Gobble Up Energy Savings to Help Reduce Higher Holiday Energy Bills

Rhea-AI Summary

The holiday season increases energy use, prompting Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to provide tips for saving energy this Thanksgiving. Customers can save up to 15% on bills by lowering thermostats to 68 degrees and using ceiling fans to circulate warm air. Additional recommendations include reducing water heater temperatures, covering windows, and using dimmer switches. PG&E offers personalized energy-saving assessments through their Home Energy Checkup and assistance programs like Budget Billing for cost management. These measures can help customers manage rising energy costs during the winter months.

Positive

• Provides practical energy-saving tips that can reduce bills by up to 15%.
• Offers personalized energy assessments to help optimize energy use.
• Highlights assistance programs like Budget Billing to help manage costs.

Negative

• None.

Top Five Things You Can Do for an Energy Efficient Thanksgiving

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The holiday season is upon us. With a drop in temperatures, shorter days and longer nights, guests staying over, and appliances operating on overdrive the Thanksgiving holiday can lead to an increase in energy use.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) understands customers are facing rising costs for a variety of products and services and we are here to help with tips and tools that can lower winter energy use and manage monthly bills.

Here are five simple ways to save energy this Thanksgiving:

• Set the thermostat lower. Save up to 15% on energy bills by setting the thermostat to 68 degrees (health permitting) when home. When you’re away from home, either turn the thermostat down to 65 degrees or turn off entirely.
• Reverse ceiling fan. Not just a hot weather tool, you can make sure the fan is spinning clockwise to circulate warm air throughout the living space.
• Lower the water heater temperature. Save on heating costs by setting the water heater to 120 degrees or lower. Take shorter showers for additional savings.
• Cover windows. Close curtains, shades, and blinds at night to prevent warm air from escaping.
• Use a dimmer light switch and turn off the lights in unused rooms.

For personalized ways to save, customers can answer a few simple questions abut their household energy use to get recommendations as part of PG&E’s free Home Energy Checkup. Customers will receive an estimate of what’s using energy in their home and a list of personalized, suggested improvements to help reduce costs.

Customers also can reduce seasonal spikes in energy bills by exploring assistance programs. Enroll in free programs including Budget Billing to spread energy costs evenly throughout the year and Bill Forecast Alerts to receive notifications when the a monthly bill is expected to exceed an amount set by the customer.

Some customers may be eligible for income-qualified programs including the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program offering a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity and the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offering a monthly discount of 18% on electricity only. Qualifying customers may also be eligible for the Energy Saving Assistance Program offering free improvements to make the home more efficient, safe, and comfortable.

For more easy tips for cold weather savings, visit www.pge.com/winter.

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 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221116005802/en/

Marketing & Communications | 415.973.5930 | www.pge.com  

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

What energy-saving tips does PG&E recommend for Thanksgiving?

PG&E suggests setting thermostats to 68 degrees, reversing ceiling fans, lowering water heater temperatures, covering windows, and using dimmer switches.

How can customers save on energy bills during Thanksgiving?

Customers can save on energy bills by implementing PG&E's recommended tips, which can lead to savings of up to 15%.

What programs does PG&E offer to assist customers with energy costs?

PG&E offers programs like Budget Billing for spreading costs evenly, and income-qualified programs such as CARE and FERA for additional discounts.

Is there a service for personalized energy-saving recommendations?

Yes, PG&E provides a free Home Energy Checkup for personalized recommendations based on household energy use.

What is the significance of the press release for PG&E shareholders?

The press release informs customers of cost-saving measures which may positively impact customer satisfaction and retention, indirectly benefiting shareholders.