 As the leaves change color and the air gets crisp, it’s the perfect time to cozy up – and cut down on energy use. Simple adjustments can make an impact on your energy savings this season. Here are a few creative ideas to stay warm and efficient this season:
1. Use a humidifier: Moist air feels warmer than dry air, so you can stay comfortable at lower thermostat settings. 2. Cook in batches: Make soups, stews or casseroles in bulk. You’ll use less energy reheating food than cooking from scratch daily. 3. Maintain your heating system. Make sure your heating system is running efficiently by scheduling a maintenance check. Replace filters regularly to ensure your system is working at its best. Schedule your free gas appliances check at sdge.com/GasCheck. 4. Clean light fixtures and bulbs. Dust can reduce brightness. Clean bulbs shine more efficiently, reducing the need for extra lighting. 5. Use ceiling fans wisely. Set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise at a low speed. This will push warm air down from the ceiling, helping to keep your rooms warmer. 6. Close the fireplace damper. When your fireplace is not in use, make sure the damper is closed. An open damper allows warm air to escape up the chimney. 7. Use rugs on bare floors. Rugs add insulation and help rooms retain heat, especially in homes with tile or hardwood flooring. 8. Take shorter showers. Heating water with natural gas can be a big energy expense. Try to take shorter showers and consider installing a low-flow showerhead to reduce water usage. 9. Close off unused rooms. Shut doors and vents in rooms you don’t use often to direct the heat where it’s most needed. 10. Use natural light. Open curtains during sunny days to warm rooms naturally and close them at night to retain heat. Also, thermal curtains help trap heat and reduce drafts. By following these tips, you can enjoy a warm and cozy home this fall while keeping your energy bills lower. Find more energy-saving tips at sdge.com/SimpleSteps.
 Your SDG&E® bill will now show electric delivery charges in a new way. This is not an extra charge, rather it is a change in how your bill is structured.
Why is this happening? California Assembly Bill 205 requires electric utilities across the state to change how residential customers are billed to help make bills more transparent, while making it more affordable to use electric technologies, such as cars and appliances. What’s changing? We’re updating how some existing costs appear on your bill. Starting soon, you’ll see a new line item called the Base Services Charge. Most customers will pay approximately $24 a month1. Customers enrolled in FERA and CARE will automatically receive a discounted Base Services Charge of approximately $12 and $6, respectively. The Base Services Charge covers some of the fixed costs that were previously included in the electric delivery price like customer service, transformers and meters that help ensure safe, reliable electric delivery to your property. By moving some costs out of delivery pricing, you may pay about 10% less per kWh for the energy you use (roughly 5 cents per kWh on electric delivery)2. Each customer’s usage varies, so lower electricity prices may or may not lead to a lower total bill. Because this is a reallocation of costs, SDG&E will not earn more profit from this change. To learn more, visit sdge.com/BaseServicesCharge or call 1-800-411-7343.  Higher temperatures can mean higher energy bills and cause a big strain on the electrical grid. This can lead to a greater risk of grid emergencies. But it doesn't have to be this way.
During a grid emergency, businesses in SDG&E's service territory can participate in the Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP). By joining ELRP, businesses help support the grid when it's facing extra strain and can get a bill credit for their participation. ELRP is a flexible way to get incentives for shifting energy use. Participating in ELRP allows qualified businesses to contribute to stabilizing the grid and reducing the risk of issues without worrying about any financial penalties. For more information about ELRP, visit sdge.com/ELRP. The City of Oceanside, in partnership with Waste Management, offers bi-annual donation and large & bulky item pick-up weeks to single-family and multi-family residents to divert material from the landfill and properly dispose of items beyond reuse or repair. The next opportunity to take advantage of the donation program will be from October 6 -17. WM’s trusted partner, the Veterans Thrift Store of Oceanside, will be picking up gently used items for resale and reuse. Call (619) 337-9244 to schedule your donation pick-up of up to 8 gently used items. For items worn beyond reuse or repair, large & bulky item pick-up weeks are from October 20-31. Schedule these pick-ups by calling WM at (760) 439-2824. Household hazardous waste is not accepted.    OCEANSIDE, CA (June 25, 2025) – Mission Marketplace in Oceanside is bringing back the popular shopping activity, Sidewalk Sales, to give consumers an opportunity to save money! The first Sidewalk Sale on June 7 drew many bargain hunters to Mission Marketplace, located at the northwest corner of Highway 76 and College Boulevard at 471 College Boulevard in Oceanside.
