Avoid wastage of power and save electricity at your place

Paying huge electric bills with ever increasing TX Electric rates is the major concern of all Texans today. All the consumers are desperately looking for ways to cut down on their electric consumption that can help them lower their monthly bills. However, with increasing options and offers available in the market people can shop around by comparing all the Texas Electricity Companies and the TX Electric rates and packages offered by them distinctly and get the best deal for their home or office. They can also look for different energy options like renewable and solar etc.

There are many Texas Electricity Companies that are offering different forms of energy options like Eco friendly options and much more. All the consumers are given full power to choose the utility supplier based upon their requirement and choice. They can either shop based on the type of energy or go for cheap Texas prices and get the service of their choice. All the Texas Electricity Companies are portraying entire details regarding their offering on their business websites. One can shop around just sitting at home.

Apart from getting the cheap TX electric rates available in the market for themselves consumers can also take some prevention steps at their places to avoid extra usage and to lower their energy consumption to a greater extent. This will also help the Texans to cut down on their current bills and save dollars!

Here are some of the ways by which you can avoid wastage of power and save electricity at your place:

Turn off all the electronic appliances at home like lights, fans and television when they are not in use. This will help save much power.
Plug out all the chargers and other wires when not in use as unused plugged in chargers and the wires also consume power.
Replace your house lights with Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFL) as they are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and provide the same lighting.
During the day when it is brighter outside, open the curtains and use the sunlight instead of turning on the lights. It is also a healthier option.
Use slim tube lights in your house as they give better light and consume less power than the filament lamps.
Replace conventional regulators with electronic regulators for your ceiling fans.
Install exhaust fans at a higher elevation than ceiling fans. This will allow the heavy and unhealthy air to go out by keeping the warm air inside thus regulating the room temperatures.
Don't leave windows or doors open when the air conditioner is in use as it will make the AC to work harder to cool a room.
Leave enough space between your refrigerator and the walls so that air can easily circulate around the refrigerator.
Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator as uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
Use energy efficient refrigerators as they consume less power. It is better to replace the old ones with the newer models as old appliances use more current.
Use Microwave ovens as they consume 50 % less energy than conventional electric / gas stoves.
When you have a sunny day, hang the Clothes outside instead of using the dryer.
Always wash clothes in washing machine with full loads.
The power consumption by your geyser can be considerably reduced if you reduce the temperature to around 55 degrees Celsius.
Turning off your geyser when not in use.

Most of us have no idea how much energy we consume every day, so it's difficult to see how we could make savings. However by taking these preventive measures at home one can save up much power!

Get Cheap Electricity for your home

Electricity being the basic necessity of every household with its wide span of applications is the biggest investments for every individual in the United States of America. With a constant increase in electricity rates electricity cost is becoming the major area of concern for all the consumers and they are looking for all the possible ways to cut down on their electric expenses. Nevertheless people are not just looking for the Cheap Electricity options but also for reliable Houston Electricity Providers that can offer uninterrupted quality electric power.

However, post the deregulated energy market being integrated into the majority of cities around U.S.A there are a wide range of Houston Electricity Providers available in the market to choose from. All the consumers can shop around and get the best option available as per their home needs. These Houston Electricity Providers are not only offering the Cheap Electricity alone but they have come forward in offering flexible and customizable electric plans to the consumers based on the usage of the particular home.

Energy requirements of homes are very huge, from cooking to cleaning and for all other basic household work everything entirely relies on electricity today. Due to the advancements in the lifestyles of the people there must be an efficient power supply to meet all their needs every time. An uninterrupted power supply can leave the individuals in critical situation and halt to their work as well.

As the competition soaring between the Houston Electricity Providers every company is striving to lead the race. Not just they are offering the Cheap Electricity rates but also multiple other options for electricity to stand up among their peers in the Houston electric market and attract consumers to their service company. Nonetheless, getting the best electric provider in the Houston electric market is not a big concern now as all the Houston Electricity Providers are putting up their tariff rates and all the electric options they are offering onto their business websites for the consumers. They are also offering comparison websites for the consumers to check all the available options in the area and avail the best suitable option for them. One can shop based upon their priority like for the Cheap Electricity or even can go for quality of service as their major look on. Also, one can look for an electric provider that maintains a healthy balance between both the aspects.

Some of the traits to look into the electricity provider you are choosing are as follows:

Reliability
Quality service
Cheap and Reasonable Electricity Price
Flexible Paying Options
Customizable Electric Plans as per consumers' needs
Multiple forms of energy options like solar, renewable and more.

Certainly, electricity shopping can be tiresome at times as there are many Houston Electricity Providers that are offering similar types of services and it becomes really confusing for the individuals to choose between the two analogous options. However in such situation comparison website comes as a rescue for the consumers as they compare the entire aspects form price, quality and variable packages offered and leave a sound result to choose from. Also, learning about the basics about electricity usage and calculation will help in making a sound choice. People must also understand that getting the Cheap Electricity price is not only the option to cut down on their electric consumptions however as they can avoid wastage of power by adopting energy saving habits at their homes. You will get all the energy saving options also on the business websites of the Houston Electricity Providers. Be smart choose smart!

Learn more at https://www.shoptexaselectricity.com

Encasing on Houston Consumer Choice

If you live in any of the deregulated cities in Texas such as Houston, you have the full power to choose from a wide range of electricity suppliers that are available in the market and are offering different electricity rates each for you. Post the deregulation the trend for Houston Consumer Choice has risen to a greater extent which is enabling the Texans to shop around for energy and get the best possible plan for them at the least possible rates.

If you look back in the past, prior to January 2002 Texas electricity customers were not given the Houston Consumer Choice to choose on their utility. The electricity was then completely controlled by just one company that both delivered and was the prime source of its production. But United States Electricity industry went under a drastic change by slowly and steadily started to get deregulated and opened up for competition by giving consumers the power to choose their electricity provider in the same way they choose telephone carriers or any other necessity of the household. Thus, adopting the deregulation it gave all the Houston energy consumers with the Power to Choose on their utility. Also, by switching to a smarter option of providing Houston Consumer Choice the competition soared heavily among the electric suppliers that forced them to offer the consumers with the best plans and cheap rates to lead among their peers in the competitive Houston energy market.

