PG&E is empowering its residential customers with greater control over their energy usage by partnering with Apple to integrate electricity data into the Home app. With the latest software updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, PG&E customers can now connect their accounts to the Home app, gaining access to detailed information about their electricity consumption.
This collaboration between PG&E and Apple allows customers to understand how much electricity they are using, how their usage varies over time, and how their energy choices impact their bills and the environment. The Home app provides daily and weekly views of electricity usage, making it easier for customers to identify patterns and pinpoint areas where they can potentially save energy.
One of the key benefits of the new feature is the ability to see how much electricity is used during Peak and Off-Peak hours. PG&E’s Time-of-Use rate plans mean electricity prices fluctuate throughout the day, with higher rates during peak demand hours (typically 4:00-9:00 p.m.). The Home app highlights these peak hours, allowing customers to shift their energy-intensive activities to off-peak times, potentially saving money on their energy bills.
Furthermore, the Home app incorporates a Grid Forecast feature that indicates times of the day when electricity from cleaner sources, like solar or wind power, is available on the grid. PG&E is committed to providing clean energy and reducing emissions, and this feature helps customers align their energy usage with the availability of renewable resources.
Understanding the factors that influence electricity consumption is crucial for making informed decisions about energy usage. The Home app can help customers identify the appliances and activities that consume the most electricity in their homes, enabling them to prioritize energy-saving measures and maximize their use of cleaner and less expensive energy during off-peak hours.
To connect their PG&E account to the Home app, residential customers can follow these simple steps:
1. Open the Home app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
2. Navigate to the Home tab and tap Home Settings.
3. Select Energy and then Connect Account.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to link their PG&E account.
Once connected, the Electricity Usage feature will begin syncing energy usage data, which may take a few hours to appear. This new feature empowers PG&E customers to become more informed and engaged in managing their energy consumption, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and affordable energy future.
