Texas Electric Deregulation - A Road Map For America

It's a known fact that when electric companies (or any company, for that matter) get the chance to establish a monopoly such that consumers have no competition to choose from, the companies themselves hold all the cards and the unfortunate consumers are left to take what they can get, at whatever price the company deems necessary for profit. To that end, deregulation laws were introduced in Texas in 2002, such that now, most Texas citizens can choose their electric providers.

That means more competition, and THAT means that customers are once again in control. Deregulation means better customer service, better pricing, and a chance to use renewable energy sources instead of entrenched but "bad for the environment" and nonrenewable energy sources. It wasn't always that way; before deregulation took hold in Texas, a single utility would provide service to an entire area, including sales, transmission, and distribution. That meant consumers had no other options but to take what they got. Deregulation has changed that, such that now, one company can handle the transmission and distribution of electricity within a given area, but other companies take over billing and sales. For consumers, this gives choice, such that they can choose the providers they want to work with.

The Public Utility Commission oversees the entire process, to forestall any problems that may arise. Today, about 75% of the citizens in Texas have the ability to choose the power companies they want, and thus to control at least to some extent how much they pay, where they get their power from, and the level of service they receive. This benefits businesses as well as private consumers, and when businesses benefit, that business's customers benefit, too.Why? Because when businesses can choose their own electric service providers, they get lower utility costs and better service. In turn, they pass those savings and the benefits of that improved service on to customers.

At present, some 25% of Texas' electric consumers still do not have the ability to receive the benefits of competition. That includes those in large cities like Austin and San Antonio, and those that use electric cooperatives. Nonetheless, positive changes continue to be made in Texas when it comes to Texas electric utility providers. Renewable resources continue to be explored and implemented, with wind farms, as one example, springing up all over the state as a means to provide clean, completely renewable energy that can be converted into electricity.

If you live in Texas and you live in an area where you can choose your provider, the best way to make sure deregulation stays in place is to utilize its benefits. Shop around for the company that's going to suit you and your family best by going to www.ChooseEnergy.com. You can actually compare prices in real time between companies, all on the same website. Once you've done your homework and have chosen an electric provider that meets your needs the best, and at the best possible prices, you simply place your order with the company; you should expect to receive information from them on your rights as a customer, and the terms of service agreement from your new provider as well. You don't have to contact your old provider to discontinue service, either. Your new provider will handle that, and you'll simply get a notice of service change in the mail. Actual change of service will happen at your next meter reading. It should be noted that your new company will not be assuming responsibility for sending you your final bills from the old company, so make sure you address those and get them taken care of. Other than that, though, the change is completely seamless and automatic. You simply use your power to choose your new provider, and the wheels are set in motion so that you can enjoy the benefits of going with an electric provider you've chosen.

Texas Electric Review (cont.) - dPi Energy

We continue our look at Texas electric companies this week by featuring dPi Energy.

What does dPi Energy offer that most Texas energy companies don't? Easy access to electricity, no matter who you are, reliably. You get reliable service with no need for a credit check and no deposit requirement. You don't even have to have a checking account or credit card to pay your bill - cash is happily accepted. That's great news for people who can't get a bank account or credit for one reason or another, or who just prefer to handle their bills with physical money.

Sign up for dPi Energy, and you'll quickly start getting service. No ID is required, so there's no worry about losing track of your personal information, something most providers just can't offer. There's no need to sign a long term contract - you pay as you go. There are even payment stations in many neighborhoods to make it easy to keep your bills covered. Flexible payment options allow you to tailor your service to your situation, as well, and competitive prices mean you won't pay too much. Tens of thousands of people in Texas are signing up with dPi Energy, and it's really no surprise. All you have to do is go to: www.ChooseEnergy.com and sign up online.

Rates are just a click away on ChooseEnergy.com, with a plan that works for what you need. Business customers get a single point of contact, and billing solutions that can grow with your business. Rates are competitive and service is high quality, making dPi a popular choice with consumers and companies all over Texas.

When you sign up, you'll choose one of three types of plans: Residential, Small Business, or Enterprise. Each is designed to help you trim down your costs without sacrificing reliability or convenience. Signing up is simple, and each type of plan is tailored to the people who use it. Under each of these umbrellas, you'll get even more choices.

Residential customers who want a painless way to get low rates can pay as little as fifteen cents per kWh for their first month of service. Rates after that will be subject to market fluctuations, so you can take advantage of the lows and curtail your power uses during the highs. You get control, which is something that many long term plans don't give you. We all deserve energy providers we can trust, who also trust us!

Texans have the power to choose where their electricity comes from, and that means shopping around. Take a look at all the providers out there, but don't forget to pay attention to dPi Energy. This company gives you easy access to power, with no checks on your credit, no deposit, and no ID required. Pay with cash, enjoy the benefits of a rate that fluctuates with the market, and choose dPi. You'll be happy with the results.

Texas Electric Deregulation - What You Need To Know

We conclude our 5 part series on energy deregulation with the state that is leading the way.
The state of Texas has offered consumers the power to choose their electricity provider since 2002. This means that if you're a Texas resident and you're not happy with the service your power company has been offering, you can get different service. You can choose from companies that offer better quality customer service, renewable energy sources, and many other features that your current provider may not have. Let's take a look at the details.

Before Texas electric deregulation was put into effect, only one utility would manage power distribution, transmission and sales in an area. That meant you had no other options. Today, the same company you used to use maintains the distribution and transmission of the electricity, but other companies handle sales and billing. That means that you can work with the business that offers what you want. The reliability and safety of energy distribution are overseen by the Public Utility Commission, to prevent problems in the long run.

About seventy-five percent of the state actually has the ability to choose the Texas power company that they want, instead of having no control over their bill, where their power comes from, or what kind of service they recieve. The rest of the state is unfortunately not subject to competition for a number of reasons. Electricity cooperatives and large cities, including San Antonio and Austin, are not open for competition. You can get in touch with your co-op or city utility to find out more.