Now that the electricity industry is deregulated, and you have the power to choose you must study all the aspects of the Houston Consumer Choice thoroughly. Being fully informed will allow you to make a smarter choice and to get the best price quote for the utility service in Houston, Texas.

Some of the basics you need to learn before encasing your Power to Choose benefit of the Houston energy market and get the best deal available for you are:

Learning all the deregulation basics:

Learning all the ins and outs of energy deregulation in your area will enable you to understand the benefits of power to choose a retail electric provider among the sea of providers. You will also be able to understand why making a choice is better than relying on your single local energy provider in Houston.

Switching option:

With Houston Consumer Choice people are also provided with an option to switch from their old electric supplier if they find it costly or unreliable. They can anytime make a switch with their Power to Choose and get the provider of their choice. Discover and learn all the advantages of switching providers and find out how easy it is to get started with a new provider.

Smart meters:

Smart meters have recently been integrated in the Houston energy grid and they help the consumers to track down their energy usage. Learning about them can help the consumers to both control their consumptions and as well enable them to make a smart choice based upon their usage pattern and need thus saving the extra cost of energy.

The vibrant energy market of Houston with numerous retail energy suppliers and the increasing Houston Consumer Choice everyone can get the best deal available in the market at the lowest rates. Exploring and understanding all the options available and making an informed choice is the best way for all the Texans to cut down on their energy expenses. Multiple options for both the home and business are available now and are offered at the best prices with flexible paying options to cater all the energy needs of the Houston consumers.

Learn more at https://www.ShopTexasElectricity.com

Mobile Solutions for managing your energy usage on the go

Did you know that $184 is spent every year on lighting in an average Texas household, while the expenses for cooling homes and using space heaters each year is $789and $206 respectively? Though knowing the amount of electricity you use can let you exercise control over your utility bills, it may be a tough task when you are on the move.

All those Texas electricity users who are looking for a convenient and fast way to manage their energy accounts on the go now have some solutions at hand. With some iPhone and Android apps being made available, which can help you to view and pay your bill, check your electricity usage, and do much more, you can now stay better equipped about the how, what and where of your electricity bills and usage. Some companies even offer mobile websites for their customers, which are easy to log into and check the details of their electricity usage.

IPhone app

Available at itunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/txu-energy/id439791100?mt=8&ls=1), the app for existing TXU Energy electricity accounts let you conduct a lot of tasks like:

Getting access to your account from anywhere and at any time
Viewing your current bill
Paying your bills using your credit/debit card or bank account
Checking your payment history and past bills
Comparing previous bills
Scheduling payments
Checking your electricity usage graph
Controlling your Brighten iThermostat
Managing your electricity usage and costs

The Android app

Available at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=txu.android&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsInR4dS5hbmRyb2lkIl0, this app also lets you do all that which the iPhone app mentioned above allows.

Mobile websites

Quite a few power companies provide mobile-friendly websites that offer mobile solutions and tools to ensure mobile bill pay options, better customer services, and quick information about power outages as well as personal environmental impacts, all of which aim to improve the relationship between these energy companies and their customers.

Thus, apart from never missing a payment date even when you are the go, to getting your monthly bill information, information about energy usage, power outages, carbon footprints, and other account related details, you can access them all with your mobile phones and smartphones without any hassle.

Regarded as progressive solution to both the customers and the enterprise, mobile solutions for Texas electricity consumers are being made available at a fast pace by various companies to retain their existing clientele and woo potential ones. If you haven’t yet checked such solutions, it’s time to make the smart move and start using them.

About Shop Texas Electricity- Shop Texas Electricity helps consumers and businesses compare and shop for their electricity plans in Texas. Learn more about Shop Texas Electricity by visiting us at www.ShopTexasElectricity.com

Knowing about TDU fees

The Transmission & Distribution Utility (TDU) fees include different charges billed by your local TDSP (Transmission & Distribution Service Provider). Some common elements of TDU fees consist of:

Advanced Metering Charge: This amount is evaluated to recover a TDU’s charges related to Advanced Metering Systems, to the level that they aren’t recovered in the standard metering charge of a TDU.
Metering Charge: This is assessed to recover charges of a TDU for metering its customer’s consumption, to the level that the TDU charge is a separate entity totally for that purpose, which is approved by the PUC (Public Utility Commission).
Competition Transition Charge: This is calculated to recover charges of a TDU for non-securitized costs linked with the transition to competition.
Nuclear Decommissioning Fee: This charge is evaluated to recover a TDU’s expenses for decommissioning of nuclear generating locations from service, decreasing residual radioactivity to a point that allows release of the property for unrestricted utilization and termination of license.
System Benefit Fund: This non-bypassable charge is approved by the PUC to not go beyond 65 cents per megawatt-hour, which in turn funds the one-time bill payment support, low-income discount, commission administrative expenses, customer education, and low-income energy efficiency plans.
Distribution System Charge: This amount based on the cost of delivery of electricity to a consumer over wires and poles as well as other TDU facilities, but the amount doesn’t include discretionary charges.
Transmission System Charge: This refers to one or more than one TDU surcharge(s) on a consumer’s bill in any group. This consists of charges billed by the TDU as tariff riders.
Transition Charge: Once a consumer decides to move over to the competition, this charge is evaluated to recover a TDU’s costs for securitized expenses linked to the transition.

As the charges mentioned above are recurring fees, typically every electricity bill will feature them. However, while some of these are flat fees that won’t fluctuate, others may differ in each bill depending on how many kilowatt-hours you utilize in a particular billing cycle. For example, while every bill should show a fixed Advanced Metering Charge, Metering Charge will vary from one bill to another, depending on the kWh you consume in a specific billing cycle.

Your TDU fees may also feature some non-recurring fees that are assessed occasionally, such as the Move-In Fees, Disconnect / Reconnect Fees, Forward Switch Fees, Meter Tampering Fees, Meter Re-Read Fees etc.

