Houston Electric Rates

Houston Churches Pay High Energy Bills With Often Much Lower Kilowatt Hour Usage

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:54:58 +0000

We have spoken to numerous churches in Houston that complain to us that Reliant Energy is really sticking it to them with a very high energy demand charge. As much as I like to agree with customers I can’t always do it and this is most definitely one of those situations where I have to stop the customer and politely educate.

If I wasn’t in the energy business I would most likely be thinking the same thing. The energy demand charges are a cost associated much more with the pole and wire company than Reliant Energy.

Reliant is your retail electric provider and does not control or pass through most of what people refer to as demand charges.You see that demand charge on your bill but that is a Centerpoint Energy charge.

These demand charges are a ratcheted demand fee based on 12 months of electric usage. What I mean here is that the demand charge is not how many kilowatt hours you use but about how high you peaked out the amount of your electricity at any one time in the day or night over the course of the year.

Where kwh is the amount of electricity you use over time, kind of like a trickle from a faucet, demand is the KW or the faucet turned on all the way up or the width of that water coming out of the faucet regardless of the time it is on.

So for instance, a hot summer Sunday a church really cranks up the air conditioner. At this time the church has likely peaked their demand for energy higher than at any other time during the year.

If the church is normally demanding 30 kw but on this hot July they demanded 100 kw than they are now faced with a demand penalty.

The penalty is established by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and interpreted for all Houston electricity accounts in various ways by the pole and wire company which is Centerpoint Energy.

So you really have to complain to the PUCT when you see that on a month that your church may have used zero kilowatt hours of energy you are still left paying a minimum demand charge of something like $300.

You see that church that peaked at 100 kw has set a new peak demand number and must now pay a minimum demand charge on their electric bill each month for the next 11 months. After 11 months the system will look for a new peak number and if your church was striving and paying attention to have a new lower peak demand number you may pay a little less.

As you can see this demand fee on churches is not the most customer friendly charge and even if you change your energy usage habits you still get a huge demand charge for the entire year regardless.

Also, most churches don’t even know that this demand charge is based on the highest peak demand KW number in the last 11 months.

The good news is the TEPA organization, which is a group of energy brokers working together as advocates for local Houston businesses is trying to change the PUCT law on this demand ratcheting penalty.

It appears that the PUCT is listening, the electric utilities are okay with the changes, and things seem to be moving in the direction of making significant changes to how churches are billed for electricity.

If you are a small church that pays way too much money on your electric bill even when you aren’t even using electricity you may find in a year or two that your electric bill is looking a whole lot better. Who do you have to thank? I would thank the TEPA organization as a start. Read more hereSimilar Posts:

Champion Energy Services 2010 JD Power Associates Award Winner

admin — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:51:45 +0000

Champion Energy Services is this years residential electricity service company winner for the JD Power Associates customer satisfaction award.

The ratings were done by calling and surveying their customers as well as making the same survey phone calls to Champions competing electricity companies in Houston and other cities.

The JD Power associates ratings were based on Overall Satisfaction, Billing & Payment, Price, Communications, and Customer Service.

Champion Energy received “among the best ratings in every category which puts them ahead of all their competition for this award.

Champion performed extremely well among their customers who participated in the survey in the categories of the price, billing and payment and customer service factors.

Congratulations to Champion Energy Services in Houston Texas for achieving this recognition from their own customers.

You can compare Champion Energy with several other retail electric companies operating in Houston Texas by using the comparison chart to the right.

Be sure to enter your zip code and click on “Compare” to get started.Similar Posts:

Houston, Texas Electricity Service Comparison of Electric Companies

admin — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:59:27 +0000

If you’re looking for some great energy saving tips, try this one out: Add a layer of insulation around your water heater’s tank to keep heat from escaping through the sides. Just always be sure to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions before doing this and don’t cover any areas that should not be covered. Some companies manufacture water heater blankets made especially for this purpose, so talk to someone at your local home improvement store to find the one that’s right for your water heater.

