You now have the POWER TO CHOOSE your Texas electric provider. ElectricityTX is here to guide you through the process and help you utilize your power to choose the Texas electric provider that fits your budget and your lifestyle.  

Here are some helpful articles and tips on how you can lower your Texas electric costs.

Texas Leads The Nation In Low Energy Costs
by Jerry C Dyess

Everything is bigger in Texas, except for their energy bills. Texas is leading the nation in energy because with every home built the use of natural gas to heat that home has become more economical. Electricity is still used for appliances and air conditioning. More efficient home appliances and central air instead of window units helps to keep those costs down as well.

When a state is able to lower their energy costs other states often look towards them for solutions to their energy problems. Texas has utilized natural gas to heat instead of using propane, heating oil or electricity. 43% of the homes in Texas heat with natural gas compared to 51% of the U.S. homes.

People in Texas are building homes which are larger than was previously the norm, making heating these new dwellings using economic energy sources an important consideration. Natural gas is of course the most popular choice in newly constructed Texas homes than any other energy source.

Texas does have the advantage of a warmer climate compared to much of the nation, with some regions being warm enough year round to make heating costs a minor concern. However, this doesn't change the fact that natural gas is a more economical fuel for heating and cooling homes, plain and simple. Natural gas has always been a less costly energy source than electricity or heating oil.

In a southern state like Texas, cooling is often a more important issue than heating. Given the high temperatures which are a common occurrence in the state, it can be costly for Texans to cool their homes. As far as air conditioning is concerned, electricity is still the best way to go - yet Texas is right in the middle as far as US electricity usage by state is concerned.

Because Texas sets in the southern region it battles heat more than anything. Cooling a home can be expensive, especially when you consider how many hot days are recorded in Texas. Electricity is the best option for those who want to cool their homes and based on the data Texas keeps it right in the middle when it comes to energy consumption.

The Clean Cities program promotes lower consumption of gasoline, through encouraging people to limit unnecessary driving, choosing more energy efficient vehicles and using cleaner fuels. Electricity, ethanol and other alternative fuel sources are becoming more popular in Texas; like everyone, Texans are well aware of the importance of making the switch to cleaner fuels. It is predicted that Texas will lead the nation in alternative energy in the near future.

The Clean Cities program is always looking for ways to cut down on fuel consumption. Alternative fuels such as electricity, ethanol and hydrogen are staples in Texas. They understand the need for clean burning fuels; a lot of heads are turning towards Texas when it comes to these types of alternative fuels.
 

Texas Electric Deregulation - What You Need To Know
by Jerry Dyess Jr

Thanks to the deregulation laws that came out in 2002, the state of Texas now offers several of their citizens the chance to choose an electricity provider. This allows competition to take shape and keep the big named companies at bay that have held your service for so long. It doesn't matter if you're looking for better customer service, lower rates, or just a choice of using renewable resources, it's out there.

If you remember right only one company would manage distribution in the past. This means they gained all the profits, no matter how satisfied or dissatisfied you were with them. While this was a major disadvantage, today you can deal with companies that actually offer you what you need. However, to make sure the energy distribution doesn't accumulate a ton of issues, the Public Utility Commission oversees everything.

Keep in mind, the entire state of Texas doesn't necessarily have this option. The good news is that about 75% do, which means the electric company doesn't have complete control over those bills. In fact, places like San Antonio and Austin still have the same rules as year's past. If you're trying to figure out what side of the fence you're on, just speak with your city utility or co-op to get a concrete answer.

Even though this law has been in effect for just about eight years, the future still looks brighter. Even though deregulation can help with customer service issues or prices, the main benefit will be having the option to use renewable resources. In fact, if you take a Sunday cruise around the state you would find that there are tons of wind farms being built to fight constant air and water pollutants.

We recommend that anyone living in Texas shops for the best product and service. Since you actually have a choice, it's a lot easier today. The best thing to do is find all the informative websites that are out there, and do a little research so you can figure out which company suits your family's needs the best. Thanks to today's innovations, the advanced sites will even allow you to compare power prices in real time. This way you don't have to leave the website to place orders.

So if you're looking to switch providers, you will be happy to know that the process is quite simple. All you have to do is the research, pick a company, have them accept your order, then just wait for all the information. Probably the best part is you don't have to call up your current REP and let them know you're leaving. This keeps away from the hassle of exiting questions, discount sales, and tons of overall frustration. When everything is complete, the meter reading will switch hands and you'll receive a new bill from your new provider. Just keep in mind the old company will keep sending bills until you've paid them in full.

It's a wonderful thing to have choices, and this is all it takes to have one with your electric companies. The new company's electric will be just as reliable as the old since everything happens in the same frequency. What you will find is that change isn't something to be afraid of in regards to your Texas electric. You will get the rates, how the energy is produced, and the support you need to make life easier. So you can see why having more control over this is important for you and your family.

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.

Savings For Your Business
by Jerry Dyess, jr.

