Understanding the Bill Forecast Alert
Enroll in the Bill Forecast Alert.
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Use the alert to stay on budget
The Bill Forecast Alert is an optional Energy Alert available to PG&E customers. When you sign up, we’ll send you a notification if your bill is expected to exceed an amount set by you.
Why should I sign up for the Bill Forecast Alert?
The Bill Forecast Alert is a free and easy tool to help you better manage your monthly energy bill. It gives you time to reduce your home’s energy use before your next statement arrives, if you’re trending to exceed the bill amount you set. Choose to receive the alert by email, text or phone.
Who is eligible for the Bill Forecast Alert?
You’re eligible to sign up for the Bill Forecast Alert if you’re a single-premise customer with a SmartMeter™.
NOTE: Net Energy Metering and Direct Access customers are not eligible to enroll at this time.
Enroll in a few easy steps
- Sign in to your account to reach the Energy Alerts preference page.
- Select the icon to the left of “Bill Forecast Alert.” It will be yellow and say “on” when activated.
- Choose to receive your alert by email, text or voice message.
- Enter contact information for those you’d like to receive the alert. You can enter a total of four contacts.
- Select the time of day you prefer to receive an alert.
- Enter the “not-to-exceed” dollar amount.
- Save Changes.
Frequently asked questions
How often will I receive the alert?
At most you will receive the alert once a month.
However, if you do not reach the forecasted bill amount you set for the alert, you will not receive it for that particular month.
How do I set my alert amount?
Here are a few suggestions to help you set the alert for your needs:
Recommended: Set for your monthly spending goal.
- If you want to know when your bill is going to exceed what you normally have budgeted for the month, enter what you consider your average energy bill spending goal.
Default: Highest bill in the last 12 months.
- Your highest bill amount from the past 12 months will be displayed as an idea of what to set your alert for. If you don’t want to be surprised by a high bill, you can use an amount close to this number.
Frequent alerts: Monthly awareness of usage.
- Trying to beat your budget goal? Set your alert to an amount lower than your average bill and you’ll most likely receive the alert every month.
How is the alert calculated?
The Bill Forecast Alert tool reviews your daily energy usage at the beginning of each monthly bill cycle to determine how much energy you’re using. Then we calculate what your bill would be if you continued using energy at that same rate. If the forecasted bill amount exceeds the amount you set the alert for, you’ll receive an alert letting you know what your forecasted bill is up to one day before your bill cycle ends.
How accurate is the alert?
The Bill Forecast Alert does not factor in weather. Hot summer days and cold winter weather are big drivers of energy use. If the beginning of your bill cycle falls on days with extreme temperatures, it can affect the bill amount forecasted. Remember, this is the amount forecasted and not necessarily what your final monthly bill will be.
What can I do to lower my usage before my next bill?
There are actions you can take today to reduce your energy use before your next bill. Learn how to save energy and costs every day.
Updating how you receive your alert
Sign in to your account and visit the Energy Alerts preferences page. There, you can edit your alert amount, who is receiving it and how you want to be notified (email, text or phone message).
Opting out of the program
You can unenroll at any time by selecting “off” next to the Bill Forecast Alert. It will appear grey and say “off” when it is not active.