Which is worse: sweating through the summer heat or opening your electric bill after blasting the air conditioner?  Southern California Edison (SCE) offers solutions that can help save energy, money and the environment.

“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.

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Here are three steps customers can take to get started:

1. Take an energy efficiency survey. The survey provides customized results that outline opportunities for energy savings. Visit www.sce.com/survey for homes and www.sce.com/bizsurvey for businesses.
2. Look for SCE’s rebates and incentives. Go to www.sce.com/save for residences and www.sce.com/business for businesses.

Home saving opportunities include:

• ENERGY STAR-qualified room air conditioners ($50)
• Whole house fans ($50)
• Energy efficient evaporative cooling systems (from $300-$600)
• Refrigerator and freezer recycling program ($50)
• ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerator purchase ($50)

Rebates for businesses include:

• Reflective window film ($1.35/per square foot)
• Energy-efficient evaporative coolers ($123 per ton)
• Package terminal air conditioners mounted on walls ($100)

3.  Switch to Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs). CFLs are up to 75 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs and 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; cooking with a microwave or barbecue; and running a fan, which makes a room feel 5 degrees cooler.

Find more energy-saving solutions at www.sce.com/tips or by calling SCE at 1(800) 655-4555.