Did you know that you can often reduce your monthly energy bill simply by reducing your energy usage? To learn all about how to monitor your energy usage, how the weather affects electricity prices, and even how home appliances can impact your energy bill, read on.
Our team of energy experts has curated a collection of well-researched articles about energy usage to help homeowners reduce their electricity demands and lower their monthly bills.
Why Invest in an Automatic Standby Generator? The extremely disruptive power outages in Texas in recent years have caused many families to protect against the costs and consequences of a loss of electricity by installing natural gas and propane standby...
Six Questions to Get a Generator Quote Here are the 6 simple yes/no questions to get a generator quote: Is your central heating system operated with natural gas, propane or electricity? Is your hot water heater operated with natural gas,...
Table of Contents: Understanding the Components of a Natural Gas Standby Generator The Automatic Transfer Switch: Power Monitoring Made Easy How Generators Activate During Power Outages The Importance of Regular Maintenance Selecting Certified Standby Generator Dealers and Installers Why Factory...
Steps for Installing a Standby Generator Safely Select a Qualified Dealer-Installer of Standby Generators You first need to select a trusted and certified standby generator dealer-installer based on a competitive quote, and visit your home and identify a suitable location...
Does Saving Energy Help the Environment? Saving energy benefits the environment by improving air quality, protecting water sources and conserving natural resources. Fewer emissions mean cleaner air for better respiratory health and less pollution from power plants for a cleaner...
Key Takeaways 32% of homeowners underestimated the cost of energy efficiency upgrades, with 1 in 5 facing unexpected expenses over $2,000 and nearly 1 in 10 paying more than $5,000. Despite the cost, over 90% of homeowners don’t regret their...
Refrigerator Power Usage by Type and Size Refrigerator power ratings can vary widely based on their type. For instance, the larger a refrigerator, the higher its power usage. Below is a table showing the average running watts and estimated daily...
What Is a Home Energy Audit? A home energy audit is a systematic inspection of your home conducted by a certified professional known as an energy auditor. The auditor may use various tools and equipment, such as infrared cameras, blow...
Understanding Texas Power Throughout the 1900s, Texas relied on traditional electricity companies that controlled all stages of the power supply process: generation, transmission, distribution and billing. However, the Lone Star State deregulated its electricity sector in 2002, which brought major...
When Is the Best Time To Do Laundry? The best time to do laundry is during off-peak hours — provided you have a time-of-use energy plan. This is because energy demand is lower, so the rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is...
Texas is one of the hottest states in the U.S., although Arizona, Louisiana, Florida and Hawaii also often experience extreme heat. As the second-largest state, Texas’s vast landmass spans multiple climate zones and comprises varying geological features. Texans in the...
States with Deregulated Energy Markets Many U.S. states have deregulated energy markets, including Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Ohio and more. Note that a deregulated energy market may mean deregulated gas, electricity, or both. In states with deregulated electricity, you...
Does Closing Air Vents In Unused Rooms Save Energy? Contrary to popular belief, closing air vents in unused rooms doesn’t save energy but can actually increase energy consumption. Many people assume that reducing airflow would lower heating costs in the...
Understanding Indexed Rates Indexed energy plans set prices through a sophisticated method that tracks the wholesale cost of electricity based on a set market index. Prices per plan will vary depending on which market index the provider uses to set...
TV Power Consumption by Size and Type The model and size of the TV will impact how much energy it consumes. The following table shows how many watts on average a TV consumes, depending on different sizes and types. TV...
Time-of-Use Rate Structure Time-of-use plans divide days or weeks into on-peak and off-peak times. Typically, periods of high demand include early mornings, late afternoons and early evenings. Meanwhile, nights and weekends are generally the low-demand or off-peak periods. Typically, providers...
Understanding the Texas Energy Market In the deregulated energy market in Texas, you can select your electricity service provider and energy plan. Deregulation, which took effect in 2002, broke up monopolies, spurring competition among energy providers. Under the Texas energy...
