PG&E will compare your gas usage this January and February to the same period over the last three years. And it’ll pay you back a month or two later, based on how much you conserve.
Here’s how the program works: Say you use five percent less gas. You’ll get five percent off your bill. That applies up to 10 percent. If you make it all the way to 10 or higher, PG&E will give you a flat 20 percent credit.
Spokesman Brian Swanson says one way to save energy is to keep your gas heater set to 68 degrees or less.
Swanson: “And just a one degree difference – if you raise your thermostat one degree over 68 degrees – then you’re gonna be using 3-to-5 percent more energy each month. So a one degree diff has a big impact on your bill.”
Other tips include setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees or less, and opening up your blinds to let the sun warm your home instead of the heater.
Based on PG&E figures, the average savings last year came out to about $25 per customer – though that includes both residents and businesses.