John GrochowskiWe all need electricity to keep us going, but many of us don’t really know how it works. That’s especially true in Texas where our energy system is a little different than most other states’.
Before deregulation, the state’s power companies shared a grid with other choose power texas companies from neighboring states and bought and sold electricity across borders. That’s not the case anymore because of new federal rules that dictate how power is bought, sold and distributed. The new rules were designed to prevent a single power company from controlling too much of the state’s power market.
The new rules have led to a power market that is more competitive than ever before. That’s great news for consumers because it means they can choose from a wide range of retail electric providers (REPs). There are many types of plans offered by REPs in Texas, including fixed-rate and variable-rate options. Fixed-rate plans include a contract term and lock in a price per kilowatt hour that can’t change for the length of the plan. Variable-rate plans are month-to-month and leave you open to price fluctuations.
When you’re comparing Texas electric rates, be sure to consider the plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL). The EFL includes important information like pricing, contract terms and renewable energy content. It’s also a good idea to look at customer reviews and ratings for each provider. These can help you determine if they’re the right fit for your home and usage needs.
To save money on your Texas electricity rate, look for a provider that offers the best deals for your specific usage patterns. This can be done by estimating your usage using a kWh calculator. Then use a tool like ComparePower to find the best deal for your home.
It’s important to understand that if you’re already under contract with a particular REP, you may be charged an early termination fee if you switch providers before your contract ends. Check the terms of your original agreement to be sure.
One of the most popular ways to save on your Texas electricity rate is by signing up for a plan with a low upfront deposit. Several Texas REPs offer this type of plan, and you can usually sign up for one in minutes online.
During times of high demand, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) sends Energy Conservation Alerts to encourage Texans to conserve energy. This is necessary because the state has a large supply of energy but also has an increasingly larger demand during peak summer months when people turn on their air conditioning. Occasionally, the state’s reserve capacity drops so low that ERCOT is forced to begin controlled outages to protect the grid. The three levels of emergency operations are Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Level 1 begins when reserves drop below 2,300 megawatts, and Levels 2 and 3 begin at lower thresholds. During these emergencies, ERCOT will work with large industrial customers to cut their power consumption and reduce demand.