Irrespective of whether they are non-recurring or recurring fees, TDU fees will be evaluated by the TDSP for your region.

Tips to reduce air leakage and cut down your energy bills

Many Texas electricity customers struggle with their rising utility bills but most often forget that reducing air leakage can be an important step in controlling their electric bills. If you too are looking for ways to cut your electric bills, it’s time to consider proper sealing and insulating techniques, which can help you save up to 20% on your overall cooling and heating costs. Here are some simple tips, which if followed, can help you in your endeavor:

Sealing your windows: Instead of depending on air leakage for ventilation, you should seal your windows and use controlled ventilation. While you can get a seasonal fix with rope caulk, or opt for window panels to shut out a quick storm, a more permanent solution would need either foam or sealant.
Sealing your doors: Though you should get in the habit of closing your doors immediately after you exit or enter to stop air leaking through the your doors, you may also screw on door sweeps or apply caulk/self-adhesive weather strip for a more permanent solution.
Sealing your ducts: Your heating and cooling system’s efficiency can be improved a lot by sealing old ducts. Depending on where the leak is located, you can either use a putty knife/caulk gun to apply mastic sealant or use a long-lasting tape to close the leak.
Check for dirty spots on your carpet and ceiling paint: As such spots may indicate air leaks at wall/floor joists and ceiling joints/interior walls, check them and caulk the joints if you spot leaks.
Check for dirty spots in your insulation: Such spots are often a sign of holes, from where air leaks out of and into your house. So, once you spot the leaks, make sure to seal them with low-expansion spray foam.
Seal your electrical outlets: Switches and outlets can also act as sources of air leakage, which is why you should install covers and gaskets to save money on your electricity bills. What’s more, they will also help in moisture control.
For fireplace that’s not in use: Ensure that the flue damper is tightly closed.
Tips for your chimney: As a chimney is designed particularly for smoke to escape, warm air will escape round the clock until you close it. In case your chimney is old, check the chimney damper and replace it if it’s broken or deformed. An easy-to-install solution is a chimney balloon, which would stop the air leakage, in addition to keeping out the odor and debris.

So, save on your energy bills by using these tips. Visit Shop Texas Electricity to compare various electric providers side by side at one place

Power shortage in Texas predicted for the next 10 years

According to a new report commissioned by the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), the state of Texas is likely to face power shortages for the next 10 years. Unless new power plants are set up to meet the growing demands, and improved economic incentives are offered to guarantee power reliability, Texans face a bleak future when it comes to meeting their electricity needs.

How power shortages can affect life

Power shortages are predicted to happen each year during the peak demand periods. A common instance could be a hot summer day or an extremely cold winter, when the demand of Texas electricity will be at its peak. So, this is likely to be the time when everybody’s power goes out as there won’t be enough electricity to meet the demands.

What gives rise to this situation?

In Texas, the demand for power has been principally driven by a robust economy and a 21% growth of population over the last decade, as per the U.S. Census figures. The power grid has been strained of late due to the extreme weather conditions, which in turn has made ERCOT notch up a few peak-use records during the last year.

Though Texas power producers added almost 25,000 megawatts of new gas and coal-fired plants over the last decade, they have halted most of the new plant construction as a result of rising power prices that don’t encourage new investment, and volatile economics.

From more than $4.00/mmBTU last year, natural gas prices have come down to $2.45/mmBTU. What’s more, next two years’ gas curve does not show any projected returns matching the last year's levels.

To make matters worse, unlike the power markets of other states, ERCOT does not provide capacity payments to ensure the availability of generators, which could have been sent out during peak power usage periods. Since the Texas energy deregulation allows customers to shop around, procurers of power get discouraged to enter into long-term agreements of power purchase from wholesale generators like TCEH. So, it’s no wonder that ERCOT power producers, driven by low revenue visibility, are forced to rely on factors that are difficult to predict, like extreme weather conditions and fluctuations in the price of natural gas.

The EPA actions that prevent the set up of coal-fired power plants are also adding to the problem of power shortage. Though many experts talk about the ability of new coal technology to allow clean burning of cheap coal, thus meeting the rising demand for electricity without polluting the environment, the green activists and EPA are in no mood to oblige.

What the future beholds

From 13.75%,ERCOT's reserve margin is forecasted to dip to 9.8% as early as 2014. By 2015, it is likely to slide down further to 6.9%. The situation is expected to become worse in later years, but laying down a clear picture is difficult at the moment. A primary concern for Texas electricity consumers is that very little new generation is planned between 2014 and 2016, which in turn will adversely affect the entire power scenario.

Conclusion

Unless well planned steps are taken to alleviate the potential risks, Texas electricity consumers stare at a long spell of power shortage.

Higher Energy Prices sought by PUC to Protect against Blackouts

Texas electricity consumers should prepare to pay higher energy prices from this summer if a new policy under consideration is passed.

What the PUC proposes

Plagued by frequent blackouts and energy shortages in the past, especially during the months of summer, Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas has hinted at considering price rises to address the growing concern over Texas’s energy reserves. This state agency, which is in charge of overseeing the electricity market of Texas, signaled in April this year that it may opt for new rules to address the power problem. However, the PUC stood by the expected price rise which the new rules may trigger, as the excess money is set to support additional generation construction. This, the PUC believes, will not only solve the existing power problem, but also help secure the framework needed to meet requirements in the future.

Here’s an overview of some of the proposals set to be considered by the PUC:

Price cap set to increase: By August, the price cap in the wholesale energy market may be increased to $4,500 per MW/hour, which will be far higher than the present cap of $3,000.
More price cap rise in future: During the forthcoming years, the PUC would consider increasing the cap further, and it may ultimately exceed $10,000. If this happens, the Texas price cap would become more than similar caps existent elsewhere in the US. What’s more, it could bring the state in line with Australia, where an extremely high cap of $12,500 MW/hour exists.

