← Back to Blog
How to read your SDG&E bill

How to read your SDG&E bill

Your SDG&E bill provides a snapshot of your electricity use and costs every month. It's easier to track and control your energy costs once you know where to look. Here is a sample bill to point you in the right direction.
April 19, 2024 • Updated February 15, 2026

What is a CCA?

A CCA, or Community Choice Aggregation, is a program that allows cities and counties to purchase electricity from alternative sources, often with a higher percentage of renewable energy sources, while still relying on the existing utility company (in this case, SDGE) for transmission and distribution services. By participating in a CCA, customers have the option to choose an electricity provider other than the traditional utility company.

Common Residential Rate Plans:

  1. Standard Plan: This is the default rate plan for residential customers who have not opted for any other plan. It has a flat rate for electricity usage, regardless of the time of day or season.

  2. TOU-DR (Time-of-Use with Demand Response): This plan offers different electricity rates based on the time of day and season. It incentivizes customers to shift their energy usage to off-peak hours (when demand is lower) by offering lower rates during those times. TOU-DR plans typically have three or four pricing periods: on-peak, semi-peak, off-peak, and potentially a super off-peak period.

Identifying your CCA on an SDGE Bill:

SDGE Bill CCA

To determine if a customer is enrolled in a CCA, look for the dedicated section on the bill. If it shows a provider other than SDGE, such as "San Diego Community Power" or "Clean Energy Alliance," the customer is enrolled in a CCA.

Identifying your Plan on an SDGE Bill:

SDGE Bill TOU-DR

To identify the billing rate plan, look for the "Rate" section on the bill. It will display the specific rate plan, such as "TOU-DR" for the Time-of-Use with Demand Response plan.

By understanding these details, customers can make informed decisions about their electricity provider and rate plan choices, potentially saving money and supporting renewable energy initiatives.

SDGE
Billing
Help
EB
EB
Energy Enthusiast
Engineer who has lived in California for many years. With a passion for getting to the bottom of things, he enjoys researching and breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand information.