Electricity Rates

[aero100]

Originally Posted by Noregrets11

Thank you for taking the time to explain everything so nicely! I'd rep you, but it said I must spread the reps around first.

I do like the renewable energy; I'd prefer to have my own solar panels, but this seems like the best/cheapest way to get my "green" fix. However, I'll check out the other plans as you suggested just to see what they are offering.

Much appreciated!

No problem! Since you really want the green fix that's actually a pretty good price for 100% wind, and the best if your usage is below 1000 kWh. Breeze energy appears to have shorter term plans that may save you a penny per kWh at 1500 kWh.

You can go with a shorter term plan while you learn your usage (that's what I do, it's sooooo easy to switch when the contract is up) but if you don't want to bother to spend the time pinching every penny and be done with it for a year that's a decent plan. I've turned it into a game (my neighbor and I compete on who can hit the lowest rates).

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by aero100

If you don't know your usage or understand the system, don't sign up for the longer 12 month contracts. 3 month contracts are fine and it is very, very easy to sign up for a new provider at the end of the contract (it literally takes 5 minutes). It took me years to figure out the game the electrical providers were playing, but now I just do short contracts and switch into whoever is offering the best deal when I need to renew - sometimes 3 or 4 times a year. Have never paid more than 7¢/kWh doing this, sometimes I get it down to 5¢/kWh.

And whatever you do, don't ignore your renewal notices or forget to renew your plan or switch to a new provider/plan. If you do nothing you'll be charged the default non-contract rate and in just a few months you'll have wiped out all the savings. Providers know that, regardless of how easy it is to shop and switch, most people are lazy and resistant to change and tend to stick with their current provider unless the pain becomes intolerable.