Mark your calendars for the three upcoming Sidewalk Sales from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the FIRST Saturday of the month: July 5, August 2 and September 6! Retail stores and other businesses at Mission Marketplace will have special offers on items featured at sales displays on the sidewalk at the open-air shopping center.
In the U.S., 561 billion disposable food service items are used each year, creating 4.9 million tons of waste, according to upstreamsollutions.org. While these numbers may seem overwhelming, small, simple actions can make a big difference. By striving for zero waste and making sustainable choices, especially during your summer adventures, you can help keep our beaches clean and beautiful for generations to come. Use the tips below to make your summer more eco-friendly and #skipthestuff
As of January 1, 2025, the Marine Debris Reduction ordinance is in full effect. Oceanside businesses are prohibited from distributing single-use carryout bags and are required to charge at least 10 cents for reusable or recyclable bags. This builds upon the July 1, 2024 implementation that saw the prohibition of the distribution of polystyrene foam products and food service ware. Businesses are also required to post educational materials about the Marine Debris Reduction Ordinance requirements for at least one year from the effective date of each prohibition. The Marine Debris Reduction Ordinance promotes the use of more sustainable alternatives that are compostable, recyclable, or reusable. Utilize Sustainable Alternatives Food service ware made of compostable and biodegradable plastic, sugarcane, bagasse, bamboo, molded fiber, and other similar materials are not preferred alternatives for polystyrene foam products. These materials are not recyclable; must be placed in the trash; are not accepted in local recycling or food scraps programs; and do not help the City of Oceanside reach its zero waste goals. Instead opt for eco-friendly alternatives, such as reusable water bottles, storage containers and grocery bags. Preferred eco-friendly materials can consist of the following:
Services for Oceanside ResidentsDonation and Landfill Weeks Do you have gently used items that are ready for a new life? FREE donation pickups are available twice a year from 4/7-4/18 and 10/6-10/17. IT’S EASY! Call (619) 337-9244 to schedule a pickup of up to 8 items. Do you have items that are beyond repair? Schedule a pickup during landfill weeks 4/21-5/2 and 10/20-10/31 by calling Waste Management at (760) 439-2824. Harvest Oceanside Do you have surplus backyard produce? We’ll take it! Contact ProduceGood to schedule a FREE pick of your backyard for donation to local feeding organizations and keep it out of the landfill. Email [email protected] for more information. Household Hazardous Waste Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes household chemicals and cleaners, batteries and other toxic materials. It is illegal to place HHW into any waste or recycling cart and cannot be picked up as a part of donation or landfill weeks. To properly dispose of HHW, call WM at (760) 439-2824 to schedule a drop-off on Saturdays only by appointment. FREE HHW home collection for Oceanside seniors and disabled persons. Appointments limited. Call (800) 449-7857 or visit www.wmatyourdoor.com Annual Cart Exchanges and Different Carts Carts may be exchanged at no charge annually for any reason. This includes if the cart is damaged, not labeled properly, missing a label or for any reason.  Source: Green Oceanside Your organic waste recycling is making a difference. Since the implementation of organic waste recycling throughout California in January of 2022, Californian communities, like Oceanside, have made great progress toward the state’s goals. By reaching SB 1383’s recycling and food rescue goals the equivalent of 3 million cars worth of pollution will be erased. In 2023 alone, 217,042 tons of unsold food was recovered and repurposed. That is 94% of the 2025 target goal!  Source: Green Oceanside Important news for Businesses:
What products are acceptable alternatives to polystyrene foam? Food Service Providers are strongly encouraged, but not required, to provide refillable or reusable food service ware rather than disposable food service ware to customers. Recyclable plastic, aluminum, or paper containers are great alternatives. What materials are not preferred alternatives to polystyrene foam? Food service ware made of compostable and biodegradable plastic, sugarcane, bagasse, bamboo, molded fiber, and other similar materials are not preferred alternatives for polystyrene foam products. These materials are not recyclable; must be placed in the trash; are not accepted in local recycling or food scraps programs; and do not help the City of Oceanside reach its zero waste goals.   By District Attorney Summer Stephan
Auto theft is a common crime in San Diego County that affects victims in many ways. Across the county, there were more than 11,300 auto thefts last year, representing about $140 million in losses, according to statistics from the San Diego Association of Governments. In fact, last year our office filed more than 850 cases against 900 defendants for auto theft-related charges. Thankfully, our region has a Regional Auto Theft Taskforce (RATT), that works to reduce vehicle theft in San Diego County. They have taken down many criminal auto theft rings that have led to prosecutions and ultimately jail time for criminals.  (Source: San Diego County District Attorney’s Office) - Over the past several years, I have warned the public of scammers trying to get their hands on your money using a wide variety of methods. But one type of scammer who does tremendous damage is not a faceless stranger who contacts you on the Internet, by text message, or phone call. This threat comes with a friendly, often familiar, face. It's your friendly, neighborhood life insurance agent.
