SmartDay peak hours are from 2pm-7pm, which means that you’ll have all morning and evening to run your air conditioner at normal electricity rates. That being said, there are some best practices you can follow that will allow you to run your A/C less frequently (or at least during non-peak hours) in order to keep your electricity bill to a minimum. This is especially true if you live with children or elderly. In short, it’s foolish to say that you shouldn’t run your air conditioner during a SmartDay. So what is the answer? Tips for Using Your AC on a SmartDay So, knowing the above, it makes sense that our customers are having a bit of bill anxiety on the matter and are asking us if it’s OK to run their A/C on a SmartDay. ![]() This means that running fans, using the dryer, heating up the oven, and yes, even running your A/C, will cost you MORE money during SmartDay peak hours. Peak hours are from 2pm to 7pm, and increases normal rates by $.60/kWh. SmartDays are usually issued when the temperature outside is unusually high – usually 95 degrees or more – which is also when PG&E charges HIGHER rates during peak hours. PG&E can also issue SmartDays on any day of the year (including weekends and holidays, although unlikely), with a maximum of 15 days per year. This does come with a few exceptions, though. The benefit of SmartRate is that, if you are smart about your energy usage, you get reduced electricity rates from June 1 – September 30 th. So what exactly are SmartDays? SmartDays are part of PG&E’s SmartRate plan, whichis an opt-in plan for residential customers. ![]() Many of our customers have been asking us, “Should I run my AC on a SmartDay?” This is a totally valid question when weighing the pros and cons of staying cool while at the same time keeping your summer cooling costs low. You'll find a detailed guide on how to calculate your savings here.Those of us in California (especially in the central valley) know that summer is here and it’s louder, prouder, and hotter than ever! With temperatures in the hundreds and above, PG&E has been issuing more and more SmartDays. However, if you know how to read your bill and you do the math, she insists there is no way anyone's bill is actually higher this month that it would have been with PG&E. There were also seasonal increases in the cost of gas which shows up on the same PG&E bill as the new energy charges. While the savings are small, the switch came just as temperatures dropped and people started using more energy. There are detailed tutorials online and frequent in-person educational events where people can bring in their bills.įor those who are still suspect, Henderson points to the posted rate comparison on PG&E's website which confirms that East Bay Community Energy's rates are actually cheaper by 1.5 percent. She notes the bills are generated by PG&E.ĮBCE and the city of Livermore continue to provide educational tools to help people decipher their bills. "The bill is honestly very confusing," admits East Bay Energy's Annie Henderson. But East Bay Community Energy stresses that these higher bills are slightly less expensive than they would have been under PG&E. ![]() Next month's bill will likely lead to even more confusion and bills will be even higher due to the January drop in temperatures.
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