A high summer electric bill deserves a closer look, but a headline about a Southern California Edison rate increase does not tell you exactly what happened at your home. Your bill reflects electricity use, your rate plan, fixed charges, and applicable credits or adjustments.
For Los Angeles-area homeowners running their AC systems through hot weather, understanding those pieces is the first step toward controlling cooling costs. Start by checking the electricity provider and rate schedule shown on your bill: SCE and LADWP have different rates.
Quick Answer: What Changed for SCE Customers?
The CPUC approved SCE’s 2025–2028 general rate case in September 2025. Separately, SCE restructured residential bills in November 2025, adding a Base Services Charge while lowering per-kilowatt-hour charges. The effect on an individual household depends on its usage and plan; there is no universal $17 monthly increase for every customer in 2026.
An AC efficiency improvement can reduce electricity use, but it will not eliminate fixed charges.
What the Approved Rate Case Actually Said
The CPUC’s final September 18, 2025 fact sheet estimated a $15.52 monthly increase for a non-CARE residential customer using 500 kWh, compared with its June 2025 bill example. The estimate for a CARE customer was $9.79. Those were estimates for that decision and comparison period, not a current quote for every household.
The decision funded wildfire risk reduction, infrastructure safety and reliability, and load growth. It also provided for recovery of the difference between amounts already collected in 2025 and the higher approved revenue requirement over 24 months.
Later rate changes matter too. The Public Advocates Office’s Q1 2026 report says SCE’s January 1, 2026 change lowered the residential average rate for bundled-service customers by approximately 2.3% relative to November 15, 2025. That comparison does not establish what any one customer’s September bill will be.
Separate the Base Services Charge From AC Usage
SCE explains that its November 2025 restructuring replaced the Basic Charge with a Base Services Charge and reduced per-kWh charges by approximately 10%. It lists approximate monthly charges of $24 for customers outside the qualifying discount groups, $6 for CARE customers, and $12 for FERA customers and qualifying affordable-housing residents. The exact amount varies with billing-cycle length and the applicable daily charge.
Under that restructuring alone, a household’s bill may rise, fall, or stay similar. Reducing energy use still lowers usage-related charges, but it does not reduce the Base Services Charge.
When comparing bills, check the number of billing days, total kWh, and rate schedule before attributing the entire difference to an inefficient AC.
Use Your Own Utility’s Peak Hours
SCE’s current time-of-use plans include TOU-D-4-9PM and TOU-D-5-8PM. Their highest summer weekday prices apply from 4–9 p.m. and 5–8 p.m., respectively. Check your actual plan, including weekend and seasonal pricing; not every SCE customer is on the same schedule.
LADWP’s residential schedules work differently. It offers a standard tiered rate and a time-of-use rate. On the residential R-1B time-of-use schedule, the high-peak period is Monday through Friday, 1–4:59 p.m. The base period is 8 p.m.–9:59 a.m. on weekdays and all weekend.
Set thermostat schedules around the plan you actually have. Shifting usage by the clock is useful for time-of-use pricing; on a tiered plan, reducing total consumption is the more direct way to reduce usage charges.
Where Cooling Improvements Can Help
Start with maintenance. The Department of Energy recommends routine filter care and checking the evaporator coil. An inspection can identify a dirty coil, airflow restriction, or other condition that needs attention; a high bill by itself is not a diagnosis.
Ducts matter too. ENERGY STAR estimates that typical homes lose 20–30% of the air moving through their duct systems through leaks, holes, and poor connections. That is a general estimate, not a measured loss or guaranteed savings figure for your home.
SCE recommends pre-cooling before the late-afternoon demand period as a conservation strategy. If your rate plan supports it, try a modest schedule adjustment and compare results. Savings depend on your home, weather, and usage; keep indoor temperatures safe for everyone in the household.
Understand the Bill Before Choosing an Upgrade
Bring a recent bill and notes about rooms that struggle to stay cool to your HVAC assessment. That gives the discussion a useful starting point: what changed, how much electricity the household used, and whether the cooling system has a specific performance problem.
A/C Control can assess your system and explain practical maintenance or upgrade options. Contact us to schedule an efficiency assessment.
