Which electric provider (Austin, Round Rock, Commerce: work, home, company)

[motherofthree]

I am in the process of moving to Austin and I'm so confused about the electrical service. I have never had a "choice" before. I can choose from: Reliant Energy, Green Mountain Energy, Commerce Energy, TXU Energy, Accent Energy and First Choise Energy.

Of course I want great rates, but I also want good customer service and no higher than quoted bills.

Has anyone had any experiance with these companies?

Thanks!

[southaustingal]

Originally Posted by motherofthree

I am in the process of moving to Austin and I'm so confused about the electrical service. I have never had a "choice" before.

I haven't either, and I've lived here more than 20 years. How do we get a choice?

[love roses]

Out here in Hutto, we got the option to change our electric company, which we did. Others here did too. One of the moms in our playgroup switched to Green Mountain, and loves it. They just posted a thread about it on the message board.

[xsloane]

We are just moving to Round Rock from Seattle and are surprised as well by the multiple electric companies you can choose from. Go to Texas Electric Choice | Home and enter your zip code and you will see... Confusing to say the least. We are thinking "green" would be nice since we had never had that option before and would be putting our money where our mouth is, so to speak. But as reliability... I have no idea. I would love to hear about that since we have not made a choice yet.

[jwb123]

We wanted to choose Green Mountain as well, but it was significantly higher than many of the other companies if you "lock in" with those companies for a few years.

Since we don't have a good feel yet, with how expensive our utilities will be, we decided on lower rate. We are currently with TXU and I think our rate is 13 cents.

In regards to reliability and customer service, it's been fine. I know several people who use TXU and have not heard of any issue.

[OntheMoveAGAIN]

We went with Green mountain. 13.8 cents KWH locked for the 1st year.

"By purchasing Green Mountain Energy(r) electricity, you are helping to
change the way power is made. Green Mountain Energy(r) electricity is
made from sources such as wind and water that are less polluting than
those traditionally used for electricity generation."

As far as reliable, there is no difference than any previous provider we've had. I'll let you know after we get our first Electricity bill how much it works at with the thermostat at approx 79 degrees

T.

[Derek ATX]

It really depends on where you are. I know that where I am located you don't have a choice. We recently moved and went from and area served by Austin Energy to one served by PEC. Their rates are about half what we were paying!

[cdelena]

I know a lot of people that have signed up with Green Mountain Energy because of the clean and green promise, but it does not make any sense.

There is only enough wind/solar/hydro energy in Texas to provide less than 2% of the needs in the state… and it is not from consistent sources (there are plenty of hot dark nights with no wind blowing). The Texas grid is pretty much isolated so there is no feed of consequence from other states.

SO HOW CAN THEY SELL YOU CLEAN ENERGY? I can only conclude that their terms of service document is a fabrication. There are web sites that call them all kind of names.

Does anyone have the real facts?

[love roses]

Isn't PEC also a "green" power company?

[another_hot-day]

Originally Posted by Derek ATX

It really depends on where you are. I know that where I am located you don't have a choice. We recently moved and went from and area served by Austin Energy to one served by PEC. Their rates are about half what we were paying!

This is true!
But Austin energy bill also has the garbage service, water, waste water included.