Archive for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Electric: What It Means to “Choose” Your Energy Supplier
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Pennsylvania is a leader in the energy deregulation market. Its customers were among the very first to be able to choose their electricity provider. With this choice has come some confusion, ie, what exactly are consumers selecting when they choose an electric company. Here we shed some light on this.
Pennsylvania Electric: The Difference between Your Energy Generator and Your Energy Transporter
Depending on where you live in Pennsylvania, you can choose the company that generates your electricity. This company is called your Electric Generation Supplier (your EGS).
The company you have right now is known as your Electric Distribution Company (your EDC). What does your EDC do for you? They handle the conduction and allocation components of your electric service.
In simpler terms, what this means is that your electricity may be generated by one company (EGS) and transported to you by another company (your EDC). This is why sometimes you may get two bills – one from your EGS and one from your EDC.
All of this is overseen by the Public Utility Commission (PUC).
Pennsylvania Electric: Have You Chosen the Best Plan for Your Budget?
Now that you have a better understanding about what you’re choosing when you select a Pennsylvania electricity company, let’s examine one more phase – electric service plans.
Which one do you have now; a prepaid electric service plan, a low-deposit plan or a no-deposit plan? As you know, not all plans are created equal – especially if you have a spotty credit history.
What choice has done is leveled the playing field to a certain degree. Just because you have a low income or less-than-ideal credit, you no longer have limited options like high-cost prepaid electric service plans.
Dependable, traditional Pennsylvania electric companies offer low-deposit and no-deposit electric service plans that save targeted consumers (eg, the credit challenged, low income, fixed income, etc.) money. This has been one of the best things to come out of the competition in the marketplace.
So conduct an energy plan checkup and stop paying the high costs associated with prepaid electric service plans. Call your Pennsylvania electric company today and ask about low-deposit and no-deposit electric service plans you may qualify for.
Pennsylvania Electric: 3 Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Meters
Posted by: | CommentsSmart meter technology is coming to Pennsylvania soon. This new technology will replace the currently used analogue meters, and they will save consumers money. Following are the answers to some frequently asked questions about smart meters.
What Exactly are Smart Meters?
A smart meter is an advanced meter (usually electric) that identifies energy consumption in more detail than a conventional analogue meter. It communicates consumption information electronically back to the local utility company for monitoring and billing purposes.
How Long Will the Installation of My Smart Meter Take?
It’s very quick; it can be done in about ten minutes and you don’t even have to be home. FYI, you will experience a brief power outage during this time.
Do I Need to Do Anything to Get a Smart Meter?
No. Your Pennsylvania electric company will dispatch a technician to take care of the installation for you. You will be notified beforehand – usually via a notice left on your door or a mailed letter – of the general timeframe when this will take place.
Help Your Smart Meter Work “Smarter”
No matter the situation, technology can only do so much to help us save more and consume less. We have to do our part. When it comes to your Pennsylvania electric bill, to help maximize the savings you get – with or without a smart meter – one thing you can do immediately is to check your current electric plan.
Living in a deregulated energy market, you have to power to choose your Pennsylvania electricity company. And, long-time stable energy providers offer a plethora of plans to help credit challenged individuals, those on fixed incomes and even low-income consumers.
You no longer have to settle for expensive options like prepaid electric service plans. Call your Pennsylvania electricity company and ask about lower cost no-deposit and low-deposit electric service plans. You could be paying much less than what you’re paying now. But, you must make the call to find out your options.
Click here to email or speak with an PA energy consultant
What if you could save 15% on your monthly electric bill – all by doing a few simple household “repairs” that cost just a couple of dollars? You can.
According to energy experts, most Pennsylvania electric consumers can save a couple of hundred dollars a year on their electric bill simply by sealing the cracks around windows and doors. Approximately 30% of a dwelling’s heating and cooling is lost via drafts in this manner. Fifteen percent (15%) of this loss is directly attributed to windows.
To put this number in perspective, consider the following . . .
How You Can Save 15% Per Month (Approximately $200 Per Year) on Your Electric Bill
According to the Energy Information Agency, the average energy bill for residential dwellings in the U.S. is approximately $96. The agency states that the average home uses about 920 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month and pays roughly 10.5 cents per kWh.
Pennsylvania electric customers pay more — 11.69 cents per kWh (as of January 2010). This means their average monthly bill tops out at around $108 per month (11.69 x 920). If you sealed cracks around windows, you recoup the 15% loss from window drafts. This gives you a savings of roughly $200/year ($108 x .15 x 12).
