SCE Offers Rebates and Incentive Programs

Southern California Edison (SCE), the utility electric provider for southern California, offers several ways you can save energy and thus, save money on your monthly electric bill. 

If you have been following this column, you know that I am in the process of installing a leased solar electric system at my home.  After a slow start in securing the lease, a field check was performed recently by Joey Ventura with Mohr Power Solar Electric Company.

He drafted a plan for the ten panels which will be installed on my roof.  Attention was given to avoid shade from casting shadows on the panels, which would prevent optimal performance.

When the final plans are drawn, they will be submitted to the building department for approval and permits.  This permit process typically takes about three weeks.  I expect to have my solar system installed and operational by the end of September, at which time I will update you with details

Following are some of the other current SCE programs that offer rebates when purchased between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. 

The link, Residential Rebates and Savings Plans, provides information and rebate forms and the California Energy Commission maintains a database of qualifying appliances, found at the following link: www.appliances.energy.ca.gov. 

Rebates for eligible electric hot water heaters receive $30, and refrigerators qualify for $50.

Additionally, SCE offers $50 for recycling an old, energy inefficient refrigerator.

The SCE site provides links and rebate applications for qualifying air conditioners, evaporative coolers, and whole house fans with rebates from $20 for a portable air conditioner and up to $2,000 for complete, installation, maintenance and repairs.

For existing systems, SCE offers a Summer Discount Plan  from June 1 to October 1, when they iwill nstall a cycling device which is a small unit that is attached to the outside of your air conditioner.

When activated by a remote radio signal, it allows SCE to temporarily turn off, or "cycle," your air conditioner as needed during peak usage periods.  Opting for this program can save you up to $200 off your summer electric energy bill.  I have participated in this program for several years, and have never had my system cycle while in use.

Energy Upgrade California program offers a $1,000 incentive available to SCE and SoCalGas® residential customers with detached single-family homes who complete all of these qualifying energy-saving home basic upgrade projects:

• Air sealing
• Attic insulation
• Duct test and seal
• Pipe wrap of domestic hot water heater
• Low-flow showerhead with, or in addition to, thermostatic valve control
• Combustion Safety Test
• Low-flow showerhead with or in addition to thermostatic-activated flow restriction device  

Advanced upgrade package gets up to $4,000 in incentives when you achieve a specified reduction in your home’s energy consumption by completing the following:

• Measures in the Basic Upgrade package
• Wall Insulation
• Proper sizing of hot water system and heating and cooling system
• Energy efficient windows, cool roofs, and other permanently affixed measures

The use of compact fluorescent lighting (cfl) can save you $68 over the lifetime of the bulb, and Operation Light Exchange  is an energy efficiency program that allows residential customers of Southern California Edison to exchange, free of charge, up to 10 inefficient halogen and incandescent light fixtures for new, Energy Star labeled lamps.  The next local exchange is scheduled for September 24 and 25, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the K-mart parking lot, 1162 North Citrus Avenue, Covina.

These and other rebate and incentive plans by SCE and Southern California Gas Company make saving energy easy on the budget.