Avoid Utility Rate Increases In Apple Valley CA
If you live in Apple Valley, you probably get electricity from Southern California Edison (SCE). And you are probably fed up with the high cost of electricity for your home. There are utility rate increases every year, and there will be more coming in 2022.
Southern California Edison recently held a public forum to request rate increases for the immediate future, starting with a large increase in 2021 and continuing to increase over the next few years. Let’s take a look at the history of these increases and what is included in their current request, to see what Apple Valley homeowners can expect to increase in 2022 and the future.
Why Do Electrical Utilities Increase Rates?
Every utility has to increase rates periodically to cover increasing grid maintenance and service costs. Our local energy grid goes through wear and tear, and therefore, rates have to increase to cover the increasing costs of paying employees, buying new equipment, etc. to keep it working properly.
In SCE’s recently released notice, they state that the reason for the rate increase is to “set rates that customers pay to fund SCE’s day-to-day operations, including maintenance for its equipment and electricity grid upgrades.” The increases are there to cover the anticipated costs in the coming four years, from 2021 to 2024.
Utilities like SCE have been getting more attention over the past few years as a result of recent fires that resulted in many deaths. Some of these “California Wildfires” were found to be caused by neglect on Pacific Gas & Electric’s part, due mostly to outdated and shotty electrical equipment. That begs the question, where is the money going?
Who Profits From Electrical Rate Increases?
The three big utilities, PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E are "investor-owned utilities", which means they are publicly traded companies. But this also means they are expected to provide a substantial profit and return on investment to shareholders, not customers like you. So while they do have to have money to keep the equipment maintained, they also have to be profitable to appease their shareholders. This is why, when it comes down to it, you should free yourself from the utility so you will no longer be a slave to rate increases and profit margins.
How Much Will Southern California Edison Rates Increase in 2022?
Southern California Edison is proceeding with Phase 1 of a rate increase in 2021 and increases over the next consecutive three years. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a 20% rate increase for authorized residential electricity rates in all SCE territory in 2021, including Apple Valley, CA.
According to SCE's application, the increases add approximately $14 in 2021, $4 in 2022, and $6 in 2023 to the average bill.
This 20% increase is a significant jump from previous years for SCE. After only 18% in increases over the last 10 years, a 20% increase in one year is astounding. If you have higher than average bills, this could result in significant bill increases that could be difficult to pay, especially if your family income has been affected by the pandemic.
Avoid These Increases With Solar Power
Homeowners in Apple Valley might be worried about all these impending rate increases. If your usage is higher than average, you will be faced with huge increases in your electricity bills. Especially in the summer, when our desert weather is at its worst, these rates will strain any tight budgets. Are you wondering how you can get relief from this impending financial strain? You can make your home as efficient as possible, but you will still be susceptible to rate increases that are completely out of your control. If you want to take control, there is only one option: Go Solar.
How Net Metering Works
By installing solar panels and using that same desert sun that was causing those huge bills, you can create enough electricity to power your whole home. It works is through a billing mechanism known as “net metering” where you can sell the extra solar energy your panels create during the day back to the utility for “credits”. These credits are used at night when the sun is down. Through this system of producing credits and using them at night, most homeowners who install solar panels can eliminate any utility bills.
Eliminate Your Electricity Bills With Solar
So by eliminating your electric bills, going solar can shield your family from huge bills today, and the increases coming from SCE in 2022 and beyond. Any increases moving forward become savings by generating your own power instead of relying on power from the utility.
When you install solar panels from Option One, you won’t have to worry about rate increases any more, and as rates increase, your return on investment will increase. Option One Solar systems come with a 25-year warranty that covers everything from top-to-bottom, so you can be free from utility companies and the local government making decisions for them.
Claim your energy independence with the best option in the high desert, Option One Solar!
