Sponsored by: San Diego Community Power The holiday season can be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be one of the most expensive as well. With the cooler weather, extra cooking, entertaining and decorating with festive lights, it’s easy to forget about being energy-conscious. For those wanting to spend their money on gifts and not higher energy bills, we have a gift everyone can use. Jen Lebron, Director of Public Affairs for San Diego Community Power, joins our Laura Cavanaugh to share simple swaps and energy hacks that will help keep your energy bills low this season. San Diego Community Power is your locally run, not-for-profit clean electricity provider. Community Power delivers cleaner and more affordable electricity to nearly one million customers in San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, National City and unincorporated areas of San Diego County like Julian and Fallbrook. “What we do is we work with wholesale electricity providers from solar and wind farms, then we work with SDG&E to deliver that power to you through their poles and wires. SDG&E sends you a bill with all of the right charges right there so it’s easy for our customers to pay for the power they’re using,” said Lebron. Holidays typically mean more energy use. But you have the power to celebrate energy efficiency this holiday season! Save energy during the holidays — and every day — by planning out your cooking strategically. Ovens use quite a bit of power. Reduce energy from oven use by cooking and baking multiple dishes at once. Also, use smaller plates. The smaller the dishes, the quicker the food cooks. Limit unnecessary opening of the refrigerator. Avoid paying peak energy prices by running the dishwasher and other major appliances after 9 pm or before 4 pm. When it comes to decorating, try upgrading to energy-efficient LED lights. They use 75% less energy than traditional bulbs. Make sure those holiday lights are on a timer. Another easy step you can take is to reduce vampire energy. “Remember that unplugging is the new off,” said Lebron. San Diego Community Power is focused on what customers need and want regarding their energy – whether that is saving money, conserving energy or learning about new ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Your voice matters. You can help shape San Diego’s energy future by taking Community Power’s Customer Feedback Survey. If customers take the survey at www.sdcommunitypower.org you could win a $500 Home Depot gift card. Save power and money daily. Learn more tips and tricks to save at www.sdcommunitypower.org.