When you get your electricity bill, the chances are high that you look at the total cost first. Most likely, you stop at that and don’t bother examining the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) you’ve consumed. Maybe you don’t even know what those numbers mean and what’s the difference between a kW and a kWh. Well, …
As a business owner, you are probably always searching for opportunities to find savings that can be reinvested into growing your company. Electricity can be a big cost item so if you haven’t yet heard about TOU rates, it might be the time to see whether you can save a lot of money by switching …
If you are a city dweller, you might never have even heard the term electric cooperative. However, for those living in the rural areas of the U.S., cooperatives have long represented the only option to get access to reliable, affordable electricity. Still today, electricity cooperatives supply electricity to many homes and businesses within America. Let’s …
You have just signed the lease for your new apartment and you are ready to start your adventure, but there is one thing weighing you down. How much will the expenses be? Will the utilities be expensive? Estimating your power bills can go a long way in providing you some peace of mind. Learning how …
When the first piece of plastic was produced in 1907 to be used as an insulator, no one could really foresee the scale of the global plastic production that would ensue a mere 100 years later. The US now produces about 286 pounds of plastic waste per person per year and is widely considered one …
Prepaid Electricity: What is it? Pay-as-you-go (prepaid) electricity is an electric plan where you are able to pay for electricity before you use it – so that you can control how much is it going to cost you each month. Think of a prepaid phone- you top up, you use your credit to make calls …
There has never been a better time to bet on solar power – with system prices falling fast and the technology and batteries getting better. Solar energy is clean, abundant and most of all, free. Now, even households that can’t install their own rooftop panel can reap the benefits. Solar leasing – paying a fee …
A sort of a race is underway in the developed world to “go green” and preserve Mother Earth. From recycling your garbage to drinking from reusable cups and even using environmentally-friendly plant-based detergents, it seems that there are now ways to do everything with less energy. If you are yet to hop on the green wagon …
Hot showers, running a load of laundry, washing dishes – we use hot water in our homes all the time. Heating up the water requires a lot of electricity, manifesting itself in increased electric bills. One novel solution that can help to avoid this problem is solar water heating- using the sun absorbed by your …
Whether it’s cooling off your living space in a hot summer, or heating your home in the midst of winter, you probably agree that your HVAC system is not a cheap affair – according to ENERGYSTAR, heating and cooling your house makes up for about half of the total energy bill. No wonder we continuously …
Do you get a sinking feeling every time the monthly electricity bill is about to arrive? If there only was a way to find out what the charge will be so that you could manage better. Well, there is! Today you will learn an easy way of calculating electricity bills, in just a couple of …
With Christmas just a few weeks away, neighborhoods around America are converted into pockets of festive joy and bright glow of red, green, and white – string lights, tree lights, icicle lights, waving Santas, or Rudolf with a bright red neon nose. If are more of a realist, you might look at Christmas lights as not …
If you are like the rest of us, you probably don’t often think about electricity and when you do, it is usually negative connotations – when your power goes out or when you discover an outrageously high electric bill. But electric energy is actually pretty fascinating and many scientists and environmentalists forecast that in the …
We use electricity for virtually everything in our homes, from turning on the lights, cooking, keeping our food fresh in the refrigerator to powering our TVs, phones, and laptops. Then the electricity bill arrives at the end of the month and sends u into a wave of budgetary panic. If you are one of those …
When you start thinking about reducing your energy usage and shaving off a few dollars of your electricity bill, you usually worry about things like the dishwasher, washing machine, or heating. One item you probably don’t think twice about is your light bulbs. Why? They are small, so they can’t consume that much electricity, even …
We are in the midst of a lighting revolution. In 2010, incandescent light bulbs were installed in 68% of U.S. homes but by 2016, this number dropped to 6%. What are they getting replaced by? LEDs or light-emitting diodes. It’s not surprising – LEDs are almost twice as efficient, last 25 times longer, and are …
They say that Fort Worth embodies Texas – where else can you find the cowboy culture and urban sophistication seamlessly merging together than in Texas’ fifth-largest city? But it’s not only the cattle trade history, top-notch restaurants, and architecture that makes Fort Worth attractive. The Lone Star State also enjoys the state’s deregulated energy market, …
If you think that your energy company overcharged you on your bills, you are not alone. According to the Department of National Utilities Refund, an average of 79% of companies suffer overcharges and billing errors. One way to know for sure is to hire a utility bill auditor. Energy Bill Audits So what are energy bill …
