Electricity can be one of the most significant portions of a family’s cost of living and is a necessary expense for living comfortably in the modern world. The more people living in a household, the more expensive it gets.
By choosing the right energy provider, you can save hundreds of dollars a year on electricity while getting great customer service. Here’s how to choose the right energy supplier for your home.
Know Your Usage
When choosing an energy supplier, it’s good to have a general idea of your consumption habits. Take a look at previous bills and determine how much you tend to use per month, and if there are any peak times to consider. If you’re moving to a new home, changing your living situation in some way, ask someone with a similar setup about their usage.
This information is important as it will determine what plans you are eligible for, and what makes sense based on your needs. If you have an accurate idea of what you’ll be using, you can sign on for a longer payment term, which will ultimately save you money. By not knowing, you risk paying hefty overage fees.
Know Your Area
Depending on where you are, there may be different rules and regulations regarding suppliers. Unregulated areas, like Texas, have a competitive market for energy suppliers, making it easier to save money by comparing the options (read more here: https://texaselectricityplans.com/).
Depending on your area, there may also be different energy sources to consider, like natural gas, solar energy, nuclear, etc. There are also various fees and extra charges, depending on where you are. Take a close look at the fine print before committing to a plan.
Get Recommendations and Reviews
After you’ve narrowed down your options, look for recommendations and reviews regarding the business. Using a service that compares the pros and cons of the various providers can be a great place to start. Also, look at some contributing factors that could impact the quality of service provided– how long has the business been up and running? Do they meet the local regulations and licensing requirements?
It’s also worth looking at who ultimately owns the business you’re considering. Providers like Constellation are a subsidiary of Exelon. If you have had a positive experience with a specific parent company before, it’s worth looking at providers that fall under their umbrella.
What Perks Do They Offer?
Once you’ve determined which providers offer service packages that fit your usage needs and offer highly rated customer service, you should take a look at the bonus aspects of their business. What do they provide that sets them apart from the competition? Is there anything that adds additional value to their packages?
For example, there are many energy providers that offer cash rebates or incentives for reducing your carbon footprint. Not only does this offer potential cash savings that could have a positive impact on your monthly budget, but it also helps protect the environment.
Also, check to see if they have a home protection plan that will help you with your whole house appliances even furnace and water heater. It will save you so much more in the end when these type of things need to be fixed.
Choose the Right Term
Finally, it’s time to choose a commitment term and sign the deal. Longer terms often offer lower rates. However, if you know that you’ll be moving or changing your consumption in the near future, it might be better to go with a shorter term. This is because changing your commitment in the middle of your contract could cost you hefty fees.
Give yourself a lot of time to research your options. If you’re moving to a new home and selecting a provider, you’ll want to have everything signed and ready up to a month before your move-in date. If you have a contract with your current provider, you want to have a decision made well in advance of your expiration or renewal date.
Take your time and find the provider that suits the needs of your family.