The late Milton Friedman was one of the greatest economic minds in history. It was Friedman who coined the term a business? number one priority is to earn a profit. Most people understand this. After all, a business that is not profitable will not be operational for long. However, most people look at profits from a narrow perspective. That is, they see profits exclusively in the form of revenues. This, however, is not completely the case. Profits are how much you have earned over your expenditures. That means a business can increase its profits by reducing its expenditures. And, without a doubt, the biggest expenditure drain a business often deals with is energy costs. That is why it is critical to cut back on energy costs if you wish you business to remain profitable. Thankfully, there are a number of easy ways to do this.

One way to dramatically reduce your energy costs is to use different light bulbs. Many light fixture can operate with lower wattage bulbs or even LED light bulbs, which while costing a little more initially will produce a lot of savings in the long run, as will compact fluorescent bulbs if it is possible to use them in your existing fixtures.

Using timers for appliances which use a lot of energy can also save your business a lot of money on energy. Many businesses simply leave electrically powered items on over the weekend, resulting in a lot of wasted resources (not to mention money). Putting these items on a timer which will automatically shut them off will save a great deal of money in a relatively short amount of time. Timers are inexpensive and easily installed as well, so there is really no reason not to use them in your office.

Insulating a building is a very common way to cut down on expenses. It costs a lot of money to heat an office and when heat is escaping due to poor insulation then it is escaping needlessly. Insulating an office is not an expensive proposition and, like most LED lights, insulating ultimately pays for itself over time.

Having an energy audit performed can be very helpful. There are professionals who are expert in helping businesses save money on energy costs by finding problem areas where energy is going to waste. By implementing their suggestions, your business could save untold amounts of money over time with some simple and generally cheap steps.

In addition to saving a great deal of money for your business, there is an ancillary benefit as well. Namely, your business will be contributing greatly to the environment. By taking part in energy conservation, our natural resources will not be depleted at an accelerated rate. This connects to Milton Friedman?s assertion that the greatest social justice a company can perform is earning a profit. In this particular instance, boosting profits by cutting energy expenditures creates the ancillary effect of a cleaner environment. Any company that contributes to such a cause truly is deserved of acclaim. Why not let your business be among these companies?
 

Get the Facts on Business Electricity
by Jerry C. Dyess

In regards to paying electricity to run a business, it is very simple to be burned by expensive utilities. In reality, the rate of electricity has been specified as one of the major issues for small business owners as mentioned in a survey done by the National Federation of Independent Business. This is the reason why it is imperative that you know what to search for when you are looking for a supplier of electrical power for your Texas Business.

Here are some things to consider when deciding where to purchase Texas business electricity:

So, how can you pick whether a fixed or variable rate of electricity is the best for you? Often a fixed rate is the ideal choice if your business will be agreeing to a long-term contract. The reason for this is that eventually, energy prices will go up in accordance to the cost of inflation. Nonetheless, your electricity costs will not go up for the duration of the contract.

So, how can you decide whether a fixed or variable electricity rate is right for you? Generally, a fixed rate is the best option if your business will be entering a long term contract. This is because over time, energy prices will rise according to the cost of inflation. However, your per unit electricity cost will not increase for the life of the contract. In practical terms, this means that you will be paying less than market rate for your electricity as the contract progresses. On the other hand, if market rates drop, you may be locked into a long term contract and unable to renegotiate at a lower fixed rate.

If you are considering a shorter term contract, a variable rate may be the way to go. While pricing can be somewhat unsteady, you are likely to get lower prices in the short term than you would with a fixed rate electricity contract. Plus, this allows you the flexibility to enter into a long term contract in the event that electric prices take a drop that warrants locking in a fixed rate.

Contract Terms - Many providers of Texas business electricity offer month-to-month plans, mid-term contract terms of up to three years, and in some cases, even longer term contracts of three years or more. It's important to choose the plan that best meets your needs, and to carefully review all facets of any written agreement. In particular, you should be aware that you may have to pay a cancellation fee if for any reason you terminate a contract before the full term is completed.

Environmental Responsibility - In the end, several Texas businesses buy energy that is made from renewable resources such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy as well as others. If you would like to know if the electricity that you buy is "green" energy, just ask your electric provider, or check their Electricity Facts Label.

If you consider all these points, you will be in a better place to decide what kind of Texas business electricity is best for your needs. This will save you money, give you a better understanding of the terms of your contract, and makes you use resources in a responsible fashion.
 

Note: ElectricityTX is not your Texas electricity provider.  We are agents that represent retail electricity providers in Texas, helping you with your power to choose cheaper electricity rates for your home or office.  ElectricityTX does not maintain the electricity generation into your home or office, please contact your TDSP (Transmission Distribution Service Provider) located on your electric bill to report problems with your electricity service or to report an outage.  ElectricityTX - Giving Texans a Powerful Choice.

In 2002 the Texas legislature deregulated the Texas electricity industry operating within the state. Several other states which deregulated their power industry at about the same time are currently investigating adding regulations back into their electricity industry. Texas has never regretted the deregulation, however, and retail and wholesale electricity will certainly remain competitive in Texas even though electricity wires and poles remain regulated. The fact is, ending the monopolies of the utilities has been a great gift to businesses and consumers throughout the state. It provided its residents with the Power to Choose their electric company. Texas lawmakers feel that deregulation has made the entire state stronger.