Summer might officially be over, but September can bring a wide variety of weather across the U.S, including late-season heat waves. Whether you leave your house to go to work every morning or planning a late summer vacation, you might be wondering what temperature to leave your vacant house to avoid ranking up the energy bills. …
Why recycle? You are probably familiar with the quiet, yet nudging voice in the back of your head that goes ‘You should recycle that’ every time you throw a soda can into an all-purpose garbage bin. Recycling is like eating more vegetables or watching less TV – we all know that we should do it …
You shopped around for electric suppliers, found a great offer, signed a contract, and switched. You should now be kicking back and enjoying the savings pouring in, but you can’t. For whatever reason, you now want to get out of the contract and are wondering if it’s possible. Although we can’t guarantee to get you …
As consumers, we are always on the lookout for the next bargain, so when the magic word ‘free’ is uttered in relation to a usually expensive product, such as electricity, we have to know more. At some point, you might have come across an energy provider advertising a ‘free nights and weekends’ electricity plan and …
Looking for a new electric supplier can be daunting – there are so many rates, plans, and contract types out there, and trying to navigate through it all can ultimately deter you from switching. Don’t worry, we are here to help. Below is everything you need to know about choosing the best electricity supplier. Let’s …
You probably don’t stop and think about your electric bills too much, apart from an exasperated sigh that energy prices keep going up every year. If you have given your bills a second look, you must have found various separate charges that keep changing every month – and you might be wondering why? We believe …
Imagine that you would only be able to buy groceries from one supermarket – the one closest to your house – and as a result, this supermarket would be able to charge you a lot higher prices. This was the state of the energy industry in the United States, before the deregulation of electricity market …
If you are considering installing a solar panel for your home, there are a number of things you will need to figure out – including the type, direction, and inter-connection system for your panels. Even if you decide to leave the actual installation work to a professional, it’s good to be aware of the basic …
Why Should You Buy A Space Heater? When it’s cold outside, cozying up next to an electric heater can be so comfortable. These portable devices work by lighting up a wire coil and then using a small built-in fan to blow the heat out into space. Heaters can be a great addition to your central …
When it comes to your electricity bill, your choice of electric appliances (and how effectively you use them) can have a significant impact. Electric space heaters provide a quick and efficient way to heat small to moderate-sized spaces and rooms in winter and have the added benefit of not requiring fuel to run. However, this …
When you woke up this morning, you probably turned on the lamp in your room. You then switched on your computer, went into the kitchen, boiled the kettle, and turned on the oven to start making breakfast. Congratulations! You have used approximately 2 to 5 kilowatt-hours of energy. You’ll most likely use some tomorrow and …
A global virus that keeps us contained in our homes – potentially for months – has caused unprecedented chaos around the world. Let’s look at one area that hasn’t been discussed much as of yet – what impact will self-isolation in the time of COVID-19 have on your utility bill. For many Americans right …
Do you get a sinking feeling every time you open utility bills? It doesn’t have to be this way. Lowering your electric bill by a few dollars each month can add up to a chunk of money saved over the course of the year. But how to save electricity and cut your bill, without making …
Maryland has worked hard to ramp up its energy efficiency, set goals for lowering emissions from energy production, and build its renewable energy generation capacity. “In 2017, Maryland ranked among the top 10 most energy-efficient states in the nation,” says the Environmental Information Administration (EIA). Here are Maryland’s primary sources of electricity generation, ranked by …
Solar energy is a renewable resource that has received a lot of attention thanks to the various benefits of using it as a source for electricity generation. While there are many advantages to using solar power, there are also several downsides that the public should be aware of. Solar energy is expensive. Concentrated solar power …
Despite getting a bad name in the media, Coal is a reliable and abundant resource fueling the modern western society. Coal has been fueling our lives since it first spawned the Industrial Revolution back in the late 1700s. To this day, coal remains one of our primary sources of energy and provides tens of thousands of …
Despite its high electricity prices, Connecticut’s electricity consumption is quite low. “Demand for air conditioning is low during the mild summer months, and only about one in six Connecticut households use electricity as a primary source for home heating in winter,” says the Environmental Information Administration (EIA). However, as electric cars gain popularity, demand will …
