PG&E Summer Bill Spike: Why Bills Increase

Summer bills in PG&E territory can be dramatically higher than other seasons, especially for customers in California's hot inland valleys. The combination of increased air conditioning usage, lower baseline allowances, and peak demand pricing creates a perfect storm for high bills.

Air conditioning is the biggest driver of summer bill increases:

• Central AC can use 3,000-5,000 watts while running
• In hot areas, AC may run 8-12 hours daily
• This can add 500-1,500 kWh to monthly usage
• At PG&E rates, that's $150-500+ in additional charges

Customers in the Central Valley often see bills 2-3x higher in summer than winter.

Your baseline allowance changes seasonally:

• Summer baselines are often lower than winter
• This means you hit Tier 2 rates faster
• Combined with higher usage, more of your bill is at the higher tier

Summer peak rates are highest during the hottest part of the day:

• Peak hours (4-9 PM) coincide with when you need AC most
• Peak rates can be $0.50+ per kWh
• Running AC during peak hours significantly increases costs

Pre-cooling your home before 4 PM can help reduce peak usage.