Rates
At SCE, we provide our customers with a variety of rates, based on customer size and their needs. Choose from the commonly-asked questions below for more information about your rates, meter reading, and more.
- What rate options does SCE offer and can I qualify for a different rate?
- What is "baseline allocation"?
- Can I increase my baseline allocation?
- Why is energy use sometimes "estimated"?
- When does SCE read my meter?
- Where is my meter located?
- How do I read my meter?
1. What rate options does SCE offer? Can I qualify for a different rate?
Residential Rates
SCE's basic Domestic Rate applies to our residential customers. Discounted rates available for qualifying residential customers are listed below. Learn about these Residential Rates, or call 1-800-655-4555.
- Medical Baseline Allocation is for customers with a qualifying medical need.
- California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) is for customers who qualify under income guidelines established by the CPUC.
- Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates for homes where most electricity is used between 6:00 PM and 10:00 AM.
- Domestic Seasonal Rates are for homes with higher electricity use in winter than in summer.
- Multi-Family Dwelling Rates are for qualifying residences in submetered multi-family dwellings.
- Mobile Home Park Rates are for qualifying residences in submetered mobile home parks.
- RV Park Rates are for qualifying full-time residences in submetered RV parks.
- Electric Vehicle Rates are for homes where qualifying electric vehicles are charged. Learn more about plug-in electric vehcles. For more information or an application form for any of these rates, call 1-800-655-4555.
Business Rates
SCE offers four levels of General Service Rates to most of our business customers. For more information, visit Business Rates or call our 24-hour Customer Service line at 1-800-990-7788.
- Our Basic Business Rate is not demand metered and is available to businesses that use 4,500 kilowatt-hours or less per month.
- Our Basic Business Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate is a time-of-use rate available to Basic Business customers.
- Our Demand Business Rate is demand metered and available to larger businesses.
- Our Demand Business Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate is a time-of-use rate available to Demand Business customers.
2. What is "baseline allocation"?
"Baseline allocation" is an amount of electricity provided for each residential customer at a lower rate than is charged for electricity above that level.
The baseline amount is determined by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) based on the number of days in the billing period, the season, the climate, and whether your primary source of heat is electric. You receive this allocation automatically on your statement.
"Medical Baseline Allocation" is an additional baseline allocation for qualifying customers.
If you or someone who lives in your home fulltime requires use of electrically-powered medical life support or mobility equipment, you may be eligible.
Contact SCE to request a Medical Baseline Allocation brochure and application. Complete your section of the application, have your doctor fill in the certification, then send the information to SCE.
3. Can I increase my baseline allocation?
The CPUC determines baseline allocations based on the percentage of average residential use for a given season in a particular climate zone and whether your primary source of heat is electric.
As a result, in most cases, your baseline allocation cannot be increased.
4. Why is energy use sometimes "estimated"?
Occasionally, SCE is unable to read a customer's meter due to severe weather, a pet loose in the yard, a locked gate, etc.
When that happens, we may estimate your energy use for the billing period based on your average historical usage. The next time we read your meter, we will determine your actual energy use and bill you accordingly.
5. When does SCE read my meter?
Normally, SCE reads your meter every 27-33 days. The next scheduled read date appears in the top section of your SCE statement.
6. Where is my meter located?
Your electric meter is probably located on an outside wall of your house or apartment, about 5 feet off the ground, and accessible from the street or sidewalk.
It should be near the main electrical panel of breakers or fuses.
7. How do I read my meter?
It's easy -- visit Reading Your Meter for easy-to-follow directions on how to locate and read your meter.
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