Impact of these proposals

Though PUC can’t help but consider these proposals to address the state’s ongoing generation challenges, there’s already panic amongst household and businesses as Texas electricity price rise will hit both these sectors considerably. So, whether you are a commercial client or a household one, brace yourself to pay much more for meeting your Texas electricity needs.

Criticisms

Some opponents of these proposals say that the changed rules will only help power generators, who will be making truckloads of money by milking the common man. Creating a panic wave amongst Texas electricity consumers is also criticized by some experts monitoring the Texas electricity scene.

Solutions

Since Texas electricity rates will rise sooner or later, it pays to adhere to simple rules of power conservation and if possible, switch to solar power to meet some of your needs. However, the government should encourage such practices by offering tax rebates and discounts.

As far the PUC is concerned, it will have to take some decisions that won’t go down well with the public, but are in the interest of the state nonetheless. Still, it’s the responsibility of PUC to look for the most cost-effective solution that doesn’t create an unnecessary financial burden on its citizens. In fact, cost of Texas electricity and reliability/feasibility of the new rules in the long run should both be considered before giving the seal of approval to the proposals.

So, only time will tell how Texas electric consumers are affected, depending on what the PUC decides to do about the state’s power scenario.

About Shop Texas Electricity- Shop Texas Electricity helps consumers and businesses compare and shop for their electricity plans in Texas. Learn more about Shop Texas Electricity by visiting us at www.ShopTexasElectricity.com

Despite deregulation how practical is switching electricity companies?

Though Texas energy deregulation has strengthened the consumers’ position by making them knowledgeable and arming them with the power to choose their Texas Electric supplier, many consumers are wary of making the switch. Most of these people often ask how practical it is to switch their supplier despite the benefits that such a move may bring their way. If you too belong to this league, here are some points that will help you decide.

Though you can switch your supplier to benefit from a lower rate plan of another electric company, you should remember that it would take some time to see how much money you are saving. Most people expect an overnight difference in their utility bills but the reality is quite different.

Let us consider an example to make the picture clear. Say, you decide to switch your service on the first of a month to a Texas Electricity Provider offering the lowest rate. Subsequent to your sign up, a third party verification service will verify if you want to make the switch for sure. Considering some calls may be missed during this period, we can estimate the entire process to take a week. So, the verification gets completed on the 7^th of the month. Now, since there’s a compulsory 10-day right to rescind period, you can switch on the 17^th at the earliest. However, your current billing cycle should be finished before the switch. Considering the worst case scenario that your billing cycle began on the 16th, you will have to wait till the next month’s 16^th day to make the actual switch. This way, you would need to wait till the 20^th of the subsequent month before you get a bill that reflects the savings from switching to the lowest electricity rate. Therefore, after making the switch, it would be around 45 days before starting with the new company and almost 3 months (80 days) before you get to see the actual savings.

Early termination fee is yet another aspect that makes many consumers stick to their present Texas Electricity Company. Since most contract terms often don’t disclose fully or keep it vague when it comes to the charges, fees, as well as other terms and conditions for an REP and a plan, many consumers are at a loss and don’t know how much they will be charged if they terminate their contracted rate plan to switch to a different REP. So, they take the safest route out to stick to the present company, even if it means paying more for their Electricity.

Perhaps you are now thinking that it’s really a tough task to switch Texas Electricity Companies, but the reality lies in the fact that if you make the switch and are ready to wait, you are bound to reap the benefits of lower Electric Rates.

So, if you have been paying high rates for your Electricity and thinking that switching electricity companies is not practical, wake up to the real picture and make your move now. Exercise your right to choose and save money on your utility bills, the chance of which the energy deregulation has brought your way.

What are TDSP charges in Texas?

If you go through the electricity quotes given by different companies in detail, you will often notice a charge in addition to the energy rate. Interestingly, this charge is not included in the energy rate but is included in the total cost. While it may seem to you that the service provider is actually trying to make their rates look better by keeping this separate, it is not the case. In fact, these are TDSP charges, also called pass through charges.

Meaning of TDSP

After the deregulation of the Texas electricity industry, it has become possible for all consumers to purchase power from providers of their choice, based on their needs and budget. However, irrespective of whom you choose as your retail electric provider, you will require a Transmission and Distribution Service Provider or TDSP, who is involved with the physical aspect of providing electricity to Texas electricity consumers. In short, these are people who are in actual charge of the various poles and lines that provide electricity to the consumer, including its maintenance. In addition, these service providers also read your electricity meter, with regard to your actual usage and send the details to the Retail Electric Provider (REP).

Understanding TDSP charges

Essentially, these TDSP companies do not directly bill the Texas electricity consumers for their services. In fact, they charge the REPs for their services. The REP, in turn, transfers this charge to the consumers, which gets reflected in their bills. Texas TDSP charges are applicable to all consumers, irrespective of which Retail Electric Provider they choose. It is also important to understand that even where these charges are not mentioned separately, they are included in the bill. Therefore, in case TDSP charges are not mentioned separately in your electricity bill, you should scrutinize your utility bill to find them included along with the energy rate.

Calculating TDSP charges

When going through different Texas electricity quotes, it is possible that you will find different TDSP charges mentioned by different REPs. There are several reasons for such differences, all of which comes down to how these charges are calculated. In short, understanding the factors that are involved in calculating such charges will help you appreciate the difference better.

Public Utility Commission of Texas Rule: Primarily, the Texas TDSP charges are calculated based on the rules and regulations of the Public Utility Commission of Texas Rule. These rules are extremely complicated and constantly changing. This is responsible for the subsequent changes in your charges.
Actual Usage: In addition to these rules and regulations, the TDSP charges are calculated based on your actual usage. So, if you use more, you pay more and if you use less, you pay less. Under these circumstances, it is no surprise that the quotes are different from your actual bill.

While it is not really necessary for companies to demarcate TDSP charges separately in their bills, knowledge of the same is important to help you understand your electricity bill better. Moreover, knowing about TDSP charges would also help when companies try to increase their profit margin by adding onto these charges. While this is not really illegal, it is not ethical. Knowledge and understanding of these Texas TDSP charges will definitely help you choose the perfect service provider for your electricity needs.

