Demand Response Programs for Homes
Earning Incentives with Demand Response Programs
Demand Response (DR) programs can help you save energy and money. DR programs provide incentives for reducing electricity use when the electricity demand is high. Learn how Demand Response programs contribute to a clean energy future and the impact these programs can make during emergencies.
Why Participate in Demand Response?
The cleanest, most sustainable energy is the energy we never use.
By reducing energy use during critical times, you’re doing much more than earning rewards and saving money. You’re helping to ensure that power stays on for everyone, particularly during emergencies, making a real difference for your community.
How It Works
STEP 1
When it’s hot the demand for energy increases.
STEP 2
We notify you to reduce electricity.
STEP 3
You reduce usage or permit us to reduce it for you.
STEP 4
You receive compensation for helping us.
Our Residential Demand Response Programs
Maximize your energy savings while preserving and protecting power for everyone. Choose the DR program that fits your needs.
Summer Discount Plan
- Earn up to $160 in summer bill credits.
- Requires central A/C system to qualify.
- SCE automatically cycles your A/C off and on during SDP events to conserve electricity in exchange for bill credits.
- Enrolling in an "override" program option allows you to opt out of up to 5 SDP events per year.
- You’ll earn monthly bill credits from June 1 through Sept. 30.
- Read the Summer Discount Plan Terms & Conditions, & Disclaimer.
Smart Energy Program
- Earn a one-time $75 sign-up credit and up to $40 in annual bill credits when maintaining enrollment from June 1 through Sept. 30.
- Requires qualifying smart thermostat with central A/C system.
- SCE automatically adjusts your smart thermostat by up to four degrees during SEP events to save energy.
- You may override events at any time by re-adjusting the temperature on the thermostat.
- Read the Smart Energy Program Terms & Conditions, & Disclaimer.
Charge Smart – SoCal Program
- Get rewarded for smarter EV charging—earn a $50 sign-up bonus and $50 annually for up to three years.
- Automatically optimize your EV charging schedule through our easy-to-use app, shifting charging to off-peak hours.
- By shifting your EV charging to off-peak hours, you’ll support a cleaner, more reliable electric grid — and you could save up to $650* over time compared to charging during peak demand.
- Easily override charging schedules anytime through your dashboard or by texting "Charge Now."
- The program is compatible with most smart chargers and Teslas. Participation is flexible — you can opt out at any time with no penalty
Read the Charge Smart – SoCal Terms & Conditions and Disclaimer.
Disclaimer: *$650 is based on average savings. Typical savings estimate of $50 a month when WeaveGrid manages charging on a TOU-D-PRIME off-peak charging rate, assuming 12k miles driven, with a car efficiency of 3.7 miles/kWh compared to a driver without managed charging services. Drivers can receive up to $650 per year in combined rewards and savings, including the $50 enrollment gift card.
BOLTs - Behind the Meter Optimization of Load Technology Study
- Earn up to $625 annually by enrolling your home’s smart technologies to optimize energy consumption during peak demand periods.
- Sign up online to enroll your Wi-Fi capable device and receive a reward:
- Electric Vehicle (EV) - $125 reward
- Smart Thermostat - $100 reward
- Home Battery - $400 reward
- During BOLTs events, SCE will automatically adjust your connected devices to conserve energy.
- You can opt out of events while remaining in the program.
- No commitment required – Join or leave the program with no penalties.
Read the BOLTs Terms & Conditions and Disclaimer.
SmartShift Rewards
- Connect your heat pump water heater or electric resistance water heater and receive a $50 enrollment reward, plus earn $5 per month for every month you participate.
- Earn rewards year-round.
- Heat pump water heaters require a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) and WiFi connectivity.
- Electric resistance water heaters require WiFi connectivity (an external communication device can be provided free of charge).
- You can opt-out of participation at any time. Read the SmartShift Rewards Program Terms and Conditions.
Power Saver Rewards Program
- Earn an average of $20 in bill credits yearly.
- Reduce electricity use during PSR program events between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., May 1 through Oct. 31.
- Bill credits are awarded at the start of each year.
- No penalty for not participating in PSR program events; the more you save the more you earn.
- Read the Power Saver Rewards Program Terms and Conditions.