Texas electric deregulation is about power choice, and we hope that it's going to lead to some real innovation. After all, Texas is now one of the leading producers of wind power in the United States, and plenty of additional wind farms are in development. That means that you could say goodbye to using power that comes from coal plants that pollute the air and water, or natural gas plants that use a nonrenewable resource. This wouldn't have been possible without deregulation.
Texans are encouraged to shop for good prices and good service, and it's easier than it's ever been. After all, there are plenty of informative websites out there that give you the information you need to decide which energy supplier is right for you. The most advanced site (ChooseEnergy.com) lets you compare power prices in real time without needing to leave the website, and can even place orders. These orders go right to the electric company you decide will be the best choice for your situation.

Once you've made all the comparisons, picked a new Texas electricity provider and had your order accepted by the company, you should expect to receive a terms of service agreement from them, as well as some information listing your rights as one of their customers. There's no need to get in touch with your current provider - that's all going to be handled by the new one. You'll get a notice of your change request in the mail, and the change of service will happen the next time you have your meter read. You'll get bills from the old company until you've paid in full, and once that final bill is paid, you'll start getting ones from the new provider.

That's all it takes to exercise your power to choose in Texas. The reliability of your power will be the same, outages will occur with the same frequency that they always have (hopefully not often) and your local wires company still maintains your delivery. However, you now have a choice in which company sells you your power, the rate you buy it at, and how it's produced. The customer is getting more control over their utilities in the state of Texas. That's a great thing for nearly everyone.

Take the time to find out if you have the option to change your power supplier - you could really benefit. It's not hard to do, and your service can only get better. Companies now have an incentive to offer better pricing, cleaner energy, and better quality service. After all, you could always try your luck with someone else.

How to Get a Tax Credit While Improving Your Home's Energy Efficiency

Summary: The IRS is offering incentives to make energy efficient improvements to your home. With Texas heat - these are some great ideas on how you can lower your Texas electric bill. But these come with strings and caveats. Be sure that what you are planning will qualify before you commit to the expenditure.

Uncle Sam is on your side when it comes to offering some tax credits for improving your home's energy efficiency. Unfortunately, he's only offering some credits and these come with a handful of strings. Still, a tax credit is better than no tax credit.

First, you need to know that energy tax credits can total 30% of expenditures (existing homes only for - windows and doors, metal roofs, insulation, asphalt roofs, ventilating, heating, and air conditioning systems [known as HVACs], non-solar water heaters as well as biomass Stoves) up to $1500 over a 2-year period (tax years 2009 and 2010). The credit is NOT for each year. Further, it is NOT for each adult owner of the home, unless they file separate income tax returns. A husband and wife filing a joint return, for example, could receive up to a single $1500 credit. Two adults (married or living together in the same home) could receive two such credits if they filed separate returns.

There are also longer-term and unlimited tax credits (30% of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016 for existing homes & new construction) for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems, solar panels, and fuel cells. However, the tax credit for fuel cells is limited to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity.

Note, too, that installation costs are only allowed for windows, doors, roofs and insulation.

And, to keep the confusion to a dull roar, you can only claim the tax credit for up to what you owe in taxes. Thus, if after other deductions you owe no taxes (even if you had tax payments withheld), you cannot claim the credit. And, if you don't owe enough taxes, you cannot carry over the credit (unless you install the items under "longer term" described above.

The good news is that you can claim both the $1500 credit and the unlimited credit as long as you satisfy the requirements for each.

Next, you will need to ensure that what you are doing qualifies for the credit. It's best to check with the company (or the manufacturer's web site) to ensure that they can provide a "Manufacturer's Certification Statement." The MCS is a signed statement that comes from the manufacturer, which certifies that the product is qualified for this tax credit. As with anything involving the IRS, be sure to save all receipts and the MCS, just in case the IRS requests them.

When you file your taxes, be sure to include a Form 5695. On the latest draft version of the form, the energy tax credit appears on line 52.

If you are thinking about this credit as a way of helping to offset the costs of viable energy-efficient home improvements, then you should visit the Energy Star web site to get more information. Check back periodically as the web site managers seem to be doing a good job of keeping information current and addressing questions. The web site's address is

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

You might also want to read the IRS rules carefully and check with your tax advisor/accountant, if you have one.

Stop Air Leaks for an Energy Efficient Home

Summary: Air gets into and out of our homes from a wide range of places. Many of these can be fixed with some simple do it yourself handiwork. Undertake any of these and you'll start to realize instant energy savings on your Texas electric bill.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, American homes lose energy from the following places (in decreasing order of importance): floors, ceilings and walls (31%), doors and windows (21%), heating/air condition ducts (15%), fireplaces (14%), plumbing penetrations (13%) and all others (6%). Recognize that these numbers may vary based on home type, age, geographical region and other factors.

For some of these problem areas, better insulation or more energy efficient windows or doors may yield significant savings on your Texas electricity costs. But, these can be costly. Instead, why not take a few simple steps to eliminate those pesky air leaks plus go to www.ChooseEnergy.com and sign up for a lower rate.

One of the easiest things one can do is recaulk windows and doors. In addition to eliminating air leaks, this can also eliminate water leaks. To do this, first remove existing caulk (don't just recaulk over existing caulk). You may need to use a putty knife, a window scraper, other blunt scrapper tool or even a screwdriver to loosen and remove the caulk. Be careful not to gouge the framing. Then clean the entire window or doorframe with rubbing alcohol or other cleaning compound to ensure good adhesion.

Reapply caulk (pushing the bead to ensure it gets into gaps). Be sure NOT to caulk window weep holes (small holes at the bottom of the window that allow for any condensation to drain). It's best to apply the caulk when outdoor temperatures are between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In most locales, this is when most building materials are at the midpoint of their contraction and expansion range.

Choose the type of caulk and color that is best suited to your home and any associated remodeling activity. But in most cases, a paintable, light-colored caulk is what you'll want.