Energy company rates

If Texas is your place of residence, you should pay attention to how much you are paying for your electric bills. Previously, PUCT (Public Utility Commission of Texas) used to set rates for your electric bills. However, since the deregulation of electric prices, Texas electricity companies now set the prices, which vary based on type of plan and by provider. This makes it important for you to know about energy company rates, and shop around to get the best deal that suits your needs and budget.

Knowing about REPs and how energy company rates may vary

Before knowing about how Texas energy company rates may vary, you should have a clear understanding of how electric choice in the state works.

To begin with, you can take your pick from several Texas electric providers based on your preferred criteria. While price seems to the utmost important criterion while comparing energy company rates, other factors like green power, stability, etc also play a major role. Once you have chosen your Texas electric provider, it would sell you your power, and pay your local utility (CenterPoint, Oncor, etc.), which in turn would transmit the power to your home. However, you just need to pay your electricity provider, and not to the wires utility. It should be noted here that since the local utility still owns the lines and is in charge of its maintenance, you need to contact them in case there’s an outage or other emergency.

If you haven’t chosen an electric provider before, it’s likely that you are still with one of the old utilities (often called legacy providers), which had been operating even before Texas was opened to competition. These providers used to charge rates set by the PUC until January 1, 2007 that marked the end of the transition period. However, ever since then, these legacy providers have got the power to charge a rate determined by the market, which means you may be paying a higher rate and should shop around now to save on your electric bills. Since switching suppliers won’t cost you additional money, getting favorable energy company rates has become easier these days.

One thing to be kept in mind, while shopping for pocket friendly energy company rates, is that depending on the utility area, your legacy providers may vary. For example, if you live in the Houston region and are served by CenterPoint, Reliant Energy is your legacy provider. However, for those in Dallas who are served by Oncor, TXU Energy is the legacy provider.

Online comparison of energy company rates

Several energy websites offer you the ability to search online for energy company rates based on your zip code, nature of use (residential or commercial), names of service companies etc. You may even shop around and compare no-deposit, variable, fixed, and green Texas electricity rate plans using such online tools. Once you select the criteria and hit the search/compare button, you will get a neatly organized chart of energy company rates, which would help you to narrow down your choices, ask questions to the shortlisted companies, and finally choose the one that best fits your requirements.

Best electricity provider in Texas

While shopping for electricity services, you need to understand the choices available in order to find the best electricity provider in Texas. However, with many suppliers offering varied plans to woo customers, it often becomes a daunting task to select the right one. So, here are some aspects that you should consider to make a wise decision:

Types of electricity rates

Your quest of finding the best electricity provider in Texas starts with identifying the electricity rates best suited for your needs. Usually, Texas electricity suppliers offer three types of electricity plans namely fixed, variable, and green energy . While a fixed electricity rate usually remains the same during the entire term of your contract (though minor exceptions may be there), a variable rate can fluctuate every month based on the method selected by the Retail Electric Provider (REP). Green energy or renewable energy plans are offered to promote a greener planet and carbon offset solutions.

Fixed rates would help you to keep your power costs within your budget as you are certain of paying a fixed rate as long as your contract is valid. However, in case market prices fall, you won’t be able to enjoy the slashed rates until your existing contract expires. Though indexed and variable electricity rates can be beneficial during price falls, you may end up paying more every time there is a price rise due to natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, or market conditions. So, while selecting the best electricity provider in Texas, make sure that you understand how the rates can change and what factors can trigger such change, and then assess what is right for your needs.

Green/Renewable Energy Options

The best electricity provider in Texas should ideally have a substantial amount of its electricity generated by renewable resources, like hydroelectricity, wind, landfill gas, solar, geothermal, or biomass. Some REPs may even use natural gas, which is considered to be a clean and green fuel. So, if you want to contribute to the environmental cause while choosing your Texas electricity suppliers, remember to find providers who use these green/renewable resources when researching your options.

Contracts and Terms

While some Texas electricity suppliers may offer you "month-to-month" plans, where no minimum contact period exists, some others may have plans with contract periods as long as three years or even more. In case of the latter ones, you may have to pay a penalty if you opt out of the plan before the contract period ends. So, understanding how your electricity prices will change at the end of the contract period and asking about the terms of penalty would be a prudent choice to avoid legal/monetary complications.

Electric Assistance Programs

Some states like Texas offer different types of assistance programs for customers who are disabled, aged, belong to the low-income group, or are victims of family violence. It’s most likely that your electricity provider can provide you additional details regarding this program.

So, assess a utility supplier on all these aspects to find the best electricity provider in Texas.

Why should businesses shop for electricity?

As compared to ordinary residential areas, more electrical power is used by business establishments. What’s more, as the business expands and grows, electrical consumption increases too, which in turn causes the cost of operations go north. Since energy companies often inflate their prices, businesses may easily suffer by paying overpriced utility bills and find it tough to handle their increased costs of commercial energy usage. In case you have been wondering - why should businesses shop for electricity, this scenario gives you the answer.

Power of choice for businesses

Unlike the past where business establishments didn’t have much of a choice when it came to changing their suppliers, the energy deregulation in Texas has given them the power to choose. So, now you can take your pick from several power business plans based on how much electricity you consume, your forecasted growth, and your budgetary constraints. Since all the retail Texas electricity providers will be competing to get you onboard, they will be willing to offer customized plans to meet your business needs – that too without overshooting your budget.

Business shop owners who ask - why should businesses shop for electricity, would do well to remember that even after they have selected a provider and used its services, they can change their supplier if they are charged with inflated bills or the supplier doesn’t attend to their problems and queries. However, it’s best to consider intangible and tangible benefits, if any, offered by their Texas electricity providers, before making a switch and not base the decision on the cost factor alone.

With such an open market, customer is definitely the king and controlling the business electricity costs has become easier.

