San Diego CA— As part of a California Public Utilities Commission initiative to support the state’s continuing shift to clean energy, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) will begin to transition their residential customers to new Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing plans starting in March. Approximately 750,000 customers – roughly 75,000-100,000 per month – will be moved to TOU plans by mid-2020. These plans are designed to give customers more choices and control over their energy bills.
TOU plans offer customers two ways to save: by shifting electricity use to lower cost hours of the day, before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m., and/or by reducing overall usage. TOU plans are designed to encourage a cleaner power grid by using energy when renewable resources, like solar power, are readily available.
SDG&E began communicating with the first ~100,000 customers three months prior to them transitioning to their new plan. Direct mail and emails were distributed to the customers notifying them of the transition and included tips and other information about their new plan. Throughout the year, as more customers are transitioned, SDG&E will continue to distribute direct mail and email notifications, and information via multiple communications channels, including social media, TV, radio, and print.
“The transition to Time-of-Use plans marks a big milestone in California’s journey toward a clean energy future,” said SDG&E vice president of customer services Scott Crider. “We are committed to helping our customers through this transition.”
Small shifts in electricity use can make a big difference. By running the dishwasher or doing laundry during off-peak hours, customers can benefit from lower prices when enrolled in a TOU plan. Customers who use high amounts of energy due to air conditioners, pool pumps and other devices can lower their monthly bills if they are able to shift the operation of those devices outside of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. More tips can be found at sdge.com/whenmatters.
Existing customers who are transitioning can try a new TOU plan risk-free for up to one year. If they end up spending more on energy than when they were on their original plan, they will receive a bill credit for the difference. They can track their progress during the year with a price comparison chart that will appear on their monthly bill. The risk-free period does not apply to new customers or customers who have recently connected a solar system.
While SDG&E will begin transitioning customers in March, the company has offered TOU plans to its residential customers for more than a decade. Currently, approximately 150,000 residential and 80,000 business customers are enrolled in a TOU plan, including TOU plans designed for electric vehicle owners. Customers who transition to a TOU plan can switch back to their original plan at any time. Customers are encouraged to log in to the MyAccount portal on sdge.com to compare their pricing plan options.
SDG&E is an innovative San Diego-based energy company that provides clean, safe and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern
Orange counties. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by providing around 45 percent of its electricity from renewable sources; modernizing natural gas pipelines; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; supporting numerous non-profit partners; and, investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region’s infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.