What works for windows and doors, also applies to skylights and any other places where gaps may occur. This can include places where air conditioning, phone or electric lines enter your home. You can now find special cover plates that be placed over the once massive caulked or sealed areas. You'll still need to seal these, but it looks a lot more attractive.

In your attic, crawl space and/or basement, you should plan to seal all air conditioning and heating ducts. Instead of caulk, however, duct tape can be used to seal seams of exposed ducts.

An even better approach (one that can reach all ducts) involves injecting an aerosol sealer into the ductwork. During the course of the process, the sealant collects at any leak sites, sealing them.

Finally, address weather stripping along the bottom of doors and windows. This can become brittle and/or damaged over time. Sometimes you can simply slide in a replacement piece. At other times you may have to tip out the window or remove the door from its hinges and then physically remove and replace the entire weather stripping unit.

Another easy-to-do sealant project involves eliminating leaks around electric outlets or switches on outside walls. Turn off electricity and carefully remove switch plate or plug covers. Feel for air leaks (especially in colder months). Then use foam inserts to cover much of the opening. You may also want to stuff insulation into gaps along the outside edges of the electric box or spray in some foam sealant. Wait a few moments and feel again for air leaks.

You can also undertake some temporary fixes, but nothing beats fixing leaks outright. Once you do, you'll start saving real money, really quickly on all of your Texas electric costs.

New Rules for Texas Electric Deregulation

In August of this year, state regulators have tightened the reigns on guidelines and rules for Texas electric retailers that deeply benefits the consumers and makes retailers face stricter financial standards to remain in operation. From the implementation of these new rules, Texas electric customers will be allowed a 14-day minimum notice before their contracts expire. Additionally, the Texas Public Utility Commission reduced the time it takes to change electric providers from up to 45 days to no more than 7.

Texas regulators decided to make these deregulatory changes in a direct response to problems stemming from last summer's loss of several electric companies after the wholesale power markets spiked. Loss of such companies caused Texas consumers to switch to plans with other electric providers, sometimes at significantly higher rates. It is worth mentioning that this occurred during some of the hottest weeks of 2008.

The New Rules

In order to remain in compliance with the new industry standards, electric retailers will now be required to maintain at least $1 million in equity. Additionally, they will also be required to show proof of investment grade debt ratings or that they hold at least $500,000 letters of credit. (Before, it was just $100,000.)

The changes don't come to just financials, either. The new rules also stem into the management branch of the electric companies. It is now required that company management have a specified amount of experience (in years) in the industry. To tighten the rules even further, regulators have mandated that someone on the Texas electric company staff must also have experience in both risk management and commodity hedging.

These requirements are based on the fact that many of the companies that went out of business in 2008 relied too heavily on a balancing market. The Texas power industry, though relatively small, can be quite volatile with drastic jumps. These businesses lost when they posted collateral based on the market which jumped causing the capital requirement to spike as well. It was a challenge that a handful of electric companies simply were unable to meet.

What Customers Will Note

The new rules for Texas deregulation will not only affect customer rights and companies from being sucked into the virtual black hole of a fluctuating market; it will affect the wording on their contracts and bills as well. Part of the new rules requires that the contract expiration be clearly explained and identified. The rules also require companies to clearly spell out fees, costs, and electric rates right on the monthly bill.

Though some Texas electric companies won't have to do much, as a few have already adopted such tactics before the rules became official, others will have plenty of work before them. The standardized communication will help consumers become better customers and improve their ability to compare one electric company to another.

What the Texas Public Utility Commission Does

The Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) is responsible for regulating terms and rates for intrastate transmission services and distribution in relation to customer choice. It also monitors and oversees the market, fees, and industry standards. The PUC is also responsible for protecting the consumer through the adoption and enforcement of retail competition and renewable energy rules.

How Texas Electric Deregulation has helped Texas businesses and consumers

Texas Electric deregulation in Texas came into effect as of January 1, 2002. The deregulation itself is going to be phased in over several years, but the result of the deregulation itself is that most Texas power customers can choose where they get their electricity from, from a number of what are called "retail electric providers," or REPs. The so-called "incumbent utility" in an area still maintains and owns the powerlines, and it's the one you call if there is a power outage. That particular company is not subject to deregulation. To date roughly 85% percent of industrial and commercial customers have taken advantage of deregulation by switching providers at least on one occasion. Over 50% residential customers have taken advantage of the deregulation to switch to a competitive REP. What's so special about deregulation? Deregulation ensures that no single buyer or seller is going to have an unfair advantage in the market, basically a sort of "anti-monopolization" movement that helps ensure competitive pricing on Texas electricity.

Within deregulation was a concept known as the "price to beat," or PTB, a regulated rate concept that determined the pricing behavior of ex-utility providers. Typically, prices would have been determined by a transparent market and in fair fashion, not by an academic or political body. However, this wasn't quite going to work in Texas' deregulation, because incumbent electric companies could instantly cut their own prices to beat those of new deregulation entries, therefore in effect preventing competition and continuing in the monopoly. To that end, the deregulation in Texas also had a phase-in period whereby a price floor was established for incumbent electricity companies so that this sort of continued monopolization could not occur and new competitors could become established themselves. This was to last until January 1 of 2007.

Benefits to businesses: No bottlenecking, no loss of profits by being "down"Deregulation helps ensure that "bottlenecking" won't occur such as happened in the 2003 North American blackout and in California's electric crisis. And of course, this benefits businesses because they don't lose profits by going "down," as is inevitable during the times of these types of outages. With the Texas electric market deregulated, new firms have been able to enter into the marketplace, thus helping ensure an end to bottlenecking. Specifically, more than 60 startup firms have been established to date, nearly equally split among firms that are almost entirely focused on commercial usage and those that are focused on residential usage. In addition, deregulation has been of benefit to consumers because aggregators have advocated for consumers to negotiate low rates on the markets; these lower cost than get passed on to consumers with lower pricing.

