Will Your Home Energy Bill Rise in September?
Starting this month, September 2013, about a quarter of SDG&E’s customers will see a noticeable increase in their home energy bills.
How Much Will This Affect Your bill?
Click on the link here to find your climate zone and an estimate of how the increases will impact your bill. The new rates went into effect on September 1, 2013.
Who Will Be Affected
About 25 percent of SDG&E’s customers ─ those in Tiers 3 and 4 ─ will see their rates increase. SDG&E’s rates are divided into four “tiers” (or cost levels) based on usage. Generally speaking, a typical SDG&E residential customer uses about 500 kWh/month. If you use less electricity, you’re probably a Tier 1 or Tier 2 customer, and you won’t see a bill impact. The more you use, the greater the bill impact because the cost-per-kWh is much higher in Tiers 3 and 4.
Rate Information
About half of what you pay is for electricity itself. Most of the remaining half is for delivery of energy – the power lines and other infrastructure that gets energy to your home and business safely and reliably. A small piece of rates is the costs of low-income programs, energy-efficiency and the California Solar Initiative. An even smaller sliver – “other” in the graph – includes things like the Nuclear Decommissioning Costs.
Energy Costs
Energy costs are going up now due to environmental costs and enhancements to the electric system. Also the recent General Rate Case decision from the California Public Utilities Commission was delayed, so rates need to be adjusted for that as well.
Environmental Costs
Clean energy has many benefits, but it is also currently more expensive. SDG&E is working to meet stricter environmental laws to reduce GHG emissions, and our environmental footprint.
- Today, more than 20 percent of energy delivered is from green resources.
- By 2020, 33 percent of energy will be from renewable resources.
Electrical System Enhancements
Investments in technology and infrastructure to help make the region’s electrical system more reliable, safer and more secure.
- Smart switches to re-route power automatically after an outage.
- Support for growing electric vehicle demand.
- 144 weather stations to monitor winds in high fire risk areas.
- Technology and backup power to manage intermittent solar and wind energy.
Need More Information?
To speak to someone about the impact on your bill and find our more ways to save energy, please contact SDG&E’s Customer Service at 1-800-411-7343 or go online to Customer Service.
If you’re ready to discuss the sale of your home, please send me an email or call me at 619-888-2117. I can help you prepare for the successful sale of your property!
San Diego Real Estate LAB 