Lower winter rates, money-saving programs and safe home heating

Customers of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) can save on their energy use and
lower their electric bills this winter thanks to several programs the electric utility offers.

SMUD offers low-income customers several programs to help them save energy as well as money on
their electric bill. Eligible low-income customers can take advantage of SMUD’s Energy Assistance Program
Rate (EAPR). EAPR is a discount rate that can save customers more than 30 percent on their entire monthly
electric bill. Customers are eligible for the discounted rate if their total household income does not exceed
200 percent of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of four can earn up to $43,200 a year to
qualify for EAPR.

SMUD EAPR customers also may be eligible for the Residential Weatherization program.
Qualified customers can, at no cost to them, have their homes and apartments weatherized to improve
energy efficiency and lower energy costs. Weatherization measures may include attic insulation, low
flow showerheads, water heater blankets and pipe wrap and compact fluorescent lights.

Customers in households where a full-time resident requires an electrically powered device for
medical reasons may take advantage of the Medical Equipment Discount (MED) rate.

Colder weather can also present some customers with challenges to stay warm, especially in an
economic downturn. Burning an open fire inside a home is dangerous and can be deadly; however, this is
an accepted practice in the homelands of some recent immigrants. Information in multiple languages on
safe heating practices and programs to help low-income customers with their electric bills is available
from SMUD.

The use of open fires indoors to stay warm and cook could be deadly because California homes
are very airtight unlike the open-air homes in some countries. Burning wood and charcoal releases
carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, and it can kill people in minutes. SMUD
is sharing these safety messages:

Never use an unventilated appliance like a kerosene or propane heater, stove, oven or dryer to heat
your home.
· Never use an unventilated fire or burn charcoal indoors.
· Never use lighter fluid or gasoline to start a fire or burn painted or treated wood in the fireplace.

SMUD customers continue to pay significantly less for electricity than most Californians and
about 29 percent less than customers who are supplied by neighboring PG&E. For information about all
of SMUD’s energy-saving programs and for tips on how to stay warm and safe this winter while keeping
the electric bill lower, please call SMUD at 1-888-742-7683 or visit smud.org.