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Surviving Summer: Southern California Edison Reminds Customers How to Keep Cool

Posted on: Monday, 23 July 2007, 15:10 CDT

With record temperatures expected this summer, Southern California Edison (SCE) gives customers ways to become smarter energy consumers -- which in turn, saves energy, money and helps the environment. And when SCE customers conserve, that takes strain off Southern California's electric grid, further ensuring a reliable supply of electricity for everyone.

"SCE believes conservation is always in season, so we're encouraging customers to conserve energy whenever possible and to enroll in one or more of the many programs SCE offers," said Lynda Ziegler, SCE's senior vice president of customer service. "We want customers to take advantage of the rebates and financial incentives SCE has available to help them lower their energy bills this summer."

Many of the actions customers can take are low-cost or free -- and some of them result in rebates. For example, customers who sign up for either the A/C Tune-Up Program or Summer Discount Plan by Sept. 30 will receive an iTunes gift card for $10.

Programs currently offered by SCE to help residential customers reduce energy consumption and save money include:

A/C Tune-Up Program: While central air-conditioning (A/C) systems keep families comfortable and cool during hot weather, proper maintenance is essential. Much like an automobile, an air conditioning system needs to be regularly tuned up. Having an A/C tune-up can save customers up to 30 percent on their home cooling costs. In addition, inefficiencies in an A/C system can shorten its life by up to eight years. Tune-ups should be done by a qualified professional. An enhanced tune-up includes: condenser and evaporator coil cleaning; duct testing and sealing; and refrigerant charge adjustments. In fact, if just 10 percent of SCE's customers with central A/C got a tune-up, it could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 297 million pounds -- the equivalent of taking 26,650 cars off the road. Customers should expect to pay between $75 and $150 for a tune-up and can find a list of contractors near them at www.sce.com/summer, or by calling 1-800-369-3652.

Summer Discount Plan: Participating customers can receive yearly bill credits of up to $200 for the summer season (June through September) for allowing SCE to temporarily interrupt their air conditioner use. It's an environmentally friendly conservation resource that can be called upon during power-supply emergencies. For an application and more information, visit www.sce.com/summer, or call 1-800-497-2813.

Energy-efficiency rebates: SCE leads the nation's utilities in helping customers save energy. The company provides rebates for switching to efficient, whole house fans, ducted evaporative coolers, air conditioners and more. The rebates include:

$50 back on ENERGY STAR-qualified room air conditioners.

$100 back on a whole-house fan.

Up to $600 back on ducted evaporative cooling systems.

10-20 cents a square foot incentive to use reflective roof materials when replacing an old roof. This can reduce roof temperatures by 60 percent.

$30-$200 rebate when replacing an old pool pump and motor with a new, efficient one; variable-speed pumps are especially effective in reducing costs.

SCE also recommends the following tips to help customers use energy more wisely during the summer:

Set air conditioning thermostats no lower than 78 degrees.

Turn off unused appliances and equipment.

Close drapes and blinds to keep out direct sunlight during hot periods.

Use electric fans instead of air conditioning when practical.

Avoid using evaporative coolers or humidifiers at the same time an air conditioner is running.

Operate swimming pool equipment during early morning and evening hours; and

Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators, which are major users of electricity in most homes.

For more information about rebates and energy-efficiency programs visit SCE's Web site at www.sce.com/rebatesandsavings.

An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation's largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 13 million via 4.8 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within central, coastal and Southern California.

Source: Business Wire

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