Looks like all the energy companies have a minimum usage requirement. This is stupid. The lowest I've seen was $5 if you fall below 500 kWh. I average below 500 kWh for half the year! I'm going to take a page out of yank's book and shop for a 6 month term right now, so I can start renegotiating during the fall for better rates. I'm strongly considering Champion since everyone charges minimum usage requirements anyway. What do you think of the charges?: Champion Energy: » Average price per kilowatt-hour 9.7¢ Per kWh* » Energy Charge 9.4¢ Per kWh 500 kwh: 10.4 cents 1000 kwh: 10 cents 2000 kwh: 9.7 cents Min.Usage Requirement Fee: $4.95 for billing period using less than 500 kWh Advanced Meter: $3.05 Hurricane Recovery: $0.001290 PUC Assessment: 0.167% Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Fee: $1.02
Just saw this, i'm not aware of any referral program they have. Is there one? I've had them for two years now. They draft my bill same time, every month. Don't know what kind of service issues one can have.
The rep I spoke to mentioned a referral program, but I didn't ask what all I needed. I'll check back with them to see what they need. I was looking at the JD Power rankings and Champion won the award last year in 2011. Their price ranked higher than Amigo's, but Amigo Energy's rate is so much lower. How did Amigo rank lower in regards to price than Champion?
I have had Amigo since last summer and have had no issues at all. As Classic said they hit my credit card at the same time every month on the same day- they email me the bill at least 2 weeks before the charge goes through. The rate I have is .08600 per KWh, which was the cheapest rate going when I signed up. I have an email i just got from them saying if you sign up via the friends and family link on the email you get $100 back- i'll pass it along to you if you like. If you can combine that with the referral fee to Classic that would work out for both of you.
Most of the large companies have the highest rates, and some do offer teaser rates, but nowadays, most charge a min. usage fee (i.e. $5-$9.99 if you consume >1000 kWh's)...This fee is pure profit...I use Amigo and have for years, always competitive and no bs...Let me know if you want to do the friends thing as we both get a credit off our bill...I believe I pay 8.6 and be aware that when you cpmare rates, make sure its based on 1000 kWhs, not 2000 kWhs, as some companies play games by quoting 2000kWh, which is rarely reached by average homeowners and lowers the advertised rate... and if you have the luxury, renew from Dec - March, before the summer, that's when the rates will be at their lowest... When comparing, just read the fine print as there could also be other fees like charges for calling them, not being direct billed, etc...And research your provider, some are friends and family model and their rates are usually pretty high, while others are fly by night types and offer ridiculously low rates...check reputable companies that offer lower rates on powertochoose...
It seems Amigo has a bunch of those "convenient" fees for auto-pay, online pay, etc. But their rate is so low that it might offset all that. If you guys don't mind, what usage do you guys have during the summer and what was the bill total for that month? Say July?
If there is one, must be $1 like my auto insurance. As for the awards, I don't think that means a damn thing. I have only had to call twice since I've had them and both times I got someone who spoke English well. That was honestly surprising given the route of tele-outsourcing.
Please email me the F&F. I found some off of google, but I'll use a clutch fan's reference if they want. clutch.citizen at gmail dot com
just research as most have fees, but mine doesn't have any...July-Aug are going to be your highest usuage, but unless you're in a 4000 sq ft house, you probably won't hit 2000kwhs in the summer...in Texas, annual average usuage is around 1100kwh which peaks in the summer... Also, on the bottom of your bill, it'll tell you what your rate was for the month, which may be higher/different than your quoted rate because it includes all fees, including customer charge...thats normal because the 1000 kwh rates on powertochoose don't include customer charge because its assumed a customer will have usage above 1000
My most recent bill was my low at about 76 and I'll max out at about 135/140 summer. Keep ac about 72 at night, change to 79 when I wake up. Was maxing out 170/180 when I had reliant back a few years ago
Just to bump this, found a company out in the woodlands offering a great rate on a 36 month residential lock. Just switched from Reliant. Thing I like about this company is that their base charge is only 4.95 plus the 10.3 per KWH. Some of the other big companies throw in some variable charges on top of higher base rates. Should slash my bill about 18%. Check 'em out: http://www.trieagleenergy.com/TX/default.aspx
Rates are definitely up this year yet again. The last 3 years I've gone from 7.x -> 8.x -> 9.x cent plans.
I have TXU and I think i have like 15.96 plan. But I am on their free nights plan. It works for me because I'm mostly out of the house during the day at work. When I get home I turn on the A/C after 10 and can leave the TV on all night if I wish till 6am. I live in an about 680sqft apartment and my most recent bill was $48
The prices in 2012 were real cheap because of a gas glut. 2013 gas was up compared to 2012, but margins were terrible for the power companies. Gas prices are up a little more now and the polar vortex is also pushing prices up.
So, I'll be a first time renter. I've been looking at energy companies for a while. I'm wondering how much power would I be consuming if my apartment is only 640 sq. ft. Should I get the 500 kW or 1,000 kW?
The energy plans have some fixed costs and some per-kwh costs. The PUC wants them to report everything as a per-kWh cost to make things easier for consumers to compare. Usually, it's done on a 1,000 kWh basis, which is roughly the average monthly usage in Texas. But, a small apartment like yours, assuming even average efficiency is probably a 500 kWh profile. So, compare prices calculated for a 500 kWh customer. Essentially, the fixed costs (such as the base charge) impact the total cost more at lower usage, so you want to minimize those. And, especially watch out for minimum usage deals that charge higher base charges if you don't use a certain minimum amount. If you are by yourself in the apartment and you know you're gone most of the day, you might want to look at time-of-use plans that give you free or cheap power in the evening or on a designated day.
