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Electric utilities

Reducing Energy Bills this Winter: Simple Steps and Assistance from PG&E

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is urging customers to take advantage of simple steps and available rate options to reduce energy bills this winter, amidst a 90% increase in natural gas prices from November 2021 to January 2022 compared to last winter. The company passes on the cost of energy purchases to customers with no mark-up, meaning customers pay exactly what PG&E pays for fuel costs.

PG&E is encouraging customers to take proactive measures, including setting their thermostats to 68 degrees or lower, installing programmable thermostats, and cleaning or replacing furnace filters monthly. Additionally, the company is working with customers who are experiencing difficulty paying their bills, offering extended payment arrangements and the Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) to help reduce unpaid balances over time.

Key Takeaways:

  • Natural gas prices from November 2021 to January 2022 are 90% higher than last winter, impacting fuel costs for PG&E customers.
  • PG&E passes on the cost of energy purchases to customers with no mark-up, meaning customers pay exactly what PG&E pays for fuel costs.
  • Setting the thermostat to 68 degrees or lower can save 2% for each degree decreased.
  • Installing and properly setting a programmable thermostat can save about $180 every year in energy costs.
  • Cleaning or replacing furnace filters monthly can save up to $15 a year.
  • Using window coverings can help prevent the outside temperature from impacting the temperature inside the home.
  • As of December 2021, nearly 1 million PG&E customers were enrolled in extended payment arrangements and the Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) to help reduce unpaid balances over time.
  • PG&E is automatically enrolling residential and small business customers with past due balances over 60 days in new extended payment arrangements through September 2022.
  • Aaron August, PG&E's Vice President of Business Development and Customer Engagement, encourages customers to act now by making simple changes and checking available rate options.

Statistics:

  • 90% increase in natural gas prices from November 2021 to January 2022 compared to last winter.
  • 40% of energy costs can be attributed to heating.
  • $180 saved every year in energy costs with proper use of programmable thermostats.
  • $15 saved a year with clean or replaced furnace filters.
  • Nearly 1 million PG&E customers enrolled in extended payment arrangements and the Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) as of December 2021.
  • September 2021 marked the beginning of automatic enrollment in extended payment arrangements for eligible residential and small business customers with past due balances over 60 days.
  • September 2022 is the last month for automatic enrollment in extended payment arrangements.

Sources:

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
  • "PG&E: Ways to Save Energy this Winter" by Al Bawaba (Albawaba.com)
  • "PG&E Begins Automatically Enrolling Customers with Past Due Balances in Extended Payment Arrangements" by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info)

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