SDG&E launches home area network device loaner program

SAN DIEGO – In efforts to help customers make smart energy choices and save money, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has launched a home area network device loaner program. Customers can now borrow an in-home display device from the utility at no cost, for 30 days, to understand their home’s energy use and identify high energy use appliances with near-real time information.

The in-home display is a small digital device that, once connected to a customer’s smart meter, shows how much energy a home is using, and customers can watch the kilowatt-hours and price per hour go up or down when appliances are turned on or off in the home.

“The option for customers to borrow an in-home display at no cost is an important step for us to ensure we are making it easy for our customers to have access to innovative technology that will ultimately help them reduce their energy bills. This is increasingly important as the cost of energy continues to rise,” said Caroline Winn, SDG&E’s vice president of customer services and chief customer privacy officer. “I can speak from personal experience that my in-home display has been very useful to understand my own energy usage and I’m confident many of our customers can benefit from this tool as well.”

To request an in-home display through the loaner program, customers can contact SDG&E’s Energy Savings Center at (800) 644-6133 or email [email protected]. More information is available at sdge.com/home-displays.

Residential customers with smart meters are eligible to participate, and participation is recommended only for customers who are able to place the device within 70 feet of their smart meter. Once the request is received, SDG&E will check the customer’s account for meter compatibility and program the device to connect with the customer’s meter, and mail the device to the customer with instructions.

One week before the device is due to be returned, SDG&E will send a return envelope for the customer to send it back within the 30-day loaner time period. Devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis and a wait list will be developed as needed depending on device availability.