Don’t Turn On Your Lights – New SDG&E ‘Tier’ Billing Begins

The Old Broad Cautions Her Readers

So today begins the new “gouging” by SDG&E.  Their “tier” structure for billing begins and if you are not careful it is going to cost you more than keeping the old light bulbs.

This new plan, called “Time of Use” will work this way:

There will be “off peak” and “on peak” hours.  And even though it is “optional” – you will automatically be placed in one of the two plans. You CAN opt out if you want to do so.

The “on peak” hours – the most expensive, will be from 4:00pm to 9:00pm.  Now let me get this straight.  That is the time that most of us are coming home from work. That is the time that most of us are cooking our dinner – some people, like me, using an electric stove. That is the time that our kids are home doing homework; taking baths or showers; and even watching a few hours of television.  Got that? That is the MOST EXPENSIVE time in the new plan.  In the “off peak” plan the cost per kilowatt hour will be about 22 cents.  In the “on peak” time it will be double.

SDG&E says that they are encouraging people to not change their daily routine – too much.  But think about the large appliances, like a dishwasher, laundry, etc. that you do when you come home from work. You use them between 4-9 and you will be paying the salary of one of their workers single handled.  What they are banking on is that if you shift the use of those appliances to “off peak” times, you will save a bundle of money.  And the hope is that energy will be conserved.

Here’s a bummer for me – I had solar put in last summer. Have not even begun to reap the benefits that I was supposed to get from it. SDG&E says that “solar generates more energy in 0ff-peak hours, so customers with solar could lose money because the energy their panels create will be compensated at a lower rate.”

What they want solar customers to do is to “pair up their solar system with battery storage.  Doing that will be a great way for ‘consumers to save energy, keep it charged, and then use it when they come home in the evening’.”  Great idea.  I don’t have a back up battery unit. It was never discussed when I gave the go-ahead to install the solar.  Instead of a “monkey on my back” I have a “solar panel on my roof!”

The bills for the first year will show the consumer what they would have paid without the new structure and what they are paying now. Be prepared to pay more.  But wait! If there is a big difference, for the first year, you will be reimbursed the difference.  That I have to see.

Beware! Watch when you use your electric heater; when you use your air conditioner; when you use your fans; when you use your stove and oven if they are electric.  Don’t give your kids a bath, or let them use the computer, or watch television between the hours of 4-9. Don’t use your washing machine, your drier, your dish washer, your garage opener, etc. Smart thing would be to go visit your friends or neighbors between 4-9 pm.

I’ll see you in line at the lending institutions, because I doubt very much that the consumer will save any money.  No.  I think it is another way of putting monies in the coffers that benefit big business.