With last summer price rises, is deregulation still a good deal? Spikes in Texas' electricity prices lst summer caused many to question deregulation's impact in a positive sense. However, even though previous assertions that deregulation would lower prices for businesses and consumers, more competition has probably meant that prices themselves HAVE indeed remained lower than they would had deregulation not been instituted. It should also be noted that wholesale electricity prices actually took a drop between 2005 and 2006, several years after the inception and implementation of the deregulation. In addition, even though some electricity comes from (currently cheaper) coal plants, Texas electric companies have to set their prices at the higher natural gas production level, because natural gas power plants are needed to supply growing demand. And again, as demand grows, natural gas is going to become an increasingly important supplier of electricity.

What cost savings has this had for consumers and businesses? When deregulation was implemented, prices are still somewhat less than they would have been had deregulation not occured. In addition, it should be noted that electric companies are still absorbing some of the price increases, since prices went up for customers an average of 43% between the years of 2002 to 2004, even though input costs, such as those from natural gas, rose by 63%. Therefore, you can see that some of these costs have been borne by the electric companies and not consumers, because of the increased competition. With the Price to Beat Program enforced through January 1, 2007, new competitors could enter the market safely without fear that incumbents would undercut them in price. This has also controlled prices and increased competition. And of course, that benefits both businesses and consumers because with lower Texas electric prices to pay, businesses can keep their own overhead costs low, and pass the savings on to consumers.

Environmental impacts: Deregulation has also allowed businesses and consumers to begin to take advantage of more environmentally friendly electricity suppliers, such as the wind turbine companies that have begun to jump on board. What this means, of course, is that these businesses have impacted the environment favorably -- but have been able to participate entirely because of the deregulation, which they may not have been able to do had it not happened. As of 2006, Texas surpassed California in its use of clean electricity generated from wind turbines. Other alternative energy sources are also in development, including solar and hydropower, biomass, and landfill gas.

Less electric consumption altogether - As electric prices have risen (even though, as stated previously, they would have arguably risen more in a market dominated by incumbents with no competition), consumers and businesses alike have jumped fully into conservation mode. This is something that may not have happened were electric prices not to have risen so substantially. And with businesses modeling this type of good behavior to consumers, this is truly responsible behavior that can only bring about good overall.

What is Energy Star?

You've probably seen the now familiar blue and white logo with the word "Energy" followed by the outline of a star to indicate the joint governmental effort known as ENERGY STAR at least a few times over the past decade or so, but still may not be sure exactly what the program is all about. Created by the U.S Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992, ENERGY STAR aims to save consumers money while protecting the precious environment at the same time through the use of products and practices that are energy efficient.

While there's been quite a bit of attention on greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, many people may be rather surprised to learn that their homes can actually cause twice the amount of air pollution as their cars do. Fortunately, the benefits of ENERGY STAR compliant appliances are becoming more and more known as we search for solutions to combat the growing problems of global warming and rapidly decreasing supplies of vital resources.

The Benefits of ENERGY STAR Rated AppliancesToday, the typical household's energy related utility bills are over $2,000 per year, but, in the year 2008 alone, Americans saved an incredible 19 billion dollars on their home utilities with the help of ENERGY STAR products and other electricity savings methods. This equals a savings of approximately one-third of the total cost of a year's utilities, or about $700 minus the $2,000 total. The previous year in 2007, Americans avoided releasing a whopping forty million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions into the air we breathe by using products that received the ENERGY STAR rating.

Now, new homes are being built to meet the strict guidelines required to be an ENERGY STAR certified home and must be at least fifteen percent more energy efficient than those built just a few years ago that met the 2004 IRC (International Residential Code). These new "smart" homes, also called green homes or green buildings, have a number of energy-saving features that have the potential to be up to 30 times more efficient than the average home.

ENERGY STAR Products for Every Room of the Home - Currently there are products carrying the ENERGY STAR label in more than 60 different categories, all of which use less energy, save more money, and have less of an impact on the world around us. Thanks to many major technological advances in our modern world, you'll now find the ENERGY STAR logo on far more than just refrigerators or television sets.

All throughout the house, using qualified light bulbs will save two-thirds energy than the ordinary, incandescent bulb most of us still have. And, down in the basement or up in the attic, ENERGY STAR furnaces with a rating of 90% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) or more, which is already 15% more efficient than the minimum federal standards, can save a considerable amount of money, especially if you live in a colder climate.

ENERGY STAR TVs will use half the amount of watts (three compared to six) when not turned on, and qualified VCRs will use 30% less Texas energy than their non-compliant counterparts. Even cordless telephones have built-in modes that save energy along with digital-to-analog converter boxes (DTAs), DVD players, computer and office equipment, and of course, appliances for the kitchen and laundry room.

Do remember that just because a product or service is advertised as being "energy efficient" that doesn't necessarily mean it will perform as well or meet the same stringent energy guidelines as outlined by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA for the ENERGY STAR program. By using Energy Star rated appliances and lowering your Texas electric rate from ChooseEnergy.com - you will be on your way to much lower Texas electricity bills.

Smart Meters - Will They Really Help?

You may have heard about the recent call for installing smart meters in our homes. These meters are advanced electrical meters that identify power consumption in greater detail than ordinary meters, and send that information back to the utility for billing and monitoring. But will they really help reduce power consumption and help us lower our Texas electric bills?

Let's take a look at what smart meters can and can't do for us. Traditional power meters regulate only the energy consumed, and not when it was used, meaning that it's hard to match consumption with production. Smart meters are one of the more economical methods of measuring not only consumption, but times other information. This allows power companies to set different prices according to when the power is used. This will allow customers to save money by using power at nonpeak hours and avoiding paying too much for energy. It's hoped that this will keep Texas electricity prices down.

