SAN DIEGO, Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This weekend marks the final weekend of the year for San Diego Gas & Electric's (SDG&E) customers to exchange old incandescent holiday light strands for complimentary light-emitting diode bulbs (LED) strands at SDG&E's LED holiday lighting exchanges throughout San Diego County.  The final exchanges of the 2011 holiday season will take place in Balboa Park (Friday and Saturday), Chula Vista (Saturday) and Escondido (Sunday).

Customers simply need to bring their old lights and present a copy of their current SDG&E bill or their California ID. As a special incentive, the first 25 people in line to exchange lights will receive a free Smart Power Strip, an energy-saving device designed to detect when the electronic item is in standby power mode and stop power-flow to the outlet.

"The LED holiday light exchanges provide us with an opportunity to help San Diegans stay safe and save money on their electric bill during this holiday season," said Ted Reguly, director of customer programs and assistance for SDG&E.  "This year we have already exchanged over 1,500 LED holiday lights and hope this final weekend will draw another record crowd."

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 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. 

At the final four lighting exchanges, SDG&E will have a booth set up for SDG&E customers to attend and exchange their lights while supplies last.  The remaining schedule includes:

• San Diego LED Holiday Lighting Exchange
  Fri., Dec, 2, 2011 – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  Sat., Dec. 3, 2011 – noon to 10 p.m.
  December Nights, Balboa Park, in front of The Prado Restaurant

• Chula Vista LED Holiday Lighting Exchange
  Sat., Dec. 3, 2011 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  Memorial Park (before Starlight Parade)
  Park Way and 3rd Ave, Chula Vista

• Escondido LED Holiday Lighting Exchange
  Sun., Dec. 4, 2011 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  California Center for the Arts (in front of the Center Theatre)
  340 N. Escondido Blvd.

Note: all North County customers are encouraged to attend this event

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 SDG&E