For a French Valley home served by Southern California Edison, reducing optional overnight electricity use can leave more stored battery energy available for essential loads during an outage. Start with equipment that stays plugged in after everyone has finished using it.
The goal is a practical list of devices you can safely switch off, supported by measurements and the installer's circuit plan. This guide uses official sources checked September 27, 2026; it is not notice of a current outage.
Start with your actual French Valley service and circuits
Riverside County's County Service Area page identifies CSA 103 as French Valley and directs streetlight issues for this group of unincorporated communities to SCE. Confirm your home's utility on its electric bill and use the exact service address when checking outage information.
Next, ask the battery installer which outlets and circuits receive backup. A device on an unbacked circuit will not consume the home battery's energy during an outage. A device sharing a backed-up outlet group with the refrigerator or communications equipment may remain powered unless switched off separately.
Make the list before an interruption, while lights and internet are available. Record the device, location, backup-circuit status and whether it can safely be turned off overnight.
Find loads that continue after use
The U.S. Department of Energy's standby-power guidance explains that some devices draw electricity even when they appear off. When consumption fluctuates, measuring energy over time gives a better average than a single instantaneous reading.
Review optional entertainment equipment, unused displays and office accessories. Check their instructions for shutdown behavior; do not assume every model has the same standby consumption. A device downloading an update or charging another device may be doing more than waiting in standby.
For compatible plug-in equipment, ask your installer about an appropriately rated energy monitor and follow its instructions. Let a qualified professional assess hardwired equipment. A household check is for planning, not a laboratory certification of standby performance.
Keep refrigeration, alarms, needed communications, medical equipment and other essential systems out of a blanket shutdown routine. Our French Valley alarm-backup guide explains why alarm power needs its own plan.
Convert the optional load into overnight energy
Suppose, purely for illustration, several optional devices together average 40 watts over eight hours. They use:
0.040 kW × 8 hours = 0.32 kWh.
If those devices are on backed-up circuits and can be fully switched off for that interval, the example removes 0.32 kWh of appliance demand. That number is not a measured French Valley household average, a savings quote or a guarantee of extra backup hours.
The rest of the home still draws power. Refrigerators cycle, people use lights, and the battery system has operating losses. Ask the installer to include those factors and the battery's available charge when estimating overnight coverage.
PG&E's general battery guidance explains that connected demand, storage size and solar availability affect backup duration. At night, solar is not recharging the battery; daytime recharge still requires usable sunlight and compatible equipment. Reducing optional loads helps manage stored energy but cannot guarantee power through a prolonged outage.
Include the load plan in your solar PPA proposal
A qualifying no-upfront solar-plus-battery PPA can help eligible homeowners access equipment while preserving cash. Request a clear circuit list, homeowner operating instructions and an outage estimate based on your essential and optional loads.
The CPUC solar guide explains that the provider owns the solar system and sells its generated electricity. Review ongoing payments, starting rate, any escalator, term, battery ownership, maintenance, replacement and home-sale provisions. Confirm eligibility and separate installation or battery charges. No upfront purchase does not mean free electricity or guaranteed savings.
Bring your French Valley overnight device list and SCE bill to the West Coast Alternatives homeowner journey. A measured load plan helps match the proposed battery to the equipment your household wants available.