IMPORTANT

Time-of-Use rate plans

Shift electricity use to lower priced times of day

Is a Time-of-Use rate plan right for you?

Maximize savings with Time-of-Use plans

Lower demand, lower rates

Time-of-Use rate plans are based on:

  • How much energy you use
  • When you use it

Get lower energy rates when energy demand is low. 

Shift energy use to partial- or off-peak times

  • Rates and demand are lower during partial-peak or off-peak hours of the day
  • By shifting your energy use to to these hours, you can: 
    • Lower your bill
    • Support a healthier environment

Ensure a sustainable future

Support California's clean energy effort

  • Time-of-Use rate plans help ensure a more responsible and sustainable energy future for generations to come.

Receive safer, cleaner and more reliable energy

Time-of-Use rate plans offer:

  • Lower priced power when demand is less
  • Greater use of renewable energy

Small shifts can make a difference

Follow these simple ideas to save money on your Time-of-Use rate plan.

Daily energy-saving habits

Anytime: Turn it off

What is one of the easiest ways to conserve energy? Turn off lights, appliances, TVs and computers off when they're not in use.

Morning to midday: Pre-cool your home

If you have air conditioning:

  1. Cool your home during lower-priced times
  2. Nudge it up to 78°F or higher (health permitting) during peak times
Late afternoon to evening: Load first, run later
  1. Load your dishes and ready your clothes to wash or dry during peak hours
  2. Wait to wash them during lower-priced off-peak times
Late night: Press the start button

Run your laundry or dishwasher overnight, during off-peak hours.

Shift and save on warmer days

When possible...

...save chores that create heat for lower-priced off-peak times. 

Now and then...

...find things to do in cool places during peak times.

 

Leave the house to go swimming or visit the library,

Set your air conditioner...

...to 75-78°F when you’re at home, health permitting.

 

  • Pre-cool your home before peak hours.
  • Turn it up to 85°F when you leave. 
Check your air conditioner's filters...

...every 1-2 months.

 

Dirty filters cause your system to work harder to keep you cool. This wastes energy.

Save on heating costs

Shut out the cold
  • Keep warm air in and cold air out.
  • Close curtains, shades and blinds when you sleep or leave the house.
Bundle up
  • Don't turn up the heat
  • Add layers of clothing and blankets instead, especially during peak hours.
String up savings
  • Use energy-efficient LED lights for holiday decorations.
  • Turn them off when you go to bed
  • Use a timer to so you don’t forget.
Save while you're home
  • Set your thermostat to 68°F or lower, health permitting.
  • Your home uses 3-5% more energy for each degree it’s raised.
Save while you're away
  • When you leave the house, set your thermostat to 56°F or shut it off.
  • Keep your home at this temperature 8 hours per day.
  • You can save 5-15% on your annual heating bill.
Seal and save
  • Weather-strip your windows and doors
  • Keep your home comfortable
  • Save up to $50 a year in heating costs

Customer success stories

No sacrifice at all

“I just shift my laundry in the morning on the weekend and set my dishwasher for its delay feature so it runs after 9 p.m. My electric car charges every night during off-peak hours. Really no sacrifice at all!”

- Don, PG&E Time-of-Use Customer, Central Coast

I’m making light adjustments

“With the Time-of-Use rate plan, I’m making light adjustments to my schedule. Like doing laundry at night after the kids go to bed. Or starting the dishwasher right before I go to sleep. It’s really not hard to learn these new habits.”

- Farin, PG&E Time-of-Use Customer, Central California

A few simple changes

“Did you know that making a few simple changes to when you do some everyday tasks can directly affect your PG&E bill as well as helping to ease the stress on the power grid? We tend to do our laundry at night rather than during the day, and last year I added an insulation blanket to our water heater.”

- Sheldon, PG&E Time-of-Use Customer, Northern California

Choose the best rate plan for your business

Frequently asked questions about business Time-of-Use rate plans

Why does my time-of-use rate vary?
Time-of-use rate plans better align the price of energy with the cost of energy at the time it is produced. Lower rates during partial-peak and off-peak hours offer an incentive for customers to shift energy use away from more expensive peak hours, which can help you save money and reduce strain on the electric grid.

 

How can I save money on a time-of-use rate plan?

  • Shift when you use energy to partial-peak and off-peak hours. Rates during partial-peak and off-peak hours are lower than rates during on-peak hours.
  • Rebates may be available to help you conserve energy by making energy efficiency upgrades. 

What are my rate plan options? Can I switch to a different rate plan?
You can change to another time-of-use rate plan up to once a year. Learn more on PG&E's Tariffs webpage.

 

PG&E also has two business storage rate options:

  • B1-ST
  • Option S

Log into your PG&E online account to:

  • Compare available rate options
  • Select a different rate plan

Who do I contact if I have a question about my bill?
Call our Business Customer Service Center at 1-800-468-4743. Our staff can:

  • Help you understand your bill
  • Walk you through an energy survey over the phone
  • See if your business might qualify for potential rebates and other savings programs
  • Schedule you a free, comprehensive facility assessment

How is PG&E supporting California's clean energy policies?

Time-of-use rate plans support California's clean energy policies. They are one of the best ways to:

  • Create a cleaner and more reliable energy grid by encouraging energy usage when:
    • Demand is lower
    • Renewable energy is more plentiful
  • Balancing the need to keep customer rates affordable

Most business customers across California have already been on time-of-use rate plans for several years. They have been widely adopted by electricity providers.

 

important notice icon Note: PG&E does not make more money when our customers use more gas or electricity. The amount of money PG&E makes is subject to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

What is the demand charge on my bill?

  • Some time-of-use rate plans include a demand charge.
  • This charge encourages businesses to spread their electricity use throughout the day.
  • When businesses spread their electricity use throughout the day, California's supply of electricity is more reliable.

This demand charge is calculated using the 15-minute interval in each billing month when your business uses the most electricity.

  • If you can lower your highest usage 15-minute interval, you can save.
  • Your regular electricity usage charges can be roughly 30% lower than for a comparable rate plan without a demand charge.

Why does my demand charge vary from month to month?
The demand charge reflects the most electricity you used during any 15-minute interval over the course of a billing period.

  • It can vary depending on how and when you use your equipment from month to month.
  • To minimize spikes in your electricity use, don't use all your equipment at the same time.

Battery Storage with Net Energy Metering (NEM2)
Get the most out of your investment in renewable energy. Optimize energy by storing power to use later with PG&E's NEM2 program.
Learn about battery storage

 

For a limited period of years, qualifying solar customers will be eligible for delayed transition. This retains their legacy Time-of-Use hours and seasons.
Learn about solar and NEM

 

It's easy to go green with a community renewable program
Without installing rooftop solar, residential customers can receive 100% of their electricity from California-made solar power.
Learn about community renewable programs

Step 1: Log in to your account

  • Log into your PG&E online account.
  • Click “Compare rate plans” on your dashboard.

Log into your account

 

Step 2: Check your rate options

  • Your best rate option will appear on the screen.
  • To enroll in a new rate option, click “Change your rate”.

Step 3: Review service accounts

  • If you have multiple service accounts, select one from the list.
  • Click “Change rate” to continue.

Step 4: Decide which rate plan is best for you. Make your selection

  • Learn more about your best rate option or explore other available rate plans.
  • Select the rate option that works best for you.
  • Click “Next”.

Step 5: Review and submit

  • Review your selection.
  • Check it for accuracy.
  • Once you've confirmed it's correct, click “Submit.”

Step 6: Enrollment complete

  • Once your change has been submitted, we’ll send you an email.
  • Rate changes usually go into effect within one or two bill cycles.

Contact us

Still have questions about new rate plans, energy assessments or our programs?

  • Business customers, call 1-800-468-4743, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Agricultural customers, call 1-877-311-3276, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Solar customers, call 1-877-743-4112, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Customers can also visit their online account to get details on rate plan options.

 

How Berkeley Repertory Theatre saves money

"I recommend other businesses compare PG&E rate plans annually via their online account and make sure they are on the right rate structure in line with their operations."
– Mark Morisette, Facilities Director, Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, CA

Setton Pistachio reduces energy bills

"We're able to save $31,000 on our energy bill annually at one location by ensuring our business is on the best electric rate plan in line with our operations. It did not cost us any time or money to do that."
– Elizabeth Carranza, Grower Services, Setton Farms in Terra Bella, CA

Woods Family Farms saved $10,000 annually on energy costs

"Just by updating our rate plan with a better option we were able to reduce our annual energy bill by 15%. That's a lot of savings."
– Johna Calandra, Woods Family Farms in Kingsburg, CA

PG&E Energy Action Guide

Find energy-efficient products with high ratings. Get the best deals on your favorites.

Tools for choosing rate plans

Online rate analysis

  • See what's available and how the different rate plans work
  • View your custom rate analysis
  • Decide what rate plan would be the best rate plan for you

Low-cost and no-cost energy-saving tips

Find ways to save with very little out-of-pocket expense.

Energy glossary

Better understand your energy statement. Learn the definitions of common energy-related terms.