Are you wondering if your state is on the list of the top solar supporters? Or are you considering such factors in an upcoming move? In addition to incentive programs that offer grants or loans, it’s important to look at how quickly you can recoup your costs by selling energy to the grid. To track …
REEs are used in everything from solar panels to electric cars. Due to environmental and foreign policy concerns, they also have an uncertain future. Rare earth elements are used in everything from renewables to spacecraft and play a critical role in today’s world. Their importance in our society will only increase in the coming years …
Electric cars are growing in popularity year after year. Learn why and find out what the future may hold. The electric car industry is booming. In some countries, electric cars are quickly becoming more the norm than the exception. Look at Norway – in 2019, electric car sales reached a record high, constituting almost 60% …
Electricity demand and prices tend to skyrocket in the summer. Here’s why. You may have noticed a dramatic difference between your energy bills in April and July – especially if you live in Texas. You’re far from alone – in Texas, electricity prices typically spike in the summer. During the warmer months, demand increases, and …
Here are the most common concerns raised about wind power. When it comes to renewables and clean electricity, wind power is leading the way in electricity generation. However, no power source is perfect, and several important concerns have emerged about wind. Considering installing a residential wind turbine? Or just looking into whether wind energy is …
Current METED competitive rates are providing substantial savings opportunities for residential customers looking to lower their electric bill. The current METED price to compare rate, which is charged to all customers in the area who do not choose a competitive rate plan, has been steady at $0.0684 since December 1, 2018. The lowest competitive METED …
Holding both the coal-rich Appalachian Mountains and the Marcellus Shale, Pennsylvania is rich in both coal and natural gas. “Although the state is among the top 10 consumers of coal, natural gas, petroleum products, and electricity, it is the second largest net supplier of total energy to other states,” says the Energy Information Administration. Pennsylvania is the …
Maryland cities that deregulated their energy markets more than a decade ago are seeing an expansion in market activity as both customers and suppliers are exploring their options to benefit from the energy choice laws. The expansion and benefits have been the greatest in Baltimore, the largest city in the state. For electricity suppliers benefiting …
An economical solution to electricity generation. There are numerous advantages besides cheap electricity that natural gas has to offer. Natural gas is not only abundant but additionally serves as a reliable, clean, cost-effective, and safe solution to our energy needs. If you’re looking to learn more about the benefits of natural gas, then this article …
The majority of people assume that electric cars provide an obvious benefit to the environment and are thus the future of the auto industry. However, upon a deep dive into the statistics many people might start wondering: Will purchasing an electric car reduce my carbon footprint? Are you wondering whether investing in an electric car …
If you’ve lived in the greater Philadelphia area for a long time there is a chance that you have grown accustomed to accepting and paying whatever rate PECO Energy slaps on the monthly electric bill. Since Pennsylvania electricity choice became an active market in the PECO service area in 2010 you may have noticed that …
From traditional sources like coal to up-and-comers like wind and solar, here’s how Texans get their electricity. Though Texas led the country in oil production in 2016, it has also achieved impressive results with alternative fuels. These up-and-coming energy production leaders are on track to dominate electricity generation in Texas in the not-so-distant future. This …
The U.S. produces the largest amount of nuclear energy of any nation in the world. “It generated just under 805 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2017—enough to power 73 million homes,” says Energy.gov. Operable nuclear reactors totaled 99 in the same year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Nuclear plants and the …
As a highly populated state, Massachusetts consumes more electricity than it generates. To be exact, it consumes 12 times as much as it produces. However, Massachusetts is also a leader in renewable electricity generation technologies. Read on to learn about the fast-changing landscape of energy production in the Bay State. Natural Gas As coal and …
Although coal remains widely used throughout the world, coal-powered electricity is under attack as countries and the private sector are increasingly seeing more options to generate electricity supply for a service area. The U.K. plans to cease all coal-powered electricity production by 2025, and in the U.S., coal consumption is dropping to the lowest level …
If you’re a large electricity buyer, this guide will help you get the best value for your money. Electricity is typically sold wholesale before consumers purchase it at retail prices. If you’re a large industrial business, you may have a wholesale purchasing agreement for your power. That means you get wholesale electricity prices in exchange …
