SmartRate frequently asked questions
Discover how the SmartRate program works and how you can save.
Quick question? Find answers in the Help Center.
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SmartRate basics
Looking for ways to manage your summer energy bill?
When you're on the SmartRate program, you pay a reduced rate in exchange for minimizing your electricity usage up to 15 days a year. Lower your usage and help conserve California’s energy resources.
SmartRate is voluntary and you can cancel at any time. SmartRate is also risk-free and backed by our Bill Protection guarantee. Read more in our FAQs below.
Find out if SmartRate is right for you
What is SmartRate?
SmartRate is a program that helps you manage your summer electricity costs and conserve California’s power grid.
When you're on the SmartRate program, you pay a reduced electric rate within a bill period in exchange for shifting or reducing your electricity usage when SmartDays are called.
SmartRate is a voluntary rate supplement that sits on top of your base electric rate plan. You can cancel at any time.
On SmartDays, electric rates are higher from 4-9 p.m. A minimum of nine and a maximum of fifteen SmartDays may be called per year.
To see if SmartRate is right for you, review your rate plan options or use the electric rate plan comparison tool.
What are SmartDays?
- SmartDay events are called on especially hot days when demand for California's electricity resources peak.
- Participants are asked to shift or reduce electricity usage between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. when SmartDays are called.
- A minimum of nine (9) and a maximum of fifteen (15) SmartDays may be called year-round, but most SmartDay events are expected to occur on summer weekdays. Barring emergency conditions, SmartDays may include weekends and holidays.
- On SmartDays, electric rates are higher during the event hours of 4-9 p.m.
How can I plan for SmartDays?
- A little planning goes a long way toward saving money on your electric bill. Find new ways to shift or reduce your electricity usage on SmartDays or other days of the year. View SmartDay tips below.
- We'll notify you before a SmartDay so you can plan to shift your electricity use.
How will I notified of SmartDays?
- You may add up to four contacts to receive notifications by email and/or text. Notifications will be sent before a SmartDay, allowing you to plan how to shift or reduce electricity usage on SmartDays.
- Select how you would like to be notified. Sign in to choose your notification preferences.
- Receipt of a courtesy SmartDay event notification is the responsibility of the participating customers. PG&E will make best efforts to notify all active SmartRate program participants of a SmartDay event. However, it is the customer's responsibility to check the PG&E website to see if a SmartDay event has been activated and ensure that their SmartDay notification information is accurate and current. PG&E does not guarantee the receipt of notification by the notification system, telecommunications system, the email system or internet site by which the customer receives notification.
SmartRate is risk-free for the first full summer (May through October) and any preceding partial summer, and is backed by our Bill Protection guarantee. If the total SmartRate costs are more than your regular residential pricing plan, PG&E credits the difference on your November electricity bill. You'll receive two notifications before your Bill Protection ends.
If you opt out of SmartRate during the initial bill protection period, you will receive bill protection up to the date you terminate your participation.
The SmartDay event dates will be reflected on your bill, and will outline the credits earned or additional charges incurred during that billing statement.
If SmartRate is not for you, call PG&E at 1-866-743-0263 to opt out at any time.
For those on a Time-Of-Use rate plan, please refer to your peak and off-peak times of day as additional hours may be required to maximize savings when SmartDays are called.
Visit Time-of-Use rate plan
I'm enrolled in SmartRate. What happens if I join SmartAC?
If you are a participant on SmartRate, you cannot join SmartAC. If you were already participating in both SmartRate and SmartAC prior to October 26, 2018, you may continue to do so.
What are the differences between SmartAC event days and SmartDays?
- SmartDays can happen any day of the year but usually when it is hottest, in summer. SmartAC events are only permitted May through October.
- There can be a maximum of 15 SmartDays. SmartAC doesn't have a maximum but usually there are around 4 to 8 events per customer.
- SmartDay hours are 4 – 9 p.m. SmartAC events don't have set hours and are usually 1 to 3 hours in the late afternoon and evening.
What are the similarities between SmartAC event days and SmartDays?
- Both SmartAC events and SmartDays can be on the same day. If you are on both programs, the SmartAC device will cycle your air conditioner during the SmartDay hours only.
- Event days are usually on summer weekdays.
- Event days can, however, happen on the weekend, although it is rare.
I’m enrolled in SmartRate. What happens if I join the Power Saver Rewards Program?
If you are a participant on SmartRate, you can also participate in Power Saver Rewards. Some PG&E customers are automatically enrolled in the Power Saver Rewards Program by order of the California Public Utilities Commission, decision D.21-12-015. They include:
- California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program customers
- Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program customers
- Select customers signed up to receive PG&E Home Energy Reports
For more information on the Power Saver Rewards Program or to verify enrollment, please visit Power Saver Rewards.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Under Rule 24, customers are not eligible to participate in a PG&E demand response program (DRP) and a third-party DRP program during the same period.*
Please note that certain Demand Response Programs such as SmartRate are unavailable to customers who receive their energy from third-party energy providers, such as Energy Service Providers and Community Choice Aggregators.
