SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY – As the infamous Valley heat begins to creep its way into weekly forecasts, residents should be aware of a multitude of methods that can help keep their energy costs low.
On July 8, regional energy provider PG&E released a statement detailing a number of bill assistance programs, available technologies and even some simple home remedies to help customers lower their bills as energy demand rises. With triple-digit temperatures starting in the middle of July, and A.C. units being put on overtime, PG&E recommends that residents combine multiple methods to save the most money.
“We know warmer weather can put extra demands on household energy costs, and we want customers to know they’re not navigating the summer months on their own,” said Vincent Davis, PG&E senior vice president and chief customer officer, in a press release. “By making it easier for families to find discounts, energy-saving tools and available support, we’re helping customers take meaningful steps to manage and lower their summer energy bills.”
Some of the methods highlighted in the statement include: using ENERGY STAR smart thermostats, regularly changing air filters, unplugging electronics when not in use and exploring affordable upgrades like weather stripping and advanced power strips.
PG&E offers customer programs like HomeIntel, which provides personalized energy coaching, and SmartRate, which rewards customers for reducing electricity use during periods of high demand. PG&E Customers can also take advantage of the online Rate Comparison tool to ensure they are receiving the lowest-cost rate for their home.
To stay on top of finances, customers are also advised to use Budget Billing and Bill Forecast Alerts to avoid unexpected bill fluctuations during periods of increased energy use.
For those experiencing financial challenges, the Match My Payment Program offers low-to-moderate-income customers a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $1,000 on past-due bills. According to the statement, PG&E has provided nearly $30 million to more than 78,000 customers since the program’s launch in 2025.
“PG&E Match My Payment provides meaningful support for many customers whose incomes don’t typically qualify for other assistance,” Davis said in a press release. “The strong response over the past year shows the difference a dollar-for-dollar match can make for families who are behind on their energy bills.”
In 2026, PG&E committed $50 million to customer bill assistance programs like Match My Payment, as well as the Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) program that provides eligible customers with bill credits of up to $800 based on past-due balances.
Eligible customers can maximize savings and qualify for multiple programs at once, with other resources including:
- CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy): Monthly discounts of 20% or more on gas and 35% or more on electricity.
- FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance): An 18% monthly electricity discount.
- LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program): One-time bill assistance of up to $1,500.
- Arrearage Management Plan (AMP): Debt forgiveness for eligible residential customers.
- Energy Savings Assistance (ESA): No-cost energy-efficiency improvements.
- Medical Baseline: Additional energy allowances and enhanced outage notifications for customers with qualifying medical needs.
According to PG&E, Fresno, Kern and San Joaquin counties have recorded the highest number of approved program applications since 2025, having received a combined total of more than $12.5 million in bill assistance.
More information about cost-saving programs can be found online on the PG&E website.
