The heat is on, and customers in most of Southern California Edison's service area are contending with soaring summer temperatures. As temperatures increase, so does the use of air conditioners and costlier electric bills.
Here are some energy conservation programs and tips to help you manage summer bills:
Tips to Save Energy and Money
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Visit a cooling center- Opens in new window that provides a safe, air-conditioned space to escape the heat.
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Close blinds and curtains at the start of hot days to keep indoor temperatures from rising quickly.
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Set your thermostat no lower than 78 degrees when you are home and to 85 degrees or "off" when you are away.
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Use fans, which consume much less energy than A/C. Fans allow you to raise your thermostat by two degrees while maintaining the same comfort level. Turn off fans when leaving the room.
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Keep interior doors open to maximize air flow when using central A/C. For mini-splits, window and portable units, closing doors and turning off cooling systems in unoccupied spaces help with efficiency.
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Consider no-oven or no-stovetop meals to keep kitchen areas from getting too hot; or cook meals earlier in the day and re-heat using a microwave or toaster oven.
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Limit how often you open the refrigerator. It uses more energy when doors are opened often.
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Most of the energy washing machines use is for heating water, so use cold water settings as much as possible.
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Avoid using major appliances like dishwashers and washing machines from 4-9 p.m.
Programs to Save Money for Conserving Energy
Bill Help Options
Learn more about ways to save- Opens in new window, including these programs and more:
Learn more about SCE's programs to help residential customers manage their bills at sce.com/billhelp.