Customers taking service through a residential master metered rate, in conjunction with a net metering or standby rate schedule, or as a Transitional Bundled Service customer under electric Rule 22.1, electric vehicle rates, are not eligible to participate in the SmartRate program.
The CPUC's Decision [D18-11-029] prohibits customer enrollment in multiple energy incentive, energy reducing, peak hour or direct bidding programs. You may join SmartAC instead of, but not in addition to SmartRate. If you were already participating in both programs prior to October 26th, 2018, you may continue to do so. Learn more about Rule 24.
Certain rate plans, energy providers and/or program participation status may affect your enrollment in the SmartRate program.
Is a SmartMeter™ required and when would SmartRate become active?
You must have a SmartMeter™ to participate in SmartRate. Upon your request to participate, and verification of eligibility by PG&E, you will be placed on SmartRate on the first day of the next billing cycle where the bill cycle start date is at least five business days after your request. If your request is received within five business days of your next billing cycle, you will be placed on SmartRate in the following billing cycle.
Charges
Participants will be charged $0.60/kWh in addition to their regular rate charges for all usage between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on each SmartDay. A minimum of nine and maximum of 15 SmartDays may be called in any calendar year. By voluntarily remaining on the plan beyond the bill protection period, you are accepting that you will pay a higher rate between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on SmartDays and your bill may be higher than your regular rate plan.
Credits
Participants will receive a SmartRate Non-High Price credit ($0.00636/kWh and a SmartRate Participation Credit ($0.00167/kWh)) for usage other than 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. during SmartDay and all usage on those days within a bill period that are not declared as SmartDays. These credits are only applicable for bill periods in which at least one SmartDay occurs. The SmartRate Participation and Program credits are multiplied by the number of SmartDays in a bill period.
SmartDay™ forecast
The forecast averages the temperatures in PG&E's territory. It shows the chances of a SmartDay Event. The trigger temperature is currently set at 98°.
Review the SmartRate tips below to learn how to practice many of the great energy savings efforts for a SmartDay.
Contact us
Call 1-866-743-0263 for more information.
Wednesday
April 17
80º
Event Unlikely
Thursday
April 18
81º
Event Unlikely
Friday
April 19
79º
Event Unlikely
Saturday
April 20
79º
Event Unlikely
Sunday
April 21
81º
Event Unlikely
SmartDay guidelines
PG&E calls SmartDays on especially hot days when the demand for electricity can reach an extreme level.
- No more than 15 SmartDays are called each year. SmartDays may be called on weekends or holidays, if electricity demand peaks.
- A courtesy SmartDay notification may be sent by email and/or text the day before a SmartDay. Learn more about how to update your notification preferences below.
- PG&E does not guarantee the receipt of notification by the notification, telecommunications system, the email system or internet site by which the customer receives notification. It is the customer’s responsibility to check the PG&E website to see if a SmartDay event has been activated.
- Shift or reduce your electricity use from 4-9 p.m., when SmartDays are called.
SmartDay events
2023 SmartDay events
- Friday, June 30, 2023
- Saturday, July 1, 2023
- Friday, July 14, 2023
- Saturday, July 15, 2023
- Monday, July 17, 2023
- Friday, July 21, 2023
- Tuesday, August 15, 2023
- Wednesday, August 16, 2023
- Tuesday, September 26, 2023
SmartDay events from previous years
- Friday, June 10, 2022
- Monday, June 27, 2022
- Monday, July 11, 2022
- Monday, July 18, 2022
- Thursday, July 21, 2022
- Tuesday, August 16, 2022
- Wednesday, August 17, 2022
- Friday, August 19, 2022
- Thursday, September 1, 2022
- Monday, September 5, 2022
- Tuesday, September 6, 2022
- Wednesday, September 7, 2022
- Thursday, September 8, 2022
- Thursday, July 8, 2021
- Friday, July 9, 2021
- Saturday, July 10, 2021
- Wednesday, July 28, 2021
- Thursday, July 29, 2021
- Thursday, August 12, 2021
- Monday, August 16, 2021
- Wednesday, September 8, 2021
*An Event Day for June 17, 2021 was cancelled. No event charges were applied. The cancelled event will count towards the 15 Event Day per year limit.
