In part. California requires PG&E to run energy-efficiency programs (the CPUC approved $4.3 billion for utility programs statewide for 2024 to 2027) and the CARE and FERA bill discounts, and in some cases to give you a rate comparison. The rules we found do not require PG&E to tell you every month which rate plan is cheapest.
Rate comparisons show what different plans would have cost for past usage. Rate eligibility and future savings may vary.
What savings programs does California require PG&E to run?
Two kinds. The CPUC, California's utility regulator, approves energy-efficiency portfolios for the large utilities and sets savings goals for each. State law also directs a low-income bill discount, CARE, for households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline, and FERA, for households between 200% and 250%.
- Energy efficiency: utility portfolios approved at $4.3 billion statewide for 2024 to 2027.
- CARE and FERA: income-based discounts on your electric bill.
- Check eligibility and the current discount on PG&E's CARE and FERA pages; the percentages have changed over time.
Source: CPUC, energy efficiency investment decision, 2023
Source: PG&E Advice Letter 7594-E, CARE income limits under Public Utilities Code 739.1, 2025
Is PG&E required to compare rate plans for me?
In some cases. A 2019 CPUC decision directed PG&E to provide a rate comparison summary at least once a year to residential customers whose move to default time-of-use rates had begun, and the CPUC asked for bill protection for a period after that move.
Bill protection is narrow today. PG&E's E-TOU-C tariff keeps it only for customers who were defaulted or opted in before May 4, 2022.
Source: PG&E Advice Letter 5637-E, rate comparison summary, 2019
Source: PG&E Schedule E-TOU-C, rates effective 2026-06-01
Is PG&E required to tell me every month which plan is cheapest?
The CPUC decisions and PG&E materials we found do not describe a monthly notice. PG&E describes its rate comparison as a tool you open in your account, plus the annual comparison above. Changing plans is your request to make, and PG&E limits how often you can do it.
Residential customers can change rate plans up to two times in a rolling 12 months (business customers once), as PG&E's rate enrollment page also states.
What does PG&E's rate comparison tool show?
It prices about a year of your past usage at today's PG&E prices. PG&E's page says the estimate may not match your billed charges and may not include all fees, such as local taxes or surcharges. Its estimate cards say 12 months of data; a note on the same page says 6 months.
Source: PG&E's rate comparison page in a signed-in customer account (Rate Enrollment, "Select your rate plan"), checked 2026-10-16. One account's screen; the plans shown depend on the account.
Compare it with WattPayoff, row by row
How do I change my PG&E rate plan?
In your PG&E account, choose Manage Rate Plan under Compare Rate Plans. Only single-family residential accounts can change online; otherwise call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. PG&E charges no fee, and the new rate starts on the first day of your next billing cycle.
Is there an app that checks my PG&E rate plan every month?
WattPayoff pulls your usage from PG&E every day through Share My Data (PG&E supplies it, usually one or two days behind). Every month it re-prices your last 365 days on every current PG&E residential plan, then tells you the estimated difference if a cheaper plan exists, or tells you your plan is already the cheapest. You make any change with PG&E; the app never changes your plan.
WattPayoff is free to download, with a 14-day free trial of every feature. After the trial it costs $4.99 a month, renews monthly, and you can cancel any time in your Apple Account or Google Play subscription settings.
Try it free for 14 days. If your current plan is already the cheapest, the app tells you that too, and you can cancel before you pay anything.
Rate comparisons show what different plans would have cost for past usage. Rate eligibility and future savings may vary.
WattPayoff compared with PG&E's rate comparison tool
Next: How does PG&E make money, and does it earn more if I'm on the wrong plan?