As households spring into summer, PG&E encourages customers to prepare for the warmer months ahead by making their homes and businesses more energy efficient to reduce their energy usage, save money, and explore financial assistance programs to manage summer energy bills.
More than 50% of a typical household's annual energy consumption is air conditioning and heating, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As temperatures climb, PG&E urges customers to clear debris or vegetation within two feet of their AC unit and check for any cracks or holes to ensure the system works efficiently.
"Making a few small adjustments around your home can add up to bill savings, said Vincent Davis, PG&E Senior Vice President, Customer Experience. "By scaling back energy consumption, customers can also reduce their carbon footprint, which helps fight climate change."
Summer Energy & Money-Saving Solutions
PG&E is helping customers weather the summer heat with no-cost and low-cost actions to reduce energy use during peak demand periods without sacrificing comfort:
- Thermostat Tip: Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher when at home, health permitting. Close blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day.
- Seal Leaks: Use weatherstripping or caulking to seal any gaps around drafty doors or windows so your AC doesn't have to work overtime.
- Replace Air Filters: Dirty air filters make your AC work harder to circulate air. Replacing filters regularly can improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
- Fans Are Your Friend: Use a ceiling fan to create a breeze without draining energy on your AC.
- Energy Efficiency DIY Tool Kit: With a $200 investment in energy-efficient materials in PG&E's Energy Efficiency DIY Tool Kit, customers can save nearly $1,000 a year on their energy bills.
- Conquer Kitchen Heat: Use an induction cooktop for meals instead of a traditional stovetop to keep your kitchen cool. Induction cooktops are safer, faster, and more energy efficient than gas or electric resistance cooktops. The PG&E Induction Cooktop Loaner Program allows customers to borrow a single-burner induction cooktop and pan for two weeks at no cost.
- Pool Power: Use a pool cover and consider installing a variable speed pool pump to curb energy costs. A list of pool pump options and rebates can be found online with PG&E's Energy Action Guide.
Energy Incentive Programs
- Power Saver Rewards: This is a free program that rewards customers with a bill credit for temporarily reducing energy use on select summer days when the demand for electricity is high.
- SmartRate Program: You can pay a reduced rate in exchange for minimizing your electricity usage between 4-9 p.m. when "SmartDays" are called.
For more resources to help manage summer cooling costs, including a Home Energy Checkup, Personalized Rate Comparison, and HomeIntel program, visit pge.com/summer.
Income-Eligible Financial Assistance Programs
PG&E has several assistance programs to help income-eligible customers pay their energy bills:
- California Alternate Rates for Energy: provides a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity bills. New federal income eligibility guidelines apply.
- Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA): provides a monthly discount of 18% on electricity for households of three or more people. New federal income eligibility guidelines apply.
- Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): a debt forgiveness plan for eligible residential customers. New federal income eligibility guidelines apply.
- Relief for Energy Assistance Through Community Help (REACH): a program that provides up to a $1,000 bill credit to help income-eligible customers with past due balances. In April, PG&E also launched REACH Triple Match, which expands eligibility to more low-to moderate-income customers and requires customers to make a bill payment to receive a 3 to 1 match, providing up to a $1,000 bill credit. New federal income eligibility guidelines apply.
- Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): a federally funded assistance program overseen by the state that offers a one-time payment up to $1,000 on past due bills to help low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news
