Why is My SDG&E Bill So High? The Reasons Why and How to Fight Back in 2026

If your SDG&E bill feels unusually high in 2026, it is rarely one single thing. For most San Diego households, the spike comes from a combination of higher delivery charges, time-of-use (TOU) peak pricing, and the newer Base Services Charge that shows up on residential bills. Add seasonal usage patterns (HVAC, dehumidifiers, space heaters), electrification (EV charging), and a plan that does not match your lifestyle, and bills can jump fast.

This article breaks down the most common drivers behind high SDG&E bills in 2026, using current published rate structures, and then lays out a practical “fight back” plan that focuses on what actually moves the needle. It ends with why solar (and increasingly batteries) has become the most direct way many homeowners reduce exposure to expensive peak pricing in San Diego.

---

What changed in 2026 that makes bills feel worse

1) Delivery rates increased at the start of the year

SDG&E’s January 2026 Electric Rate Change Alert states that residential average electric delivery rates increased by about 2.9 cents per kWh (an 11.6% increase) from 25.2 cents/kWh to 28.2 cents/kWh.

Translation: even before you get into your plan’s time windows, the “wires” portion of the bill is more expensive.

2) The Base Services Charge is now a real line item

SDG&E explains that the Base Services Charge began appearing on bills in October 2025 and is shown under Delivery Charges.
On SDG&E’s published 2026 rate tables, the Base Services Charge appears as $0.79343 per day for standard service (about $24 per month).

Translation: there is now a fixed daily amount that does not care whether you used 1 kWh or 40 kWh that day.

3) Peak TOU pricing is extremely expensive

For SDG&E’s standard TOU window structure, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. is the high-priced on-peak period.
This is the exact time most households naturally use the most electricity: cooking, laundry, lighting, TVs, gaming, HVAC recovery, and EV plug-ins.

---

The most common reasons SDG&E bills run high in 2026

Reason 1: You are using power during 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. without realizing it

Even efficient homes can get crushed by the 4 to 9 window if the home is running:

• Air conditioning that ramps up after a hot afternoon
• Oven, stove, and kitchen appliances for dinner
• Dishwasher and laundry cycles
• EV charging
• Pool pumps or timed motors
• Electric space heaters in winter evenings

Why it hurts: those kWh are billed at the highest rates.

---

Reason 2: Your rate plan does not match your household schedule

SDG&E offers different residential pricing plans, but most homeowners never revisit them after initial setup. If your usage pattern changed in the last 12 months (new EV, work-from-home, kids home more, new HVAC, new appliances), your current plan may be mismatched.

A common example is EV charging: if an EV is charging during the evening peak, it can single-handedly push bills into “what is happening” territory.

SDG&E’s own plan descriptions emphasize on-peak pricing from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and define off-peak and super off-peak as lower-cost periods.

---

Reason 3: TOU-DR1 peak prices are high even before usage increases

TOU-DR1 is one of SDG&E’s standard residential TOU schedules. On the effective 1/1/2026 Total Rates Table, the summer on-peak total rate is listed as $0.69654 per kWh (with off-peak at $0.47560 and super off-peak at $0.38818).

Those are all-in total energy charges, and the gap between peak and non-peak is large enough that “when you use electricity” matters almost as much as “how much you use.”

---

Reason 4: EV plans can be amazing or brutal depending on charging behavior

EV-TOU-5 is built to reward overnight charging. On SDG&E’s effective 1/1/2026 EV-TOU-5 Total Rates Table, summer super off-peak is listed at $0.12424 per kWh, while summer on-peak is listed at $0.79988 per kWh.

That spread is enormous. If charging happens overnight, the plan can be a win. If charging creeps into peak hours, it can become a bill accelerator.

---

Reason 5: The Base Services Charge makes “conserve your way out” harder

Because the Base Services Charge is assessed daily, reducing usage still helps, but the bill will not fall as dramatically as it would have under a purely volumetric structure. SDG&E explains the charge and how it appears on bills, including that customers removed from CARE/FERA would be charged the full Base Services Charge amount.

---

Reason 6: Seasonal HVAC load is quietly dominating your bill

San Diego homes are not supposed to “need” heavy HVAC, but reality is different in 2026:

• Hotter inland days lead to late-day AC recovery
• Humidity management and dehumidifiers add load
• Heat pumps and electric space heaters can spike winter evening usage

The key is not only HVAC usage, but HVAC timing.

