Best Time to Lock In Electricity Rates (Weatherford: costs, storage)

[RVD26]

Originally Posted by XodoX

45 days for a switch? I have done it in 4 days several times. There must be an exact date when your contract is up. Call them and ask them when that is. Then go online and sign up. You can choose when you want you're new service to be connected.

That is what I was told.
I am not sure I would take my chances on a successful switch with only 4 days notice given to any current provider.

[HoustonPrince]

I figured that since offered contract rates could change day to day that electric providers can not commit to a given rate some time in the future.

So since their 6-month rate at 11.1 is reasonable enough I call Amigo, my current provider, asking to extend my contract another 6 months at that rate. Nope. The rep says that I have to wait until my last bill processes on the 9th and then call them to extend. If that's the case...then I might as well shop best price and switch providers if needed.

[ChiefB]

There is NO way to switch in 4 days. AND, you do NOT get to "select" your switch date...

Here is how it works:

Switching in Texas (on the deregulated grid) is FREE.

Once you submit the request, the switch will take place at the NEXT regularly scheduled meter read date. HOWEVER, if the meter read date is within approximately 10 business days of your request, the switch will occur on the meter read date in the following month. THIS IS WHY AN R.E.P. WILL TELL YOU THAT A SWITCH WILL TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 15 TO 45 DAYS.

Further, when a switch is requested a "postcard" will be sent to you from ERCOT to confirm you do indeed want to be switched. This postcard process alone takes MORE THAN 4 days. This postcard is a safeguard for the consumer; to prevent customer 'slamming' that was so rampant during the telecom deregulation days.

The process is very strict and has to follow the steps. There is NO getting around them. Your meter read dates DO NOT CHANGE. They are ALWAYS on the same day (give or take a day either direction).

If your meter is read on the 15th of the month, and you get new service on the 8th of the month, you will get a 'partial bill' for the days from the 8th to the 15th, as they WILL read your meter on the 15th to keep it on the normal schedule.

That is why you pay a 'move in' fee, because someone has to come out on a 'special trip' to read and/or turn on the meter outside of the regularly scheduled meter read time.

And as stated above, it follows, that is why switching is "free".. because they do not come out for a special trip to read your meter for a switch.. they wait until the next meter read date, as long as it is NOT within 10-15 days of your request.

That's the way it works..

[XodoX]

aww, you again. Yes, of course it is possibile. I have done it several times I just did it last month. The switch date had to be 3 business days away. And I never paid a move-in fee.

[ChiefB]

Additional Comment:

All Local Wires Companies are working to get "Advanced Meters" into place. These meters will allow wireless REAL TIME reading of the meters.

Some people already have these meters, but most do not. Once these meters are in place, the switching process CAN take place almost INSTANTANEOUSLY. I think they will still have some 'verification' step that protects the consumer from 'slamming,' but I can see the process cut down to a matter of a few days, instead of the current 10-45 days..

[ChiefB]

Originally Posted by XodoX

aww, you again. Yes, of course it is possibile. I have done it several times I just did it last month. The switch date had to be 3 business days away. And I never paid a move-in fee.

Maybe I am wrong about your situation.

May I ask what service territory you are in?

Centerpoint?

So, what you are saying is that you got an "out-of-cycle meter read" (that's the technical term for it) for a switch, and you got it for free??

By the way, an R.E.P. has to 'waive the notification' and authorize an out-of-cycle reading. They are VERY RELUCTANT to do that. In fact, they will only usually do that for a customer who has just come off a "Provider of Last Resort."

Something doesn't add up...

[XodoX]

Yeah, I never paid anything. NEVER. I think it's centerpoint. But I'm not sure.

[ChiefB]

Originally Posted by XodoX

Yeah, I never paid anything. NEVER. I think it's centerpoint. But I'm not sure.

I doubt very much it was Centerpoint.

I have been in this industry for a good while.. what you are claiming just doesn't wash..

Sorry, I don't 'buy' it.. No pun intended..

[XodoX]

If you were in the business you would know it.

[ChiefB]

OK, XodoX, your more savvy and smarter than all of us I guess. You win.

On another note:

Some folks in the Centerpoint service area have the Smart Meters already. It's going to take 4-5 years to get everyone's installed, but those that do have them now will begin to realize the features of these meters in August of this year.

Check it out here

Also, HERE is a great FAQ on the Smart Meter.