Most Bay Area energy users purchase natural gas and electricity from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).  Your utility bill summarizes your monthly usage and energy rates, which may change seasonally and to reflect changes in PG&E’s cost of service.

Electricity.  Your utility bill measures the amount of electricity you use in kilowatt-hours (kWh).  A kWh is the amount of kilowatts (kW) you use over one hour.  For example, a 100W light bulb uses 0.1kWh of electricity every hour it is on.  Electricity powers electric lighting and most home appliances, many of which use electricity even when they are not in use.  

Natural gas.  Your utility bill measures the amount of natural gas you use in therms.  A therm is the amount of energy produced from burning about 1 cubic foot of natural gas.  Natural gas powers most heating appliances including your furnace, hot water heater, and possibly your stove and clothes dryer. 

The amount of energy consumed in your home or business is a factor of two things:

1. How much energy your appliances use: 
   You can reduce your energy consumption with efficient appliances like compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and high efficiency furnaces.


2. How often you use your appliances:
   You can reduce your energy consumption with efficient use of your appliances.  Natural light can reduce your need for electric lighting.  You will use your furnace less if its ducts are properly sealed and insulated.