Why should businesses shop for electricity – advantages at a glance

Wondering why should businesses shop for electricity and what benefits they will get? Well, here’s a quick glance:

Comparing all registered commercial electricity suppliers online to get a basic idea of how much it will cost to meet your business energy needs
Variety of payment and services schemes to choose from, depending on what suits your business the best
Chance to get intangible and tangible benefits, in addition to cheap electricity rates
Ability to choose a green energy plan to reduce your carbon footprints
Finding cheap electricity options become easier as you need to put in less time and effort, by either using the online mode or hiring electricity brokers
By bringing down your business shop’s cost of commercial electricity, you can boost your profits

Steps to remember while businesses shop for electricity

Experts, while answering - why should businesses shop for electricity, talk about some steps to remember in order to get a good deal and not end up paying more than what you had signed up for. First of all, find out if there is a deregulated energy market in the area where your business is located. Though major cities of Texas like Dallas, Houston, and Forth Worth boast of deregulated markets and give businesses the right to choose, the same isn’t true for cities like San Antonio and Austin which are yet to have a competitive market.

The next step while shopping for electricity is to consider the cost, as well as intangible and tangible benefits, if any, to decide whether you are satisfied or need to change your supplier. Without proper assessment, investing time, money and effort for the search would be a wastage.

Lastly, evaluating the payment schemes, their flexibility, terms of services, service contract with your present supplier and whether it forbids you to opt for a change etc and green energy options are other factors worth considering.

Conclusion

Conducting a business is an extremely expensive operation. So, you should ensure you don’t pay for overpriced electricity. In fact, expenditure on account of inflated energy bills throughout the financial year can make all the difference between your business making a profit or going for a loss. So, make a prudent decision and shop for electricity wisely.

10 Simple Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bills

Texas residents probably still remember vividly how the state underwent a rash of Texas electricity emergencies after the extremely hot summer heat forced consumers to use more electricity, threatened grid reserve levels, sparked increases in electricity rates, and put the state on a brink of rolling blackouts. The Texas grid operator called on the public to do their part and conserve electricity right in their own homes.

The threat of another hot Texas summer is still in the horizon but Texas consumers need not wait for such extremes to happen before they can start conserving energy. As a Texas electricity consumer you can do so by following cheap and easy solutions first, simple ways where you can save money on your electrical bills – and you can start with the following list:

· The lighting of the future will focus more on using compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED bulbs. Other lighting technologies are being developed now that could save even more electricity. But why wait for these new things to come when you can save energy now by using CFL lamps available in the market. They are a bit pricier than incandescent but the overall savings you can get with prolonged use can more than compensate for that

· Phone chargers and other small electric devices that are constantly plugged in can consume trickle amounts of electricity even on standby mode. It would not amount to much if you’re looking at such consumptions individually but this minute amounts can be substantial if you add them all up

· Microwave ovens and other appliances can still consume leakage currents when not in use and plugged into the electricity outlet. Pulling or unplugging them out one by one each time you are not using them can be tedious so it would be best to use power strips with individual on/off switches per outlet. The power strip can practically isolate the appliances from the outlet when the switch is turned off, thereby preventing leakage currents from seeping through

· You don’t need to have your thermostat at full blast all the time, especially when you’re not at home. A programmable thermostat is what you need to automatically adjust the temperature only when needed and according to a schedule. In relation to this, you can also raise the thermostat setting just enough to make it comfortable. These things can save you on cooling costs quite significantly if done regularly.

· Air conditioning is one major source of Texas electricity consumption so you would want to use more energy efficient models. If changing units is not viable for you at the moment, you can ensure that your air conditioning unit is running at optimum condition by making sure that the filters are properly cleaned or replaced. Clogged filters means your air conditioning unit will work doubly hard – and in the process consume more electricity.

· Air leaks can affect your air conditioning system, making them consume more electricity when compressors work extra hard to compensate for loses in the cool air. You should properly insulate you doors, windows and floors for any leaks that may drive cool air out of the house instead of cooling people inside

· The use of thermal curtains can prevent the heat of the sun from dissipating into the room, increasing room temperature and triggering the air conditioning system to work some more. The materials used for thermal curtains can reflect solar heat back instead of being absorbed by your home.

· Speaking of reflection, painting your roof flat white can help reflect the sun’s rays back. Roofs are directly exposed to the sun, heating your ceiling and the top floors and eventually increase the overall temperature in your home, and painting your roof white can be a cost-effective way of doing this.

· Washing dishes or cleaning clothes need not be done in super heated water. You can lower down the temperate during cleaning operation or you can eventually stop using hot water for cleaning. Cold water can get clothes and dishes as clean as like washing them in hot water. Formulated detergents are available that will work well with cold water, so a simple switch can save you hundreds of dollars in savings from your yearly Texas electricity bills.

· Lastly, you can save money of your Texas electricity bills by simply exercising your power to select electricity providers that offer better electricity rates. So shop for Texas electricity providers now and choose one that offer good services, competitive electricity rates, and lots of perks and freebies just for making the switch.

What Will a Cool Summer Mean for Electricity Companies and Consumers in Texas?

If you live in the United States, you may be living in any of the four climate regions in this nation, particularly cool, hot-arid, hot-humid, and temperate. Texas residents on the other hand experience a temperate zone if they live in the upper half of the state, or a hot-humid zone if they live in the bottom half. Last year, Texas experienced one of the worst droughts in years that tested the limits and capabilities of the Texas electric grid – causing a rash of electricityemergencies and putting the state in brink of rolling blackouts.

For this coming summer, many are worried that electricity rates will pull up again and they would end paying a substantial fortune for their Texas electricity bills. In a similar manner, many are also wondering what a cool summer would mean for them and the rest of the Texas consumer communities. Contrary to what pessimists would think a cool summer can happen, even if for a brief moment just like the northern wind shift and the cool front that crossed the state during the height of the brutal summer last year – providing respite from the heat for consumers and breathing room for Texas electricity companies.