---

Reason 7: Delivery, generation, and “extra line items” hide the real story

Most homeowners glance at the total, not the anatomy of the bill.

High bills often come from a stack of items:

• Delivery charges rising (wires, maintenance, wildfire hardening and grid costs)
• Generation charges depending on who supplies your energy (SDG&E or CCA)
• Fixed charges (Base Services Charge)
• TOU rate differentials
• Seasonal usage changes

Recent local reporting has highlighted rate increases and how they affect monthly bills. For example, NBC 7 San Diego reported rate increases going into 2026 and quoted SDG&E about expected bill impacts.
KPBS also reported on SDG&E customers starting the year with higher bills and described delivery charges as costs to operate and maintain the grid.

---

How to fight back in 2026

This is the short list that actually works.

Step 1: Identify your top 3 “peak-hour culprits”

Pick the three biggest loads that are likely running during 4 to 9:

• HVAC
• EV charging
• Laundry, dishwasher, cooking, or pool equipment

If you fix only those, you usually see meaningful improvement.

---

Step 2: Move flexible loads out of the 4 to 9 window

Use automation so it happens by default:

• Schedule EV charging after 9 p.m.
• Run dishwasher and laundry after 9 p.m. or early morning
• Move pool pumps to off-peak or super off-peak
• Use smart plugs and timers for repeat loads

The City of San Diego’s energy billing guidance specifically recommends shifting major appliances into off-peak or super off-peak hours and using smart thermostats to align HVAC operation with TOU schedules.

---

Step 3: Pre-cool or pre-heat before peak

If you use AC, the most common TOU win is:

• cool the home earlier (off-peak)
• coast through 4 to 9 with reduced HVAC demand

The goal is not comfort sacrifice. The goal is reducing expensive ramping during peak.

---

Step 4: Re-check your rate plan at least once per year

If the home added:

• an EV
• a heat pump
• a home office schedule
• more occupants
• a pool pump
  then re-checking the plan is not optional. SDG&E publishes plan options and pricing periods, and the right plan depends on usage timing.

---

Step 5: Confirm eligibility for bill assistance programs

If eligible, CARE or FERA can materially change bill outcomes, and the Base Services Charge interacts with those programs. SDG&E’s Base Services Charge page includes program references and how changes in eligibility can affect charges.

---

Step 6: Weatherization and “cheap fixes” that compound

If peak-hour reduction is the priority, the best low-cost upgrades are usually:

• smart thermostat
• HVAC tune-up and filter discipline
• sealing obvious drafts
• LED lighting in high-use areas
• eliminating always-on devices and old garage fridges

These do not replace a strategy. They reinforce it.

---

The structural solution in San Diego: solar that reduces peak exposure

TOU pricing in SDG&E territory makes one thing very clear: evening grid power is premium-priced. The most direct way to reduce exposure is to generate your own power and reduce the amount you buy from SDG&E in the expensive hours.

In 2026, solar design is no longer just “how many panels.” It is about:

• production timing
• household load timing
• peak-hour imports
• and whether storage makes sense to cover evening demand

For homeowners under SDG&E’s modern solar billing structure, SDG&E publishes export pricing information for the Solar Billing Plan (Net Billing Tariff) and emphasizes that export values vary by time.

In practical terms:

• Solar helps immediately by reducing total grid purchases.
• Solar plus storage can reduce purchases during 4 to 9 even more, which is where the bill pain usually lives.

---

Why Stellar Solar is the best choice in San Diego

If solar is the solution, installer choice matters because the system must be designed around SDG&E’s 2026 pricing reality and built to last.

Stellar Solar’s credibility is not framed as vague “top rated” marketing. It is backed by recognizable third-party signals:

• BBB rating: A+ on the BBB’s listing for Stellar Solar.
• San Diego Union-Tribune Readers Poll wins: PR Newswire documents Stellar Solar winning “Best Solar Company” in the Union-Tribune Readers Poll multiple years, including six consecutive years as of 2022 (and earlier wins listed).
• 4.7-star Yelp rating: Stellar Solar publicly states they have maintained a 4.7-star Yelp rating in a posted video.
• Local recognition and program validation: Industry coverage notes Stellar Solar’s approval as an authorized contractor for San Diego Community Power’s solar and battery program and references their experience and local standing.

