California Electricity Rates Are Rising — What It Means for You
If you’ve been shocked by your PG&E bill lately, you’re not alone. California’s electricity rates have climbed steadily due to infrastructure improvements, wildfire mitigation costs, and increased energy demand. According to consumer energy reports, PG&E’s residential electricity rates have nearly doubled in the last decade. While some of these costs are unavoidable, the way your home uses and produces energy can make a huge difference.
The good news? You’re not powerless. By understanding why your bills are high and taking targeted action, you can fight back. Jonas Energy Solutions has been helping Lake County homeowners improve energy efficiency for over 70 years, and we’ve outlined the most impactful strategies below.
For more general tips, PG&E offers helpful everyday energy-saving suggestions to complement what you’ll learn here.
1. Solar Panels Are a Powerful Tool — But They’re Not “Set It and Forget It”
Many Lake County homeowners have installed solar panels to offset PG&E’s rising rates. Solar can be transformative, but if your bills remain high, it may be because of one (or more) of these common issues:
Dirty or shaded panels: Dirt, leaves, and shading from new tree growth can reduce your panels’ output.
Aging systems: Solar inverters and other components can degrade over time, impacting efficiency.
System sizing mismatch: If your household’s energy consumption has grown (e.g., EV charging, new appliances), your panels may no longer offset your usage.
No battery storage: Without a home battery, you still have to pull power from the grid during peak evening hours when rates are highest.
What you can do:
Schedule regular cleanings and inspections to ensure your system performs optimally.
Consider adding a home battery system to store excess daytime energy and use it at night.
Ask Jonas Energy about a solar performance audit to determine if repairs, upgrades, or resizing are needed.
2. NEM 3.0 and How It Affects Your Solar Savings
California’s new Net Energy Metering (NEM 3.0) rules, which took effect in 2023, significantly changed how homeowners with solar are credited for excess energy sent back to the grid. Under NEM 3.0, the export rates (credits for sending energy to the grid) are lower and vary by time of day.
What does this mean for you?
If you don’t have a battery, you’ll likely send excess power to PG&E when credit values are lower and buy energy back at higher evening rates.
Batteries can help you capture more of your solar production for personal use during expensive times.
This shift makes system maintenance, correct sizing, and battery pairing more important than ever. Jonas Energy can help you evaluate your system and determine if upgrades are worthwhile for your household under NEM 3.0.
3. Routine HVAC Maintenance Can Reduce Your Energy Usage
Heating and cooling make up a large share of most energy bills. If your HVAC system hasn’t been serviced recently, inefficiencies could be adding significant costs. Issues include:
Dirty filters and coils: These force your system to work harder.
Refrigerant leaks or airflow problems: These reduce performance and increase run time.
Aging systems: Units over 10–15 years old often lack modern efficiency standards.
Leaky ductwork: Wastes conditioned air, especially common in older homes.
What you can do:
Schedule annual HVAC maintenance to keep your system running at peak performance.
Replace filters regularly (every 1–3 months, depending on usage).
Have a Jonas technician inspect ductwork and insulation for leaks and gaps.
Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency heat pump, which heats and cools with much less energy and may qualify for valuable tax credits.
4. Energy Audits Reveal Hidden Savings Opportunities
Sometimes the root cause of high bills isn’t just solar or HVAC; it’s a combination of smaller inefficiencies throughout your home. Energy audits can reveal:
Poor insulation or leaky windows that let conditioned air escape.
Appliances or electronics that draw phantom loads even when “off.”
Outdated lighting or large appliances with high energy use.
Jonas Energy offers home energy audits to pinpoint where your home wastes energy and provide a tailored plan to fix it. This holistic approach ensures you’re addressing the biggest sources of inefficiency first.
5. Lifestyle Adjustments That Add Up
In addition to system improvements, small daily habits can make a meaningful difference. Some ideas include:
Running dishwashers and laundry during off-peak hours.
Upgrading to LED lighting.
Installing programmable thermostats and setting temperature schedules.
Turning off or unplugging electronics when not in use.
Leveraging PG&E’s energy-saving programs and tips for more opportunities.
Combining lifestyle adjustments with Jonas Energy’s maintenance and solar solutions can dramatically lower your monthly PG&E bill.
6. Federal Tax Credits and Incentives Help Offset Upgrade Costs
If you’re hesitant to upgrade due to cost, don’t overlook available federal and state incentives. Many improvements qualify for:
Up to 30% off solar and battery storage systems under the Residential Clean Energy Credit.
Credits for qualifying heat pumps, water heaters, windows, and more under the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit.
Learn more in our blog: Last Chance to Save: Federal Energy Tax Credits Expire in 2025 ».
These credits won’t last forever, so the sooner you act, the better.
Jonas Energy: Your Partner in Lowering PG&E Bills
Jonas Energy Solutions has been serving Lake County homeowners for more than 70 years. We’re proud to offer:
Energy audits and tailored efficiency solutions.
Our team doesn’t just install equipment — we guide you through maintenance, efficiency planning, and financing options to make your upgrades as affordable as possible.
Take Control of Your Energy Bills Today
Your PG&E bill doesn’t have to keep climbing. Whether you need solar maintenance, HVAC service, or a full home energy plan, Jonas Energy can help you save.
Call us at (707) 994-5911, schedule your service online, or send us a message today to start cutting your energy costs.