Many Connecticut business owners will get a sticker shock in February when they receive their Eversource electric bill. The February electric bills will contain fees and charges for electricity service for the majority of the month of January. On January 1, 2019 small and medium sized businesses received a large bump in the generation supply …
As 2019 begins, residential customers in the BGE service area in Maryland are being offered attractive electricity rates that can assist in lowering their electric bills. In the first five months of the new year, the default electricity supply price is set at $0.08076. Meanwhile, several competitive suppliers are offering fixed rates below $0.080 resulting …
Learn how a solar panel system benefits homeowners as well as the planet. Solar energy systems bring important benefits for homeowners as well as the broader economy. This option, cleaner and greener than traditional power sources, will also contribute to the health of our planet. Wondering if solar will work in your area? According to …
New electricity suppliers are offering service in the United Illuminating territory in Connecticut as the energy choice market continues to expand offering better price options for consumers in light of a recently announced rate increase by the utility. United Illuminating informed their residential customer base that the standard service rate would increase at the beginning …
Learn where your electricity comes from in the Garden State. New Jersey relies on a strong balance of traditional and newer power sources to meet statewide electricity needs. Less than a tenth of the power used in New Jersey comes from outside the state, says the Energy Information Administration. Read on to learn how …
The largest electric utility company in Connecticut has announced the price they will charge their residential customers in 2019 for the power generation portion of the electric bill. Eversource Energy, formerly known as Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P), will increase their generation service charge by 18.9% to a rate of $0.10143 effective on the first …
Massachusetts energy customers residing in the eastern part of the state who receive their electricity bill from Eversource Energy (formerly NSTAR) are facing a large price hike on the basic service rate portion of the bill. The rate increase is set to go into effect on January 1, 2019 and will be the first rate …
National Grid of Massachusetts enacted a large rate increase on November 1, 2018 to their residential customers who are on the basic service rate structure. Basic service is a term for the price charged to electricity customers who have decided to not participate in the deregulated Massachusetts electricity market by shopping for competitive rates. Residential …
The energy industry has remained regulated longer than many others, beginning in its infancy. Here’s how it works, along with some key milestones. Energy deregulation is a controversial topic, to say the least. Proponents argue that it will improve consumer choices and investment in promising new technologies; opponents say it leads to unfair rate …
Learn about little-known developments in the early generation of electricity. People have known electricity exists for thousands of years–the ancient Greeks and Egyptians were aware of it. However, people have only been generating electricity for about 250 years. Aside from Franklin’s kite experiment and Edison’s light bulb, the early years of electricity production were …
After many years of trial and error, the modern grid finally emerged. The grid encompasses the entire system that brings power to customers–all the power lines, transformers, and substations involved. As you might imagine, the grid didn’t emerge overnight. Rather, the concept and its implementation evolved in phases, beginning after the technology to bring …
Learn about historic milestones that made it possible to flip on the lights today (aside from the lightbulb itself!). The 1800s were ripe with electrical experiments and innovations that set the stage for the modern electrical industry. It’s tough to create a list of the most important discoveries, as a sweeping range of inventions …
You might think reducing your electric bill takes a huge amount of time and planning, but these simple changes are a breeze. When you think about ways to lower your energy bill, are energy-saving appliances the first thing that comes to mind? They can certainly be valuable, especially if you’re already looking to replace …
Most people can’t pay for a solar installation out of pocket. Fortunately, a range of financing options can help you get your project off the ground. Image Source Solar energy can be an expensive investment upfront, but it typically pays off–especially if you have some help in purchasing it. Fortunately, an array of programs …
Rhode Island electricity customers who receive their power from National Grid are embracing for a steep price increase in October. On October 1, 2018 the default rate for electricity, also known as the standard offer service, will increase from $0.08486 to $0.1099 per KWh. The higher price represents a 29.5% increase over the previous standard …
Reduce your energy costs with landscaping choices that also beautify your yard. Careful landscaping can reduce your energy bill by 15 to 50%, says Jeff Dondero in The Energy-Wise Home. By strategically regulating airflow and temperature, you’ll let nature do the work of heating and cooling your home. As a bonus, you’ll end up with …