Italy's dominant utility is currently serving over twenty-seven million customers with fully electronic smart meters capable of measuring and managing power, and which have a software controlled disconnect switch. They're solid state, and communicate via low voltage power lines. These systems offer more features to utilities, allowing remote changing of billing plans, the ability to detect outages and unauthorized use, and the ability to turn power on and off remotely. Smart meters have also been implemented in Turkey, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and Australia. In the United states, a number of jurisdictions are actively pursuing smart meter technology, such as Northen California and Texas. Implementation is imminent in the UK and in Ireland.

Energy experts have noted that it's important for meters to allow homeowners to make choices such as buying their power when it's cheapest and selling wind turbine and solar panel electricity to utilities when they choose to.The biggest problem with smart meter technologies is generally communication, since each meter must be able to securely and reliably communicate the information to a central point. This can be tricky, given the range of locations and environments in which these meters are located. Some solutions that have been proposed include cellular networks, radio, and power line communications.

Recently, US President Obama has called for the installation of forty million smart meters, as well as three thousand miles of transmission lines. This would be the first real update to the electrical grid in about forty years. Some feel that this will create what is being called a "smart grid" and will be as big an influence on our society as the Internet, the Interstate, the telephone and the railroad. The ability of this grid to pull energy from clean power projects is one of the reasons it's being supported, as well as its ability to forstall the need for building new power production centers.

Smart meters can cost anywhere from a hundred to three hundred dollars to install - each. The amount depends on the quality of the smart meter in question, but it will be a significant investment. However, venture capitalists have been investing in this technology recently, so it may be possible. Soon, you could be choosing when you use power based on the price, and possibly saving money and energy.

Texas Electric Summer Saving Tips

Summer is right around the corner, which means trips to the beach, time off from school and of course, outrageous electric bills. Don’t spend a fortune this summer on your energy costs, follow these Summer saving tips to save money all around your home get lower Texas electric bills.

As much as 50% of your home's energy costs come from heating and cooling. In the summertime that of course stems from cooling using your air conditioner. You can lower these costs by doing small things like keeping your windows and doors closed while you are using your AC and insulating them to prevent air leakage. You can also save money by changing your air filter, insulating the air ducts and keeping the AC unit in top working condition. Another money saving tip is to install an automatic thermostat, which you can program to turn off in the middle of the night and during the day when nobody needs it running.

The amount of appliances we have in our homes can be mind boggling sometimes. They are in every room of our house, and they come in all sizes and types. From major appliances such as your refrigerator, your washer and your dryer to smaller ones like your toaster, coffee maker and blender, you can save costs by purchasing energy saving units. They might cost a bit more upfront, but the savings will pile up from month to month with lower energy costs.

Water heating accounts for a large percentage of every home's energy bill. But you don't have to start instituting a 5 minute shower rule to see savings in this area. You can buy an energy efficient water heater which will get the job done while eating up less resources.

Most people joke about the costs of leaving your lights on, but it does actually add up. It can be a quarter of your electric bill every month. Besides turning off the lights when you leave a room, what else can you do? One of the best energy saving tips across any category is to switch all of your old light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs. If you don't know what they are, they are the spiral designed bulbs in stores. They last 10 times longer than standard light bulbs while using up to 75% less energy. That's amazing efficiency and it will result in a huge savings.

Household electronics eat up a lot of energy, from televisions to computers, clocks and many more items. Even when off if they display the time or any power lights, they are still using energy. Look for efficient models that turn completely off, or start to unplug all electronics when they are not in use.

If you have a lot of office equipment in your home, you can be adding lots of money to your electric bill. Think about it, you have computers, printers, faxes, shredders, scanners and other pieces of energy craving equipment. Buy energy efficient models and turn everything off when it isn't in use.

Shop for a lower electric rate and lock it in during those spiking summer months. Simply go to ChooseEnergy.com to shop and compare rates in your area. You can sign up online in just a few simple steps and you'll see the savings pay off in the form of lower Texas electric bills.

You don't have to be a genius to lower your monthly Texas electric bills, just follow these easy and straightforward tips and you'll start seeing the savings.

Summer Savings on Texas Electricity

In summer many people make use of their air-conditioners and this results in increased Texas electricity use. Because of this most of us are suddenly confronted with a much higher Texas electric bill that we received in the winter months. That is why, when Spring and Summer arrive, it makes good sense to begin to prepare for your energy consumption during the hot Texas summer. The whole point is to keep your Texas energy bill the same or only minimally higher once you are using the air-conditioner more regularly.

By examining your Texas electricity usage you will be able to determine all those areas of your home or business where your usage is particularly high. You need to decide which areas you can work on to reduce your energy need. This will lower your bill at the end of the month and keep you in good shape for when the weather gets hotter and the air-conditioner is switched on. By cutting back on your energy usage you will be preparing for the cost of running the air-conditioner.

The great news for consumers is that Texas has made it possible for different energy companies to exist. This means that these companies are all competing for our business and the best way to attract customers is to not only offer them great service, but also great prices. Before the summer heat has even arrived you should take a closer look at which company will supply your energy requirements at the best price for you. This is another way to keep your bill down in preparation for the hot Texas summer months.

Another effective way of reducing your monthly Texas electric bill is to take a look around your home and make note of all the appliances that you tend to leave plugged in even when you are not using them. Perhaps, like millions of people who own a mobile phone, you leave the charger plugged in all the time. Also, if you own your own computer, remember that it still uses up energy when it is in sleep mode. So consider switching it off when it is not in use. You might be pleasantly surprised just how much this one precaution can positively impact your energy bill.
As you can see, taking note of which electrical items in your home or business can be switched off when not being used, can add up to a nice saving on you monthly energy bill. Coupled with the other practical steps we have already seen, you will be amazed at how much of a reduction you will see in your energy usage and this will mean that your increased use of the air-conditioner in the summer months will not cause your bill to rise by much.