So seal up those windows – and doors to if you want to garner even more savings.
Sometimes it takes seeing your potential savings in black and white to get you motivated to make simple changes.
Ask Your Pennsylvania Electric Company about Savings
It used to be that if you had challenged credit, for example, your options were limited to expensive prepaid electric service plans. Things have changed dramatically.
Traditional, stable Pennsylvania energy companies offer a plethora of plans for their diverse customer base – from no-deposit electric service options to budget friendly choices for those on fixed incomes.
Ask your current PA energy supplier about options that fit your circumstances.
Save Money on Your Pennsylvania Electric Bill with a Programmable Thermostat
Posted by: | CommentsWith the recent rate caps expiring, many Pennsylvania residents are opening their energy bills to see bigger numbers in the to-be-paid box. Trying to keep a home comfortable temperature-wise for all of its inhabitants is one of the biggest contributors to increased electric bills. For example, the thermostat is constantly reset because “Mary is a little chilly, while Joe is too hot.”
If you’re looking for a simple way to save on your monthly PA electric bill, invest in a programmable thermostat. They cost just a bit more than a regular thermostat, but can save you enough money year round to easily recoup your investment. Following is how.
Save While You’re Away: If you’re gone most of the day, there’s no reason to keep your thermostat on or at an optimal temperature like when you’re home. You can program this type of thermostat to, for instance, warm up or cool down your residence just before you get home.
Adjust While You’re Sleeping: Usually at night, we don’t require the same temperature to be comfortable as when we’re up during the day. With a programmable thermostat, you can set it to adjust a few degrees at night while you and your family are sleeping. This saves a lot of energy, which reduces your utility bills month in and month out.
Switch to Save on Your Pennsylvania Electric Bill
As was mentioned at the beginning of this post, utility company rate caps are expiring. Some have already expired and all of them will expire by the end of this year (2010). What this means is that as a Pennsylvania electric company customer, you can now choose which electric provider you want – even if you have bad credit.
Many traditional Pennsylvania electric companies now offer no-deposit electric service plans. As electric service plans are credit based, if you have less than ideal credit, explore this option with a conventional Pennsylvania electricity company. Many of them now offer this service, which can save you in the long run over a prepaid electric service plan, which costs more and does nothing to rebuild your credit score.
How to Create an Energy-Savings Plan for Your Home
Posted by: | CommentsCreating an energy-saving plan for your home can save tremendously on your monthly PA electric bill. And, it can all be done within a few minutes. Following is how to go about it.
3 Questions to Ask/Answer When Creating an Energy-Saving Plan
Which room in the house uses the most energy?
Once you determine this, then you can formulate a plan for cutting down on use in that particular room.
For example, if the kitchen is the room that uses the most energy, you can do several things to cut this, eg, only washing full loads when using the dishwasher, or setting the thermostat in the refrigerator and freezer to optimal temperatures.
FYI, experts recommend that the refrigerator be set between 34 and 40 degrees. The freezer should be set to zero degrees.
Which appliances in the home use the most energy?
Like a room, once you know which appliance(s) use the most energy, you can then figure out cost-cutting measures for using them, eg,, washing full loads and in cold water only if it’s the washing machine.
What repairs/fixes can you make yourself to save on your home’s energy use?
Do your filters need changing? Do your doors and windows need caulking/sealing to prevent air from escaping via cracks? Do you need to install ceiling fans to help with cooling your home in the summer?
All of these are things that can be done by you, and they don’t cost an arm and a leg. In fact, they’re quite cheap. And, they can save you a bundle on your Pennsylvania electricity bill month in and month out.
Can Switching PA Electric Companies Save You Money?
Speaking of saving on your electric bill, did you know that you can now switch PA electric companies? Furthermore, if you have bad credit, you don’t have to settle for prepaid electric service plans that cost you more.
Some traditional Pennsylvania electric companies have become no-deposit electricity suppliers. You may wind up paying less than what you’re paying now – and still be with a trusted provider who won’t shut off your service because of a missed payment, as many who have prepaid electric service plans have reported happening.
So if you’re not happy with your current PA electric company, contact others to see which options are available to you – whether you have good credit, or not.
Pennsylvania Electricity Service: How to Avoid Paying a Deposit If You Have Bad Credit
Posted by: | CommentsIf you have bad credit and try to open a Pennsylvania electricity services account, you may have been told that you have to pay a deposit. Deposits can range anywhere from $200 to $700 or more. But, there are other options.
No-deposit electricity suppliers include traditional Pennsylvania electric companies. To understand why, let’s dig a little deeper.
Pennsylvania electric companies are becoming more competitive because rate caps are expiring. This was made possible by the 1997 Pennsylvania Electric Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act. This piece of legislation gave Pennsylvanians the right to choose which company supplies their electricity.
But, to ease the transition to this more competitive market, the legislation also put rate caps in place that kept electric rates at the 1997 level for a certain period of time. Now, many of those rate caps have expired. By the end of this year (2010), all of them will expire.
In order to stay competitive, many traditional PA electric companies have entered the “no deposit electric service” game. This is good news for consumers with bad credit because it means more options are open to them without having to lay out a large deposit.
Why You Should Avoid Prepaid Electric Service Plans
If you don’t qualify for a no-deposit electric service plan with your current provider, you may be tempted to get a prepaid electric service account.
This is not recommended for two reasons: (i) you’ll be paying more for electricity. And, with rate caps expiring and costs expected to go up for many consumers anyway, this can be a double hit to your wallet; and (ii) you risk having your electric turned off for even one missed payment.
Where possible, save up and pay a deposit with a traditional Pennsylvania electric supplier if you have to. This will not only get you back on the road to good credit (yes, utility accounts are monitored by credit bureaus), it lessens the chance that you’ll have your service cut.
Contact the Public Utility Commission of PA and/or several traditional Pennsylvania electric companies to find the best deal for you and your family.
Attn PA Residents: Has Your Electric Been Turned Off for Nonpayment?
Posted by: | CommentsIf you don’t have good credit, when you open an account with a Pennsylvania electric company, you must pay a deposit. This can be anywhere from $200 to $700 or more. So perhaps you signed up with a prepaid electric service provider. Many make this mistake and some soon find out that their electric can be turned off – quick – for just one missed payment.
This is just one of the pitfalls of prepaid electric service plans. Another one is that you pay more for electricity than, for example, your neighbor who has good credit.
So what can you do to prevent this from happening in the future? A lot actually; following are two things.
Contact a Traditional Pennsylvania Electric Company: Many have plans specifically for credit-challenged consumers. For example, Budget Billing.
By averaging your electric usage out over 12 months, with Budget Billing you pay a set amount each month. FYI, your electric company may adjust the amount you pay up or down every quarter; it all depends on your usage.
Unlike with a prepaid electric account, with budget billing, you’ll never have to worry about having your electricity turned off because of non-payment. It makes it easier for you to budget for it if you know what the bill is going to be from one month to the next.
Contact your PA electric company for more details on Budget Billing.
Proactively Shop for PA Electric Companies: Utility rate caps are expiring. What this means for the average consumer is that they can be in for a rate hike. And if you’re on a prepaid electric service plan, you’re already paying more. Can you afford for this to increase yet again?
Most can’t.
One benefit of rate caps expiring is that Pennsylvania electric customers can now shop for utility companies. This creates competition, which means that companies are vying for customers.
Hence, if your current electric company is charging you too much, see what others are offering. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that you can pay less. And if you have a prepaid electric service plan, it is certainly worth the effort to find out what’s available to you considering the increase in competition.
How to Conserve Energy in the Kitchen & Reduce Your Monthly PA Electric Bill
Posted by: | CommentsIf the kitchen is the heart of the home, it may also be the room that consumers the most energy. Between the stove, the dishwasher, the microwave, toaster, blender, the refrigerator and numerous other appliances, it’s easy to see how the kitchen can contribute greatly to your monthly PA electric bill.
Following are some simple ways to save energy in the kitchen.
Set Your Refrigerator’s Temperature: This is probably the biggest energy sucker in your kitchen. Energy experts recommend that you set your refrigerator’s temperature to between 34 and 40 degrees. The freezer portion should be at zero degrees (Fahrenheit, of course).
These temperatures are ideal for keeping foods fresh. Temperatures that higher or lower than this is simply wasting energy.
Microwave Where Possible: With many Americans eating easy-to-cook food, this is an ideal energy saver that actually fits the lifestyle of a lot of families. And, because microwaves cook faster than conventional ovens, they save on energy.
