Recently PG&E bills have been skyrocketing. As the cost of natural gas goes up, so does our bill.
There are several ways you can reduce your PG&E bills. Below is a list of energy-saving tips from PG&E website and others.
Appliances: Use energy efficient appliances
Replacing old, inefficient appliances with energy-efficient ones can significantly reduce your energy usage and lower your PG&E bills. Look for appliances with the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates that they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.
Unplug that 2nd refrigerator: Many homes now have more than one refrigerator. More appliances means more energy use and that increases your bill.
Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature of your home based on your schedule, which can help you save on heating and cooling costs.
Lower the desired temperature in the winter and increase it in the summer. Ideally, health permitting, set your thermostat to 68°F in the winter and 78°F or higher in the summer.
Install efficient shower heads
Heating water accounts for a significant portion of residential energy use. By reducing the hot water consumption during showers, efficient shower heads can lead to substantial energy savings.
Take shorter showers
(From PG&E) The average American spends about 8 minutes taking a shower roughly once a day. Reducing average shower time by 1 minute can result in a 13% decrease in shower water use, which reduces the money you spend on water heating.
Run full loads on a dishwasher and washing machine
Run when the dishwasher is full. Instead of using the dishwasher’s feature of using heat to dry the dishes, air dry the dishes.
Insulate water heater
Insulating your water heater can reduce the standby heat losses by 25-45% and reduce water heating costs by 7-16%. (Source: PG&E)
Seal air leaks
Air leaks around doors, windows, and other areas of your home can cause your heating and cooling system to work harder than necessary, which can increase your energy bills. Sealing these leaks can help improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Use LED light bulbs
LED light bulbs use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer, making them a great investment for reducing your energy usage and PG&E bills.
Use motion detectors for outdoor lights
Outdoor lights that are left on all night can consume more electricity than most of your other light fixtures. Motion sensors used on these outdoor lights can significantly reduce their energy use.
Consider installing solar panels
If you own your home, installing solar panels can help you generate your own electricity and reduce your reliance on PG&E. There are also state and federal incentives available to help offset the cost of solar panel installation.
Participate in PG&E programs
PG&E offers several programs that can help you save on your energy bills, such as the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, which provides discounted rates for eligible low-income customers, and the Home Energy Analyzer, which provides personalized energy-saving tips based on your energy usage.