Understanding Month-To-Month Electricity Plans Month-to-month electricity plans in Texas allow consumers to sign up for an electricity plan without signing a long-term contract. This plan type typically doesn’t include any large upfront deposits or expensive early termination fees (ETFs). That...
What Is a Kilowatt-Hour? A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy that quantifies electricity usage over time. It represents the amount of power consumed by a device that uses 1,000 watts (1 kilowatt) of energy for one hour. To...
What Is an Effective Rate? The effective rate of an electricity plan in Texas is the all-in rate per kilowatt-hour of energy, including various taxes and charges. It depicts a more realistic energy rate, helping you get a sense of...
Early Understanding of Electricity You have probably noticed a tiny sting from static electricity when you get out of the car wearing a winter jacket and touch the door. Similarly, numerous people over ages have witnessed and pondered over the...
Key Takeaways 34% of Americans feel burdened by energy costs. Renters (36%) are more likely than homeowners (32%) to report this. 1 in 6 Americans have missed an energy payment due to high costs. Renters (20%) were nearly 2x as...
How Free Nights Electricity Plans Work Free nights plans offer zero-cost energy during specific nighttime hours and charge a set electricity rate during the day. The free power periods vary by energy provider and plan but usually fall between 8...
How Bill Credit Plans Work Bill credit plans promise a bill or usage credit, which is essentially a reward amount that unlocks at a certain usage threshold. Your provider will then deduct this amount from your final bill. The effect...
Our Methodology This analysis employs a descriptive approach to review historical cold weather data from reliable sources, including the National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and Texas state government agencies. For information regarding the Texas power...
What Is The Average Utility Bill for Each U.S. State? The average utility bill in the U.S. is $266 per month, but varies widely depending on the state you live in, ranging from a low of $185 to a high of...
Key Takeaways The most common way to divide shared energy costs in a household is to split them equally (56%), yet only 50% of users are very satisfied with this method. Per our research, 1 in 10 Americans in shared...
Key Takeaways Nearly half (47%) of homeowners say rising energy costs are a significant barrier to homeownership, with Gen Z homeowners (70%) being the most impacted. On average, homeowners allocate 10% of their monthly budgets to energy costs, and 1...
Same-day electricity service offers Texans a convenient way to get a quick power connection. Whether you’ve just moved into a new home, experienced a last-minute emergency or simply forgot to set up your service, same-day connections ensure power connection within...
What Is a Prepaid Electricity Plan? Prepaid electricity plans are similar to prepaid mobile phone plans, where you purchase your product and then use it. Prepaid plans offer several benefits. First, your retail electric provider (REP) won’t require a security...
How Does the Texas Power Grid Work? A typical power grid has dozens of important components. However, three main components comprise the power grid at the higher level: generators, transmission systems and distribution systems. Let's examine all three in some...
Average Electricity Rates by State As shown in the map below, you’ll find the highest electricity rates on the U.S. mainland in California and the Northeast region. Hawaii and Alaska also have notably high electricity costs due to their reliance...
Unraveling Bill Mysteries: Texas Electricity Bill Basics Your electricity bill displays a simple calculation of your total bill amount based on your energy consumption and plan type. A typical Texas energy bill includes components such as energy charges, TDU delivery...
Understanding Energy Suppliers: What They Do As the name suggests, an energy supplier provides energy to households and businesses. Typically, when we refer to energy suppliers, we’re specifically talking about electricity companies. The deregulation of Texas’ electricity market has resulted...
What Is a Switch-Hold? A switch-hold is a hold on your electricity account that prevents you from switching your electricity provider. Switch-holds help companies collect unpaid bills or address meter tampering issues but can also provide convenience to consumers through...
No-deposit electricity plans allow you to pay upfront for energy instead of at the end of the month. You add money to your account and the electric company pulls from these funds as you use power. You’ll get alerts when...
