Alternative Power Companies Reaching Out to Rural Customers

Since the deregulation of electricity markets in the United States, consumers have had a wider choice of power suppliers, including alternative power companies that harness wind energy or solar energy to power their consumers' homes and businesses. Coupled with a decrease in the price of standard electricity production, many American homeowners are seeing reduced heating and cooling bills at home and their places of business.

Homeowners who install solar panels may feed excess energy back into the larger electricity grid and receive monthly or quarterly payments from their local electric companies. Many homeowners see solar panels as an investment that "pays for itself" over a few years of use, and some have even installed wind turbines on land that they own, citing a commitment to sustainable energy.

Alternative power companies have seen a marked increase in the last ten years: solar power is now more efficient and affordable, and many states offer rebates or tax incentives for homeowners who install high-performance solar panels. Wind turbines are being built across America with the intention of maximizing energy that is generated from sources that are both low-cost and ecologically friendly.

Power suppliers are also providing homeowners with tips to minimize home heating and cooling costs. The average electricity bill is about $100 every month, but homeowners who install thermostats to control their homes' temperatures may save as much as 10% on their heating and cooling bill every month. Thermostats that can be programmed to lower a home's temperature while homeowners are asleep or at work may save over $1000 every year.

In areas of the country with consistently high heating or cooling costs, alternative power companies offering discounted electric rates seem to be expanding their customer base. Many Americans are willing to consider wind or solar energy now that the prices for installation have dropped considerably and report a positive experience with contractors and installers. 

Reaching out to rural areas that may have previously been disconnected from the larger electric grid, upgrading small businesses to solar power, and offering incentives and rebates to homeowners are all helping alternative power companies participate in deregulated energy markets.

Energy Bill Too High? Look Into Deregulated Electricity

Energy Bill Too High? Look Into Deregulated Electricity

In today's rapidly evolving times, everyone is looking for new ways to save on energy costs. Some people see a solution in buying a more energy efficient car while others turn down their thermostat for the winter. Whether you like to recycle or double-check your lights before you leave the house, deregulated electricity is an effective way of making sure your living habits are easy on the environment and on your wallet. If your energy bill is stressing you out and you're not sure where to start, never fear -- below I'll detail electricity usage in the U.S., alternative energy sources and what you can do to save on money without skimping on quality.

Electricity Usage In The U.S.

The United States has seen a lot of changes in the past few decades, due in no small part to advancements in technology as well as a growing population. Did you know that electricity use in 2013 was more than 12 times greater than overall use in 1950? That's no small sum to sneeze at! The largest use in electricity, particularly in the residential sector, is in air-conditioning. Air-conditioning accounts for almost 20% of residential use and is used primarily to alter temperature and reduce allergen build-up. Around 43% of homes, as well, have had companies install smart meters to measure their energy use. So how can you save on your own energy costs?

How You Can Save On Energy Costs

Did you know you can save as much as 10% per year on energy costs by changing your thermostat? A programmable thermostat estimates the air and turns off automatically when a certain threshold is reached, which means no more regrets! The average household costs around $107 in electric costs and changing your habits, such as installing a more efficient water heater, can decrease your bill by as much as 14%. Deregulated electricity is fast becoming the way of the future and there are multiple alternative electricity suppliers available to help you help yourself. Renewable energy companies will help you with repair, installation and sharing positive day-to-day habits that will benefit you financially.

You Could Be Overpaying for Electricity By Thousands Yearly: When to Switch

The average American household spends about $100 a month on home heating and cooling, a cost that has increased steadily since the middle of last century. Although many home appliances are much more efficient than they used to be, the average household spends up to about 40% of their heating and cooling budget just to heat water and to run their air conditioners. 

Before the relatively recent advent of deregulated energy, customers often had only one option when it came to picking local power suppliers. These large companies set their own prices and did not have any competition locally, and therefore had to reason to lower customers' costs. There was no choice when it came to power companies and no recourse for the customer if they were dissatisfied with a company's services or prices.