Save even more every month by getting connected with a Houston, Texas electricity service provider that is willing to give you a lower rate than the one you are paying now. Use HoustonElectricRates online comparison tool to get started. Simply enter your zip code and service type and in only seconds HoustonElectricRates will provide you with an easy to read chart that includes all Houston, Texas electricity service providers and their rates. We even average any additional fees or surcharges into the final rate so you aren’t hit with any nasty surprises when it comes time to pay the bill.

When you find the provider you are looking for you can establish your new service right online through HoustonElectricRates. If, however, you find you still have a few questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call toll free at 1-800-971-4020. Our energy consultants are always happy to help in any way possible. Don’t keep paying too much for your Houston, Texas electricity service. Call or click today!Similar Posts:

Compare Houston, Texas Electricity Service Rates

admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:56:57 +0000

Did you know that your landscaping can have a huge impact on your monthly Houston, Texas electricity service? Trees are wonderful for providing shade and protection from the elements. By planting a few trees around the perimeter of your home, you can help to reduce the solar gain on your home during the summer and provide a wind barrier throughout the winter. This will reduce your heating and cooling costs while at the same time doing something wonderful for the environment.

Energy saving tips such as this one are fantastic ways to save money, but if you are paying too high of a rate every month they can only take you so far. Get the most out of your money by finding a lower cost Houston, Texas electricity service provider using HoustonElectricRates. Click on over to our online comparison tool to get started.

Simply enter your zip code and service type into HoustonElectricRates online comparison tool and in seconds we will provide you with a complete list of all Houston, Texas electricity service providers and their rates. Choose the company offering the lowest rate and establish your new service right online through HoustonElectricRates. We even average any fees or surcharges into the final rate you see so that you always know what the whole deal is before you commit.

Please feel free to give us a call toll free at 1-800-971-4020 if you have any further questions. Our energy consultants are here to help you get the most for your money.Similar Posts:

Houston, Texas Electricity Service Rate Comparison

admin — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:56:02 +0000

Just because you need electricity to keep your life running smoothly doesn’t give Houston, Texas electricity service providers the right to take advantage of you month after month. In Houston you have a choice about who you purchase your electricity from, so make it the best choice it can be. Because Texas is a deregulated state, residents have the power to make the electricity service providers compete for their business. You set the rates by choosing the lowest cost provider and forcing the competitors to lower their rates to remain competitive.

Use HoustonElectricRates online comparison tool to get started. Simply enter your zip code and service type to gain access to a complete, easy to read chart of all Houston, Texas electricity service providers and their rates. When you have found the best company you can even order your new service right online through ElectricRates.

Don’t worry about falling for a deal that’s too good to be true. HoustonElectricRates is always sure to calculate any additional fees or surcharges of a company into the final rate you see. There are no surprises when the bill comes due; the rate you see is the rate you pay. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-971-4020 and one of our energy consultants will be happy to help.

To take your savings to the next level, reduce your energy consumption. Resist the urge to open the oven door to check on the progress of your baked items to avoid wasting energy and making your oven work harder.Similar Posts:

Houston, Texas Electricity Service

admin — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:24:15 +0000

The cost of heating water accounts for a large portion of your monthly power bill. If the time is drawing near to replace your water heater, consider installing a solar powered model. The initial investment is not so much higher that it is out of reach and you may even qualify for tax credits. The amount of money solar powered water heaters will save you over the years on your Houston, Texas electricity service more than pays for themselves in the long run.

Do even more to lower your Houston, Texas electricity service bill by getting connected with a provider willing to give you a lower rate than the one you are currently paying. With HoustonElectricRates, finding such a provider is so easy. Just use our online comparison tool to browse through an easy to read chart of all Houston, Texas electricity service providers and their rates. When you find the one you’re looking for you can order your new service right online through HoustonElectricRates.

