Electricity bills across California have been rising. If you have opened your bill and thought, “Why is the cost so high?” you are not alone.
The first step to lowering your energy bill is understanding what you are actually paying for. Once you know how to read and understand your electricity bill, you can spot savings opportunities, shift usage strategically, and make informed decisions that protect your budget.
Let’s walk through it together.
How WestLight Energy keeps your rates lower
As of February 1, 2026, WestLight Energy lowered electricity generation rates, so customers continue to pay about 10% less than they would to PG&E for electric generation. That means cleaner electricity at a lower cost.
As a locally governed, not-for-profit public agency, our focus is on rate stability and reinvesting savings back into our communities. Since 2016, we have saved customers more than $225 million while providing clean electricity. If you’d like to learn more about how our rates work, visit our San Mateo County or Los Banos rates page.
Now let’s look at how that shows up on your bill.
Why do I see both WestLight Energy and PG&E on my bill?
This is one of the most common questions we hear.
WestLight Energy provides your electricity generation, while PG&E delivers that electricity to your home through their power lines.
You still receive just one bill from PG&E, which includes:
- PG&E electric delivery charges
- WestLight Energy electric generation charges
PG&E also continues to bill for gas service, if you have it.
What does this mean?
Seeing “WestLight Energy Electric Generation Charges” on your bill is a good thing. It means you are receiving cleaner electricity at a lower generation rate than PG&E’s.
What your bill’s key line items mean
If you want to know how to read your electric bill, focus on these two main sections:
PG&E Electric Delivery Charges
These charges cover:
- Maintaining poles and wires
- Delivering electricity to your home
- Infrastructure upgrades and safety improvements
- Required state and regulatory fees
PG&E charges the same delivery rates whether you receive generation from them or from WestLight Energy. You cannot avoid delivery charges, but you can control how much electricity you use and when you use it.
WestLight Energy Electric Generation Charges
This line item replaces PG&E’s generation charge. It is not an extra fee; it is the cost of the electricity itself.
Because our generation rates are about 10% lower than PG&E’s, this is where you see built-in savings.
What are time-of-use rates and why do they matter?
Understanding your rate plan makes a big difference because many customers are on time-of-use rates.
Time-of-use means the price of electricity changes depending on when you use it.
Electricity costs more during peak hours when demand across California is highest, typically during the late afternoon and early evening. It costs less during off-peak hours, usually late at night and earlier in the day.
For example:
- Peak hours electricity may cost significantly more per kilowatt-hour
- Off-peak electricity typically costs less
- Super off-peak hours, if available, often cost the least
This pricing structure is designed to reduce strain on the grid and encourage smarter energy use.
A few smart ways to lower your energy bill
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Now that you know how to understand your electric bill, here are a few smart ways to reduce electricity costs.
1. Shift usage to off-peak hours
Run dishwashers, washing machines, and EV charging after peak hours whenever possible. Even small shifts in timing can lower your total bill significantly when you have a time-of-use rate.
2. Adjust heating & cooling strategically
Heating and cooling often make up the largest portion of a household’s electricity use.
- Set thermostats a few degrees lower in the winter
- Set thermostats a few degrees higher in the summer
- Use fans to support comfort
3. Improve home efficiency
Seal air leaks, upgrade insulation, and replace aging appliances with efficient electric options when the time comes.
Efficient upgrades like heat pumps and induction cooktops can reduce long-term energy use and improve indoor air quality.
See the savings for yourself
If you want to understand exactly how much you are saving with WestLight Energy’s rates compared to PG&E’s generation rates, you can use our discount calculator.
And if you still have questions, our team is here to help. We can help explain:
- PCE vs. PG&E charges
- Time-of-use rates
- Rate changes
- Ways to lower your energy bill
Understanding your bill puts you in control and helps you make the decisions that are right for you.