Factors That Influence Your Electric Bill Many factors can influence your electricity costs and lead to higher monthly bills. These range from external factors, such as rate increases and power outages, to household-specific issues, such as inefficient appliances and seasonal...
How Much Do Texans Pay for Energy a Month? According to the EIA, Texans consumed an average of 1,146 kWh per month in 2023. Using this data and more recent rate averages from the EIA, we can estimate that with...
Texans Push Back Against Rate Hikes Despite Grid Concerns As utility companies propose rate increases to strengthen Texas' power infrastructure, residents across the state are weighing the costs against their household budgets. To ensure a storm-resistant grid, Texans statewide were...
How Does Switching To a New Energy Provider Work? Switching to a new provider is a simple process involving the following steps: Understand your usage needs: Before you switch providers, assess your energy usage levels and patterns to pick the...
Average Electricity Bill in the U.S. by State Our analysis at Home Energy Club shows that the average monthly electricity bill for a U.S. household is $137, adding up to $1,644 annually. However, because energy usage and electricity rates vary...
When Is the Best Time To Switch Business Energy Providers? Ideally, you should switch when your contract is nearing an end (to help avoid cancellation fees) and when prices have dropped, which can help you secure monthly savings on your...
Why Are There Different Energy Plan Types? When Texas deregulated the energy market in 2002, it created energy choice, allowing Texans to pick their energy provider. The competition created by the free market led to the creation of a variety...
Knowing Your Energy Consumption Patterns Because everyone’s energy usage patterns are different, no single provider or plan will work for all customers in Texas. The best plan for you will depend primarily on your energy consumption levels and patterns. In...
Energy Habits at Home Energy use habits and accountability vary among American households. Explore how men and women handle energy monitoring and the toll energy habits can take on relationships. When asked if they were primarily responsible for monitoring energy...
What Is Energy Deregulation in Texas? Energy deregulation in Texas involves breaking up energy monopolies, creating competition between energy companies and giving customers the power of choice. Texas deregulated its energy sector when it passed Senate Bill 7 in 1999,...
If you’re like most Texans, you’ve probably heard of free nights and weekends electricity plans. You may have even heard of “free nights and weekends for electricity Texas” or of “Reliant free nights,” one of the more popular free energy...
Carbon dioxide (CO2) accounts for up to 77% of polluting greenhouse gas emissions. Cut your emissions and save. With just a small amount of effort, you can help make a lasting impact on the environment, reverse the trends of...
What To Consider Before Picking an Energy Plan Before shopping for an energy plan, you’ll want to take a few steps to prepare. We recommend starting by assessing your energy usage patterns. Your Energy Usage Review past energy bills to...
When choosing a Texas electricity plan and energy rate, the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) sheet might not seem that important at first. However, an EFL is critical to selecting a Texas energy plan that’s correct for your home so you...
Is your home on a 100% renewable energy plan? If not, and your electricity usage averages 1,000 kWh per month (roughly the national average), your fossil-sourced plan is responsible for 17,000 pounds of CO2 entering the atmosphere each year! You’ll...
Let's take matters into our own hands and fight climate change together! 1 The Problem The effects of climate change are bearing down on the planet, impacting all living things. We're running out of time, the clock is ticking, and we...
How Texas Electricity Rates Follow Market Pricing The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) regulates the deregulated energy areas in the state (about 85% of power consumed) and oversees the power grid which transmits the flow of electricity to your home;...
Let the Sun In One of the easiest and most obvious ways to reduce your electricity use is to go a little old-fashioned. Instead of keeping your lights on all day, try opening up your curtains or shades and letting...
Texas Electricity Rates Comparison Speak with a Reliant Energy operator for expert help in choosing a plan that fits your home at 833-339-0416. Call Reliant (833-339-0416) Speak with Gexa about their cheap energy plans at 888-256-0552. Call Gexa (888-256-0552) Now...
Get access to low business electricity rates that are cutting the bills of top Texas companies, offered by a unit of Shell Energy. Our client testimonials from business managers say it all. Here's one from an industrial operation in Baytown:...
