Tips For Saving Energy — CleanPowerSF

When the weather gets hotter or colder, do you notice changes in your energy bill? CleanPowerSF is here to help you understand why and provide you with easy actions to lower your bill that you can start today!

For more information on your electricity bill, check out our Residential Understanding Your Bill or NEM Understanding Your Bill overview.


Time-Of-Use Explained

Most electricity ratepayers in California pay higher rates during the peak hours of 4-9pm (this is called a Time of Use Rate). During that time window, energy demand is high and there’s less wind and solar power available.

 

8 Actions you can take to reduce your energy bill

Check The Hour Before Using Power

1. Do high-energy activities like running the dishwasher, doing laundry, or charging electronics before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m. From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., electricity rates are higher.

 

Keep it Cool

2. Keep your water heater at 120°F. This setting can help you save up to 22% of energy spent on water heating annually.

3. Wash full loads of laundry and switch your temperature setting from hot to warm or cold. Most of the energy consumed for washing clothes is used to heat the water.

4. Set your fridge to 38 degrees. The refrigerator typically consumes the most energy of all kitchen appliances.

 

Use Smaller Appliances

5. Cook using your stove, microwave, or outside grill instead of your oven. Small appliances use about 66% less energy than a conventional oven.

 

6. Plug home electronics (such as televisions, game consoles, and standby coffee makers) into power strips and turn off power strips when equipment is not in use. These items continue to use electricity if they’re plugged in.

7. Use fans or space heaters instead of a central thermostat whenever possible. Space heaters cost only 20 cents an hour to operate. Don’t forget to turn off these devices before you leave a room!

 

Switch to Electric

8. Replace your gas heater with an electric one, which uses significantly less energy to heat water than natural gas! Learn more about our rebate program for all-electric heat pump water heaters.

Frequently asked questionS

    • The colder months often bring higher energy bills for renters and homeowners. As temperatures drop, heating systems use more energy. Additionally, the darker days results in longer periods of needing to rely on electric-powered lighting.

    • On top of that, PG&E also increased their transmission and distribution rates effective January 1, 2024. On your PG&E bill, you likely pay for both natural gas and electricity service, and so it may not always be clear where the cost increases are coming from. Check out our Understanding Your Bill overview for more information.

    • The good news is that if you are a CleanPowerSF customer, you are saving on your generation service costs compared to PG&E. CleanPowerSF continues to offer more stable and cheaper rates than PG&E.

  • Yes. From monthly discounts to flexible payment options, Our Lower Your Bill page is equipped to help you save on your electricity bill. Learn more about available programs and see if you qualify.

    • CleanPowerSF has moved to a Time-of-Use (TOU) rate plan to fight climate change and support a cleaner and healthier energy future for our state. Most CleanPowerSF residential customers were automatically transitioned to TOU rates, risk-free in July 2021. If a TOU rate plan is not right for you, you can switch rates at any time (up to twice per year).

    • Most CleanPowerSF residential customers are expected to save money on TOU rates. However, you can save more money by taking simple steps to use less energy during peak periods from 4-9 p.m., every day. For example, you can save money by running appliances like washers, charging electronics, and heating your home during off-peak hours (off peak hours are all hours outside of 4-9 p.m.).

    • When it comes to renewable energy, timing is everything! During the day, solar power is strongest and more of our energy grid is powered by lower cost clean energy that does not cause harmful emissions. Time of Use rate plans make energy cheapest 19 hours a day when the availability of clean energy is highest!