San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), in partnership with the City of Chula Vista, is offering a wide range of energy-efficiency programs, services and rebates to help residents and businesses save energy and lower their monthly bills this summer.

One program - the Summer Saver Program – offers an annual credit on participant’s SDG&E bill if they reduce electricity use from their air conditioning units. To participate, SDG&E will install a FREE device on your central air conditioning unit that cycles the unit “on and off” a few hours on a limited number of summer days (usually about 10-15 days total). Residential and business participants can earn bill credits. Visit www.summersaverprogram.com for more information.

There are also numerous ways to reduce your energy costs by practicing energy conservation around your home or office:

• Set thermostat at 78-80 degrees and use ceiling fans to circulate air; turn off or set at 85 degrees when away.


• Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled air. Close blinds, shades or drapes during the hottest part of the day to block the sun’s heat.


• Turn off computer monitor when you are away from your desk. Adjust power management settings to activate “sleep” mode during periods of inactivity.


• A laptop computer uses up to 90 percent less energy than desktop models.


• Turn off half the overhead lighting while working and turn off all lighting, fax machines, coffee makers, printers, computers and monitors when leaving for the day.


• Talk to your company about implementing energy-saving technologies for your servers – existing technologies and strategies could cut server energy use by 25 percent.


• Schedule a FREE on-site energy assessment of your home or business.

For more information on energy-saving rebates or to schedule a FREE energy assessment this summer, contact the City of Chula Vista’s Conservation Section, email conservation@chulavistaca.gov or call 619-409-3893 or contact SDG&E’s Energy Information Center at 1-800-644-6133.