If you're seeking a reliable ESID lookup tool to compare electricity prices in Texas, look no further. Steps to use our instant ESID lookup tool in Texas Go to the ESID Lookup field below. Enter your service address to retrieve...
Power Line Balls The colored balls hanging from the power lines are visibility markers for pilots. Electric companies in Texas and around the country use these balls on power lines to alert pilots of hanging wires. You'll most often find balls on...
What Is Power To Choose Texas? In the Lone Star State, your rights include having the power to choose your energy provider and electricity plan thanks to deregulation. But Power to Choose also refers to the government-run energy comparison website...
Retail Electricity Providers (REPs) In the Texas deregulated market, these are electric companies market electricity and charge you. They buy energy from the electric generation companies and resell them to homeowners, renters, and businesses. They're sometimes referred to as energy...
Electricity Rates for use with Smart Meter Texas Data Below are sample electricity rates from trusted electric companies in Texas. You can use these rates to compare your current energy rate by multiplying it against your usage info. Speak with...
PUC Average Annual Rate Comparisons in Texas The average price shown in these calculations represent average annual prices per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Generally, electric companies, also called retail energy providers, or REPs, charge rates that change according to usage levels. Thus,...
Here's an extensive Electricity Glossary that includes standard definitions of electricity terms and definitions for the Texas electricity market. With this glossary, you'll be able to speak with electric companies, brokers, and consultants about your home and business electricity needs....
Planning Ahead Once weather forecasters note the formation of a hurricane, the first response for many is to buy basic necessities. Avoid shortages by stocking up on non-perishable food items when hurricane season starts, and purchase items needed to secure...
Cheap 100% Green Energy Plans Some of the best solar energy companies in Texas offer low electricity rates on renewable energy plans. Gexa Energy’s renewable energy plans now have energy rates that are less than many fossil-sourced plans. Flagship Energy...
Texas Weather and Electric Grid Electricity flows to homes and businesses through the electrical grid and Texas is the only state with its own grid, which covers 213 of the 254 counties. The grid in these counties is operated by...
THE WOODLANDS, TX – As Texas continues to extend its lead as the top producer of wind energy in the nation with more installed capacity than most countries, and with solar energy hitting a new generation record in Texas in...
Conscious Consumption Can Reduce CO2 While we're encouraged to take individual action, such as planting trees to reduce CO2 and recycling to reduce production of fossil-based materials, some economists argue individual action may have virtually no impact. It could, in...
Planting trees is among the most noncontroversial methods of protecting the planet from climate disruption. If a massive number of trees were planted worldwide, there would be practically no political sacrifices required for it – no transition from fossil fuels,...
Renewable Energy vs. Fossil Fuel Electricity Traditionally, electricity has come from fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, and oil. These energy sources can take millions of years to replenish, making them a finite resource. In the United States as...
The Best Green Energy Companies in Texas Our top four green energy companies in Texas are Green Mountain Energy, Rhythm Energy, Gexa Energy and Chariot Energy. All electricity plans from these providers use 100% renewable energy. You can compare rates...
What Can You Do to Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change? To see how you can make a difference in the fight against climate change and even save money at the same time, check out our 100% 100% Renewable Energy...
Understanding Your Electric Meter Reading Your electric meter tracks the amount of electricity flowing from the power grid into your home. It measures how much energy your home consumes over time, similar to how a speedometer measures how fast your...
Shell Oil's Deep Dive into Green Energy Oil companies are looking to mergers and acquisitions to reduce the investment risks of the renewable energy market. In 2017, Shell Oil Company acquired MP2 of The Woodlands, Texas, which specializes in the...
What is a Fixed-Rate Electricity Plan? A fixed-rate plan has a static energy rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the duration of the plan’s contract. These plans offer contract periods ranging from six months to 60 months. Fixed-rate plans offer security...
