“There are so many free and low-cost ways to stay cool and comfortable this summer – while keeping electricity costs in check,” said Gene Rodrigues, SCE’s director of Customer Energy Efficiency and Solar. “Now more than ever, people are interested in saving money and the environment. We’re focused on being able to help our customers do that.”

Here are three steps customers can take to get started:

1. Take an energy efficiency survey for home or business. The survey provides customized results that outline opportunities for energy savings that even the most energy-conscious customer will find valuable. Visit www.sce.com/survey for homes and www.sce.com/bizsurvey for businesses.

2. Look for SCE’s rebates and incentives for homes and businesses. Go to www.sce.com/save for residences and www.sce.com/business for businesses. Examples of savings in the home include:

Rebates for businesses include:

3. Make the switch to CFLs. A recent survey revealed that many customers who have bought CFLs, or compact fluorescent lights, are waiting until their current inefficient incandescent bulbs burn out before installing these energy and money-saving bulbs. This delays the tremendous savings the CFLs provide. Not only are CFLs up to 75 percent more efficient, but they emit much less heat, reducing the need for air conditioning. SCE works with manufacturers and retailers to lower the cost of ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs in SCE territory, so that price is not a hindrance to its customers.

Other ways to keep power usage down this summer include drawing drapes to keep sunlight out; keeping the air conditioning at 78 degrees or above; shutting off vents and doors to unoccupied areas to direct cool air only to the rooms you're using; using a microwave or barbecue for cooking instead of the stove; and running a fan, which makes a room feel 5 degrees cooler.

In addition, customers can find more energy-saving solutions at www.sce.com/tips or by calling SCE at 1(800) 655-4555.