How Does PGE Charge For Electricity, Since March 1, the average residential customer’s electric cost jumped by 8.9%, which corresponds to a bill increase of around $13.92 per month, PG&E said.
The monthly electric rates of Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) are increasing by nearly 9 percent.
The modification began on March 1. Since then, the average home electric rate has increased by 8.9%, resulting in a monthly bill increase of around $13.92, according to PG&E.
According to the electric company, this rate increase is a result of the rising price of electricity.
The recent hike in power rates by PG&E comes just a few months after many customers in the Greater Sacramento area received considerable increases in their gas bills for the month of December, compared to previous months.
Paul Doherty, a spokesman for PG&E, stated, “We appreciate that any increase in our clients’ energy bills can be tough, especially given the ongoing economic effects of the epidemic.”
PG&E gives the following suggestions to its customers in an effort to cut energy expenditures during the winter months:
According to PG&E, customers can save around 1% on heating expenditures for each degree of temperature reduction over an eight-hour period.
Setting the thermostat on the water heater to 120 degrees or lower can reduce water heating expenses by around 10% for every 10 degrees dropped.
Reheating leftovers in a microwave takes less time and up to 80 percent less energy than in a conventional oven.
According to PG&E, LED lighting uses at least 75 percent less energy and lasts 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.
Additionally, PG&E offers the following assistance programs to customers:
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): “Offers customers up to $1,000 to pay eligible household energy costs.”
- Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) Program: “Offers one-time financial assistance to qualified customers with past-due bills.”
- Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): “Offers up to $8,000 in unpaid balance forgiveness to qualifying customers who owe at least $500 or more on their gas and electric bill or at least $250 or more on their gas-only bill and are more than 90 days past due.”
- California’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Act: “Helps income-eligible households pay rent and utilities, both for past due and future payments. Renters and landlords are eligible to apply.”
- Budget billing: “Averages out energy costs for more manageable monthly payments and eliminates big spikes in bills due to seasonal changes.”
Customers with queries regarding their energy consumption and bills are encouraged to call PG&E’s customer care at 1-800-743-5000.