By doing a little bit of research and by making a little effort, you can enjoy the warmer months in your air-conditioned home or office with peace of mind. Find out other ways that you can reduce your energy consumption by taking a look at some energy saving tips. You should be able to find quite a few helpful hints and tips that will help you to manage your Texas electricity bill and also enjoy the savings you will incur. So put in a bit of time and effort and then reap the rewards.

Texas Electric Price Update

It's time to lock in your Texas electric rate today. If you live in Texas and have been thinking about what to do with your electricity rate - please lock in now. Prices are extremely favorable for those that can lock into a Texas electric plan today you should strongly consider it. If you are on a month-to-month rate - you should certainly switch to a locked in rate today. Summer heat and high summer bills are coming - that will also bring higher month-to-month rates. Since it usually takes about 45 days to switch, but only one billing cycle for your provider to increase your month-to-month rate - don't wait and get caught in the middle. They will be raising that month-to-month rate soon. Supply and demand...

The price of your Texas electricity is going to vary not just according to your use, but according to where you live, how the power was generated, and how it was delivered. We live in Texas and much of our power is from natural gas. Right now - natural gas is LOW and that means low Texas electric rates. These power plants are going to need MORE natural gas soon because of the increased demand for electricity - thus nigher natural gas costs. That's right - a higher electric rate as well. The utility will spread its costs out among its customers, and if its costs go up, so do your rates. Supply and demand and season can also have an effect on electricity and related items, with gas and oil prices often rising in the summer months, due to more demand from cars, businesses, power plants, homes, etc..

So, how can you reduce the amount you’re paying? Change the rate per kilowatt hour you are paying and cut down on your usage. After all, about nine percent each of the average bill is paying for heating water and lighting. Ten percent is space heating and sixteen percent is air conditioning. Computers, electronics, freezers, dryers and other devices make up the remaining forty percent.

All of the experts agree - lock in now - even the Chairman of the Public Utility Commission recently told people that now is the time to lock in your rate by shopping for the lowest Texas electric rate.

What Determines Your Price for Texas Electricity?

When you look at your power bill, you probably see a confusing list of costs. Many of us have trouble figuring out why we’ve been charged what we have, so we just pay our bills and ignore it. However, you don’t have to go through life without understanding why you pay what you do for electricity. Let’s take a look at how this price is determined. It’s really relatively simple. Plus, once you know how your bill is put together, you can take steps to pay less.

The price of your Texas electricity is going to vary not just according to your electric usage, but according to where you live, how the power was generated, and how it was delivered. Other factors may include whether or not new plants have recently been constructed in your area, plus the cost of maintaining and operating your local power plants. The utility will spread its costs out among its customers, and if its costs go up, so do your rates.

Supply and demand and season can also have an effect on electricity and related items, with gas and oil prices often rising in the winter and summer and dropping in the fall and spring. Electricity usually follows these same patterns. In areas with high demand (like here in Texas), time of day can even have an effect. After all, the power company can offer only so much electricity. If demand exceeds supply, brownouts can occur like they have in years past. The utility has an investment in not letting that happen.

Since the Texas electric companies can only supply so much at a time, they’ll encourage people to enrolly in programs to help manage demand. If you’re in one of these, in the afternoon and the early evening, you may pay more, since this is the time when most people need power, but at other times, especially over night, you’ll get a discount. Many people do their laundry or other electricity intensive chores at off peak hours to take advantage of this lower rate.
While your power may seem expensive, it’s cheaper today than it was in 1960. In real terms, adjusted for inflation, we pay an average of four cents less per kilowatt hour than we did then. Of course, prices have fluctuated over the years, due to economic situations, supply of fuel, and new methods of generating power. In general, your residential rate is going to reflect how much it costs the utility to produce or buy the power you receive.

Before taxes and other services, your total bill for a given month is simply the price of your electricity per kilowatt hour, times the number of kilowatt hours you’ve consumed that month. Since most residences have a lot of appliances that use electricity, some even when they’re off, your bill could climb when you’re not paying attention.

So, how can you reduce the amount you’re paying? Your rate per kilowatt hour is one important factor. You can shop Texas electric rates by going to ChooseEnergy.com and signing up for a lower electric rate. Then - you will need to lower you usage, about nine percent each of the average bill is paying for heating water and lighting. Ten percent is space heating and sixteen percent is air conditioning. Computers, electronics, freezers, dryers and other devices make up the remaining forty percent.

That means that there are a few things you can do to cut down on your bill. Improving efficiency and conserving energy are the best ones. Turn off or unplug appliances and lights when they’re not being used. Insulate doors and windows, and when the time comes to replace an appliance, choose the most efficient one you can. Older refrigerators are particularly bad culprits when it comes to energy use, as are older air conditioning systems.

Think about using your major appliances at off peak times, and see if you can average your annual bill, splitting your monthly payments out to an equal amount if seasonal demand is a problem for your home. Most Texas electricity providers now offer some kind of program to help you save electricity and money. Take advantage of it to see a real improvement in your bills.

Texas Electric News - Earth Day 2009

Since today is Earth Day 2009 in America, I thought I would provide you with some helpful Texas electric tips on making your home green.

Due to environmental concerns, many wonder how they can live greener at home. As people learn ways of conserving and recycling, they are amazed to discover how easy it is to go green. Not only does a green home support a better environment, but it can also be cost-effective. With a few adjustments, everyone can enjoy the benefits of green living.

A good portion of a home's costly energy consumption relates to cooling and heating. Setting a home's thermostat to below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter and at 25 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer will save money on Texas energy bills and conserve energy at the same time.

Also, by creating shade at windows at the east and west ends of a home, indoor temperature can be kept several degrees cooler as the morning and afternoon sun passes. Preparing meals before the air heats up or after it cools will also keep heat from becoming trapped inside of the home and reduce reliance on air conditioning. Ceiling fans also help circulate air and delay it from becoming too hot.

Polyethylene plastic bags, like those commonly offered by grocers, are manufactured using petroleum. As 100 billion plastic bags are thrown away annually, their disposal by burning presents a devastating assault upon the environment. By investing a dollar or two in re-usable cloth grocery bags, the amount of plastic bags wasted can be reduced along with their global warming impact.

