SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The frustration over high SDG&E bills has left many people asking what can be done to lower the cost? CBS 8 has gone directly to SDG&E several times with those concerns.
The utility company maintains the higher rates are the result of a combination of factors including a natural gas shortage, infrastructure projects, and required programs such as the state's wildfire insurance fund we all need to pay for.
SDG&E advises people to take a look at the plan they're under and research others that may be a better fit, saying it could save you money.
There are three time-of-use plans, which charge different amounts depending on when you use energy.
What are the SDG&E pricing plans?
TOU-DR1 Pricing Plan
All SDG&E residential customers default into the 'TOU-DR1' plan. It has three time periods.
On weekdays and weekends during peak hours, which are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., electricity will be the most expensive at 44 cents per kilowatt hour.
Once you go 130% over your baseline, which is dependent on where you live, it's 55 cents per kilowatt hour.
But, if you only use energy during off-peak hours, which are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. on weekdays, and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., as well as 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. on weekends, those rates drop to 38 cents if you stay under the baseline allotment and 48 cents if you go over.
Anything outside those hours is considered super off peak and is two cents cheaper.
TOU-DR2 Pricing Plan
Next, the 'TOU-DR2' pricing plan has two time periods.
It doesn't differentiate between weekdays and weekends and doesn't have super off-peak hours.
Every day, during peak hours, between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., it’s the same as price as TOU-DR1: 44 cents under your baseline allotment versus 55 cents if you go over.
During off peak hours, the rates drop to 37 cents and 47 cents.
TOU-DR-P Pricing Plan
Finally, there's the 'TOU-DR-P' plan, which has three time periods. It has the exact same peak and off peak hours as TOU-DR1, with pricing a penny off in certain areas.
But, there's one major difference: anytime there's a ‘reduce your use’ event where SDG&E asks you to conserve energy, you're charged $1.16 per kilowatt hour.
The non-time-of-use standard plan is another option which charges the same no matter when you use energy: 39 cents per kilowatt hour under your baseline allotment and 49 cents over.
Once you choose a plan, you can choose to add the ‘Level Pay’ program.
What is the ‘Level Pay’ program?
A: SDG&E will average the dollar amount on your last twelve energy bills, or less if you haven't been a customer for that long.
You're then billed that same average amount for the first three months, even if your energy use varies.
After that, your payment amount is adjusted once every three months, based upon your actual energy use.
Can you opt in or out at any time?
A: You can sign up for the ‘Level Pay’ program whenever you choose.
As for those time of use plans, you can opt in at any point, but then you're locked in for a year unless you have a qualifying event.
For example, if you drive an electric vehicle, you're eligible for different programs.
Also, there are discount plans for low income customers as well as those who have medical devices in their home which use a lot of energy.
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