Nowadays, many energy suppliers are taking full advantage of the deregulation of electricity markets and are striving to help customers save on their monthly bills. Now that customers are free to choose among energy suppliers, the pressure among power companies to compete for customers is driving energy prices lower, giving providers the ability to offer perks and placing a firmer emphasis on customer service and satisfaction.

In addition to choosing lower-cost power suppliers, many Americans are choosing to upgrade their appliances and home heating and cooling systems. If the average home spends approximately $1200 yearly to heat and cool the home, the estimated savings from the simple installation of a programmable thermostat can be upwards of $120 every year.

Deregulated energy markets, coupled with appliance and home heating improvements, seem to be benefiting the American energy consumer by offering lower prices and enhanced consumer choice. A competitive energy market means that energy companies have incentives to upgrade their customer service and repair times as well as to continually improve the quality of their facilities. 

Overall, electricity customers are reporting an increased level of satisfaction, citing a wider range of choice in electric providers and overall lower costs.

Is Your Refrigerator Green? Making Changes to Save on Energy Costs for the Home

Homeowners are always on the lookout for energy savings, and the good news is that recent technological developments are making energy conservation much more attainable. And with the average bill topping $100 every month, the quest for energy solutions can be an important one. 

That cost could drop to $90 monthly just by the installation of a thermostat that turns itself off and on in the homeowners' absence or regulates air temperature at night, when people are asleep. Keeping the house just a little bit cooler for eight hours a day during the winter months can add up to a savings of over $100 a year.

Solar panel systems are also becoming increasingly popular for homeowners who want to maximize their energy savings. There are tax breaks for commercial and home installation available in many states across the country. In fact, many homeowners report receiving monthly checks from electricity companies due to the fact that their solar systems generate more electricity than their home or business can use.

Smart appliances are also helping many Americans save big on energy costs. While the typical family spends about $20 monthly just to heat water for showers, dishes, and cooking, an insulated water heater can generate big savings.

Add in an eco-friendly shower head designed to save water and a washing machine that operates more efficiently, and the savings can mount rapidly. Even refrigerators are now designed to use one-quarter of the energy they did 50 years ago.

The idea of a $0 energy bill is very appealing to most home and business owners, and thanks to recent technological advances the cost of homeownership is becoming much more affordable. Although ecologically friendly appliances and solar panel systems require a financial investment, renewable energy can save thousands of dollars for a home in the long-term, maximizing energy savings and contributing to a healthier home.

3 Reasons to Support Energy Deregulation

Energy deregulation is a relatively new concept in the United States. For a long time electricity and energy companies were allowed to exist in regulated monopoly environments with the government controlling the process. However, recently more and more states have decided it's time they deregulated energy markets and gave the consumers the power to choose. Many of the changes in the industry over the last 20 years have been beneficial. In 1995 the generation of electricity accounted for about two-thirds of the price. The cost of generating electrons accounts for less than half the price today, according to the Edison Electric Institute. Here are three reasons to support energy industry deregulation to continue these developments.

1.) Antiquated System: The system of regulated power companies started at about the same time energy suppliers came into being in the 1800s. The main reason for the system being regulated and monopolies to be allowed was because there simply wasn't enough qualified people and companies to reasonably compete in the field.The government decided it would be in the best interest of the people to control distribution and prices. At the time it made sense. Times have changed. For example, the total electricity used in the U.S. in 2013 was 13 times more than in 1950. There are plenty of companies that can provide these services across the country in an efficient and easy manner. 

2.) Competitive Prices: The most important result of energy deregulation is the increase in competition. Whenever you allow competition to exist, the consumer will be better off. Even though the government regulates how much a company can make, it doesn't mean that's the cheapest rate it can be made available. All businesses are looking to maximize profits, but when you open competition you will have them competing for customers. That leads to decrease in prices and increase in service. 

3.) Increased Sustainability: Second only to the cost-effectiveness, energy deregulation can have huge benefits to the sustainability and environmentally friendly improvements in the industry. Another result of competition. When you have more people working to create something better, chances are you're going to get better results.  Now, people that are concerned about these matters can influence companies to work harder at it by giving them their business, or in turn taking it from them.