Which One? "Tampa Electric"? or "Florida Power & Light"? (New Port Richey: apartment, how much)

[Ace-of-Stars]

Doing online research revealed (correctly? erroneously?) that I can have a choice of energy providers in New Port Richey where I've just been approved for an apartment which will require me to cover my own electricity expenses.

If the information about energy provider choice is "true," and if both services-- "Tampa Electric" and "Florida Power & Light" --are indeed available in, and competing for, the NPR market, then which would I be better going with, factoring everything from bottom-line costs (always the primary incentive), stability/reliability, frequency of [routine] power outages, response time to power restoration in the event of outages, etc.?

Service will be established for a small one bedroom apartment with one full-sized refrigerator/freezer, an electric over/range, and (assume) electric water heater -- with the only other incidental consumptions of power coming from a frequently running home computer network (tower station and laptop) with 5.1 sound system, occasionally a small oscillating fan, and MAYBE (if it ever gets that cold in this part of the country) the occasional use of a small "space heater," outside of the other "normally expected" energy use situations such as lights, battery recharging, alarm clock/radio, etc. (*NO "Televisions" or "Air Conditioners").

Any information, clarifications or suggestions will be much appreciated. Thanks!

[LKJ1988]

I never knew you can have a choice. I am in the same area and don't have them comps for my power.

[MortonR]

I can't imagine you can make a choice. There will be a single utility supplier to a given address. I have never heard of multiple power suppliers being at the same location. This is pretty well dictated by the public service regulations.

You need to ask the lessor the question specifically.

Both utilities do serve the New Port Richey area, but their service areas would be unique to the given utility. There wouldn't be any overlap.

RM

[bentlebee]

I haven't heard of being able to make your own choice. I would double check on that as usually one service the area.

[Ace-of-Stars]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

I never knew you can have a choice. I am in the same area and don't have them comps for my power.

Originally Posted by MortonR

I can't imagine you can make a choice. There will be a single utility supplier to a given address. I have never heard of multiple power suppliers being at the same location. This is pretty well dictated by the public service regulations.

You need to ask the lessor the question specifically.

Both utilities do serve the New Port Richey area, but their service areas would be unique to the given utility. There wouldn't be any overlap.

RM

Originally Posted by bentlebee

I haven't heard of being able to make your own choice. I would double check on that as usually one service the area.

I am not surprised at the dubious responses (it indeed does reek of suspicion). For the background of what inspired my question, I can only direct everyone to the webpage at the following link:

Electricity company in 34652 zip code - NEW PORT RICHEY Energy Providers -Florida compare plan and rates of txu energy, reliant energy, just energy



.

[marc3565]

Easy to sort out. Call each one and ask them to give you the previous persons average bill. I often do this to get a sense of how much i will need to budget. One of them previously served the address. If the other cannot serve it they will say so.

[PhotoProIP]

Originally Posted by Ace-of-Stars

Doing online research revealed (correctly? erroneously?) that I can have a choice of energy providers in New Port Richey where I've just been approved for an apartment which will require me to cover my own electricity expenses.

If the information about energy provider choice is "true," and if both services-- "Tampa Electric" and "Florida Power & Light" --are indeed available in, and competing for, the NPR market, then which would I be better going with, factoring everything from bottom-line costs (always the primary incentive), stability/reliability, frequency of [routine] power outages, response time to power restoration in the event of outages, etc.?

Service will be established for a small one bedroom apartment with one full-sized refrigerator/freezer, an electric over/range, and (assume) electric water heater -- with the only other incidental consumptions of power coming from a frequently running home computer network (tower station and laptop) with 5.1 sound system, occasionally a small oscillating fan, and MAYBE (if it ever gets that cold in this part of the country) the occasional use of a small "space heater," outside of the other "normally expected" energy use situations such as lights, battery recharging, alarm clock/radio, etc. (*NO "Televisions" or "Air Conditioners").

Any information, clarifications or suggestions will be much appreciated. Thanks!

You can't choose; it's area based. If the house is in FPL you'll have FPL, if not you'll have TECO.

[Sunscape]

Originally Posted by MortonR

I can't imagine you can make a choice. There will be a single utility supplier to a given address. I have never heard of multiple power suppliers being at the same location. This is pretty well dictated by the public service regulations.

You need to ask the lessor the question specifically.

Both utilities do serve the New Port Richey area, but their service areas would be unique to the given utility. There wouldn't be any overlap.

RM

This is it. No choices.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Annie of Oldsmar

This is it. No choices.

Exactly. I worked with power distribution utilities all over the US and Canada for 20+ years, and I never saw a location that was served by two utilities at the same time.

I checked both utility's web sites for coverage maps, but they don't have them. From their service area descriptions, it sounds like both of them serve areas of NPR, but don't overlap.

If you call one of them with the service address they'll be able to tell who who services it, even if it's not theirs.

RM

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by PhotoProIP

You can't choose; it's area based. If the house is in FPL you'll have FPL, if not you'll have TECO.

It could be Withlacoochee as i have them.