Plastic water bottles increase the level of greenhouse gases as they languish in landfills. To reduce this impact, every member of the family should have their own re-usable water bottle to carry with them when they are away from home. Filling bottles before leaving home also saves money.

To reduce fuel costs and rising carbon emissions, public transportation or carpooling is ideal for daily travel. With fewer cars on the road, not only will the air be cleaner, but also the cost of public transportation by train, bus or carpooling can save consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. As the demand for fuel decreases, retail prices for fuel does also. For neighborhood errands, walking or riding a bicycle is another great way to cut fuel emissions and both are an effective form of exercise.

When remodeling a home, opt for bamboo flooring instead of hardwood floors. Bamboo is an environmentally friendly, high yielding, self-replenishing flooring material. It only takes bamboo between 6 and 8 years to mature, compared to the 50 to100 long years needed for hardwoods. When installing bamboo flooring, only use glues that do not contain toxic formaldehyde.

Finally, opt out of paper bills and opt in to electronic bill payments instead. Many companies even encourage this by offering discounts to customers who receive and pay their bills electronically. To further help keep paper waste products out of landfills, purchase recycled paper products and make sure they are unbleached since the bleaching process is environmentally toxic.

Though some believe that going green is a painstaking process, the truth is that consciously doing so isn't as difficult as it sounds. People who go green can feel satisfied about doing their part to nurture the earth and will find it rewarding to save a few pennies in the process.

Top Tips to a Lower Texas Electric Bill

With the spring and summer heat coming to Texas, more and more people wonder what they can do to lower their Texas electric bills. That said, here are the top tips we’ve found.

Heating and Cooling

As startling as this is, remember that approximately half of the energy used in a home is for heating and cooling. Thus, taking care of these specific appliances in order to make sure that they do not suck up energy is highly important. Steps for doing so include changing the filter regularly, tuning up the equipment, and sealing and insulating the ducts. You also might look into a programmable thermostat that changes the temperature when the home is unoccupied or the occupants are asleep, for instance, thus reducing the energy used.

Appliances

Sometimes when you stop and think about it, we are people who need appliances to keep us happy in our homes. For instance most of us own air conditioning, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, disposals, as well as washers and dryers. This list of essentials does not even cover clocks, TVs or radios, water heaters, and ceiling fans, not to mention cell phones that need to be plugged in, computers, printers and assorted sound equipment. Thus, when you purchase appliances for your homes pay special attention to the energy saver listings that the manufacturer warrants.

Water Heater

Next to the heating and cooling costs, the second largest energy expenditure in most families goes to heat the water they bathe with and use to clean dishes. Purchasing a water heater that offers advanced technology and is an energy saver will definitely lower your energy bill.

Lighting

Many will be shocked to hear that lighting costs the average homeowner approximately 20% of their Texas electric bill. Sure, your mother always told you to turn off the lights in a vacated room, and that helps tremendously, however you also need to remove the incandescent light bulbs that may still be in your home and replace them with CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) that mostly come in those weird spiral bulbs. Those newer bulbs use 75% less energy than the incandescent bulbs! Startling, but true, and the cost of the new bulbs will easily be made up within 6 months of usage because if you’ll remember they last approximately 10 times longer than an incandescent bulbs.
Home Electronics

Various appliances from TVs to even stoves and microwaves use digital displays that are in “standby” power mode. When purchasing such items make sure of the energy rating that each is given, and opt for those that use less energy even in “standby” mode!
Office Equipment

Besides the fact that most home office equipment is running 24 hours a day, all of the accessories associated with a home office also drain off a tremendous amount of energy. Be sure to purchase equipment that is the lowest rated energy guzzler anytime you replace the office equipment.

In general, most people will be superbly surprised with the Texas energy savings experienced by following these very simple tips.

Texas Power Company

Every state has an idea in mind on how they should supply power to their people. Everyone, including Texas, will need to be constantly aware of several demographic factors to be able to foresee enough future broadcasting to serve their population in the best manner possible.

Texas is large state that has one of the fastest growing populations, as well as receiving the blessing of an explosion in job growth. Both of these are two of the factors to keep in mind while trying to decide what method Texas electric companies should use in generating power. By 2030, the expectation is to have a population of forty million people, and you will want to make sure the grids can handle the demand for a number of years. Temporary fixes just won't do. One option that the Texas power companies are looking into is adding a new base load of power plants to produce for the grid.

Currently, Texas electricity si at approximately seventy-two percent capacity in its use of natural gas for generation, while coal holds out at nineteen percent. The best way to produce energy effectively is to have a mix of resources going into the grid. When a state relies on simply one brand of energy, it may fall into disarray. Costs would rise and resources diminished. If Texas were to build more coal generating plants, than the cost of producing the energy could be kept down, and therefore the majority of low-income people living in the state could afford their electric bills. Coal is a reliable resource that should still be readily available over the next few decades. One drawback of using the coal generating stations is the emission of greenhouse gasses. Still, it has been determined by some that it will not be enough of an impact on the o-zone to worry about.

One study by the electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) estimated that by 2017 Texas would need an additional 500 megawatts of power generated from the older plants to sustain the expected business and residential population. Newer plants would need to generate almost 48,000 megawatts of energy. The gap between supply and demand will only grow if new ways of production are not met. Renewable energy might be able to help meet the needs of the state.
Texas currently has the largest producing wind farm in the nation. Nearly 3000 megawatts of energy are produced by wind turbines, which is about one-third what a coal plant could handle.

Another option could be to go nuclear, but it would take awhile to get those types of plants up and running. Natural gas is clean burning and is the major producer of energy in Texas. This type of energy is widely requested by industrial companies in the state. The Texas power companies could choose from any number of resources in order to produce more electricity for their power grids to sustain enough energy for the populace. The final decision will be based on demographics, feasibility studies, and cost of growing the grid to fit the state's needs.

