The hurricane season is just beginning. And Houston got hit by Category 1 Hurricane Beryl which took out 85% of the electricity customers in that city. Maybe it’s time for a portable generator for hurricane outages. Here’s a quick look at our shopping process for a portable generator for a 1500 square foot 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch style home in Near Northwest Houston. Hopefully this will help you pick the right generator for your home as well. Always work with a licensed and insured electrician and plumber when installing your portable generator. Also check local regulations in your area regardi ..read more

If you live in the Houston area like us, you’re probably wondering, “when will the power be back on?” And you’re also wondering how to understand the CenterPoint outage map and its colored squiggles. In this article, you’ll find the link for CenterPoint Energy’s outage map. Plus, we’ll show you how to use it. How to Find Centerpoint Outage Map Video: How to Use CenterPoint Outage Map Step by Step: How to Use the CenterPoint Outage Map Green Doesn’t (Necessarily) Mean Good in CenterPoint Editorial: CenterPoint Told Us They Were About to Mess Up. And They Did. How to Find Centerpoint Outage M ..read more

Over 26 million people in Texas, more than 85% of the state’s population, now have the power to choose their electricity provider thanks to electricity deregulation. But deregulation doesn’t include the whole state of Texas. Some cities in Texas are deregulated and others aren’t. The list below will help you understand what cities fall into each category. List of Deregulated Cities in Texas (Choice of Electricity Provider) If you live in a deregulated city in Texas, you must choose a Retail Electricity Provider (REP) to supply your electricity. This company will also provide your customer serv ..read more

If you live in Texas, you’re familiar with energy conservation alerts. In 2023, ERCOT (Electricity Reliability Council of Texas) issued 13 requests for energy conservation. Use this guide to understand ERCOT’s energy conservation and energy emergency alerts. ERCOT’s Role in Managing the Grid ERCOT manages the electricity grid for most of Texas. They don’t own power plants or transmission lines. But they do oversee the scheduling and management of the overall grid system. As the “traffic cop” of the grid, ERCOT oversees where power comes from and where it goes. And it’s crucial that they balanc ..read more

How your Texas business uses electricity this summer will impact your bill for the next year. Sounds dramatic. But it’s true. If you have a demand meter, your peak demand charges for the next calendar year will be established during the grid’s highest demand days in a 4 month period. In Texas, this is referred to as 4CP or 4 coincident peaks. What is a Coincident Peak? A coincident peak (CP) demand interval is the 15-minute time period when power requirements hit their highest level during a particular month. The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) establishes 4 coincident peak (4 ..read more

Taking care of your HVAC system is an important part of prepping your home for Texas’ summer heat. That’s why I signed up for a free CoolSaver A/C Tune-Up from Centerpoint Energy. Not only did I save $120 with this freebie, now I can be confident that my HVAC will keep me cool all season long. In this article, you’ll find out about my experience with the CoolSaver A/C Tune-Up, what’s included and how you can get your free A/C tune-up in the Houston area. My Experience: CenterPoint CoolSaver Tune-Up When I purchased a house in summer 2021, I had a home inspection that gave me the all clear on t ..read more

As someone who moved to Texas from New England I have some special insight into the pros & cons of moving to Texas. Take a look at our list and let us know what we’re missing! 8 Reasons to Move to Texas Texas is the top relocation destination in the country for a reason. Here are some of our pros on moving to Texas. 1. Low cost of living. Texas is affordable, with a cost of living around 7% lower than the national average. That’s based on housing costs being 17% lower, food costs 6% lower, transportation costs 3% lower and goods and services 4% lower. Utilities are 3% higher than the natio ..read more

When you are moving, setting up utilities can be a hassle. Especially if it’s not clear what electric company serves your address. Here’s how to find your local electric company in Texas. Electric Company vs. Electric Utility in Texas Electricity in Texas is deregulated. That means for around 80% of residents, the utility company and the electricity provider are separate companies. That can be confusing if you are moving here from out of state. You will have one electric company that delivers the power to your home and handles emergencies. That’s the utility company. You’re assigned to your el ..read more

Extreme weather in Texas has a significant impact on electricity prices in the state, since heating and cooling drives electricity usage. Just the forecast of weather extremes – heat, cold, tropical storms or hurricanes – can send Texas electricity rates soaring. It all comes down to supply and demand. In this article we review how weather impacts both supply and demand, how weather impacts electricity prices and why fixed rate plans are your best protection against weather risks. >Read more on factors that impact electricity prices in our article on Texas electricity rate trends. In this a ..read more

Looking for the cheapest electricity rates in Pennsylvania? It’s no wonder. Standard offer rates from the utility change frequently. You may be able to lock in significant savings versus your current price to compare. And, a fixed rate from a PA electricity supplier protects you against rate increases. Here is our recommendation on the 3 cheapest electric suppliers in PA, and the best deals on electricity rates for March 2024. Cheapest Electricity Providers in PA Right Now So who has the cheapest electricity rates in PA? And who is the best electric supplier? That varies by month. There’s usua ..read more