SAN DIEGO, Nov. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The holidays are right around the corner and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) wants to help San Diegans become more energy efficient this holiday season.  For the sixth year, SDG&E will be 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 have the opportunity 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 six lighting events.  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're happy to kick off the season with this year's LED holiday light exchanges," said Ted Reguly, director of customer programs for SDG&E.  "We have received feedback from customers who look forward to this event as a tradition, and also appreciate learning how to save energy and money on their electric bill at the same time."

Compared to traditional incandescent holiday lights, LED lights can save customers up to 90 percent in holiday lighting costs.  SDG&E is also encouraging customers to sign up for My Energy Charts on www.sdge.com to see how much energy they are using and saving by the every hour, day, week and even month.  My Energy Charts is one of SDG&E's new tools to help customers manage their energy use and help them make smart energy decisions.

SDG&E's annual holiday lighting exchange events continue to draw more energy-conscious customers.  Last year, more than 4,300 customers exchanged over 12,635 strands of lights.  To date, SDG&E has exchanged 40,885 LED holiday light strands to over 14,000 customers.  

Not only will LED lights save customers money on their energy bills, but they are also 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 six lighting exchanges take place in their service territory with the first beginning on Nov. 20 in El Cajon, and the final taking place on Dec. 4 in Escondido.  SDG&E will also once again host an LED holiday light exchange at this year's 34th annual December Nights in Balboa Park.  SDG&E will have a booth set up for SDG&E customers to attend and exchange their lights while supplies last.  The complete schedule includes:

To learn more about the SDG&E LED Holiday Lighting Exchanges in San Diego County visit sdge.com/LEDs.  For more information on My Energy Charts visit My Account at sdge.com/myaccount.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.5 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 850,000 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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SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric