Archive for Electricity Rate Comparisons
August 2009 Dallas Electricity Rate Comparison
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Today is August 14 2009 and we have gone out to the power to choose website to check on electricity rates from companies like Champion, Startex, Green Mountain Energy, Spark Energy, TXU, Ambit, Stream, Bounce, Texas Power and Reliant Energy. We checked on some other Texas electricity providers but these energy companies provide a good overall comparison of rates. We have sorted the electricity rates in order from cheapest to most expensive using the pricing available on the Power to Choose website.
Startex Power, Champion, and Green Mountain Energy, are some of the more popular electricity companies we recommend and Startex and Champion are currently offering some of the cheapest available electricity plans in the Dallas Texas area. There are no hidden fees or charges with Startex or Champion. If you use below 500 kWh per month than a $4.95 monthly service fee will kick in with Startex Power but other than that you are going to be good with the top two cheapest Dallas electricity plans in the chart.
This chart above is a historical snapshot of what Dallas residential electricity rates looked like for the month and day of August 14 2009. These charts sometimes help in determining the track record of a Texas electricity companies overall consistent performance in delivering a low cost electricity price to Texas energy consumers. To see a current comparison of our recommended electricity companies in Dallas Texas please click on our Dallas electricity comparison link by clicking here.
Irving Texas Electricity Rates
Posted by: | CommentsThis Year, Irving Electricity Rates
This year Irving electricity rates went up to as high as 16 cents kWh during the worst part of the summer on standard fixed electricity rates and as low as 11 cents kWh on a standard fixed rate when prices came back down. The year of 2008 we saw some of the most extreme high prices in electricity rates in the Irving Texas area then we had ever seen since Texas deregulated in 2002.
The Texas Zonal Electric Grid Index
The reason for the spike in prices had to do with a Texas governed spot market electricity price index that is priced based on 5 different areas. There are a few thousand potential pricing points to alleviate congestion and allow certain generation facilities to be turned on to properly share the load but the technology is not in place yet. The new nodal system for the Texas electric grid the Texas government is working on should allow for prices to make less volatile price swings when there is congestion and bottlenecks in the electric grid. This will allow Irving Texas electricity rates to remain at more tolerable rate levels that people are more accustomed to.
More Efficient Correctly Run Electricity Grid
With a correctly run grid that rewards electricity generation plants to build in areas that will not create a high level of congestion when sending power into cities will also help with electricity rate spikes. As a built in design consideration the new nodal grid system encourages power plants to built in areas that will not have a high level of congestion. This correct location based power generation development along with software and technology infrastructure that provides the needed nodal data to turn on and off facilities based upon load demand requirements will help lower Irving electricity rates for the long term.
The Zonal Electricity Grid
The Texas government plans to decide if they will go ahead with the zonal electric grid overhaul that will turn it into a nodal electric grid. ERCOT has said they will vote on if they will continue the Nodal project in early 2009. The reason the nodal electricity grid has come up for a new vote is because the project has doubled and tripled in cost since they began the project several years ago. A recent study has determined that the Nodal system will still save Irving Texas consumers a lot of money on their electricity power even though the project has dramatically increased in cost.
Comparing Cheapest Electricity Rates in Irving
If you would like to check and compare the cheapest available Irving Texas electricity rates you can do so by visting our comparison page. We also have a page that compares Houston Texas electricity rates and a page for Abilene Texas electricity rates.
Dec 2008 Dallas Residential Electric Rates
Posted by: | CommentsCompare Electric Rates Below
The last few months energy has come down quite a bit a long with the stock market, the economy, and consumer confidence. Even our dollar isn’t doing so good but it has started a climb up. Residential electric rates in Dallas have come down some but not as much as some were anticipating. The problem is when fuel prices drop quickly it doesn’t necessrily have the same effect on the conversion over to electricity. There is a cost associated with converting natural gas and coal to electric power. This cost is called a heat factor cost. When natural gas comes down quickly you will usually see the heat factor go up. This makes it a little difficult to anticipate exactly what electric rates will do when fuel and energy comes down. Below is a comparison list of some of the cheapest electric companies in Dallas Texas.