- Wednesday, June 24, 2020
- Thursday, June 25, 2020
- Monday, July 27, 2020
- Tuesday, July 28, 2020
- Thursday, July 30, 2020
- Monday, August 10, 2020
- Thursday, August 13, 2020
- Friday, August 14, 2020
- Monday, August 17, 2020
- Tuesday, August 18, 2020
- Wednesday, August 19, 2020
- Sunday, September 6, 2020
- Tuesday, June 11, 2019
- Wednesday, July 24, 2019
- Friday, July 26, 2019
- Tuesday, August 13, 2019
- Wednesday, August 14, 2019
- Friday, August 16, 2019
- Monday, August 26, 2019
- Tuesday, August 27, 2019
- Friday, September 13, 2019
- Tuesday, June 12, 2018
- Wednesday, June 13, 2018
- Monday, July 9, 2018
- Tuesday, July 10, 2018
- Thursday, July 12, 2018
- Tuesday, July 17, 2018
- Wednesday, July 18, 2018
- Wednesday, July 25, 2018
- Thursday, July 26, 2018
- Friday, June 16, 2017
- Monday, June 19, 2017
- Tuesday, June 20, 2017
- Thursday, June 22, 2017
- Friday, June 23, 2017
- Friday, July 7, 2017
- Thursday, July 27, 2017
- Monday, July 31, 2017
- Tuesday, August 1, 2017
- Wednesday, August 2, 2017
- Monday, August 28, 2017
- Thursday, August 31, 2017
- Friday, September 1, 2017
- Saturday, September 2, 2017
- Wednesday, June 1, 2016
- Friday, June 3, 2016
- Monday, June 27, 2016
- Tuesday, June 28, 2016
- Thursday, June 30, 2016
- Thursday, July 14, 2016
- Friday, July 15, 2016
- Tuesday, July 26, 2016
- Wednesday, July 27, 2016
- Thursday, July 28, 2016
- Wednesday, August 17, 2016
- Monday, September 26, 2016
- Friday, June 12, 2015
- Thursday, June 25, 2015
- Friday, June 26, 2015
- Tuesday, June 30, 2015
- Wednesday, July 1, 2015
- Tuesday, July 28, 2015
- Wednesday, July 29, 2015
- Thursday, July 30, 2015
- Monday, August 17, 2015
- Tuesday, August 18, 2015
- Thursday, August 27, 2015
- Friday, August 28, 2015
- Wednesday, September 9, 2015
- Thursday, September 10, 2015
- Friday, September 11, 2015
- Wednesday, May 14, 2014
- Monday, June 9, 2014
- Monday, June 30, 2014
- Tuesday, July 1, 2014
- Monday, July 7, 2014
- Monday, July 14, 2014
- Friday, July 25, 2014
- Monday, July 28, 2014
- Tuesday, July 29, 2014
- Thursday, July 31, 2014
- Thursday, September 11, 2014
- Friday, September 12, 2014
- Friday, June 7, 2013
- Friday, June 28, 2013
- Monday, July 1, 2013
- Tuesday, July 2, 2013
- Friday, July 19, 2013
- Monday, August 19, 2013
- Monday, September 9, 2013
- Tuesday, September 10, 2013
- Monday, July 9, 2012
- Tuesday, July 10, 2012
- Wednesday, July 11, 2012
- Monday, July 23, 2012
- Tuesday, September 4, 2012
- Thursday, September 13, 2012
- Friday, September 14, 2012
- Monday, October 1, 2012
- Tuesday, October 2, 2012
- Wednesday, October 3, 2012
- Tuesday, June 21, 2011
- Wednesday, June 22, 2011
- Tuesday, July 05, 2011
- Wednesday, July 06, 2011
- Thursday, July 28, 2011
- Friday, July 29, 2011
- Wednesday, August 17, 2011
- Thursday, August 18, 2011
- Tuesday, August 23, 2011
- Monday, August 29, 2011
- Friday, September 02, 2011
- Tuesday, September 06, 2011
- Wednesday, September 07, 2011
- Thursday, September 08, 2011
- Tuesday, September 20, 2011
SmartDay tips
Discover simple ways to use less electricity
Small changes in your routine, such as shifting power-hungry activities to the morning or evening can help ease the load on California's power grid. Knowing what to do on a SmartDay is the easiest way to save money on the SmartRate.
Ways to reduce your electricity consumption on SmartDays and other days of the year:
- Pre-cool your home. Allow cool air from the morning or night to flow into your home. As the temperature rises outside, circulate the pre-cooled air with a fan.
- Shift your chores. Perform household chores that require power-hungry appliances before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m. Examples include clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, pool pumps and vacuums.
- Program your air conditioner (AC). Set the AC to turn on at 9 p.m. or later, if you use a programmable thermostat.
- Reduce non-essential lighting. Reduce or turn off lighting in non-essential areas. Consider a motion sensor in areas you use less often.
To learn more about SmartRate, download our SmartRate Welcome brochure (PDF) for program information and a list of ways you can reduce your electricity usage.
SmartDay notifications
Update how you're notified of SmartDay events
If you're enrolled in the SmartRate program, you can change how PG&E notifies you of SmartDays. You can receive up to four courtesy notifications to help everyone in your household shift or reduce energy use between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on SmartDays.
Select email and/or text message
It's easy to change how you want us to communicate with you and up to three other people. You can update your preferences by logging into your online PG&E account or filling out the online form below.
More about rates
Tiered Rate Plan
The Tiered Rate Plan (E-1) has two pricing levels, known as “tiers,” which are based on how much energy you use.
What is the Baseline Allowance?
Energy used within the Baseline Allowance will be billed at the lowest price. If you pass your Allowance in a given billing cycle, the price will go up.
Energy-related words and definitions
Learn typical energy-related terms to help you better understand your energy statement.
©2024 Pacific Gas and Electric Company
©2024 Pacific Gas and Electric Company