Disclaimer: Incentives are based on typical customer program savings and may vary based on actual load reduction during Power Saver Rewards event(s) and the actual number of events. The Power Saver Rewards program is funded by Southern California Edison customers and administered by Southern California Edison, as ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission.
$20 per summer season assumes 0.5 kW per hour x 5 hours/event = 2.5 kWh/event x $1/kWh = $2.50/event x 8 events per season (based upon the number of Flex Alerts in 2021) = $20 each Power Saver Rewards summer season.
Capacity Bidding Program Elect (CBP-E)
- Ensure you have an approved meter that measures energy use in hourly increments
- Participate through a third-party Aggregator
- CBP-E is a summer-only, event-based initiative to temporarily reduce energy usage
- CBP-E offers two types of incentive payments: Energy Payments and Capacity Payments
- Take control of your energy usage by adjusting your load reduction when notified by your aggregator
- Each month, you can work with your aggregator to decide how much you want to participate, giving you the flexibility to manage your energy choices
Critical Peak Pricing
- Open to TOU residential and non-residential customers receiving Bundled Service from SCE
- Receive monthly bill credits during the summer season June1 through Sept 30.
- Bill protection for the first year, ensuring the total amount paid does not exceed the amount you would have otherwise paid on your prior base electricity rate.
- No Penalties, but energy rates are significantly higher during CPP events.
- Events may be called year-round, including weekends and holidays
- 12-15 annual CPP events and they are from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
To enroll email us at: CPPSupport@sce.com
How We Notify You
Our free Demand, Response Alerts app ensures you’ll receive courtesy notifications about upcoming DR events straight to your smartphone. Visit our app information page to sign up for alerts and never miss a savings opportunity.
Or download the free app directly.
Eligibility and Benefits Comparison
Use of Circuit Breakers During DR Events
Since safety is SCE’s number one priority, SCE will never advise its customers to participate in Demand Response events by turning on and off electricity at their circuit breakers. Most residential circuit breakers are not designed to work as on/off switches during DR events, and improper and frequent use may lead to hazardous conditions or damage to your electronic equipment and appliances. SCE does not recommend this practice for Demand Response. If you do flip your circuit breaker on or off for any reason, SCE recommends you exercise the appropriate precautions, which include but are not limited to:
- Wearing and using protective gear to protect against arc flashing;
- Turning equipment off before turning the circuits back on to avoid damage or excessive wear;
- Checking with the panel manufacturer to confirm whether the panel is designed for this type of use; and
- Ensuring circuits do not support medical devices, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and other critical or safety-related equipment and devices.
Additional Savings Programs
The following third parties also supply DR services to help you manage and lower home energy use.*
Easily participate in demand response using your smart thermostats, smart plugs, lighting, EVs, batteries, or any of your devices. Save energy and receive payments throughout the year with AutoGrid's patented technology.
EnergyHub’s programs enable and incentivize customers to use their internet-connected thermostats, water heaters, EVs, and other connected products to save energy at times of peak demand.
Specializing in Demand Response aggregation and AutoDR, we work with restaurants, retailers, schools, cities, and water operators, along with commercial and industrial customers of all sizes, to leverage every kW possible.
Leap makes it easy for smart energy technologies to generate revenue by supporting the grid. Our software platform provides fast, automated access to energy markets for the providers of smart thermostats, battery storage systems, electric vehicle chargers, and other grid-interactive energy devices so they can participate in demand response and other grid services programs.
Join hundreds of thousands of Californians saving on their electric bill and getting paid to save energy, in as little as just one hour per week. OhmConnect will notify you when electricity prices spike in your neighborhood and if you can power down, you earn!
Stem’s unique artificial intelligence for energy storage, Athena™, delivers the benefits of DR without disruption by automatically responding to events and shifting energy use away from the most expensive times. As a member of Stem’s LCR network, achieve real-time energy optimization with heavily discounted service rates, guaranteed cost savings, and no capital outlay.
*SCE displays links to websites or electronic services sponsored by third parties. SCE is not responsible for the content or operation of third-party websites or electronic services reached by the virtue of such links or content, and the presence of such links or content does not imply that SCE endorses or is affiliated with such third-party websites, services, or third parties, or any services or products they offer. The third parties, and not SCE, are solely responsible for any advertisements, opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, data, information, content, or other materials that such third parties express or make available, including the description of third-party services on this SCE page.