These rates are subject to change as the month progresses but are accurate as of the date this article was written. To see an updated comparison list go to : Dallas Electric Rate Comparison
Dec 2008 Dallas Electric Rate Chart
November 2008 Dallas Residential Electric Rates
Posted by: | CommentsWhat to do When Locking in Dallas Residential Electric Rates for November 2008?
The energy markets have been steadily declining and have started to hit some historical short term lows. If this trend continues we could see some very good residential electric rates but trying to pick the bottom of a trend is an impossible task. If you are waiting to do something I would recommend making your hunch and going ahead and signing up on a term even if just for a few months. The reason you should lock into something is due to the high price of a month to month rate. Residential electric providers in Dallas will generally offer a low first month rate on a month to month type of electric service plan but will then raise the rate dramatically after that first month. To avoid a high rate hike you should lock into some type of monthly term. If you are risk averse I would go with atleast a 1 year plan and if you are willing to roll the dice and try again in 3 months I would go with a shorter term like a 3 month or 6 month fixed rate.
November 2008 Residential Electric Rates Comparison Chart
The residential Dallas electric rates below serve as a historical marker of where rates have come as of November 2 2008. These rates will most likely change as the month progresses but you will find indicative prices as of Nov 2 2008 to help you in your shopping and comparing process. If you wish to see current Dallas electric rates we recommend checking this page out: Dallas residential electric rates
Dallas Residential Electric Rate Chart
If you are looking for a comparison of Dallas commercial electric service you can find it here: Dallas Commercial Electric Service
If you were looking for Residential Houston Electric Service you will find it on this page: Houston Residential Electricity Comparison
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October 2008 Dallas Residential Electric Rates
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If you are confused about electric rates in Dallas and surrounding Oncor utility area we have a great comparison chart below comparing mostly fixed rates with several different electric providers. These electric rates are residential rates. There are a few variable rates in the mix because those companies only offered a variable electric rate so we listed their only option. The rates are designated as to whether they are a fixed electric rate or a variable rate. I recommend to avoid signing up on a variable rate because the month after you sign up on that rate plan the electric rate could do just about anything. A variable electric rate has taken many residential customers by surprise this summer when rates trippled in price. A fixed electric rate is a much safer way to lock into an energy rate because you know exactly what price you will pay the entire term of your contract.
Current October 2008 Residential Electric Rate Comparison
These rates are updated as of October 2 2008. Because residential electric rates change every few weeks these rates will be a little higher or lower as the month continues. This comparison chart will serve as a good indicative comparison of where residential electric rates are at for the month of October 2008. You may click on the links on this comparison chart and sign up online to receive a slightly lower electric rate then calling these providers on the phone. By signing up for electric service online you keep the electric companies costs low for aquiring a new customer and they reward you by giving you a slight discount then if you were to call and speak to a customer service rep over the phone. Signing up online also allows you to take advantage of online discounts that are not promoted when calling the providers on the phone. When you call an electric provider on the phone they expect to close about 70 % of those customers who call in. Because of this most providers will try to sell you a higher electric rate then is available via online discount offers.
The companies offering the cheapest rates for the month of October are Startex Power – Sign up Now
August 2008 Houston Residential Electric Rates
Posted by: | CommentsList of Providers from Cheapest to Most Expensive in Houston
We have put together a list of the electric providers in Texas from cheapest to most expensive. The top 3 Texas electric providers in the list all happen to be a little cheaper then what those companies normally advertise. We worked out discount electric rates with these providers and Startex (the cheapest right now) has a high rating from the public utility commission of Texas in regards to customer satisfaction. Because these companies have the cheapest rates and have a high reputability factor we are listing them for our readers to sign up with. You will receive their discount rates provided you sign up online using the links in the list below. These rates were updated on August 20th so between now and September rates could go up or down with the market so these rates may be a little higher or lower as the month proceeds.
Congestion Problems in Houston Texas
If you are in or around Houston Texas you will notice that your city has higher rates then the rates in Dallas Texas. The Houston area has some of the highest electric rates in Texas across the board. The reason electric rates are higher in Houston has to do with congestion and line loss issues. The state of Texas is working on resolving the congestion and line loss issues in Houston Texas. Until the givernment comes up with a good plan for this you will continue to pay a little higher for your electricity then the rest of the state.
List of Electric Companies in Houston
 The city of Houston has some of the highest electric rates in the state due to line losses and congestion issues. This issue effects your electric rate regardless of the electric provider you choose. These issues are included in the non-negotiable TDSP charges also known as pass through charges that are fixed by the PUCT and bundled into the residential electric rate. The nodal system the PUCT and ERCOT are working to implement in the state of Texas and Houston will help to alleviate this issue.
The only other place in Texas with higher electric rates then Houston is Brownsville Texas and surrounding AEP service area. Brownsville Texas is faced with the same issues that effect Houston and cause electric rates to be higher then they are in cities like Dallas or Laredo Texas.
August 2008 Dallas Fort Worth and North Texas Residential Rates
Posted by: | CommentsVolatile Texas Residential Electric Prices
As many people know by now, in Texas, electric rates can change over the course of the week if the energy commodities market goes through a volatile swing. Such has been the case this month. Just as oil, electricity and natural gas fears were getting the worse of everyone prices plummeted down. Many people locked in for 2 – 5 year electric contracts at close to the top of the market. Only two weeks later and many of these consumers are kicking themselves for locking into a long term contract as a sales person of an electric company scared them into it. Unfortunately this is the case for some but others waited it out and for you I must say give yourself a pat on the back. You picked a good time to be shopping for a competitive electric rate. Rates still don’t look as good as last summer around June 1st 2007 but they seem to be getting there. The electric rates in the list below were updated on August 18th. The market could go up or down between now and September so the rates below may be a little lower or higher then what is shown as we approach closer to September.
What monthly fixed term do you recommend?
I would recommend signing up for a 12 month fixed rate right now. The statistics when looking at natural gas futures is that Texas electricity prices will be lower sometime between 13 and 24 month from now. Because of this I would sign a 12 month fixed energy contract and try again next year. For those who are wondering why I mentioned natural gas when talking about Texas electricity it is very simple. Texas electricity has about a 90% correlation with natural gas prices. Most of our Texas power plants create electricity through steam driven natural gas power plants. Because of the reliance on natural gas to create electricity in Texas you could just follow NG out at www.nymex.com to keep track of what Texas electricity might be doing.
List of Electric Companies from Cheapest to Highest
Below is a list from cheapest to most expensive of Texas residential electric companies in Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas. These rates were updated as of August 19 2008. They could be a little higher or lower as the month moves out further. If you live in Houston these rates will be a little higher across the board with all providers. Also keep in mind that the top 3 electric companies in the list below are discount offers with reputable electric providers, a little cheaper then what the electric companies typically offer. Provided you sign up with them online using the discount electricity links in the chart below you will get their special 12 month fixed discount offer.
July 2008 Houston Residential Electric Rates
Posted by: | CommentsHeads up on What is Going on in the Market This Month
Right now the market is still close to a 3 year high. We saw electric rates in Texas go up the entire month of June and now in July we still see energy prices rising higher. Most people have noticed in the news of how oil has reached $148 setting an all time historical record. The energy sector is up across the board and Houston electric rates are the highest in the state of Texas. Houston must pipe in their energy from far off causing line losses. The power consumption and demand of Houstonians causes congestion and they just don’t turn on enough power plants in your town to meet peak demand periods. Because of these issues you pay ridiculously high prices. Last year rates were around 10 – 11 cents kWh. If you are now trying to renew an energy contract or lock in again you will be surprised to see Houston electricity rates about 5 – 10 cents higher then last year.
July 2008 Electric Rate Chart
We have Houston, Harris County, Brazoria County, and surrounding Centerpoint Energy utility areas electric rates listed here from best to worst. A 12 month fixed Houston electric rate is recommended as rates are expected to travel back down. Long term contracts are cheaper, however you would be locking in at the top of the market when the expectation is that electric rates will be coming back down before 24 and 36 months. Many of the electric rates in the chart below are discount 12 month fixed electric rates. By clicking on the links below and signing up online you will achieve a slightly better rate then what that company normally advertises.
Dallas Fort Worth July 2008 Residential Electric Rate Comparison
Posted by: | CommentsResidential Electricity Close to a 3 Year Historical High
The market is way up right now and a question on a lot of peoples mind is if they should sign up on a 12 month fixed rate contract or a longer term such as a 24 or 36 month fixed rate contract. Right now a 24 month and 36 month fixed rate contract is cheaper then a 12 month fixed rate. The reason you get a cheaper rate as you go longer terms is due to a correlation with the natural gas market. Natural gas futures contracts are cheaper as you go out on a longer term. You can verify this by looking at futures contracts for natural gas on one of many commodity broker quote sites. The key to what you should do is in the contract. The reason they give you a cheaper rate is because they believe rates will come down between now and 24 months or 36 months from now. Because the commodities traders expect rates to come down they have a strategy to sell you on a longer term contract at a cheaper price. Many people fall for this but keep this in mind, you would be locking in at the top of the market.
We recommend signing a 12 month fixed electric rate agreement and trying again next year. We have a comparison chart listed below of multiple electric companies in North Texas, Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, McKinney and the rest of the Oncor Electric Utility area of Texas. Compare and pick a provider. Some of the links below are discount 12 month rates, cheaper then what the Texas electric companies generally offer. Simply click the provider you want to go with and sign up online. The Texas government will automatically take you off your current electric provider and put you with your new one. You will not need to call your current provider to be taken off as this happens automatically.
July 2008 Texas Electric Rates in North Texas
Find a rate you can be confident about for the next year and try again next year. The market is very high right now so these rates will be much higher then what they looked like last July. The rates are updated as of July 6 2008. Many times the market will go up or down within a few weeks. You may click on the links below and possibly find the company offering a slightly higher or lower electric rate as we move further into the month of July.
May 2008 Houston Residential Electric Rate Comparison
Posted by: | CommentsWhat is Electricity Doing Right Now?
As of May 2008 Electric rates are currently close to a 3 year high and because of this Texas residential electric rates do not look so good right now. Many people would like to wait and renew when rates drop down but there is just no way to know when this will happen. Electric rates could hover at historical highs for several months before they drop back down to prices many people are comfortable paying.
Who We Recommend
We recommend signing a 12 month energy agreement and then trying again next year. Notice: Riverway Power recently cancelled their residential electric customers agreements in mid April according to several people who called in and left comments regarding them so we do not recommend using them as their fixed electric rate is subject to change. Our preferred electric providers at this time are Affordable Energy, Startex Energy and Bounce Energy Guaranteed No Deposit. All of these Texas electric companies have accurate billing, good customer service and low rates.
We are now approaching the end of the month of June and since writing this article rates have continued up along with a barrel of oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas are trading at all time historical highs and the analysis shows that traders are hedging against a falling dollar by buying energy. The rise in prices can best be attributed to investors and traders trading up the price. This price spike will most likely be a bubble we will see fall but we have no idea when that will be. If you are buying Houston electricity you are exeriencing the worst of it. Houston electric rates are higher then they have ever been right now and higher then the rest of the state.