Table Of Contents: Understanding E-Gallons and Their Cost Determining The Average Cost Of An E-Gallon Calculating E-Gallon Costs Determining Your Electricity Rates Evaluating Charging Costs for Electric Cars Advantages of Electric Vehicles Economic Advantages of Electric Vehicles Over Gasoline Cars...
Our top-rated electricity plan for Texas apartments is the Frontier Utilities Budget Saver 12 plan, which charges competitive rates per kilowatt-hour (kWh) at 500 kWh a month. Most of the top light companies in Texas that offer electricity plans to...
Tesla Houston in the Galleria One of the top innovators of the EV revolution, Tesla provides many options for consumers. The Tesla showroom at the Houston Galleria features the latest Tesla EVs, including the Model 3, Model S, Model Y,...
According to our recent study, 34% of Texans are struggling to pay their electric bill. Whether you're new to Texas or you're a long-time resident of the Lone Star State, finding an affordable electricity plan is important. Thanks to Texas's...
When an unexpected power outage takes place, it can cause real-life problems to the unprepared Texas citizen. However, in case of a power outage, you should call the utility company in your area to find out how long it will...
In the mid-90’s, wind power seemed to have questionable potential as an alternative renewable energy source. Energy prices had crashed and wind energy developers were having a difficult time keeping the doors open. Then the U.S. government stepped in with...
Lower Operating Costs of an Electric Vehicle Goodbye to Gasoline This is a big one. Yes, you need to charge your car, but charging with electricity costs significantly less than a trip to the gas station to fill up your...
What's the deal with EVs? At least since the introduction of the Prius, electric vehicles have become increasingly practical, affordable, powerful and, if you will, cool. However, for a variety of reasons, in the United States, known worldwide for its...
Table of Contents: Energy Plans and Rates for Home Charging of Electric Vehicles (EV) Locating Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Texas Cities Understanding How Electric Cars Work Environmental Impact & Green Energy Options for Electric Vehicles Battery Capacity and Range...
How to Compare Energy Rates in Texas What is the cheapest electricity plan in Texas? By using Home Energy Clubs's website tools, you'll be able to quickly find the cheapest electricity rate. You can then compare that with other rates...
Average kWh Usage in Texas by Home Size Before choosing an energy plan, determine your average kWh usage per month. Below are some quick statistics for various house sizes: The average kWh usage for a 3,000 sq ft home is...
Moving to Texas & Finding an Energy Provider Six to four weeks before moving to Texas, you’ll need to set up electricity service with an energy provider in the city, town or rural area where you’re moving. The electric company...
Below are key factors that differentiate standby generators from traditional portable gasoline generators: Standby generators can power your whole house Portable generators typically don't have near enough KW capacity to power your entire house during an outage — especially during...
What Does It Mean To Track Electricity Usage? Tracking electricity usage is the process of learning more about which of your household appliances and devices consume the most energy. Electric usage monitoring can help you determine what uses the most...
1. Unplug Electronics You're Not Using Electronic devices can consume energy even when you're not actively using them. Make a habit of powering down equipment around your home after you've completed a task. For example, you can unplug your toaster...
Summer Energy Saving Tips Saving energy in the summer doesn't have to be complicated. Simply using ceiling fans and adding table fans around the home in occupied rooms takes some of the load off your energy-giant AC unit, and sealing...
What Uses the Most Electricity in a Home? In most households, especially in Texas, the heating and cooling system uses the most electricity, and the water heater uses the second-most energy. Your home's lights and the refrigerator use the next...
1. Prep your Home in the summer The best time to prepare is during the summer. This includes filling up your fuel tank(s) and tuning up or even upgrading your appliances. Our number one suggestion for a more energy-efficient home...
How much does it cost to charge an Electric Car at home? The short answer is it can vary, but charging at home is generally the most economical and can range from $5 to $15 dollars to charge an average...
What Are No-Deposit Energy Plans? No-deposit energy plans let you start your electricity service without an additional upfront payment. This plan type can help you get your power switched on when you don’t have a strong credit score or the...
