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Energy Saving Tips

Saving energy can be easy – and can help you save money.

When You Use Electricity​

Did you know that when you use electricity is just as important as how you use electricity?

Electricity is more expensive during periods of higher demand – for example, in the summertime when people are using more electricity to power their air conditioners or fans. Here in San Diego, summer electricity rates are effective June 1 through October 31 each year, regardless of whether you receive your electricity generation service from San Diego Community Power or SDG&E.

The price of electricity doesn’t just depend on the season; it also depends on the time of day. Electricity is more expensive from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day. During these “peak hours,” electricity demand can increase as people use large appliances like ovens and stoves to cook dinner; take hot showers or baths, requiring water heaters; or turn on lights as the sun goes down. The sun setting also means that solar panels are producing less energy.

Electricity is least expensive between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun is shining and solar panels are producing a surplus of energy, or between midnight and 6 a.m. when demand is low. Shifting major energy use to these “super off-peak hours” can help you save on your energy bill in any season.

Before 4 p.m.

Charge mobile devices and laptops

Run dishwashers and other major appliances

Allow leftovers to cool before storing in fridge

Wash clothes in cold water

Close blinds and drapes to keep out heat

“Pre-cool” your home by setting your A/C to 72°

Between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Unplug unused electrical devices

Consider air fryers or microwaves instead of ovens

Limit how often you open your fridge or freezer doors

Hang dry clothes

Use fans instead of A/C, when possible

Set your A/C to 78°, if health permits

Easy Ways to Save Energy

 Remember: Electricity costs less before 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. but is least expensive between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

  • Turn off lights before leaving the room.
  • Unplug electronic devices that aren’t in use – unplugging saves more energy than turning them off.
  • Use power strips that can be turned off or unplugged when not in use.
  • Adjust the power settings on your TV or computer so that it turns off automatically when not in use.
  • Reduce the time that you’re using your oven and stove by:
    • Keeping pots covered for shorter cook times.
    • Baking multiple dishes at once to cut down on the time that the oven is running.
    • Baking smaller portions. The same amount of food baked in smaller portions requires shorter cook times.
    • Using the residual heat after you turn off the oven to heat up foods.
  • Consider energy-efficient alternatives to the stove or oven, like air fryers or toaster ovens.
  • During the summer, consider cooking on the barbecue. This can also help reduce your A/C use.
  • Avoid leaving the fridge open for prolonged periods of time.
  • Allow leftovers to cool before storing them in the fridge to avoid warm foods increasing the temperature inside your fridge.
  • Run dishwashers early in the day or late at night.
  • Avoid using your washing machine or dryer during peak hours.
  • Wash your clothes with cold water.
  • Wait until you have a full load before using the washing machine for fewer washing cycles and less electricity consumption.
  • Hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer.
  • In the summer, pre-cool your home before peak hours by turning your A/C down to 72 degrees. Between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., set your A/C to 78 degrees, if health permits.
  • Use fans instead of the A/C, whenever possible.
  • Turn off fans when no one is using them. Remember, fans cool people, not rooms.
  • Close the blinds or drapes.
  • In the winter, set your thermostat to 68 degrees. At night or when no one is home, set your thermostat to 58 degrees.
  • Use alternatives to central heating, like space heaters or electric blankets whenever possible.
  • Unplug space heaters when no one is using them.

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