SDGE Bill Killing Your Budget?! 4 Ways to Reduce it TODAY

In this down economy, there are many households that are struggling to stay afloat. Perhaps 6 months ago you wouldn't have qualified for any type of financial assistance, like many other families out there. However, if your situation has changed, it is very likely that you now meet the requirements for either the CARE or FERA programs.

Both of these programs' eligibility is based on either total household income and household size, OR participation in public assistance programs. That means that even if you receive no other public assistance, but perhaps your income has changed or your household size has increased, you may be approved.

Even if you do not qualify, think about other families in your area. Maybe someone has lost their job, or has a suffering business. Perhaps they have taken in other family members, or have additions to their family. They would be grateful to know that there is help!

Luckily, SDG&E has these programs available to help reduce the expenses of utility bills for families in need. This could mean a 20% reduction in your SDGE bill alone! It's worth a shot and it's worth telling your friends and family about. Visit their website for requirements and an online application.

If your SDGE bill is making a big dent in your budget, consider making some improvements around your house that will help reduce your bill and also protect our natural resources. SDG&E offers incentives (while funds are available) in the form of rebates to offset the cost of these improvements.

What?! They pay you to make improvements so you will pay them LESS?! Yes, that's correct. In order for them to stay in buiness, they need to help us help THEM conserve our natural resources, right? So they offer rebates on:

Attic or Wall Insulation
Central Furnace (Natural Gas)
Dishwashers
Pool Pumps and Motors (Multi-Speed)
Refrigerators
Room Air Conditioning
Water Heaters (Electric and Natural Gas)
Whole House Fan, ETC ETC

You can even get INSTANT rebates when you buy approved appliances at the following stores:

B&B Appliance
Best Buy
Costco
Home Depot
Humphrey Appliance
La Mesa Appliance
MCAS Miramar Home Center
The Navy Exchange 32nd Street
Phillips Maytag

Check out SDG&E's website for more ways to get rebates or credits, such as:

Appliance Recycling
Air Conditioner Tune-ups
Residential Lighting
High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebates

1. Understand how your home uses energy and how much your appliances are costing you to use.

2. Use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) because they can reduce your lighting costs by up to 75% and they last up to eight times
longer. Put notes around the house as reminders (especially for children) to turn off lights that aren't being used.

3. When using the washer, dryer and dishwasher, be sure to use full loads and, if possible, air dry. For the dryer, be sure to clean filters often for higher efficiency.

4. Set your water heater temperature between 120°F-130°F (if you don't use a dishwasher).

5. During the summer, use portable and ceiling fans to cool your home as much as possible. If you use a window air conditioner, set it on low for the most savings. Be sure to keep all windows and doors closed when using the air conditioner, and close blinds and drapes to keep cool air inside. Turn ALL of them OFF when you leave the house.

6. When purchasing ANY new appliance, look for models with the ENERGY STAR® label-they are more energy efficient and will help keep costs down. Be sure to check on SDG&E's website for instant or mail-in rebates.

7. Whenever possible, use microwaves and toaster ovens when cooking instead of the oven and gas range. When you do use your stove or oven, defrost food first and cover pots to shorten cooking time.

8. Install low-flow devices on your faucets and showers to conserve water and reduce your power bill.

9. When using the heater or air conditioner, be sure that all doors and windows are completely closed. Also, weatherstripping and caulking your doors and windows can save as much as 6% of your heating costs.

10. Request a free energy check-up online with SDG&E and also visit their website periodically for free kits and/or tips.

Two words...ok, make that 3 words.... Solar Panels Today I know it can cost thousands of dollars to have solar panels installed and you almost feel like that defeats the purpose of saving money on your electric bill. However, keep an open mind. It could get your SDGE bill under $40...or even less!

What if you could buy the #1 top selling renewable energy product in the market at an incredibly affordable price to show you exactly what materials to buy and step-by-step instructions to build your own solar panels? This means a savings of thousands of dollars upfront by building your own panels, and thousands of dollars over time by creating your own renewable energy, thus dramatically decreasing your SDGE bill!

The idea is that you begin with one or two panels and then grow them from there, as money and time permit. Using this system you will find that each panel you make will become easier and faster to make, and that it is very probable that you will eventually obtain most of your energy (if not ALL) from these panels!

You could buy the step-by-step guide, as well as the materials for a couple of solar panels, for the price of possibly JUST ONE of your SDGE bills! That is how incredibly affordable this is! Isn't that worth the thousands of dollars you will be saving over many years to come?! Not to mention, the karma points coming your way for doing your part to conserve our natural resources? :)