A simple tool from PG&E could give you lower energy bills in minutes. Learn how in this sponsored post!
I love the modern conveniences of gas and electricity, but sometimes the bills are painfully high. Thankfully, PG&E (the sponsor of this post) has tools to help customers such as the Home Energy Checkup and Rate Comparison Tool, which allows you to see your monthly bill at different rates. Depending on how you use energy, you may be able to lower energy bills simply by switching to another electric rate.
Learn How to Lower Energy Bills in Two Easy Steps
What You'll Find on This Page
Step 1: Home Energy Checkup to Learn How to Lower Energy Bills
PG&E’s Home Energy Checkup evaluates energy use based on how your home is set up, as well as who lives in your home. It analyses your responses, and then offers customized tips on how you can save money on energy bills.
Some of these things we already do. Mike installed efficient showerheads that somehow deliver what feels like better water pressure while using less water. When we replace appliances, we check to make sure they are ENERGY STAR certified. I put better curtains in the kids’ rooms when we moved to California, and they definitely help to keep the room cooler during the summer.
We have decent weatherstripping on our doors and windows, but this is definitely something to check! It is amazing how much extra money you can spend on heating and cooling due to poor weatherstripping, and it is pretty easy and inexpensive to replace or update. Turning off power strips can be done with the click of a button, and I was surprised to see how much money that can save. Here in California it cools down a lot at night. During the summer, we open all the windows in our condo and then close them as it starts to warm up outside. Our condo stays pretty cool this way even without air conditioning.
After assessing current energy consumption, the Home Energy Checkup shares your top tips. I love the visual representation, as well as the estimated savings. Have you checked the temperature on your water heater recently? A lot of the time it is set higher than it needs to be, and that can be a super simple way to drop costs.
Step 2: Compare Energy Rates to Find Your Lowest Rate
Did you know that PG&E offers different electric rates? Different rates are better for different users, depending on how you consume energy.
PG&E offers a simple rate comparison tool to help customers choose the best rate. I found that my best rate was Tiered (E1) with the SmartRate add-on. As with the home energy check-up, you get estimated prices for each rate to help you make an educated choice. Rates are based on the last 12 months of your actual energy use.
Have you tried PG&E’s Home Energy Checkup and Rate Comparison Tools? What did you learn about how to lower energy bills in your home?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of PG&E. The opinions and text are all mine.
MaryAnne lives is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
This is awesome! I wish our electric company in SA did something like this.
It’s very helpful!
It’s amazing how much our electricity bill goes up once we hit summer and have to turn the AC on all the time.
All these small steps add up to a lot of savings!