SAN FRANCISCO — With winter nearing and nighttime temperatures beginning to cool, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers are urged to call for an appointment to turn on furnace pilot lights and check natural gas appliances for safety and efficiency.

The number to call is 1-800-PGE-5000.

“We want every family that we serve to be safe and warm this winter,” said Laurie Giammona, PG&E’s chief customer officer. “By planning ahead and scheduling to have pilot lights turned on now, families can heat their homes as soon as colder temperatures arrive.”

Customers who wait until the weather turns cold to call may have to wait several days before a service representative can get to their homes.

PG&E gas service professionals relight appliance pilots at no extra cost in order to ensure safe, reliable heating.

In addition to relighting pilot lights, PG&E service representatives can also perform a check of all natural gas appliances in a customer’s home, to make sure they are operating safely and efficiently.

Reducing energy use is still one of the most effective ways for customers to lower their utility bill. Damaged or poorly functioning natural gas equipment can not only waste money by leaking or burning gas inefficiently, but can also produce carbon monoxide if not adjusted properly.

The same skilled men and women at PG&E who respond to reports of gas leaks also perform these helpful utility’s appliance safety inspections.

Some of the appliances that PG&E inspects include:

 Furnaces and water heaters

 Ovens and ranges

 Clothes driers

 Gas fireplaces

PG&E customers interested in scheduling a pilot relight and natural gas appliance inspection can request an appointment on our website (pge.com/myenergy) or they can call and speak to a live representative 24 hours a day at 1-800-PGE-5000.

There are a number of other measures PG&E customers can take advantage of to manage their natural gas bills this winter.

Energy Efficiency Rebates:

 Receive an instant $20 rebate on an Energy Star® qualified programmable thermostat.

 Receive a $200 mail-in rebate on an Energy Star® qualified central natural gas furnace.

Payment Options/Assistance:

 Balanced Payment Plan: Eliminates big swings in utility bills by averaging a customer’s energy costs over a 12-month period.

 REACH: Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help provides one-time emergency assistance of up to $200 for eligible customers.

 CARE: California Alternate Rates for Energy offers at least a 20-percent discount on natural gas and electric rates and exempts customers from CPUC electric surcharges.