As of June 1, 2023, High Usage Charge will no longer be applied to Tiered Rate Plans. The High Usage Charge label will continue to appear on your bill through 2024, but the rate will be the same as the Tier 2 rate.
Every household is provided with a baseline allocation or set amount of kWh of electricity each period – charged at a lower price than energy used above the baseline amount. This reflects the amount of electricity needed to cover your basic energy needs, like lighting, cooking, heating and refrigeration. This varies based on your location.
*The High Usage Rate no longer applies for Medical Baseline users on the Standard Residential rate plan after June 1, 2023. Medical Baseline customers receive an additional 16.5 kWh allocation per day in addition to their applicable seasonal baseline for the necessary operation of life-support devices and equipment.
We offer a variety of tools and online resources to help you manage your energy use and avoid high bills. There may also be better rate options for you. Learn more about rate options.
A Time-of-Use (TOU) rate may be a better option to help you save on your energy bill since it does not have a High Usage Charge. Learn more about rate options.
Whether you want to supplement the electricity we provide to you, adopt a greener lifestyle or offset the likelihood of a High Usage Charge, you have options for generating your own electricity. We have the information and resources to help you get started, find more information at Net Energy Metering or Make your Own Power.
To get the most value for your energy dollar, try one or more of these tips:
For more energy-saving tips, visit our Home Energy Guide.
Our Energy Advisor is an online survey that gives you customized savings recommendations. Plus, find out what uses the most energy in your home so you can maximize on your savings. To get started, simply log in and find the Home Energy Advisor.
The baseline allowance reflects the amount of electricity needed to cover an essential portion of the energy you use, like lighting, cooking, heating and refrigeration for your area or baseline zone. Your monthly baseline allowance is provided on your billing statement.
If you are part of our Residential Tiered Plan, your monthly billing period begins in Tier 1. The amount of electricity allocated to Tier 1 is considered the “baseline allocation,” and reflects the amount of electricity, measured in kWh, needed to cover an essential portion of the energy you use, like lighting, cooking, heating and refrigeration. Every household is provided with a baseline allocation or set amount of kWh of electricity each period – charged at a lower price than energy used above the baseline amount. Learn More >
This baseline allocation is established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and is based on where you live, the season (winter or summer), and whether your home is “all electric” or uses both electricity and gas. For more information or visit our FAQ's.
Refer to this baseline region map to find which baseline region your home is in, and then reference the chart below. This chart reflects the nine baseline regions within our 55,000 square mile service territory and the daily baseline allocation for Tier 1.
As with your other energy charges, you will see the High Usage Charge split between Delivery and Generation charges. For Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) customers, the High Usage Charge will appear only under the Delivery charges.
The image below provides an example of how the High Usage Charge will continue to appear on your bill through 2024. However, kilowatt per hour is set the same as Tier 2 as of June 1, 2023. As with your other energy charges, you will see the High Usage Charge split between Delivery and Generation charges.*
*For Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) customers, the High Usage Charge will appear only under the Delivery charges.
We know paying your bill can be a challenge. Discounted rates and energy-efficiency upgrades are available. Find out if you qualify for assistance through our available programs and offers.
High Usage Verification is required for all CARE household identified as exceeding 400% of their monthly electricity baseline allowance. For more information on completing the verification process, please visit sce.com/verify.