Cover your windows during the day to block the hot sun.

 

Use room fans to keep your home cool
Turn off the fans before leaving home.

 

Check the filter on your air conditioning system, and clean or replace it if it's dirty
A dirty filter slows airflow and causes your system to use more energy.

 

Caulk gaps and cracks around doorframes and windows
Caulking helps to prevent warm air from entering your home on hot summer days. Caulk is inexpensive and can be bought at most hardware stores, where you can also learn how to apply it.

 

Get your air conditioner
Regular inspections help ensure that your system is leak-free and operates efficiently.

Investing in these longer-term solutions can help you save even more energy and money:

  • Install a door sweep on your garage door to seal the gap between the bottom of the door and the threshold. The door sweep prevents warm air from coming in and cool air from escaping your home.
  • Place your room air conditioner in a cooler area (shaded or north-facing) and away from heat-producing items, like televisions and lamps. Direct sunlight and heat make your air conditioner work harder.
  • Be sure that your air conditioner is the right size for the room. Units that are too small for a room won’t do the job. Units that are too big reduce energy efficiency and increase electric bills.
  • Use outdoor awnings to protect your home from the hot sun year-round. You can also paint your house a light color to reflect heat.
  • Consider using a pool cover and replacing pool pumps and motors with energy-efficient equipment. If your pool has a filter and automatic cleaning sweep, shorten the operating time.

Energy efficiency DIY toolkit

This DIY toolkit will cost about $200 but can help you save $955 or more on your annual energy bill.*

 

Build your kit with these items, found in local stores:

 

Smart thermostat: Install to save an average of 8% on annual heating and cooling costs.

Vegetation pruners: Clear vegetation and debris from around your AC unit for proper air flow.
Air filter: Replace dirty air filters on your AC to improve air circulation.

Fan: Use fans to keep air circulating, allowing you to raise your thermostat set point.

Weatherstripping, window caulk and outlet gaskets: Apply weatherstripping to doors, caulk around windows and add gaskets to your outlets to minimize air leaks and lower heating and cooling costs.

Thermal detector: Use to check temperatures around doors, windows and vents to identify air leaks.

LED bulbs: Use LED bulbs—they emit less heat and use less energy.

Power strip: Plug electronics into a power strip to turn off multiple devices with a flip of a switch.

Duster: Remove dust from refrigerator condenser coils so your fridge runs more efficiently.

Low-flow showerhead: Reduce the time your hot-water heater works to supply hot water.

          

* Dollar and cumulatively bundled energy savings are approximate and may vary by home and energy use.

How to prepare for Flex Alert days

When a Flex Alert is called by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), we expect an increase in electricity demand. Find out how you can save energy when these are called.

Pre-cool your home or workspace
Lower your thermostat in the morning. As the temperature rises outside, raise your thermostat and circulate the pre-cooled air with a fan.


Use major appliances
, including:

  • Washer and dryer
  • Dishwasher
  • Oven and stove for pre-cooking and preparing meals

Close your shades

Sunlight passing through windows heats your home and makes your air conditioner work harder. Block this heat by keeping blinds or drapes closed on the sunny side of your home.

  • Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting
    Every degree you lower the thermostat means your air conditioner must work even harder to keep your home cool.

  • When it's cooler outside, bring the cool air in
    If the outside air is cool in the night or early morning, open windows and doors and use fans to cool your home.
  • Avoid using major appliances
  • Turn off all unnecessary lights

Free tools to help you save energy and money this summer

Rate plan comparison tool

Get a personalized rate plan recommendation based on how your household uses energy. This easy-to-use tool also provides estimated yearly costs.

Home Energy Checkup

Identify sources of wasted energy in your household and get a personalized savings plan to lower monthly bills in only 5 minutes.

Get rewarded for conserving energy

Lower energy use and get rewarded for helping California conserve energy when electricity demand is high.

More ways to lower your energy bill

Financial assistance programs

Find out whether your household qualifies for a monthly discount on your energy bill and enroll.

Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) program

Explore no-cost home energy improvements for income-qualified homes that are at least five years old.

Medical Baseline

Residential customers who rely on power for certain medical needs, additional energy at the lowest price on their current rate.