Californians pay some of the highest electricity rates in the United States. Second only to Hawaii, California energy providers offer high electricity rates. If you are a Californian, lowering your electric bill is your top most priority. This article provides practical ways through which you can save energy in your home.
Understanding Average Californian Electricity Bill
Californians have an average electricity bill that is higher than the United State’s average. As of 2022, the average electricity price was 25.84/kWh with the average monthly usage being 535/kWh. This meant that a typical household in California would have a bill of $138.29.
There are many reasons why Californians pay a higher electricity rate than other states. For one, the state is prone to wildfires that destroy the electricity infrastructure. The state is also going through inflation and the labor costs are higher than other places.
Faced with these problems, utilities in the state are investing in renewable energy infrastructure such as wind and solar as they scale up the grid for increased electricity demand. Furthermore, the state is moving from gas to electrification. All these projects combined cause the price of electricity to skyrocket.
California uses the time-of-use rate plans which also contribute to the high electricity rates. Time-of-use rate plans charge Californians different rates depending on the hour of day. For example, if you use more electricity between 5 PM and 9PM, you will pay more compared to using more power in the morning.
And since most residents come home from work in the evening, they are forced to pay more since that’s when the demand for electricity is high, and so are the rates.
According to energy experts, most residents of California do not take advantage of the time-of-use incentive. They end up using more power during the night leading to higher utility bills.
Luckily there are several ways to lower electric bills, one being installation of solar panels and battery storage systems.
The Need for Solar Panels in California
Installing solar panels is one of the most significant ways to cut your electricity bills if you are in california. The state has solar-friendly weather with long sunny days. In Addition, it has some of the most solar-friendly policies. As of writing, the state has the most solar panels and installers in the country.
While purchasing solar panels comes at a huge cost, the benefits down the line will be worth it. Plus, there are many solar incentives and rebates you use to lower the installation price further.
Here are some of the incentives and assistant programs you can take advantage of:
- Low-Income Energy Assistance Program: Targets low-income Californians.
- Medical Baseline: Targets Californians with qualifying medical conditions.
- California Alternate Rates for Energy: Offers 30-35% discounts on electricity bills and 20% discount on natural gas bills for qualifying households.
- Family Electric Rate Assistance Program: Provides 18% discount on electricity bills for families above the CARE limit.
- GoGreen Home Loans: Residents get 30% of the cost if making their homes more energy efficient.
- Energy Savings Assistance Program: Eligible Californians do not pay for energy efficiency services and weatherization.
- Energy for All Program: Offers no-cost solar installation for residents in areas prone to pollution and eligible tribal communities.
- Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff Program: Offers a 20% discount on renewable energy for households that cannot afford to install solar.
Ways to Lower Electricity Bills in California
So, how can you lower your monthly electricity bill? Let’s find out.
Install a Solar System
Going solar is arguably the most practical way to lower your electricity bills in California. With a solar system, you can produce electricity, which you can even sell to your energy provider. Furthermore, California has a solar-friendly climate.
A robust solar system can help you reduce electricity bills significantly. And since most solar panels are made of photovoltaic panels, they convert sunlight efficiently. For example, BLUETTI solar panels have an impressive efficiency of 23.4%. This means they can convert sunlight to electricity faster than other solar panels.
By generating your own electricity, you reduce reliance on the grid, which can help reduce overall electricity prices. In the long run, the solar system pays for itself thanks to energy savings.
Install a Storage Battery
If you want improved lowering of electricity bills, consider installing a storage battery. Modern storage batteries can integrate with most solar systems. With a robust storage battery, you can reduce reliance on the grid during peak hours.
What’s more? You can take advantage of incentives and rebates offered by the state for installing a storage system. Not to mention the 30% federal tax credit and the Self-Generation INcentive Program (SGIP).
And since most Californians pay the highest rates during the afternoon and evening, having a solar battery storage system can help you mitigate paying those high rates.
Take the BLUETTI AC200MAX + 2*B230 + 3*PV200 | Solar Generator Kit as an example. You can take advantage of the 30% federal tax credit by buying this kit. It comes with a power station and three powerful solar planes.
Thanks to the 2200W running and 4800W surge power, you can use it to power appliances that use the most electricity at night. And with a 2048Wh capacity, it can run for at least three
days on a single charge. With the high-efficient solar panels, you can recharge it within a few hours.
The power station and the expansion batteries are portable allowing you to use them wherever you are. The multiple outlets allow you to connect different devices simultaneously while the seven ports enable you to recharge it using different means. Talk of solar panels, AC outlets, lead acid batteries and your car.
Another unit you can use in your California home is the BLUETTI EP500 + 3*PV200 | Solar Generator Kit. Coming with a higher capacity, it is an ideal option if you have higher energy needs. It comes in a movable design so you can take it wherever you need it.
The provided solar panels have high power output allowing for quick recharging of the power station. But that’s not all, they are foldable, portable, and lightweight. So if you want to use them for outdoor activities, they make the cut.
With a 5120Wh capacity, you can rest assured it will power several devices simultaneously. And for peace of mind, you get an app for remote control and monitoring.
Get an Energy Audit
Besides installing a solar and battery system, you can also get an energy audit of your home. Basically, a professional will examine your house and appliances to determine the best method to reduce power wastage.
Think of insulation, gaps, leaks, and more. They can then use this information to recommend the best method to improve your home’s efficiency. For example, they might recommend installing insulation materials, using energy efficient bulbs, or fixing drafts.
And as you’d expect, they can suggest the use of renewable energy such as solar panels. As mentioned above, some electricity providers will offer incentives for making your home more efficient.
Change Your Energy Consumption Behavior
Another way to lower your energy costs is to change how you consume electricity. For example, you can reduce the number of times you wash your clothes or use cooking methods that do not consume excess electricity.
You can also decide to wash laundry and dishes at night since the demand for electricity is lower, especially in California. However, ensure that your grid can support running large appliances at night. They can often cause strain to the grid system causing unnecessary power outages.
Adding LED bulbs is yet another option you can consider. They use less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs. In addition, they have a longer lifespan, mitigating the need for frequent replacements.
Use Smart Technology
Besides using LED bulbs, you can opt for smart electronics. Contrary to population belief, electronics draw electricity even when they are in standby mode or not turned on. To mitigate this, you can install smart plugs or surge protectors to cut down energy consumption.
Smart plugs and smart power strips have proved to reduce phantom power that adds up your energy bills. Furthermore, they are cheap and compatible with most electronics.
Upgrading to a smart thermostat can reduce the amount of electricity needed to run your cooling and heating system. With features like real time alerts, mobile apps, and occupancy sensors, they enable you to track your energy usage anytime anywhere.
Final Thoughts
Californians pay some of the highest electric bills in the United States. While rightly so, you can adopt the above tips to lower them effectively. You can install LED bulbs and use energy efficient appliances to lower your monthly bills. Alternatively, you can install a solar system with a battery storage system to reduce your reliance on the power grid.