Summertime and Texas Electricity

A hot summer would mean higher demands for Texas electricity which can overshoot grid reserves, resulting to substantial increases in electricity rates and the threat of rolling blackouts lurking in the background. The higher the temperature, the higher electricity usage will be just like last year when peal demand reached 68,294 megawatts during the hottest days of summer in August. A cool summer on the other hand will give enough leeway for Texas electricity companies to properly maintain their power plant machineries and prevent them from breaking due to lack of cooling water to keep temperatures down to manageable levels.

Tips to Cool Off and Lower Your Texas Electricity Bills This Summer

A cool summer would definitely be welcome for all Texas electricity companies as well as the myriad consumers wanting to cool off this summer. But you can cool off with the following tips and actually lower your Texas electricity bills – and heed calls for conservation from the state and grid officials and prevent the possibility of rolling blackouts to hit the state.

· Exercise you power to select a provider that offers lower electricity rates. Note that the most well known providers don’t necessarily offer the best electricity rates so it would be best to shop for Texas electricity providers and get the best available out there.

· You don’t have to run your air-conditioning system day in and day out, even when there are no people around. Save hundreds of dollars by simply using a programmable thermostat that would optimize your AC settings according to outside conditions. The recommended setting for Texans is seventy-eight degrees, enough to make you feel comfortable at home.

· Clean your air conditioning units and ensure that filters are clean to keep them running at optimum and energy efficient conditions. You can also minimize usage of your air conditioning to cool off the whole house and instead use electric fans in the rooms where you stay most often.

· Choose a landscaping that would give you more shade this summer as well as funnel cool summer breezes directly towards your home. Avoid plant beds that would require you to use much water.

· Cooking indoors can generate much heat so it would be best to try grilling and cooking outdoors for that good ole Texas BBQ

· Use more natural light to brighten up your house instead of using heat generating lamps

· Air leaks and poor insulation in your home can make you consume more Texas electricitythan what is necessary. Have a qualified person perform a home energy audit and get more tips on how you can make your homes more energy efficient, make it cooler during summer – and save on your Texas electricity bills.

What Will a Hot Summer Mean for Electricity Companies and Consumers in Texas?

2011 was a tumultuous year for Texas electricity companies and consumers as the state was brought to the brink of continuous blackouts during two extreme periods of hot and cold. A deep freeze experienced earlier in February last year put electricity generation equipments out of commission and knocked down several power plants. Come August, an extremely hot summer threatened more blackouts, prompting the grid operator to make repeated calls for energy conservation.

The reserved electricity capacity in the State could not cope with the growing demands for Texas electricity from commercial, residential and industrial consumers. The margin last year was only 17 percent, pushing electricity rates up with the threat of rolling blackouts that were averted as consumers exercised their power to select their energy options and heeded calls for conservation. This year, the immediate future of Texas electricity and how it will affect electricity companies and consumers will depend on what the weather brings, particularly another threat of a piping-hot summer.

Hot Summers and Texas Electricity

With an extremely hot summer, equipment and other power plant machineries from Texas electricity companies break down from the resulting drought hot temperatures bring. Drought means lack of water, and water is the main ingredient needed to cool down the gas, nuclear and coal-fired power plants that produce Texas electricity. According to Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), another hot summer could affect and put at risk at least 3,000 megawatts of generated electricity, which will definitely affect electricity rates and put the state in another round of rolling blackouts.

Conservation or Rolling Blackouts

According to ERCOT President Tripp Doggett during a recent State House hearing, the consumers in the State of Texas will have to make a choice between ramping up conservation efforts for Texas electricity or risk dealing with rolling blackouts if the State encounters another extremely hot and scorching summer as last year.

In 2011, ERCOT announced Texas electricity emergencies and called on the general public to exercise conservation to bring down consumption rates. Unlike other States, Texas has its own electric grid that is independent from other states, and this isolation will prove detrimental in seeking emergency capacities from neighboring grids – putting the state at a unique electricity risk.

Long Term Solutions

The ability of the Texas grid operator to keep electricity flowing smoothly across a rapidly growing state would depend on how adequate available power plants will be. However, according to ERCOT, there are no scheduled power plants of significantly large generating capacities that will come online this year. Some mileage may come from previously mothballed plants to restart operations, but aside from that no substantial capacities are expected to be added to the current margin.

Texas electricity regulators are encouraging the construction of additional power plants as long term solutions to address this capacity issue as peak demands continue to rise as the State continues to grow. Consumer groups fear that new power plants would mean higher electric rates. Environmentalists on the other hand are calling on more focused conservation measures to address the issue, pushing the Demand Response program wherein consumers will actually get paid by reducing consumption during peak hours – a program that has taken little mileage in Texas.

Another option Texas electricity commissions are looking into are making regulatory changes that would make it more convenient for wind energy generators to store large amounts of electricity in batteries. One example is the 36-megawatt battery capacity in Notrees, West Texas that is expecting completion during 2012. This and other long term solutions are being pursued by State officials and key players in the Texas electricity industry. Until then, electricity companies and consumers would have to deal with the imminent threats the coming hot summer would bring.

Are smart meters really smart?

Recently, Texas electric companies in Central Texas conducted side-by-side tests to confirm the accuracy of smart meters. These tests show that smart meters are indeed accurate compared to traditional analog meters, giving consumers more reliable information about their Texas electricity consumption and electricity rates.

As smart meters are being rolled out in various parts of the state, consumers in deregulated energy areas now have the power to choose electricity providers that will utilize smart meters for their services. Despite the negative publicity thrown against the use of smart meters from certain groups, this technology will pave the way for the future of electrical use not only in Texas and the United States, but in other parts of the world.

The “Smart” In Smart Meters

Smart meters go beyond the basic task of metering and their relationship with electricity rates and consumption. The “smart” in smart meters involves the handling and processing of data, particularly in developing better ways of doing things related to energy use. Smart meters enable consumers to monitor and control their costs in real-time for air-conditioning, heat, utility water and even natural gas.

It can and will involve other complex processes that go beyond the capabilities of traditional analog meters such as: data systems, data infrastructure, data collection, advanced meter management systems, and interconnectivity with other “smart” appliances in the home. When people are more aware of their electricity consumption, they can bring their use under control thus help bring down harmful carbon emissions.

