Understanding your energy bill

1. “Account No”: Your account number and due date is at the top of every page
Your account number is a 10-digit number. Have this ready if you need to call us about your energy use. You will receive a separate monthly statement for each active account.

2. “Service For”: Address of where your charges were incurred
Some customers receive PG&E service at multiple locations. This section indicates which property incurred the charges in this statement.

3. “Your Account Summary”: A snapshot of your bill in large, easy-to-read font
A more detailed breakdown of your charges is available on the following pages. The account summary provides an overview of charges incurred, payments received, and your total amount due.

4. “Questions about your bill?”:  Learn how to contact us
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us using the information found on the first page of the statement.

5. “Total amount Due”: Your charges and payment due date, all on one line
Notes about your account and any special programs you participate in. (i.e. Budget Billing, California Alternate Rates for Energy Program [CARE]).

6. Any applicable notes related to details that affect your total bill
Notes any programs or details that affect your bill total*

7. “Your Enrolled Programs”: Shows the programs you are currently enrolled in that may impact your bill total

8. “Monthly Billing History”: A chart of your monthly charges over the past year*
The dates used to calculate a bill inclusive of both the "Bill From" and "Bill To" Date.

9. “Important Messages”: Provides timely information from PG&E*

10. Payment Stub: Return this form with your payment to the address indicated
The remittance stub indicates your account number, bill due date, and total amount due. Please return payment to the address shown. For your convenience, we have included a windowed return envelope; please place the remittance stub with the PG&E address showing through the window. The back of the remittance stub includes an area for you to update your account information, as well as an overview of your payment options.

*Missing a section? Please note that some sections of your energy statement may not always be displayed due to spacing limitations, or information about special programs that isn’t relevant to your account.

11. “Important Phone Numbers”: Provides customer service phone numbers
If you prefer not to use our convenient online options, you can call us any time for service requests, general questions and billing information. Customer service is available in a broad array of languages, including Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese. For languages not listed above, please call 1-800-743-5000 to be directed to customer service in your language.

12. “Rules and rates”: Learn about the rules for disputing charges
We’re committed to working with you. However, if you do have a dispute with us, our regulators have set rules to help protect you. Learn more about those rules.

13. “Important definitions”: Key terms you should know
This section provides key terms used by PG&E and our regulators with definitions that can help you understand your bill. You can find a complete list of these key terms online. Visit definitions.

14. “Update My Information”: Please let us know if your information changes
In case of an outage, service issue, or other concern, it’s important that we have your current contact information. Please let us know if your information changes.

15. “Ways to Pay”: You have many options to pay your PG&E bill
Paying your energy bill should be hassle free. That’s why we offer several, convenient ways for you to pay your PG&E bill, from online and automatic deduction to phone and in person. Learn more about ways to pay.

16. “Details of Electric Charges”: Includes your rate plan
This section describes the service period and confirms the address at which electricity was received. Your service agreement ID number is different from your account number. A service agreement documents your particular arrangement with PG&E (including rate plan). This section also includes your rate schedule information, which identifies the type of utility service you receive and how we calculate your bill.

17. “Service information”: Details about your electric meter
Your meter tracks your electricity usage.

18. Electricity usage: Notes your electricity usage during a given timeframe

• Understanding your electric charges starts with understanding kilowatt hours (kWh). Kilowatt hours are the units used to measure your electric use. You are billed based on how much electricity, in kWh, you use each month.
• Energy that is used during 'peak' hours is charged at a higher rate than energy that is used during 'part peak' and 'off peak' hours.

19. “Total Electric Charges”: Total electricity charges, including credits and taxes
The total charges for your electric use, including any credits and applicable taxes.

20. “Electric Usage This Period”: Shows you when you used the most energy this month*
This daily usage chart visually shows which days you used the most electricity this month, and how much energy you used at peak, part peak and off-peak rates. You may use this chart to visually understand when you are using more energy and make decisions about how to spend less on your energy usage.

*Missing a section? Please note that some sections of your energy statement may not always be displayed due to spacing limitations, or information about special programs that isn’t relevant to your account.

21. “Details of Gas Charges”: Includes your rate plan
This section describes the service period and confirms the address at which gas is received. Your service agreement identification (ID) number is different from your account number. A service agreement documents your particular arrangement with PG&E (including rate plan). This section also includes your rate schedule information, which identifies the type of utility service you receive and how PG&E calculates your bill.

22. Gas usage: Notes your gas usage by tier during a given timeframe

• Customer charge: Customers on certain rate plans are charged a fixed fee for service, regardless of the amount of energy consumed, as well as charges based on usage.
• Gas charges: Understanding your gas charges starts with understanding therms. Therms are the units used to measure your gas use. You are billed based on how much gas, in therms, you use each month.

23. Taxes and fees: Account information that may affect your total charges
State and local governments may place taxes on your energy use.

24. “Total Gas Charges”: The total charges for your gas use, including any credits and applicable taxes.

25. “Gas Usage this Period”: Daily usage chart that shows when you used the most gas this month
This daily usage chart visually shows which days you used the most gas this month.

26. “Service Information”: Details about the gas meter at your home
The meter at your home tracks your gas usage. Your Prior Meter Reading indicates the reading on the meter at the beginning of the billing period, and your Current Meter Reading indicates the reading at the end of the billing period. Your Total Usage is the difference between these two readings.

27. “Gas Procurement Cost”: The meter at your home tracks your gas usage
The utility’s cost to buy natural gas and transport it to its local pipeline system. The price usually changes on the first business day of each month.

28. Additional messages: Timely information from PG&E
If relevant, PG&E uses this space to share timely information, ranging from summer safety tips to regulatory updates.

29. “Your Electric Charges Breakdown”: Line Items on your electric bill Your electric bill is composed of many parts. You can find a complete list of key terms and their definitions online. Visit definitions.