Please feel free to give us a call toll free at 1-800-971-4020 if you have any questions at all. Our energy consultants are experts on the Houston, Texas electricity market and are happy to answer any questions you have. We want you to feel confident in your decision and will be happy to explain how the market works and the steps HoustonElectricRates takes to ensure you are getting the best deal possible. Call or click today to start saving every month.Similar Posts:

Sugar Land, Texas Electricity Service

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:22:39 +0000

Double pane windows are by far the most energy efficient windows for any home. If you have single pane windows, upgrading to double pane can do wonders to reduce your Sugar Land, Texas heating and cooling costs. Home improvements such as this that are made for the purposes of improved home energy efficiency may qualify for federal and state tax credits, which can make the investment much more bearable financially. Even if you don’t qualify for these programs, however, the new windows will pay for themselves over the course of a few years in the form of electricity savings.

When it comes to saving on you Sugar Land, Texas electric bill, HoustonElectricRates is an expert. Every day we help people save by helping them find a lower cost electricity service provider. Use our online comparison tool to find a Sugar Land, Texas electricity service provider that is offering a lower electric rate than the one you are currently paying. We average in any additional fees or surcharges in order to obtain a truly accurate rate for comparison. You can order your new service right online through HoustonElectricRates for an easy and convenient transition.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to call one of our energy consultants toll free at 1-800-971-4020. We will be happy to assist you in any way possible from explaining the specifics of the Sugar Land, Texas electricity market to helping you choose which electric company is right for you.Similar Posts:

Compare Houston Texas Electricity Service

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:41:47 +0000

Finding great ways to save money every month isn’t difficult; you just have to know where to look. HoustonElectricRates is one excellent resource for stretching your dollars even further. We specialize in saving you as much money as possible on your Houston, Texas electricity service so that you can apply more of your hard earned money to better uses. Use our online comparison tool to get an idea of just how much you could be saving month after month.

All you have to do is enter your zip code and service type and HoustonElectricRates does the rest. In seconds you will be provided with a complete, comprehensive, and easy to read chart of all Houston, Texas electricity service providers with their current rates. If you discover that your current electricity service provider is charging you way too much for your service you can choose the lowest cost provider from our list and even order your new service right online through HoustonElectricRates.

Please feel free to give us a call toll free at 1-800-971-4020 if you have any questions or concerns. Our energy consultants are always happy to assist you in getting the best deal on your Houston, Texas electricity service. Whether you want to better understand how the market works or just want a little help deciding which electricity service provider is right for you, we are at your service.

Take your savings to the next level by conserving energy around the home. Set your water heater at 120 or lower to see significant savings and also increase safety.Similar Posts:

Mega Energy Has the Best Customer Satisfaction Record Among All Texas REP’s

admin — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:06:06 +0000

Click here to see 2010 JD Power Associates Winner for Texas Retail Electricity Providers

Mega Energy currently holds the least amount of complaints among all retail electricity providers in Texas. We check the PUCT and Power To Choose website to find REP’s we wish to work with that offer straight forward electricity rates and pricing. Mega Energy is a clear complaint free company when comparing them against multiple other electricity providers in Texas that have multiple complaints against them in regards to electricity price, customer service, and other issues. Mega Energy shows the lowest complaint score among all REP’s operating in Texas according to the Power To Choose state run website. A few months ago we noticed that Mega had accidentally listed a small commercial terms of service sheet on Power To Choose instead of their residential terms of service and had assumed since it was linked to their residential electricity rate it was a TOS for their residential electricity rate.

We asked the PUCT and Mega Energy for clarification and were told that it was inadvertently put on their residential rate quote on the Power to Choose site. After Mega made the clarification and replaced the commercial TOS with their residential terms of service the electricity rate made sense and nothing looked disagreeable about their electricity rate. In fact Mega Energy currently offers competitive residential electricity rates and has the lowest complaint record in the Texas retail electricity market at this time according to the Power to Choose scorecard.

We would like to take this time to recommend Mega Energy as a quality Texas electricity company and affordable electric service company based on information we have researched on the Power to Choose website. We believe based on past customer satisfaction with Mega Energy that you will be happy when switching to this electricity company.

