As if heavy rains weren't enough of a problem for Bay Area residents, Pacific Gas and Electric Company ?PG&E? deals another blow to residents, announcing increases in natural gas costs 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 the natural gas it delivers to its customers have increased this year, so it must raise costs to its customers.
The increase that will be reflected in customer 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 cooler temperatures." than normal, 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 or increase the cost of energy it purchases on behalf of its customers.
On the other hand, he noted that individual customer bills can vary based on factors including how much energy they use.
On average, non-CARE residential customers who receive both power supply and delivery from PG&E may see a bill increase of about $67 per month between December and February. More than three-quarters of that increased bill comes from the gas and electric supply that PG&E buys for its customers.
Compared with last December through February, non-CARE residential gas customers using an average of 64 therms ?a unit of measurement for energy? they may see an increase in the monthly bill of about $44; for residential electric customers who are not CARE ?not Community Choice Aggregator or Direct Access? Using an average of 450 kilowatt hours, monthly bills can increase by about $23.
PG&E's recommendations for reducing natural gas use include keeping areas around vents open, as furniture and rugs can block heating ducts and make systems work harder and prevent rooms from they heat up quickly.
Also, wash in cold water and only full loads of clothes. Use window shades, open them to warm and light your home during the day and close them at night to keep out the cold.
In the same way, they call to lower the temperature of your water heater. By setting your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you can reduce the amount of energy needed to produce and maintain hot water.
However, if you are thinking of going from burning fossil fuels in your home to using electrical 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 helps save thousands of dollars with rebates.
This program will provide interest-free financing of up to $10,000 per home for projects that include the installation of electric heat pump equipment, including water heaters, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
It should be noted that the loans will range from two to ten years and will be repaid with monthly electricity bills. On top of that, they don't require a credit check, but they do require the customer to have a zero past due balance on their last three PG&E billing statements.
Similarly, residents can get a rebate of $3,500 for the installation of an electric heat pump heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system, while if an electrical panel upgrade is required, they can get up to $1,000. $500 to help with that cost.
To learn more about these and other benefits, those interested can click here or access the site www.peninsulacleanenergy.com.
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