For San Diego homeowners looking at 2026 bills and thinking, “this is not sustainable,” the highest-leverage move is reducing peak-hour dependence. Solar, and solar plus storage when appropriate, is the most direct path. Stellar Solar’s long local track record and documented accolades make them the strongest default choice in San Diego when the goal is a system built for real-world bills, not just a sales proposal.

from Stellar Solar https://ift.tt/0LZSv7J

What are the Benefits of Choosing a Local Solar Installer Vs. a National Chain in San Diego?

Choosing solar is a long-term home decision. Choosing the installer is what determines whether the project feels straightforward or turns into months of delays, unclear communication, and warranty anxiety.

In San Diego, most homeowners end up comparing two broad options:

• Local solar installer: based in San Diego County, designs and builds systems here every day
  
• National chain: operates across many markets with standardized sales, processes, and service systems
  

Both can install panels. The difference is how well the system is designed for San Diego’s realities, how smoothly the project moves through permitting and interconnection, and what happens when you need support years later.

Below is a structured breakdown of the advantages of local installers, where national chains can still make sense, and how to choose based on results instead of marketing.

---

Definitions

Local solar installer

A company that is headquartered or deeply staffed in San Diego County, with local design teams, install crews, service technicians, and permitting experience.

National chain

A company that sells and installs solar in many states or regions, often using centralized sales processes, standardized designs, and a large operational network.

---

Quick comparison summary

Local installer advantages

• Faster local permitting and inspection navigation
  
• Better system design for SDG&E billing realities and local roof constraints
  
• More consistent workmanship when crews are local and repeat-installing together
  
• Simpler accountability for service calls and warranty issues
  
• Reputation in the same market where you live
  

National chain advantages

• Large operational scale and financing options
  
• Consistency in paperwork, portals, and standardized processes
  
• Potentially broader availability during high-demand periods
  

---

Benefit 1: Better alignment with SDG&E rate structures

San Diego solar savings are shaped by SDG&E time-of-use pricing and, for many newer solar customers, export credit rules under the Net Billing Tariff (Solar Billing Plan). That pushes system design away from generic “offset annual usage” thinking and toward practical questions like:

• When does the home use electricity most, especially in the evening
  
• Which roof planes produce later into the day
  
• Whether storage makes sense to reduce evening imports
  
• How the household can shift flexible loads outside the expensive window
  

A local installer operating in SDG&E territory every day tends to build proposals around these patterns because they see them repeatedly. National chains can do this too, but many rely on standardized models that may require the homeowner to ask for a more customized approach.

What to look for in any proposal

• A clear estimate of production by month
  
• A plan for how the design addresses late afternoon and evening usage
  
• A realistic explanation of export credits and why storage may or may not be valuable
  
• A strategy that reflects how the household actually lives, not a generic template
  

---

Benefit 2: Faster, cleaner permitting in San Diego jurisdictions

San Diego County is not one permitting office. Permitting and inspections vary across cities and authorities having jurisdiction. Local installers usually have an advantage because they already know:

• common plan-check corrections by city
  
• inspection scheduling rhythms
  
• documentation preferences and electrical requirements that cause delays
  
• how to resolve corrections quickly without restarting the process
  

National chains can navigate permitting too, but centralized teams and standardized documentation can slow down exceptions, and exceptions are common in real homes.

How this shows up for homeowners

• Fewer permit resubmissions
  
• Fewer inspection failures
  
• Faster movement from “paperwork started” to “system operating”
  

---

Benefit 3: Workmanship tends to be cleaner and more consistent

A solar installation is visible, permanent, and tied into critical parts of the home. The quality difference is not always about the panels. It is about the details:

• roof attachments and flashing
  
• conduit runs and aesthetics
  
• attic routing and cable management
  
• labeling and code compliance
  
• panel layout symmetry and spacing
  

Local installers often run in-house crews who install together repeatedly. That consistency matters. National chains may use a mix of in-house crews and subcontractors depending on workload and region, which can introduce variability.

