Power Saver Rewards Program
Help ease the strain on the electrical grid when energy is most in demand, prevent power outages, benefit the environment — and get a bill credit too.
The Power Saver Rewards program is a voluntary, penalty-free program that pays participants for reducing their energy use during times of high demand or other emergencies. Participants who volunteer can help strengthen the grid, benefit the environment and earn a reward. Together, we can make a difference.
How It Works
As the temperatures rise, increased demand for cooling can put a strain on the electrical grid. When this occurs, the state’s grid operator may call a Flex Alert or other grid warning requesting voluntary conservation. When you’re enrolled in Power Saver Rewards, you can be rewarded for successfully conserving energy below your typical use during a Power Saver Rewards event.
If you’re an eligible residential customer looking to reduce your bill or energy use when the grid is especially stressed — Power Saver Rewards might be right for you.
- Program Season: The program runs from May 1 through October 31.
- Program Activations: A Power Saver Rewards event can occur Monday through Sunday, including holidays and weekends, between the hours of 4 - 9 p.m. A Power Saver Rewards event will be called when the state’s power grid operator calls a Flex Alert or other grid emergency to maintain grid reliability.
- Program Incentives: Eligible customers who reduce their energy use below their typical use during a Power Saver Rewards event, can receive a bill credit of $1.00 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
It’s entirely voluntary to reduce your use during an event and there is no penalty if you choose not to participate.
Program Eligibility
- Be a residential electric customer with a smart meter within SDG&E’s territory.
- Not be a participant of other SDG&E energy incentive programs such as ELRP A.4 or A.5, Capacity Bidding or a third-party program. (Note: If you later enroll in these programs, you will be automatically unenrolled from the Power Saver Rewards Program.)
- Residential customers participating in Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) or Direct Access (DA) are eligible for the program.
- Customers with solar generation are eligible to participate.
- View Official Terms and Conditions.
Enroll Now
You can apply to participate in the Power Saver Rewards program by submitting an online application.
Event Notifications
Power Saver Rewards event notifications will be sent the day before an event takes place. The notifications will be sent to the email address on file with SDG&E. If you would like to also receive text messages notifying you of events or would like to change your e-mail, go to My Energy Center.
For more information, you can contact our Power Saver Rewards program call center by phone: 1-800-411-7343.
Before 4 p.m.
- Run high energy use appliances, such as your washer, dryer or dishwasher.
- Precool your home by setting your thermostat to a lower temperature.
- Block the heat by closing blinds or curtains to keep out the heat .
Between 4 - 9 p.m.
- Turn off lighting in any unused rooms.
- Unplug electronics not in use, as they can draw power even when switched off.
- Adjust your thermostat to 78 degrees, if health permitting or use a fan.
Get more energy-saving tips at liashapiro.com/myenergy
Additional Information
The Power Saver Rewards fact sheet is available in English, Spanish and 20 additional languages. Browse additional languages.
You can unenroll from the Power Saver Rewards program by submitting an online application. Once you unenroll you will no longer be eligible for bill credits. It may take up to 2 weeks to process your request to unenroll.
Customers who have been enrolled in Power Saver Rewards will receive an email or direct mail letter welcoming them to the program.
Go to My Energy Center > Click the “Account” tab > Click “Notification Settings” > Click “Billing and Account Updates.”
Make sure to add a check to the box that says “Text” and input the phone number to receive text notifications of Power Saver Rewards events along with other account and billing notifications.
Go to My Energy Center > Click “Account tab” and on "My Profile." Select the edit icon to edit your email or phone number.
All participants with an email on file will receive an email notification the day before a Power Saver Rewards event. Participants may not opt out of this email.
Power Saver Rewards customers are eligible to receive a bill credit if your household can reduce your energy use below your Typical Use when Power Saver Rewards is activated.
How to Calculate Weekday Typical Use:
If a Power Saver Rewards event takes place on a weekday, Monday through Friday, you can calculate your Typical Use by following the steps below.
- Review your energy use the five weekdays prior to the event, and identify the three weekdays in which your household used the most energy between 4 - 9 p.m.
- Add the total amount of energy use of the three days (between 4 - 9p.m.).
- Calculate the Typical Use by dividing the total amount of energy use of the three days and divide by 3. This is the typical use.
How to Calculate Weekend Typical Use:
If a Power Saver Rewards event takes place on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday) or a holiday (Memorial Day, fourth of July, Labor day), you can calculate the Typical Use by following the steps below:
- Review your energy use on the three weekend/holiday days prior to the event.
- Identify the one weekday/holiday that used the most energy between 4- 9 p.m.
- Your home’s Typical Use is the weekend day/holiday with the highest energy use identified.
Please note: Days in which a Power Saver Rewards event occurred are not used in the Typical Use calculation.
If you successfully conserved energy below your typical use on a Power Saver Rewards day, a bill credit will be included on your energy bill that includes the energy use on the date of the Power Saver Rewards event day. This will usually occur within 31 days of the Power Saver Rewards event day.
For questions, call 1-800-411-7343.
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