Your energy rate plan can make a big difference in your monthly bill. The best plan depends on when you use the most electricity, whether you can shift big energy tasks away from high-price hours, and whether you have an electric vehicle, solar, or an all-electric home. A few minutes reviewing your options in your PG&E online profile can help you find savings.
Why timing matters
Many PG&E electric rate plans are Time-of-Use plans, which means electricity costs more during peak demand hours and less during off-peak times. For many households, the most important window is 4–9 p.m., when prices are often highest because demand on the grid is highest. Reducing energy use during this window can lower your bill and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by easing pressure on the grid during peak periods.
Common PG&E rate plans and who they may work best for
| Rate plan | Best fit | Money-saving strategy |
|---|---|---|
|
Time-of-Use Peak Pricing 4–9 p.m. Every Day (E-TOU-C) |
Households that can avoid heavy electricity use from 4–9 p.m. most days. |
Run laundry, dishwashers, pool pumps, and EV charging before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m. |
|
Time-of-Use Peak Pricing 5–8 p.m. Weekdays (E-TOU-D) |
Households with more weekend energy use or flexible weekday evening routines. |
Shift weekday use away from 5–8 p.m.; take advantage of lower-cost weekend hours. |
|
Tiered Rate Plan |
Lower-usage households that use energy evenly and cannot easily shift evening use. |
Keep total monthly usage low so you stay in lower-cost usage tiers. |
|
Electric Vehicle Rate Plan (EV2-A) |
Households with an EV that can charge overnight or during lower-cost daytime hours. |
Schedule EV charging outside 4–9 p.m.; avoid peak charging whenever possible. |
|
Electric Home Rate Plan |
Homes with electric technologies such as heat pumps, battery storage, or other qualifying equipment. |
Use smart controls, batteries, or scheduling to reduce grid use during peak hours. |
Easy ways to cut use from 4–9 p.m.
- Run the dishwasher after 9 p.m. using the delay-start setting.
- Do laundry earlier in the day or later at night.
- Pre-cool your home before 4 p.m., then raise the thermostat a few degrees during peak hours.
- Charge EVs overnight instead of in the early evening.
- Turn off unnecessary lights, electronics, and appliances during peak hours.
- Use smart thermostats, smart plugs, and appliance timers to automate savings.
How to change your PG&E rate plan
- Sign in to your PG&E online account.
- Go to the Rate Plans or Rate Analysis section.
- Use PG&E’s comparison tool to estimate costs using your actual energy use.
- Review the plan that shows the lowest estimated annual cost.
- Select the new plan and confirm the change. Your new rate plan typically begins with a future billing cycle.
Check regularly — your best plan can change
Your household habits, weather, work schedule, appliances, EV charging, and PG&E rates can all change over time. That means the plan that saved you money last year may not be the best choice today. Make it a habit to review your rate plan at least once or twice a year, especially before summer or after major changes at home.
Start by logging in to your PG&E online profile, checking your energy-use patterns, and using PG&E’s tools to compare rate plans. Then look for simple ways to reduce electricity use from 4–9 p.m. The result can be a lower bill, a more efficient home, and a meaningful contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
