Energy Suppliers Taking the Lead:  Energy Efficient Meters & Appliances

Customers of Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Co can receive extra rebates from the state when they purchase new qualifying energy-efficient appliances and recycle their old energy-guzzling models, while the energy supplier will also start installing smart electric meters throughout communities in Orange County as part of the Edison SmartConnect program.

ROSEMEAD, Calif., Apr. 26, 2010 – Southern California Edison (SCE) will start installing smart electric meters throughout communities in Orange County as part of the Edison SmartConnect program. SCE customers in those communities are receiving new meters starting this week through June, and soon will be able to take advantage of new programs and services enabled by the meters.

Communities in the upcoming installation phase include: Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Midway City, Seal Beach, Sunset Beach and Westminster. 

Edison SmartConnect meters are digital, secure, two-way communicating devices that will replace traditional mechanical meters and provide a key step in transforming the electric system to a smart grid. Smart meters measure electricity usage up-to-the minute and, later this year, customers will be able to view their energy usage from a computer, cell phone, or other electronic device to track how much they use and how much it costs.

“Over the past several years, we have focused on developing an industry-leading smart meter program, including extensive testing of our smart meters and associated systems to ensure their quality and performance,” said Ken Devore, director of SCE’s Edison SmartConnect program. “Smart meters will empower our customers to become better managers of their electricity usage through new tools, programs and services that will help them save energy, money, and the environment.”

Within the next year, SCE will introduce new pricing plans, programs and services that will empower customers to make better-informed decisions about their energy use. In the second half of 2010 and beyond, once the advanced features are fully activated, the meters will be enabled to communicate with the next generation of smart thermostats, appliances and other devices.

The first smart meter in the Edison SmartConnect program was installed last September in Downey, Calif., with installations continuing through 2012 to total nearly 5 million SCE residential and small-business customers in the utility’s 50,000-square-mile service territory. To date, SCE has installed more than 600,000 meters. 
 
SCE has contracted with Corix Utilities, Inc. to perform most of the installations. Here is some important information for customers getting the new meters:

• Customers will be notified by mail in advance when installations are scheduled in their neighborhood.
• Customers do not need to be home, but they do need to provide clear access to their meter. The installer will leave a door hanger indicating if the installation was successful or if an appointment for installation is required due to access issues.
• During a typical residential or small business installation, customers will experience a short power interruption of less than one minute.  As an extra measure of protection, customers are encouraged to plug electronic equipment, such as personal computers and televisions, into power surge protectors.
• Corix installers carry identification indicating they are approved SCE contractors.
• Customers with smart meters will receive follow-up information by mail notifying them when new program features and services become available, and how to access them.

Edison SmartConnect is a $1.6 billion program authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission. SCE anticipates customers’ use of the information provided by the new meters will reduce demand on the electricity grid by about 1,000 megawatts, the amount of energy produced at an average power plant. Sustained energy conservation resulting from customer response to their energy use information is also expected to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and smog-forming pollutants by a minimum of 365,000 metric tons per year –  the equivalent of removing 79,000 cars from the road.  

ROSEMEAD, Calif., April 20, 2010 — Customers of Southern California Edison (SCE) and Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) can receive extra rebates from the state when they purchase new qualifying energy-efficient appliances and recycle their old energy-guzzling models.

The state’s Cash for Appliances program, which is funded by $35.2 million in federal stimulus dollars, will apply to new, energy-efficient refrigerators, room air conditioners and clothes washers. Although SCE’s and The Gas Company’s rebate programs will be available year-round, the Cash for Appliances rebates will only be available on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified purchases made from April 22 to May 23, 2010 or until rebate funds are no longer available. Residential customers may receive one rebate for each type of appliance: $200 for a new refrigerator; $100 for a new clothes washer; or $50 for a room air conditioner. These rebates can be combined with the available rebates being offered by the utilities.

“We want to encourage customers to take advantage of the incentives being offered by the state and the utilities when buying energy-efficient appliances,” said Mark Gaines, director of customer programs for The Gas Company. “By doing so, customers are doing their part to help conserve precious natural resources all year-round and put a little ‘green’ back in their pocket.”

“Southern California Edison hopes that this program gives customers an extra nudge to get those inefficient energy-hogging appliances out of the house. Any time consumers choose an efficient appliance over an inefficient one, it reduces their electricity bill and it helps the planet. Everyone wins,” said Gene Rodrigues, SCE’s director of Energy Efficiency and Solar.    
 
Combining the California Cash for Appliances rebates with The Gas Company’s and SCE’s 2010 rebates can help customers earn up to $535.

About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California Gas Co. is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 20.5 million consumers through 5.7 million meters in more than 500 communities. The company’s service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles in diverse terrain throughout Central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. Southern California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. To learn more, go to www.socalgas.com.

Source: www.edison.com