Why do you need to understand your electric bill? Because it will help you figure out how you might be able to cut costs. Many people want to better understand their electricity bill for one simple purpose: To cut costs. They want to know what they’re paying for, and if they can reduce their …
Recent increases in the standard default electric generation rate has lead to a number of first time electricity choice shoppers in the West Penn Power service area in Pennsylvania. On June 1, 2018 the West Penn Power price to compare rate increased by 7.8% from $0.06085 to $0.0656. Though other service areas in Pennsylvania have …
Eversource Energy in New Hampshire recently announced that they will be increasing their electricity generation supply price starting on August 1, 2018 for customers who are on the default pricing structure. The price increase is for the supply component of the Eversource electric bill, which is the part that is available for customers to shop …
PECO Energy customers have had an up and down experience through the years with electricity choice as it pertains to savings. At times customers could easily find savings on their PECO electric bills of 15% or more versus the utility price to compare default price. Other times customers happy with their fixed electricity rate contracts …
Basic generation service rates for PSEG residential customers have been announced for the summer of 2018 which will begin on the first of June. The announced rates are significantly higher than competitive rates offered by alternative New Jersey energy suppliers. PSEG customers who are used to accepting the default basic generation service rates will find …
Confusion has spurred in Maryland due to an announcement by local utilities that rates would be cut due to the new tax system. In response to the federal tax overhaul that will reduce the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, BGE announced in January that they would pass a large amount of the tax …
Electricity choice in Delaware has come along way over the last decade. Once upon a time, despite legislation that allowed consumers to purchase their power from alternative companies, few suppliers had actually moved into the state to give consumers options. Today the market landscape is much different as close to a dozen competitive suppliers compete …
In 2017 Orange and Rockland electricity customers from New York saw high fluctuations in the price they paid for power supply. The swings were a result of the O&R price to compare changes which saw a low of $0.05093 in March of 2017 to a high of $0.1131 in the same year. In just one …
If you own a business in Pennsylvania and still use PPL (Pennsylvania Power and Light) as your default supplier you can expect a higher electric bill in January. Starting in December the Business PPL Price-to-Compare rate will increase to 7.701 cents per kWh. According to Papowerswitch.com, more than 55% of PPL customers have switched over …
Many residential electricity consumers in the Boston area will see a large increase on their electric bills in the early part of 2018. Eversource Energy, the company responsible for delivering power to all properties in the city of Boston and surrounding suburbs, recently announced that they will be increasing their default rate for electricity supply …
Eversource Energy, the largest electricity supplier in Connecticut, recently announced that they will be raising their supply charges for their residential customers in Connecticut. Customers will see their supply price jump from $0.08014 per KWh to $0.09078 on January 1, 2018. The rate increase represents a 13.27% rise that will be seen on Eversoure electric …
Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) serves over 1.1 million customers in central and northern New Jersey. Thanks to the New Jersey Energy Choice Program business customers that are serviced by JCP&L are free to shop around for a competitive supplier for their generation charge. According to the New Jersey Electric Switching Statistics, more than …
Rhode Island residents who receive their power delivery from National Grid are facing a large price increase that will show up on electric bills sent in November. The increase will effect all National Grid customers in Rhode Island who have not selected a competitive electricity supplier, and therefor are on the utility default rate named …
States that have deregulated their energy markets have seen an increase in the number of participating electricity shoppers in recent years. Now the nation’s capital city is starting to share in that success as the Washington DC electricity choice market develops rapidly. The unbundling of PEPCO DC in 2001 has allowed consumers to shop for …
Though the Price to Compare in the Atlantic City Electric region recently dropped, more consumers serviced by the utility are purchasing their power supply from an alternative third party supplier than ever before. In June 2017 the Price to Compare rate, the generation rate for power supply that Atlantic City Electric charges customers who have …
The First Energy New Jersey Utility Jersey Central Power & Light (JCPL) announced their default prices for the next twelve months. Since the inception of New Jersey energy choice JCPL has followed the same pattern of changing their default rates, known as ‘Basic Generation Service Rates’. Customers on the basic generation service rate see their …
Eversource Energy recently announced a price hike for their Connecticut customers on the default generation rate. All residential and business customers in Connecticut who are serviced by Eversource Energy, and who are not purchasing their power from a competitive electricity company, will be effected by the rate increase. Customers who are currently on the default …