Hand Wash Dishes: If you have a dishwasher, use it only when you prepare large family meals. Other times, hand wash dishes. Also, when you do use the dishwasher, make sure you’re washing a full load, not just a few dishes that can easily be handled by hand.
Remember to scrape dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. This saves on possibly having to wash them again due to food being stuck on them.
Contact your Pennsylvania electric supplier for more energy saving tips like these.
Is Your PA Electric Bill Too High?
With rate caps expiring, some consumers are seeing their monthly utility bill increase. If this has happened to you, you can shop for a new electric supplier.
Have bad credit? Considering no-deposit electricity companies and prepaid electric service plans?
Check with traditional Pennsylvania electric companies before you go this route. Many offer plans that can help customers with less than A1 credit. You could wind up paying less than what you’re paying now. All it takes is a few calls to find out.
Energy Saving Tip: Up to 75 Percent of Energy Is Wasted When Appliances Are Turned Off
Posted by: | CommentsMore and more of us are starting to realize that the earth doesn’t have an endless supply of resources. So we do our part to reserve, recycle and replenish as much of what she gives us as possible. When it comes to saving energy, this means turning off lights and any unused appliances.
After all, when an appliance is turned off, that means it’s not wasting energy, right? That’s not the case and, unfortunately, too many of us don’t realize it. Many of the appliances that make our lives so comfortable use power – even when they’re turned off. This includes TVs, DVD players, computers, printers, microwaves, cell phones, mp3 players, etc. – the list goes on and on.
These all draw a small amount of power when they’re turned off. When you couple this with the fact that as much as 75% of the electricity used to power these devices course through them while they’re turned off, that’s no “small” amount of energy being wasted.
To conserve energy, unplug devices you’re not using, in addition to turning them off. Many times, our energy bill spirals out of control because of the little things we don’t know. Contact your PA electric supplier to find out more energy-saving tips like this.
Want to Switch Pennsylvania Electric Suppliers?
If your current PA electric bill is spiraling out of control, you can now switch electric companies – even if you have bad credit.
Many consumers with bad credit assume that they have to go the prepaid electric service route, which means you wind up paying more. You don’t have too.
Many traditional electric companies have options for consumers with spotty credit histories – in some cases you can actually be paying less than what you’re paying now. So, before you go the PA prepaid electric service route, contact your electric company to see which options they offer.
How Have You Made Energy Efficiency Lifestyle Changes in Your PA Home?
Posted by: | CommentsHow to Set Your Thermostat to Save the Most on Your PA Electric Bill
Heating and cooling a home is the largest part of everyone’s electric bill each month. Hence, setting your thermostat to the right temperature will save the most on your energy bill. But, what exactly is this number?
Heating Your Home: The Ideal Temperature that Saves You the Most
Most energy experts recommend that you set your thermostat to between 62 and 68 degrees to save the most on your Pennsylvania electric bill. While these temperatures can seem a little cool for some, the idea is to set it high (ie, 68) during the day, and lower it to 62 at bedtime.
Cooling Your Home: The Ideal Temperature that Saves You the Most
Here, the recommendation is to set your thermostat to between 74 and 78 degrees. Again, this may be an uncomfortable temperature for some.
These Temperatures are Not Comfortable: Recommendations for Living with Them
If the temperatures are too hot or too cold, following are some guidelines for learning to live with them — and experience relative comfortability.
Change the way you dress: Most of us like to wear what we want when we’re home and feel comfortable doing it. But, you might have to put on a little more or take off a little more in order to feel ok. For example, in the winter, if you’re too cold with your thermostat at between 62 and 68 degrees, dress in layers.
Use other heating/cooling options: For example, in the summer to beat the heat, install ceiling fans. Or open up windows on the breezy days to enjoy a “natural cool.”
Remember, the earth’s resources are limited. And it’s up to all of us to do our part and if each of us did “just a little,” we can not only save money each month, we can help to save the earth’s resources for future generations.
Is Your Pennsylvania Electric Company Charging You Too Much
If you think your current PA electricity supplier is charging you too much, you can now shop for a new one. And, if you’re worried that you may not be able to because you have bad credit, don’t.
You don’t have to pay more by using prepaid electric service plans. Many traditional PA electric companies have options for consumers with less than ideal credit histories. In fact, you can actually wind up paying less than what you’re currently paying because some of the options are based on your household size and income.
Before you consider any prepaid electric service plans, contact your local Pennsylvania electric company to see how they may be able to help you.