Do the electricity rates changes often? (Houston, Center: 2013, lease, how much)

[Surfertx]

I'm looking for an electricity provider for a 1 bedroom apt. built in 2013. I'm not sure if I should go fixed or variable rate. This is for a 7 months lease on the apt.

Do the rates go up often? If so, by how much? And what is considered a good rate 10cents kWh?

What does this charge mean?
TDSP Pass Thru Charges: Will be passed through to the customer as billed from CenterPoint Energy

[predatorprey]

Utility cost roughly tracks the price of natural gas which changes often.

I just signed a 1 year contract for stock 8.3 cents per kWh, but befor that I was month to month for almost a year waiting for a good time to lock myself in.

Pass through charge, is just a fee that will be charged.

[trbstang]

10 cents is reasonable for a short term rate. I'm paying 9.9 on a 2 yr term right now, with about 9 months remaining. As predatorprey said, the prices do fluctuate, and often go up in the summer. The variable rates usually change monthly, but it will be stated in the contract. I try to lock in a fixed rate in Feb or March since that is often a low price period between winter and summer.

If you are there for 7 months, are you moving within Houston or out of the area at the end of the lease? You could possibly sign a year contract at a lower rate, and depending on the way the contract is written, either take the same contract to your new place if staying in the same service area, or it can be cancelled without penalty since you are moving out of the service area. This would all depend on the contract wording though, so make sure before you commit.

And the pass through Centerpoint charges are the charges for maintaining the utility lines and meters. They should be the same for every electricity provider.

Good luck!

[scorpsman]

Every plan I have been on allows you to terminate your agreement if you moved out, can prove it, and give them a forwarding address.

I would say to sign up for a year.

[TX_PWR]

I would NOT recommend a variable plan. Providers will raise these each month regardless of what happens in the market.

12 month is the best value. You get price security, and you can decide to terminate it (with no fee) or take it with you once you move out.

10c is a bit high at the moment. Reliant (largest provider in Houston) is offering 7c-8c range on powertochoose.org. Make sure you are looking at the average price for 500KWh since you will most likely be in that range for a 1 bedroom apt.

TDSP pass-though charges are included in the total average. They usually don't change, and aren't controlled by your provider, hence the "pass-through" verbiage.