Economic Stimulus - Lower Electric Bills

In today's difficult economy, many families are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. One of the reasons for the problems that so many people are having is the cost of their electricity bills. If you are one of these families, you are most likely looking for ways to cut the bills and put some of your money back in your pocket.

There are some states, like here in Texas, that will allow you to choose the Texas electricity company that you will use for your power. This is a great opportunity for those who live in those states to choose the company that offers the best prices. This plan is an all around winner for consumers in these states. Not only will you have the immediate benefit of choosing the company that will give you the best prices on your energy, but you will also be encouraging the companies to offer the best rates possible to gain your business. This is capitalism at its very best.

In addition to choosing the right Texas electric company for your energy, you can do a great many things around your home to save on your electric bill. Just becoming aware of the amount of electricity that you are spending will allow you to begin saving money. When you realize how much energy you are using, you are more likely to begin to conserve. Get a rundown of the appliances in your home and how much energy they use every day. Simply turning a few things off in your home may make a dramatic savings in your electricity bill.

Make sure that your appliances are energy efficient. When you consider the amount of energy that you can save on these appliances, they are well worth the money. Check the rating on your appliances and make sure that they are running efficiently at all times.

Do your research on energy saving and what you can do to make your home more energy efficient. The family that does their homework and pays attention to the energy that they are using will be the family that enjoys much lower bills. This puts money right back in your pocket instead of being paid to your electric company.

Take advantage of the opportunity to shop around for your energy in the states that allow this to take place. You have a fabulous chance to encourage great prices and competition among the utility companies. Find out if you have any choice when it comes to the utility company that you use in your state and do some comparison shopping. Many people can use www.ChooseEnergy.com.

Today's economy requires most families to tighten their belts and find ways to save money. The electric bills that you have and the energy that you use in your home is one of the ways that you can save some money. More and more families find themselves in dire straits and cost savings may mean the difference between surviving and not surviving. When you lose your job and have lost your income as many families now find themselves, finding a way to keep your head above water until you find a new job is vital. Energy savings and cutting the costs of your electric bill may be the one thing that gets you through this difficult period of time.

Spring Into Texas Electric Saving Tips

As the seasons turn toward spring, we can all look forward to the warm spring days and eventually the hot summer nights in Texas. Now is the time to prepare for the hot weather by managing your electric bill. You may be using more electricity than in the cooler months when you run your air conditioner, so this is a perfect time to find a way to lower those bills before you have to increase your energy use.

Preparing for an increased energy use for your air conditioning system could mean saving on other appliances in your home to minimize the effect on your monthly bill. Take a look at all of the other energy use that you have in your home and begin to find ways to minimize your use. It is as simple as being aware of the energy that you are using and finding ways to cut back.

Texas electricity means that you will have a choice when it comes to your electric service provider. Texas has made the decision to deregulate and it has given consumers a whole new way to look at their electric bill every month. No longer will you be forced to stay with a company that is charging you rates that are too high. Companies are now going to compete for your business and that means better rates for you. Spring is a good time to take a look at the Texas electric companies to find ways to prepare for the coming hot weather.

There are a number of appliances that we all have in our homes that we leave running on a constant basis. Computers are often left on and even though they use less electricity in their sleep mode than they do when fully on, off is a much better choice. Simple adjustments like turning off appliances when they are not in use and unplugging those electric appliances that continue to consume energy even when they are not powered on.

Get a rundown of the appliances that you have in your home and find out how much energy is being used by each of them. You might be amazed at the amount of savings that you can gain when you are aware of the energy that is being used. The savings that you can gain from turning off appliances might be enough to run your air conditioner on the hot summer days and not see a big difference in your electric bill.

The smart electric consumer is the one that will do the research and plan for the extra energy expense during the spring and summer months. Taking advantage of all the options that are available to you will make the summer months a cool breeze to get through. Visit some of the websites that are available that will give you the information that you need to get through the summer without raising the cost of your Texas electric bills. You will be glad that you made these changes in your home.

Time to Save on Texas Electricity

Daylight savings time (DST) starts tonight. Ben Franklin suggested daylight savings time in 1784 but it wasn’t until 1918 that Congress established it into law. Previously, DST began on the first Sunday in April and lasted until the last Sunday in October. The U.S. extended DST in 2007 to begin on the second Sunday of March through the first Sunday in November. This give us an additional 5 weeks of natural light – thus additional savings on our Texas electric bills. To help lower energy usage, during DST, the sun rises one hour later in the morning and sets one hour later in the evening - essentially stretching the day. This works because it saves energy due to less artificial light needed during the daylight hours. In the United States, residential lighting accounts for three point five percent (3.5%) of all energy use, thus daylight savings time helps the U.S. to utilize less energy. In Texas – nearly 10 percent of energy costs come from lighting. Texas electricity meters move fast enough during the spring and summer months, but every little bit helps. So tonight – don’t forget to move your clock ahead one hour thus we lose an hour when DST starts. To lower your electric bills even furthur - don't forget to sign up for a lower rate at www.ChooseEnergy.com.

Texas Electric News - Reliant Getting New Owner

There are quite a few things going on in the the Texas electricity market these days. News came today that NRG Energy has agreed to buy Reliant Energy’s retail electricity business in Texas for $287.5 million. This is obviously big news since Reliant Energy is one of the largest players (2nd behind Energy Future Holdings/ TXU Energy) in the Texas electric market with over 1.8 million customers. What's quite intersting is that Exelon has been trying to purchase NRG the past several months and they also recently stated that 51% of the shareholders of NRG have agreed in principal to the Exelon offer.

I believe this is solid show of support for the Texas electric market and an important move for Reliant Energy - especially since they released earnings today and lost over $437 million in the 4th quarter - that was compared to net income of $227 million in that same quarter a year ago.

A lot has changed in the Texas electric landscape in the past couple of years...