The Times They Are A-Changin’ with PG&E

How to sign up for your preferred electric rate

If you’re a PG&E electric customer, you need to be aware of some upcoming rate changes — especially if you have solar or are considering it.

In this post, I’ll briefly explain the current (Non-CARE) electric rates, the coming changes, and how to change your rate plan now.

Time-of-use rate changes

PG&E’s Rate Schedule E-7 TOU (time-of-use) is going away, and E-6 TOU is closing for new customers. Originally set to happen March 1, 2016, the deadline for the changes has been extend to May 2, 2016.

TOU means that you’re charged more for power at the times of day that PG&E has determined are peak use times. It also means you’re paid more for your solar net metering credit at those times. Current peak times are set to start at 1 pm, which is good for solar — because that’s also a peak solar generation time. New TOU rates could be set at a later time of day, which would be less favorable for solar customers.

Should you change your rate schedule?

To make sure you’re getting the best value for your energy, you should see what rate schedule you’re on and choose NOW if you want to be on E-6 or some other rate schedule offered. If you do nothing, PG&E will put you on whatever rate schedule they believe is best for you.

We’ve already touched on the changes to PG&E’s rate schedule and the transition to NEM 2.0. But I’ve been hearing from a lot folks who aren’t sure which schedule they should be on.

Checking your current rate schedule

To determine the best rate schedule for you, let’s first see which one you’re on now.

  • Log in to your PG&E account online. If you don’t have an account, it takes only a few minutes to set up — and it’s well worth it.
  • Once you’ve logged in, make sure you’re on the “My Account” tab. It should look like the image below. The far right pane, titled “My Rate Plan,” shows your current plan — in this example, the Time-of-Use Rate Plan [E-7].
  • On this same pane, click the link for “Rate Comparison Tool.” You can use this tool to see what you’ll spend on any of PG&E’s available rates, plus any potential savings. The numbers are based on your last 12 months of electric usage — so if you do not have a full year’s worth of bills or you plan to change how you use your energy, the numbers will be incorrect. The EV rate projection assumes you have an electric car that you’ve been charging for at least 12 months — so if that’s not true for you, those numbers may also be inaccurate.

Choosing the best rate schedule for you

So how do you choose? Here are some guidelines:

  • The ETOU-A rate is best for low energy users who can reduce their energy use between 3 pm and 9 pm.
  • ETOU-B is better for higher energy users who can reduce their energy use between 4 pm and 9 pm.
  • E-1 is best for people who use most of their energy in the afternoon and can’t adjust their energy use.
  • E-6 is probably best for people who have solar. Its off-peak rate is the lowest, and the peak use hours on this rate schedule most closely match peak hours for solar power generation.

If you’re not happy with your selected rate schedule, you can change it after one calendar year. However, after May 2, 2016, E6 will no longer be available. So if you think you’ll want to use it, you should switch now.

Signing up for your rate schedule of choice

After you’ve decided which rate is best for you, go back to your Account page and select the “Rate Plans and Options” link. From there, select your chosen rate schedule.

You can boost your energy savings game by making your rate plan a Smart Rate plan. That gives you the benefit of a reduced electricity price — in exchange for PG&E raising the price on as many as 15 days a year, usually during the summer. PG&E will notify you by phone, email, or text each time there will be a temporary price increase. When you get a notification, you may want to consider going out instead of pumping up the AC in your home.

Questions?

I hope this helps you make an educated choice for your PG&E rate. If you have any questions on how to lower your electricity bills or switch to clean energy, don’t hesitate to contact your MyDomino energy savings concierge. We’re here to help!

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 In the Domino Concierge Corner, our concierges give you their expert tips to save energy and money. Today, Laura Osburn explains what’s on the horizon for PG&E electric rates.