As of August 27 2009 Mega Energy currently offers a 10.7 cent per kWh 12 month fixed electricity rate in the Dallas and North North East area of Texas. Mega Energy is offering a rate of 10.6 cents per kWh for a 12 month fixed electricity rate in the Houston Texas area. You can sign up with Mega at megaenergy.com and learn more about other electricity rate plans they have to offer. You may also compare Mega Energy with several other residential electricity companies in the Houston area by visiting compare Houston electricity rates.Similar Posts:

Startex Power Customer Review Ranked #1 by JD Power and Associates

admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:03:21 +0000

StarTex Power is the highest ranking REP in the state when it comes to customer satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Texas Residential Retail Electric Provider Customer Satisfaction Study. This is a significant testimony to the company’s unique and well-balanced approach to growth and excellence in customer service, as it comes on the heels of the company being named #30 on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies in the country.

Because of Startex Power’s exceptional business operations and low priced electricity service we continue to offer this straight forward ethically run energy provider to our customers in Houston Texas. You will find Startex Power in almost all of our comparison charts that compare electric rates in Houston with multiple energy companies. Startex has no hidden fees and charges but just a clear easy to understand fixed electric rate. We have used Startex Power for several years because they have always offered our customers honesty and integrity in their advertised prices on their website. It is no surprise that Startex Power has been reviewed by their customers as the number one retail electricity provider in Texas according to JD Power and Associates.

StarTex Power was founded on the pillar of superior customer service in 2004, and since then the company has seen more than 3,000 percent growth. StarTex knows that the real key to success is customer satisfaction, and that is why the company has made customer-centric focus its top priority.

StarTex Power Ranked Highest by J.D. Power and Associates in Customer Satisfaction Among Texas Electricity Providers HOUSTON – (August 20, 2009) – StarTex Power, the leading retail electricity provider in Texas, has been recognized as the company with the highest level of customer satisfaction among all electricity retailers in the state, according to the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2009 Texas Residential Retail Electric Provider Customer Satisfaction StudySM.

The second annual study measures customer satisfaction by examining four key factors: pricing, billing and payment, communications and customer service. Overall satisfaction among residential customers of electric retailers in Texas has decreased notably in 2009 to 629 on a 1,000-point scale, and driving this overall decline is decreased satisfaction with pricing. StarTex Power’s overall satisfaction score is 714, earning the company the highest score amongst its competitors. “We are honored to be recognized by our customers and J.D. Power and Associates for excellence in customer satisfaction – a trait that truly sets our company apart from others in the retail electricity space,” said Marcie Zlotnik, Chairman and COO, StarTex Power. “This recognition demonstrates our dedication to providing our customers with not only competitive rates, but also friendly people and the greatest in customer service.

We want to thank our customers for their support, and we look forward to serving them in the years to come.” This honor comes just one week after StarTex Power was ranked number 30 on the Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., making it the fastest-growing private energy company in the nation. In addition, the company is Houston’s 2008 fastest-growing woman-owned business, as well as one of the city’s “Best Places to Work,” as designated by the Houston Business Journal. Earlier this year, company founders Bob and Marcie Zlotnik were named finalists for the Ernst and Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” award. “It takes a special kind of Company with unique and dedicated employees to be not only the fastest-growing private energy company in the country, but also the one with the highest ranked customer satisfaction in the state,” said Bob Zlotnik, President and CEO, StarTex Power.

“As we continue to expand, StarTex Power is committed to upholding and continually improving our customer service and support, a core value of our organization.” For information on how StarTex Power can provide the power to connect your home or business to competitive rates, great service and easy-to-read bills visit About StarTex Power StarTex Power, the leading retail electricity provider, gives its customers the power to connect to relatable people, competitive prices, transparent billing, as well as superior customer service. Servicing more than 120,000 customers, StarTex Power is committed to upholding the highest standards in the retail electric industry. StarTex Power serves residential and commercial customers, and is committed to connecting all its customers to superior products and services. To find out more information on StarTex Power, find out more information on our Startex page: Startex Power.

About J.D. Power and Associates Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on cell phone ratings, car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.Similar Posts: