Simple ways to save | Sonoma Clean Power

Simple ways to save

Published on 01/02/2024

Small actions with big impacts.

Need assistance with any of the actions you see below? Our customer service team is here to help Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm PST. Give us a call at 1 (855) 202-2139.

Find the best rate plan.

First things first. Make sure your household is on the lowest cost rate plan.

Log in to your PG&E online account to get a personalized rate comparison based on your usage history and the time of day you use the most electricity. Time-of-Use (TOU) rates can help even the biggest energy conservers unlock bill savings.

IMPORTANT: If you've recently switched your home's heat source from gas or propane to electric, contact PG&E to update your account. Customers with all-electric homes (no gas or propane connection) may be eligible for an increased baseline allowance on the PG&E delivery portion of their bill. Then, use the rate comparison tool above to confirm you are still on the best rate plan for your household.

See where you're using electricity.

Use the Home Energy Checkup tool when you're logged in to your PG&E online account to see a breakdown of your usage.

You'll see your top energy costs divided into categories like electronics, lighting, water heating, and more.

If you've recently made big changes to your household, such as the number of occupants or adding an electric vehicle, update your Home Profile to get a more accurate cost breakdown.

*Example is a household of two people with central heating and cooling. Usage varies per customer.

Practice good energy-saving habits.

Simple habits like unplugging devices and appliances that aren't being used, turning off the lights when you leave a room, only running full loads of laundry and dishes, and not letting your fridge and freezer doors stay open can go a long way in reducing your electricity costs over time.

Change out your lightbulbs.

Replace your standard incandescent lightbulbs with light-emitting diode (LED) lights. LEDs are the most efficient lighting option available, using up to 90% less energy than standard bulbs and lasting far longer. The upfront investment will pay for itself, and more, in the annual savings you’ll receive.

Check out a DIY Toolkit.

Each of our toolkits comes with free dimmable LED lightbulbs, weather stripping, low-flow showerheads, and more, for you to install in your home. You can check one out at almost any Sonoma or Mendocino County Library branch for three weeks.

*Not available at Forestville or Occidental branches.

Use less water.

What does water usage have to do with electricity? Heating up water can account for as much as 18% of your bill. So small steps like lowering your water heater’s temperature, fixing leaks, washing your clothes in cold water, taking shorter showers, and installing low-flow faucets and showerheads can help you save.

Plan out future upgrades.

Upgrading old inefficient appliances can help you save money on your bill and improve comfort in your home. Sonoma Clean Power offers some great discounts and incentives on energy-efficient products like heat pump water heaters, heating and cooling systems, and induction ranges.

Financial assistance is available.

You may be eligible for a reduced energy rate, bill payment assistance, financial support for home weatherization projects, or a payment forgiveness plan.

Financial assistance overview
Apply for CARE/FERA discount programs

Apply for Medical Baseline Program
Additional Resources