Choosing an electric provider

[bronstew]

Do you recommend fixed, variable, or market? What kind of strategy do you use in order to consistently get that lower rate?

[piyf]

Originally Posted by bronstew

Do you recommend fixed, variable, or market? What kind of strategy do you use in order to consistently get that lower rate?

Whichever one offers the best rate for the longest term is what I go by. Under 10 cents and I lock it in for what they offer. Mine is a hair over 9 cents and for 12 months. It's not the lowest but it sure beats what I was paying a few years ago.

[piyf]

Originally Posted by bronstew

Do y'all think it's worth it to switch from a 12c/kw to a 9c/kw plan if I have to pay a $150 cancellation fee? How do you guys deal with the cancellation fees? Seems to me I might save about $150 in the next year by switching to 9c/kw, so what's the point? We were on a reduced rate with Reliant of 9c/kw and it just went up to 12.

So do it. Only thing that would change is who you send the bill to. Lots of people change providers yearly to get the best rate.

[trbstang]

Originally Posted by bronstew

Do you recommend fixed, variable, or market? What kind of strategy do you use in order to consistently get that lower rate?

I look at the rates a month before my contract is up and usually get a 1 yr fixed rate that is among the cheapest offered. Last two years I've been with Amigo at 8.2 and now 8.4. My contract is up in March so I get to select before the summer rate increases, and I keep the renewal date in March. I'm surprised the rates are still the same, as before they shot up to 10-12c during July-Sept, but the natural gas rates are low so that is good.

I was ready to switch this year as Amigo first offered me a 9.x renewal rate, but then they called me a couple of weeks before the date and offered me the current new subscriber rate so I took it. Since we always use over 1,000 KWh, theirs was a good rate for me, but if you are below that, it goes up quite a bit.

[bondi88]

Choosing a provider should be based on more than the rate per kwh. How many kwh do you use a month impact greatly on the final bill, because most carriers charge a minimal usage charge of $ 35 or 40 if you use less than 900 kwh a month. I am a conservationist and I am also budget minded, so the first criteria of signing up with a company is that it does not have the minimal usage charge.