SAN DIEGO, Nov. 01, 2010 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) wants to make its customers’ holiday season a little brighter while helping them save energy and money.  SDG&E is offering complimentary light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) to customers throughout San Diego County during the company’s annual LED Holiday Lighting Exchanges.
 
        SDG&E customers will be able to exchange up to three strands of incandescent holiday lights for an equivalent number of energy-efficient, multi-colored LED holiday lights at any of the seven lighting events.  As an added bonus, the 15 foot strands of lights come with an eco-friendly reusable shopping bag.  Participation in the exchange is easy; customers simply need to bring their old lights and present a copy of their current SDG&E bill or their California ID.
 
        “We are happy to host these lighting exchange events with our community partners,” said Mark Gaines, director of customer programs for SDG&E.  “It’s a great opportunity to spread a little holiday cheer while helping our customers conserve energy and save money on their electric bill.”

        SDG&E’s annual holiday lighting exchange events continue to draw more energy-conscious customers.  Last year, more than 6,400 customers exchanged some 17,275 strands of lights.  That is nearly triple the numbers of customers and lights than 2007.
 
        Compared to traditional incandescent holiday lights, LED lights can save customers up to 90 percent in holiday lighting costs.  LED lights are cool to the touch, reduce fire risk, and are safer for use both inside and outside the home.  They also shine brighter and last up to 100 times longer than incandescent holiday lights.
 
        SDG&E’s seven lighting exchanges take place in their service territory with the first beginning on Nov. 18 in Oceanside, and the final taking place on Dec. 4, at the 33rd annual December Nights in Balboa Park and in Chula Vista at the 49th Annual Starlight Parade.  SDG&E will have booths set up for SDG&E customers to attend and exchange their lights while supplies last.  The complete schedule includes:

      • Oceanside LED Holiday Lighting Exchange
        Thurs., Nov. 18, 2010 – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
        Oceanside Sunset Market, Tremont Street and Civic Center Drive

      • Chula Vista LED Holiday Lighting Exchange
        Sat., Nov. 20, 2010 – noon to 5 p.m.
        Otay Ranch Towne Center (before the Holiday Parade)
        North lot near food pavilion, 2015 Birch Road

      • El Cajon LED Holiday Lighting Exchange
        Sun., Nov. 21, 2010 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
        Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr., El Cajon

      • Seaport Village LED Holiday Lighting Exchange
        Sat. Nov. 27, 2010 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
        Seaport Village, East Plaza Gazebo
        West Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway, San Diego

      • San Diego LED Holiday Lighting Exchange
        Fri., Dec, 3, 2010 – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
        Sat., Dec. 4, 2010 – noon to 10 p.m.
        December Nights, Balboa Park, in front of The Prado
        1549 El Prado, San Diego

      • Chula Vista LED Holiday Lighting Exchange
        Sat., Dec. 4, 2010 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
        Memorial Park (before Starlight Parade)
        Parkway and 3rd Ave, Chula Vista

        To learn more about the SDG&E LED Holiday Lighting Exchanges in San Diego County please visit www.sdge.com/LEDs.

        SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 840,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties.  The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles.  SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help our customers save energy and money every day.  SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

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