 Four tips to improve your sleep habits
Are you tired of tossing and turning in bed, night after night, desperately seeking a good night’s sleep? If so, you’re not alone.  By District Attorney Summer Stephan
It shouldn’t hurt to go home, but the grim reality is that home is not a safe place for many. Every year there about 17,000 domestic violence incidents reported to police across San Diego County. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month, we are spreading the message far and wide that if you are in an abusive relationship, there is help. Remember domestic violence refers to violence/harm committed by an intimate partner which often means, a boyfriend or husband, although anyone of any gender can be a victim of domestic violence.  Self-exams, mammograms can lead to early detection
Catching cancers early helps save lives. Screening mammograms can help catch breast cancer in its early stages when it is easier to treat.  Location matters.
For us, location (where we live and spend our time) is right up there as one of our most important things in life, and I don’t say that lightly.  Most are safe and effective for pain relief when taken as directed
It can be overwhelming deciding which over the counter (OTC) pain medicine to take for different aches and pains. There are many to choose from at your local drug store. The most appropriate usually depends on the type of pain you’re experiencing and your health.  By District Attorney Summer Stephan
Scams come in every variety and target every segment of the population. From the grandparent scam to the get rich quick ploy, the common thread in each scenario is someone is faking their identity or trying to steal yours.  Anti-inflammatory diet can help prevent inflammation-related disease
When you get a cut, you might cover it up with a bandage. When you have muscle pain, you might take an ibuprofen. But is it possible that the foods you eat can also help you heal and prevent disease?  (By: District Attorney Summer Stephan) - Artificial intelligence is the buzzword everyone is talking about. From whether you should invest in AI companies, to the fear that it will take your job or the philosophical question about how to control the technology. As you’ve heard me say before, behind every new trend are bad actors waiting to exploit it and in the case of AI, it’s through voice spoofing.
 By District Attorney Summer Stephan
You may have stopped answering calls from unknown phone numbers long ago to avoid fraudsters, but con artists can still sneak into your finances through scam text messages, in a scam known as “smishing” or “phishing.” Scammers are impersonating organizations and financial institutions you know and trust to get you to click on links. They use fear and doubt to convince you that if you don’t click on a PayPal link, for example, an enormous charge on your account will go through.  Buying a new car is an exciting experience, but it can also be a stressful one. When most people set out to shop for their new ride, they usually focus on the type of car, truck or SUV they want and sometimes overlook the cost of financing. Whether you’re a first time car buyer or just looking to make the most of your money, we’ve put together some tips to help you maximize your auto buying budget.
 By District Attorney Summer Stephan
You’ve likely seen the rows and rows of colorful gift cards at the supermarket. There’s practically one for every retailer and the ability to purchase a gift card while grocery shopping is the epitome of convenience.  By District Attorney Summer Stephan
When you meet someone new through a dating app or other online platform, the excitement about a new prospect can lower your instinct to sense when something is amiss. Instead of questioning what would ordinarily be suspicious, you might explain it away. |
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