Conservation Tips

You may have heard that the entire nation is preparing for increased demand for energy. . .  and California is no exception. That's why, to help avoid possible outages and control your energy costs, SCE is asking you to conserve electricity and to shift electric usage from the afternoons to "off-peak" periods in the morning and at night, when demand for electricity is lower.

We have conservation and safety tips on this page to help, as well as links to more detailed information within SCE's website.

Safety Information

• What to do before the power goes out
• What to do if the power goes out

Reduce Usage at Home

• Save money with smart choices at home.
• Take the free Home Online Energy Survey.
• SCE has a way for you to compare your energy costs.

Reduce Usage at Work

• Lower usage and energy costs at your business.

Easy Ways To Conserve Energy

Residential and business customers can take steps to conserve electricity when temperatures soar at any time of the year. Start with these easy steps that may reduce your energy costs, improve your comfort, and allow you to do your part when the state is experiencing energy shortages.

• Set your air conditioning thermostat at the highest comfortable setting.  A setting of 78°F, rather than 70°F, could cut your energy costs by as much as 30% in addition to conserving electricity supplies.
• During cold days and nights, set your heating thermostat no higher than 60 degrees.
• Clean or replace your air conditioner's filter regularly to help it run more effectively.
• Use a portable or ceiling fan to circulate air and make a breeze. Fans cost less to run and use less energy than air conditioners.
• Avoid using evaporative coolers or humidifiers at the same time an air conditioner is running.
• Close drapes and shades to keep direct sunlight out and lower your cooling costs.
• Insulate your home and caulk/weather-strip around doors and windows to reduce both cooling and heating costs. Taking these steps will pay for themselves as time goes by.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. These come in various shapes and sizes that fit regular, screw-in lamps and light fixtures, can last up to 10 times as long as old-fashioned bulbs, and produce less heat while using only a quarter of the electricity.
• Consider unplugging consumer electronics when they are not in use. (Even when turned off, CD players in the U.S. consume enough energy in one year to power the Las Vegas Strip for six months.)
• Use nonessential appliances such as clothes washers and dryers during off-peak hours (before noon or after 6:00 P.M.).
• Surf the Internet later at night or during early morning hours when the demand for electricity is lower.
• Run swimming pool equipment for the minimum amount of time, and during off-peak hours (before noon or after 6:00 P.M.).
• Dirty coils on the back or bottom front of your refrigerator can make it work harder than necessary. Check and clean the coils regularly, especially during the summer. See your appliance owner's manual for maintenance instructions.
• Insulate your hot water piping from the water heater to the wall or ceiling pipe penetration. Wrap the tank in an insulating blanket if the water heater's energy factor is less than 0.59. Remember to follow the installation instructions.