PG&E has increased rates for all customers to support their poles and wires (T&D). This affects Pioneer and non-Pioneer customers equally – everyone’s rates will go up the exact same dollar amount.
Don’t be misled. We guarantee that Pioneer’s savings over PG&E have not changed. Calculate your savings in El Dorado and Placer County.

Energy Saving Tips for Medical and Dental Facilities

Medical and Dental Offices

Commercial energy customers have needs that are unique and vary widely depending on the industry or business. Finding ways to save energy can mean big operational energy savings, a smaller carbon footprint and improved profitability. Businesses can qualify for efficiency programs and earn rebates for energy-saving purchases when they consider new machinery or appliances to improve operations and conserve energy.

Pioneer is committed to being your community-owned resource and to helping our commercial customers research and implement options to save money on their energy bills. We’ve curated information from specific industries and provided energy-saving tips and tricks which reduce consumption and ultimately improve your bottom line. The government-backed ENERGY STAR program provided many of the cost and energy-saving recommendations found here.

Lighting

  • Replace T8 and T12 fluorescent lamps with Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps and LED retrofit kits.

  • Replace screw-in CFL and incandescent lamps with Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs.

  • Use task lighting when possible and turn off overhead lights.

  • Install occupancy/motion sensors to automatically control on/off status for lighting in public areas such as corridors, bathrooms, etc.

  • Affix “Save Energy” stickers near the switches as a reminder.

Medical Equipment

  • Always turn off medical equipment in areas that are not being used, such as empty examination rooms or lab areas.

Smart Thermostats

  • Set temperatures based on hours of operation.

  • Adjust temperatures based on occupancy. For example, if the office is open before or after patients are present, adjust the thermostat based on reduced occupancy.

  • A one-degree change to the temperature setting can save up to 10 percent on heating or cooling costs.

End of Day Shutdown

  • Create a checklist of energy-saving actions for your team to perform before they go home at the end of each day.

  • Make sure all eligible medical equipment is turned off and all office equipment is either turned off or in sleep mode.

Appliances and Maintenance

  • In rooms such as bathrooms and break rooms, install ENERGY STAR appliances.
  • Fix Water Leaks and Drips
  • Install low-flow toilets, waterless urinals and low flow aerators on all faucets

These tips have been compiled from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR program. If you have any questions about other ways to reduce your energy bills, please contact your Pioneer Community Energy team by email at info@pioneercommunityenergy.org or by phone at (916) 758-8969. 

Solar Customers Receive Annual True-Up

Pioneer issued checks to solar customers with a cumulative net surplus of energy (known as Net Surplus Generators) during May for the March/April billing period if their credit balance (calculated at the Net Surplus Compensation Rate) for the past 12 months exceeded $25.00. Credit balances of less than $25.00 were rolled forward and applied to the next bill.

A few of our clients have contacted us to confirm the check’s authenticity. Rest assured, it is indeed real! If you receive a Blue or Orange check from Bill.com with a reference to Pioneer, it is safe to deposit. 

We take pride in helping our solar customers save; Pioneer pays $.005 (1/2 cent) per kWh more than PG&E for any over-production sold back to the grid (Net Surplus Compensation Rate or NSC).