Issues and Challenges

In some areas in the United States such as in California, consumer groups filed a class action lawsuit against their utility company, contending that their electricity bills ballooned with their use of smart meters. Investigation into these complaints indicate that there were no real issues with the smart meters’ performance nor were they responsible for the higher bills – except the fact that the smart meters indicated a more accurate figure of users’ electricity consumption, as well as variations in electricity rates which are caused by external factors.

Another issue hurled against smart meters is the supposedly health risk posed by the use of wireless technologies in smart meters used in the transmission of relevant data from the unit to the processing base stations at utility company facilities. The World Health Organization however gave the conclusion that there are no scientific evidences that point to the adverse health effects supposedly caused by wireless technologies.

Market Outlook for Smart Meters

The market outlook for smart meters looks promising, not only in the United States but in other emerging market countries as well, according to reports from Northeast Group LLC. The report indicates that the market could hit the $49 billion level by the year 2020 as these countries continue to focus in developing intelligent electricity grid systems in an effort to conserve energy, support the use of renewable energy sources, and reduce the impact of carbon emissions with the use of electricity.

Five Questions to Ask When You Shop for Electricity Rates

During the last decade, there have been several changes and evolutions in the electricity industry following both State and Federal initiatives. One of the most radical and controversial among these changes involved the restructuring of the power market into something more competitive and deregulated. Several states across the country have adopted energy deregulation, giving their consumers the power to choose providers and shop for electricity rates according to their convenience.

From the regulated monopolies of local utility companies to the deregulation of retail electric providers, energy deregulation spurred higher levels of competition among electricity companies in states like Texas that implemented such changes to the market. Although the production and transmission of electricity remains regulated and under the control of governing bodies like the Public Utility Commission of Texas, retail providers compete for consumers’ attention when they shop for electricity rates.

To gain the most benefit from your option to shop for electricity rates, one must first make several considerations and ask the following basic questions to guide them when they choose suppliers. Although cheap electricity rates are undoubtedly the most common reason why a consumer would switch electric provider, there are other things to consider that you should include in the selection process.

Do I live in an energy deregulated market?

The power to choose retail electric providers is logically available only to states that have a deregulated energy market. But not all areas in a particular state have a competitive market. In the case of Texas, some cities like Austin and San Antonio do not have electricity competition available yet, although major cities like Houston, Dallas, and Forth Worth have deregulated markets.

Am I satisfied with my current Texas electricity provider?

Before you decide to shop for electricity rates and make a switch to another electricity provider, you must first ask yourself if you are not satisfied with your current one. As mentioned earlier, the price of electricity should not be the only reason for making the switch as there are other tangible and intangible benefits that you can get from one supplier that you will not get from another.

Do I have an existing contract with my current electricity provider?

As simple as this may seem, you should check if you are bound by whatever contract you may have with your current retail electricity provider before allocating the resources to shop for electricity rates and new providers. If your current contract is about to expire and you feel that you are not satisfied with your current supplier, then by all means start with the selection process and get the best deals available.

What terms would give me the most benefit: fixed-rate or variable-rate terms?

There are several terms of services and payment schemes that you should consider when you shop for electricity rates. Depending on your needs and lifestyle, you can choose between and long-term fixed-rate plan that can lock in you electricity rates for a specified period of time, or you can opt for a variable rate plan that would depend on what the overall electricity market dictates.

Are Green Energy options of interest to me?

Ready to go green? You can do so by choosing a retail electric provider that sells electricity coming from alternative energy resources like solar and wind – forms of renewable energy that is slowly making a dent in the Texas electricity market. Participating in a green energy plan like this allows you to give your part in the battle for climate change and offset its negative effects by using green energy.

Save Money by Switching Texas Commercial Electricity Providers

One of the biggest benefits consumers get from the deregulated Texas electricity industry aside from their power to choose electric providers is that they can enjoy cheap electricity and competitive commercial electricity rates. In fact, Texas consumers enjoy the 3^rd cheapest rates in the country and this is due to the price caps placed on wholesale electricity. To give you a better figure, the wholesale price cap currently sits at only $3000 per MWh which is lower compared to other states and five times lower than the $12,500 per MWh market cap employed in Australia.

To get the full benefits and save lots of money from your electric bills, business owners can exercise their advantage and switch commercial electricity providers. These providers compete for your business and are utilizing various ways to gain your trust and eventually work with them as the power provider for your business or commercial establishments. However, shopping for commercial electricity providers can be a complicated task, particularly true if you have little understanding of how things work in the Texas electricity industry and how you can compute for all the charges and rates and come up with the final dollar figure that you have to pay for.

Shop for Texas Commercial Electricity Providers

There are more than a hundred retail electric providers competing as your commercial electricity provider. Going through this maze can be a daunting task if you want to strike out on this road on your own. You need to go through all the details required for you to switch providers, as well as understand the complex jumble of applicable fees, electric rates and payment plans – a very time consuming and tedious activity can cost you substantial amounts of money if not done properly.

One of the good things in a deregulated Texas electricity market however is the emergence of consolidators, aggregators or brokerage companies that help simplify the shopping experience for your business. These companies can do the market evaluation for you, even providing you with a customized analysis that takes into account the commercial electricity provider’s energy rates, your historical electricity usages, and other pertinent fees and charges in your desired plans and come up with a package that you can use in the selection process.

Where to Start

Working with a licensed energy aggregator or brokerage company to help you in shopping for a commercial electricity provider can assure that you are doing the selection process right and come out with the best choice that will give you the highest overall benefits. You can make the selection and purchasing process online through the brokerage or aggregator company’s website and they will take care of the rest. In this way, you don’t need to go through all the hassle of negotiations and focus on what you should do best – running your business.

When choosing a brokerage company, select one that works and maintains a non-agency relationship with several commercial electricity providers. These companies have already screened these companies from among the several retail electric providers all competing against each other for your business. They can work as your energy consultant and help you get the best and cheapest commercial electricity rates as possible.