Adversaries to Pennsylvania Energy Choice laws are increasingly finding it difficult to argue against the success of the state’s competitive power market. The Pennsylvania Power & Light service area in particular has consistently been one of the most successful energy choice markets in the world in regards to customer and supplier participation. Both customer and …
Maryland’s largest energy utility company, Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE), delivers power and gas to close to 1.3 million customers throughout the Baltimore metroplex. While these customers pay regulated fees and rates for the delivery of the energy through the regulated distribution channels, they have the opportunity to compare prices offered by competitive energy suppliers. …
Recent rate increases on the supply cost has caused many Met Ed residential customers to start searching for cheaper electricity prices. Pennsylvania electricity choice laws allow customers to choose rate offers from competitive electricity companies whose offers will replace the Met Ed price to compare default rate. Many Met Ed consumers are still unfamiliar with …
Customers of PEPCO Energy living in Maryland are looking for alternative electricity suppliers to power their homes and businesses in an attempt to reduce their electric bills. Through Maryland electricity choice consumers have the ability to switch their electricity supplier from PEPCO Energy to an alternative PEPCO energy supplier who might be offering a more …
In recent months the state of Delaware has seen a surge in electricity shopping activity as more consumers become aware of their options to purchase power from a competitive supplier. As an energy choice state Delaware allows alternative energy suppliers to solicit business by offering energy rate products varying of different contract lengths and power …
Eversource Energy announced that they will be increasing their power supply rates substantially at the beginning of 2017 for their residential and small business customers receiving the default basic service rate. Residential customers – who have been paying $0.08208 for basic service electricity since July 1, 2016 – will see the rate swell to $0.09996 …
Penelec delivers power to 586,552 homes and businesses in certain areas of central Pennsylvania. Recently Penelec customers faced a substantial rate increase for power generation supply that has caused many people to start looking for ways to reduce their monthly electric bills. While a number of articles exist providing information on how to save money …
Customers of Eversrouce Energy in New Hampshire, formerly the PSNH electric utility, are discovering that they have the ability to shop for competitive power rates through the state’s energy choice program. Though electricity choice has been present in New Hampshire since 2003, customer awareness has not gained traction until the last several months, due to …
The competitive landscape of the Rhode Island electricity market has matured substantially over the last 12 months as new alternative suppliers have started to offer service to residential customers. Though Rhode Island was one of the first states to approve and enact an electricity choice law, which went into effect in 1996, only recently have …
Often an overlooked benefit of Connecticut’s electricity choice is the price security it can offer. Primarily when consumers think about the positive attributes of competitive power they are concerned with immediate savings gratification; how much money will I save on my next CL&P electric bill if I choose to purchase power supply from a competitive …
It may come to a surprise to Washington DC residents that they have the ability to shop for competitive electricity prices, but that is the case thanks to the passing of an electricity restructuring act that was approved by the District of Columbia Public Service Commission which first went into effect in 2001 under a …
The competitive scene is the New Jersey retail electricity market is providing customers of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCPL) the opportunity to substantially lower their electricity bills. While savings have been available for JCPL customers through alternative suppliers for the past several years, recent developments in the marketplace have increased the savings potential. On …
Electricity prices increased for roughly 1.6 million residential customers in New Jersey who are serviced by PSEG on June 1. In response to auction results, PSEG summer rates for their basic generation service price went into effect on June 1 and will last through the end of September. The basic generation service price includes the …
Despite recent news that Delmarva Power will lower their standard offer service for their residential customers on June 1, taking the initiative to compare electricity rates can result in even more savings for these same customers. Many Delmarva Power customers are still unaware of their ability to purchase their electricity from a alternative electricity supplier. …
Customers of the Metropolitan Edison (Met Ed) service area are quickly becoming familiar with the benefits of energy choice in Pennsylvania. Choice has brought prices down and options up for those consumers who have decided to do a thorough comparison of their energy offers. The alternative to purchasing power from a competitive supplier is paying …
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