As if heavy rains weren't enough of a problem for Bay Area residents, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is dealing another blow to residents by announcing natural gas cost increases of up to 24 percent during the peak winter months of December through February compared to the same period last year.
Faced with increased demand for natural gas across the West Coast, PG&E noted that the prices it pays for natural gas delivered to its customers have increased this year, forcing it to raise costs to its customers.
The increase that will be reflected in customers’ bills, the company said, “has been driven by higher demand and tighter supplies on the West Coast as customers use more natural gas for heating during colder-than-normal temperatures, and power plants use more natural gas to meet electricity demand.”
PG&E explained that, like other utilities, it does not control the market prices it pays for gas and electricity, nor does it increase the cost of the energy it purchases on behalf of its customers.
He also noted that individual customers' bills can vary depending on factors including the amount of energy they use.
On average, non-CARE residential customers who receive both their supply and delivery of energy from PG&E can see a bill increase of about $67 per month between December and February. More than three-quarters of that bill increase comes from the supply of gas and electricity that PG&E purchases for its customers.
Compared to last December through February, non-CARE residential gas customers who use an average of 64 therms — a unit that measures energy — may see a monthly bill increase of about $44; for non-CARE residential electric customers — not Community Choice Aggregator or Direct Access — who use an average of 450 kilowatt hours, monthly bills may increase by about $23.
PG&E's recommendations for reducing natural gas consumption include keeping areas around vents open, as furniture and rugs can block heating ducts, making the systems work harder and preventing rooms from warming up quickly.
Also, wash in cold water and only full loads of laundry. Use window shades, open them to warm and light your home during the day and close them at night to keep the cold out.
Similarly, they call for lowering the temperature of your water heater. By setting the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you can reduce the amount of energy needed to produce and maintain hot water.
However, if you are thinking about switching from burning fossil fuels in your home to using appliances powered by clean electricity, Peninsula Clean Energy may be the option you need, as it has support programs such as Zero Percentage Loans, which help save thousands of dollars with rebates.
This program will provide interest-free financing of up to $10,000 per household for projects that include the installation of electric heat pump equipment, including water heaters, heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
The loans will range from two to 10 years and will be repaid with monthly electricity bills. They do not require a credit check, but do require that the customer have a zero past due balance on their last three PG&E billing statements.
Residents can also get a $3,500 rebate toward installing an electric heat pump HVAC system, while if an electrical panel upgrade is required, they can get up to $1,500 to help with that cost.
To learn more about these and other benefits, interested parties can Click here or access the site www.peninsulacleanenergy.com.
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