Conserving energy saves you money and helps keep our planet clean by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) encourages you to follow the tips below to improve energy efficiency in your home—everyday and throughout the seasons.

Flex Alerts

Flex Alerts are issued by the California ISO during summer months when the hot weather increases and energy demand is forecasted to exceed supply. The intensity of demand places a strain on our power grid and has the potential to threaten reliability if no action is taken to lower demand. Conserving energy during these times can help avoid or reduce the size of power outages.

Read more about Flex Alerts, and make sure to sign-up to receive them in the future

Wildfire & Extreme Summer Energy Emergencies

Extreme heat in Southern California is often accompanied by wildfire season. Make sure that you and your family are prepared for any summer energy emergency.

Check out CAL FIRE Custom Wildfire Preparedness Plan to help you create a personalized checklist for your family so that you are ready in case of a wildfire. During extreme weather conditions, SDG&E may issue a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in order to help prevent potential wildfires. To sign up for PSPS notifications visit the PSPS Notifications page.

Make sure you know how to check for power outages in your area. Should an outage occur and you need more information contact SDG&E at 1 (800) 411-7343 or visit SDG&E’s outage center webpage.

Energy Saving Programs

The Clean Energy Alliance (CEA)’s goal is to bring clean energy at competitive prices. To help with that we have partnered with OhmConnect to offer special deals for reducing and conserving energy!

Check out how OhmConnect can help you save energy and money!

Residential Building Electrification

Electrifying your home means converting gas appliances to electric. There are many benefits to electrifying your home, including a cleaner energy portfolio, lower energy costs, and increased home comfort and safety.

Learn more about how you can electrify your home today!

Everyday Energy Saving

  • Turn off and unplug all electronics and appliances not in use, including TVs, DVD players, computers, phone chargers, coffee makers, etc.
  • Shift energy-intensive tasks, such as laundry and dishwashing, to off-peak hours, typically before 4 pm or after 9 pm. This will lower your electricity bill and reduce strain on the grid.
  • Take advantage of natural light during the daytime and minimize the use of artificial lighting.
  • Seal windows and doors to prevent heat loss or gain, reducing the need for heating or cooling during times of peak energy demand.
  • Wash full loads of laundry using cold water. Because water heating makes up about 90 percent of energy used by laundry machines, using cold water will decrease energy use significantly.
  • Always dry full loads of laundry in your dryer and, whenever possible, dry several loads consecutively; using your dryer back-to-back saves energy because the dryer doesn’t have to warm up each time.
  • Clean the lint trap in your dryer before you press start and add a tennis ball or clean, dry towel to improve air circulation and reduce drying time.
  • Don’t leave hot water running; turn off the faucet when you’re brushing your teeth, shaving or doing dishes.
  • Install energy-saving shower-heads, faucets and flow restrictors.
  • Use smart power strips and turn off the power strip during a long period of inactivity.
  • Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. Light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) use anywhere from 25-80 percent less electricity and last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.

Warmer Temperature Energy Saving

  • Keep the heat out of your home by using an outdoor grill instead of indoor ovens.
  • Service your air conditioner. Easy maintenance such as routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent.
  • On warm days, setting a programmable thermostat to a higher setting when you are not at home can help reduce your energy costs by approximately 10 percent.
  • Wait until cooler times of the day to do tasks that make your house warmer, including laundry and cooking.
  • Minimize dryer use; let your clothes air dry by hanging them outside.
  • Open your windows and let cooler air flow into your home in the morning and at night. Cover your windows during the day to block the hot sun.
  • If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort.

Cool Energy Temperature Saving

  • Turn down your heater when using your fireplace. When you’re not using it, close the damper to prevent cold air from entering.
  • Open your curtains and blinds during the daytime to take advantage of the greenhouse effect and allow the sun to naturally heat your home.
  • When you’re at home, set the furnace thermostat at 68°F or lower, health permitting. Three to five percent more energy is used for each degree the furnace is set above 68°F.
  • When you leave the house, set the thermostat to 56°F. By turning your thermostat back 10-15 degrees for 8 hours, you can save 5-15 percent a year on your heating bill.
  • Seal air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes (“plumbing penetrations”), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
  • Add caulk or weather-stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows.