Festive, Budget-Friendly Tips to Help Reign in
Energy Waste & Lower Bills
OAKLAND,
Calif., Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Tis the
season for more houseguests, mouthwatering meals, and dazzling
decorations. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is sharing
simple, energy-efficient actions to help customers manage their
energy use and bills this holiday season.
According to the California Energy Commission, 10% of typical
household energy use is from lighting and 31% is from kitchen
appliances. With more festive feasts, light displays, and home
heating over the holidays, energy use can increase, driving up fall
and winter energy bills.
"Energy costs can vary widely over the holidays, but customers
can celebrate and save by incorporating a few energy-efficient
steps in their seasonal prep," said David
Poster, PG&E Director of Energy Efficiency. "Small
changes can add up and make a meaningful difference."
PG&E is giving the gift of energy efficiency with a few
Scrooge-proof tips to help customers serve up a cost-effective and
comfortable holiday season:
- Dial Down the Thermostat: For every degree you turn down
your thermostat, you can save 1% on your annual energy bill.
- Convection Check: Use the convection setting on your
oven. It cooks food faster and at a lower temperature, which saves
energy and money.
- Group Gourmet: Cook side dishes simultaneously in the
oven. This reduces prep time and saves energy by allowing your oven
to run for less time.
- Lids On, Doors Closed: Every time the oven door opens,
the temperature inside is reduced by as much as 25 degrees. Use the
oven window instead. Keeping lids on pots and pans and using glass
or ceramic dishes can also reduce cooking time.
- Induction Inspiration: Explore alternative cooking
methods, including microwaves, crockpots, or induction cooktops for
meals instead of a traditional stovetop to reduce energy costs. The
PG&E Induction Cooktop Loaner Program allows customers to
borrow a single-burner induction cooktop and pan for two weeks at
no cost.
- Dishwasher Duty: Using your dishwasher is more energy
efficient than washing by hand. Run it with a full load and stop
before the heat-dry cycle to save energy.
- LED Lighting: LED holiday lights are at least 75% more
energy efficient, and last up to 25 times longer than traditional
incandescent bulbs. They also emit less heat, reducing the risk of
burns or fire hazards.
- Smart Timers: Automate your holiday lights to focus on
festivities while saving energy. Scheduled on/off times prevent
wasteful all-day and all-night displays.
- Consider heat pump technology: Consider a heat pump
alternative. It is the most efficient way to heat water or
heat/cool your home. Learn more at pge.com/electrification.
Watch this video for more ways to create a more sustainable
kitchen. Additional ways to put an energy-efficient twist on your
holiday traditions can be found here.
Energy Efficiency DIY Tool Kit
Customers can save hundreds of dollars a year on their energy
bills by building an Energy Efficiency DIY Tool Kit. Materials
in the kit can be purchased for less than $200.
Additional Energy Efficiency Resources
- Golden State Rebates: This statewide program provides
homeowners and renters with instant rebates on energy-efficient
products including smart thermostats, air conditioners, and water
heaters.
- GoGreen Home Financing: A statewide program which offers
affordable financing for energy efficiency upgrades to help
homeowners and renters reduce their energy use.
- WatterSaver Program: A program that pays you to use energy when
prices are lower. Your connected water heater can automatically
take advantage of lower electricity rates, so water is heated at
the least expensive times of day.
- Energy Action Guide: PG&E's online resource that helps
customers to find personalized energy-efficient product
recommendations.
- Switch Is On: PG&E's partner website designed to provide
resources, tools, and incentives for those interested in switching
from gas to electric appliances.
For more energy savings, you can visit pge.com/winter.
Income-Eligible Assistance Programs
PG&E has several assistance programs to help
income-eligible customers pay their energy bills:
- California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE): Provides
a discount of 20% or more each month on gas and electricity
bills.
- Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA): Offers a
monthly discount of 18% on electricity bills for households with
three or more people.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): a federally
funded assistance program overseen by the state that offers a
one-time payment up to $1,000 on past
due bills to help low-income households pay for heating or cooling
in their homes.
- Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): a debt forgiveness plan for
eligible residential customers.
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 sixteen million
people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information,
visit pge.com and pge.com/news
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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company