Manage Higher Bills

Have you seen an increase in your natural gas bill? You may expect higher bills during colder months, but there are several reasons your bill could be higher than expected. Here are some of the most common reasons and tips on how you can manage your bill.

Weather

During cold weather, gas usage typically increases three to seven times compared to summer weather since we tend to use our home heater more frequently. You could save up to 1% on heating costs by lowering your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 55 degrees at night, if health permits.

Days Within Billing Cycle

There are typically 29-32 days in a billing cycle, depending on when meters are read for a particular area. However, there are situations that may change the number of billing days. For example, holidays can add up to four days to your billing cycle.

Increase in Appliance Usage

Increased use of appliances during cold weather can impact your bill. For example, water heaters work longer and harder to heat the colder water coming in, which could double with the arrival of guests at home. Also, cooking more or leaving appliances on could impact your bill.

Gas Price

Our rates are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). You can read more about these costs and the approved rates on this fact sheet* from the CPUC.

Past Due Amount

Any remaining past due amount included in your current bill will cause it to be higher.

Analyze Bills

For a personalized analysis of factors potentially causing your bill to increase (or change), visit the “Analyze Bills” section within the “Ways to Save” tool of My Account.

Bill Tracker Alerts

If you have an Advanced Meter installed, you are also eligible to sign up for Bill Tracker Alerts, which help you monitor your gas costs throughout the billing period, take steps to lower usage and avoid surprises in your monthly bill.

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