Good sign

• The company can explain exactly who installs the system: in-house crews, subcontractors, or a mix
  
• They can show local installs and walk through their standard for conduit, penetrations, and finish work
  

---

Benefit 4: Service and warranty response is more straightforward

Solar is reliable, but it is not “set it and forget it forever.” Over 20 to 30 years, homeowners may deal with:

• inverter or battery service
  
• monitoring issues
  
• roof work that requires temporary panel removal and reinstallation
  
• upgrades or troubleshooting after a remodel
  
• performance questions after changes in household usage
  

Local installers typically have a service team in the same region. When something happens, the homeowner is not trying to route through layers of call centers, outsourced scheduling, or long-distance dispatching.

National chains can have strong service operations, but homeowners should verify how service is handled in San Diego specifically, not in theory.

Service questions that matter

• Is there a dedicated local service department
  
• What is the average service response time
  
• Who handles warranty claims: the installer or the manufacturer directly
  
• What happens if the homeowner moves
  

---

Benefit 5: Local accountability is real

Local installers live and die by local reputation: referrals, local reviews, neighborhood recommendations, and repeat business. That creates a powerful incentive to:

• set realistic expectations
  
• communicate clearly during delays
  
• resolve issues fast
  
• protect the brand in the same community
  

National brands have reputation too, but their reputation is spread across many markets, which can make individual homeowner experiences feel less connected to “what the company is like” overall.

---

Benefit 6: Better understanding of San Diego roof and environment conditions

San Diego has a mix of roof types and environmental conditions that influence system choices:

• coastal salt air and corrosion considerations
  
• sun exposure and heat that affect performance and equipment placement
  
• common roof styles that create shading patterns (vents, dormers, multiple planes)
  
• HOA aesthetics and neighborhood expectations
  

Local installers who have installed across coastal, inland, and desert-adjacent areas tend to spot issues faster and propose practical solutions because they have seen the same problems in hundreds of homes.

---

Benefit 7: The installer relationship matters more under modern solar billing

When export credits and TOU pricing matter, solar becomes less of a commodity and more of a system that should be designed for a specific household.

That pushes the homeowner toward an installer who can do more than sell a package. The best outcomes typically come from:

• accurate production modeling based on roof layout and shading
  
• honest expectations about bill reduction
  
• battery-ready design even if storage is not installed immediately
  
• clean monitoring setup and performance transparency
  

Local installers tend to win here because they are used to building around local constraints and answering local questions.

---

When a national chain can still be the right choice

National chains can be a fit when:

• the homeowner prioritizes a single standardized process from a large provider
  
• financing and bundled offers are the primary decision factor
  
• the property is simple and fits a standard design well
  
• the homeowner verifies local service capacity and local install quality first
  

The key is not avoiding national companies. The key is verifying that the local execution and local service in San Diego are strong, not assuming it will be.

---

Decision checklist

If choosing a local installer, verify:

• years operating in San Diego County
  
• local permit experience and typical timelines
  
• in-house crew vs subcontractor approach
  
• service department location and response times
  
• workmanship photos from recent local installs
  

If choosing a national chain, verify:

• who installs in San Diego and whether crews are consistent
  
• whether service is local or routed through centralized dispatch
  
• how long typical PTO timelines are in San Diego
  
• what parts of the process are outsourced
  
• whether the proposal is customized for SDG&E billing realities
  

---

The takeaway

Choosing between a local installer and a national chain in San Diego comes down to control and accountability.

If the priority is a system designed around SDG&E conditions, cleaner permitting and inspection flow, consistent workmanship, and simpler long-term service, local installers often have the edge.

If the priority is scale, standardized processes, and national financing structures, a national chain can be a good fit, but only if local install and local service are verified, not assumed.

---

Why many San Diego homeowners choose Stellar Solar

When choosing a local installer, third-party credibility signals matter because solar is a long-term investment. Stellar Solar is one of the best-known local installers in San Diego County, and their public accolades are the kind homeowners use to evaluate trust:

• A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB business profile lists Stellar Solar as A+).
  
• Consistent winner of the San Diego Union-Tribune Readers Poll in the “Best Solar Company” category, including a documented six consecutive years as of 2022 and additional wins in earlier years.
  
• Stellar Solar also publicly reports maintaining a 4.7-star Yelp rating.
  

For homeowners who want a San Diego-based team, proven local credibility, and an installer that is built around the realities of SDG&E billing and local permitting, Stellar Solar is a strong place to start.

from Stellar Solar https://ift.tt/j9NlDmr