Cool Down Your Home
Save energy and money while protecting yourself from heat-related illness.
Prep your home for hot days
Block out sunlight with curtains and shades.
Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to blow heat and humidity outside.
Set ceiling fans to run counterclockwise.
Indoor plants can cool your home and make you more comfortable in the heat.
Conserve energy
Unplug unused appliances.
Charge devices overnight.
Close doors to unused rooms.
Use energy-saving light bulbs that don’t give off waste heat.
Check insulation and seal any gaps in windows and doors.
Have A/C? Stay “Just Cool Enough”
Set the thermostat to 78ºF when home and 85ºF when away.
Make Your Own A/C
Place a pan of ice between you and a box fan to cool the air down.
Should I Use a Fan?
When it’s above 95°F indoors or over 99°F outside, fans become ineffective at cooling you off. Fans do not cool the air, so indoor air temperatures have to be cooler than your body temperature to cool you down- otherwise having the fan on can dehydrate you more quickly. Find an air-conditioned place to cool off: a friend’s house, the public library, a local mall or community center, or a County-designated cooling center.
Resources
Updates to your home can lower energy bills
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) programs: Weatherize and make your home more energy efficient (for low-income homeowners and renters that qualify).
Cool Roofs 101 & the City of LA's Cool Roofs program: Learn about cool roofs and rebates for LADWP customers.
Solar programs: Learn more about solar energy rebates for LADWP customers.
Solar energy in LA guidelines: Learn more about the process of implementing solar energy in your home.
Southern California Edison’s Energy Savings Assistance Program: Income-qualified customers may be eligible to receive energy-efficient appliances at no charge or a minimal charge.
Pay Your Energy Bill
💵 Get help paying energy bills!
Clean Power Alliance:
Instant AC Savings Program - Clean Power Alliance makes access to energy-efficient air conditioning more affordable. Check your eligibility.
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP):
Cool LA - LADWP has increased their rebates on cooling units and offers a number of discounts and special rate programs, including a new monthly payment program. Use the Financial Assistance Qualification Form to see if you qualify for discounts.
Southern California Edison:
Discounted Rates - California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) reduces energy bills for eligible customers by about 30%. Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) reduces electric bills for qualified households by 18%. Both programs have the same application, and it only takes 2 minutes to sign up with no additional documentation required.
One-Time Bill Assistance - SCE works with United Way and over 80 community-based organizations, which help qualified customers apply for assistance.
SoCalGas:
Customer Assistance Programs: If you're having trouble paying your gas bill, see if you qualify for past due bill forgiveness, discounts, or one-time grants.
Find Community Services or Other Assistance
Department of Community Services and Development (CSD): Get help paying for bills, weatherizing your home, and other services.