Tips on selecting an energy provider?

[pontifex]

I have 39 energy providers that I can choose from in PA. Some offer fixed rates for 6-12 months, some offer variable rates that can change at any time.

Currently paying 7.993 cents per kWh.

I see lots under 7 cents per kWh, even under fixed rates, but not sure how much they are going to change at the end of the "fixed" rate time period.

Is there a site where you can go to see historical data on the prices?

 

[corwin]

Why would you care about historical rates? Pick the lowest fixed one available now then when it expires do the same all over again...it's what I do here in Texas as well, you are only locked in for the term of the rate you select, it's not like you're stuck for 2 years and they only guarantee it for 1...also be sure you are checking the rate for your usage, the quoted rates are usually for 2000kwh and are usually higher if you use less, at least that's how they are here...

 

[Jeraden]

I went through the same debate about a month ago. I had wanted to change for a while, but there were just too many to choose from. Basically seemed like it didn't make much difference. Doubt there will be a huge change in energy prices. Most were all about the same, but with various gimmicks and stuff to get you to sign up. Seemed the longer the contract, the higher the per kwh price. I finally just went with one called TriEagle energy that had a fixed rate for 1 year. After a year, can just go switch again to whoever is cheaper than their current rate at the time.

 

[Chiropteran]

I wish I had your problems, OP. Dominion power is my only choice here.

 

[pontifex]

Why would you care about historical rates? Pick the lowest fixed one available now then when it expires do the same all over again...it's what I do here in Texas as well, you are only locked in for the term of the rate you select, it's not like you're stuck for 2 years and they only guarantee it for 1...also be sure you are checking the rate for your usage, the quoted rates are usually for 2000kwh and are usually higher if you use less, at least that's how they are here...

i wanted historical data to see how much the prices fluctuate and how often.

like if company a fluctuates week by week and can go pretty high, but company b fluctuates every 2 months and only by a small amount and stays low, then i would choose company b.

between my current rate and lowest rate available, it would save 1.5 cents per kWh

 

[corwin]

i wanted historical data to see how much the prices fluctuate and how often.

like if company a fluctuates week by week and can go pretty high, but company b fluctuates every 2 months and only by a small amount and stays low, then i would choose company b.

Ah...prices fluctuate based on the market usually so it's something of a whim...that's why you choose a fixed rate, it doesn't change for however long your term is, then you do it all over again I've been using the same provider for 5 years now, each time my one year comes up they send me a private offer lower than any of the advertised options available from them or any others

 

[waggy]

you have a choice? WTF kind of government do you have/ they hate you so much that they won't allow 1 company to make sure the infrastructure is great? well at least we in IL are given that excuse to allow Comed to fuck us over. i know the government cares!

 

[pontifex]

Ah...prices fluctuate based on the market usually so it's something of a whim...that's why you choose a fixed rate, it doesn't change for however long your term is, then you do it all over again I've been using the same provider for 5 years now, each time my one year comes up they send me a private offer lower than any of the advertised options available from them or any others

who are you using?

 

[corwin]

who are you using?

Cirro...but again, I'm in Texas not PA

I just renewed last month and got mine at 7.8 per kwh if I use 2000kwh, goes to 8.1 at 1500kwh and 8.5 at 1000kwh...best any others were offering publicly was 8.0 at the time

 

[corwin]

you have a choice? WTF kind of government do you have/ they hate you so much that they won't allow 1 company to make sure the infrastructure is great? well at least we in IL are given that excuse to allow Comed to fuck us over. i know the government cares!

It's the price you pay to live in such a wonderland of a state I was born there but got the hell out as fast as I could, only took me 3 monthsD:

 

[kranky]

Take the cheapest 1 year fixed rate, and re-evaluate your options in a year.

 

[pontifex]

Take the cheapest 1 year fixed rate, and re-evaluate your options in a year.

looking at Reliant - 6.69 cents per kWh for 1 year.

 

[corwin]

looking at Reliant - 6.69 cents per kWh for 1 year.

Looks like you have a winner! When renewal time comes up see what they offer compared to what else is available then take the best at that time...

 

[waggy]

It's the price you pay to live in such a wonderland of a state I was born there but got the hell out as fast as I could, only took me 3 monthsD:

IF i didn't have my house i would really think about moving (might in few years anyway. less of a hit on the house when i do). The taxes in IL are getting insane. the property tax alone is getting crazy.

i want to move somewhere with good hunting and fishing. I have family in Kentucky and its beautiful. to bad the schools suck so fucking bad.

 

[OutHouse]

39 power companies??? wtf how does that even work? who owns the poles, lines, who replaces them and does maint??

i have one choice, united power.

 

[OutHouse]

IF i didn't have my house i would really think about moving (might in few years anyway. less of a hit on the house when i do). The taxes in IL are getting insane. the property tax alone is getting crazy.

i want to move somewhere with good hunting and fishing. I have family in Kentucky and its beautiful. to bad the schools suck so fucking bad.

come to colorado. prong horn in the plains, deer, elk, moose in the mountians. and lots of fishing.

 

[pontifex]

39 power companies??? wtf how does that even work? who owns the poles, lines, who replaces them and does maint??

i have one choice, united power.

PP&L takes care of the lines and poles. These other places just generate the power. AT least thats how i understand it.

 

[corwin]

PP&L takes care of the lines and poles. These other places just generate the power. AT least thats how i understand it.

Actually they just resell it, they don't even generate the power...just like a mom & pop gas station only less physical...

 

[waggy]

come to colorado. prong horn in the plains, deer, elk, moose in the mountians. and lots of fishing.

yeah have family in Boulder. i used to live there when i was 14 or so.

I am looking for a cheap area to live. last i checked CO was not cheap!

Actually they just resell it, they don't even generate the power...just like a mom & pop gas station only less physical...

yeah. In IL we do have a choice between Come ED and a company (owned by com ed i think). The prices are the SAME and since they use everything of come ed's you can even make the paymetns to come ed.

its really fucked up.

 

[Train]

Currently paying 7.993 cents per kWh.

Damn that's cheap, up here in Michiganistan we have the privelege of paying our overlords 14-15 cents per kWh.

Might be cheaper at higher volume but I typically use a little.

 

[corwin]

yeah. In IL we do have a choice between Come ED and a company (owned by com ed i think). The prices are the SAME and since they use everything of come ed's you can even make the paymetns to come ed.

its really fucked up.

That is fucked up...glad I didn't have to stay there long as a kid and only have to visit dumpy little Danville every once in a while for workD:

 

[kranky]

39 power companies??? wtf how does that even work? who owns the poles, lines, who replaces them and does maint??

i have one choice, united power.

If your state utility commission allows you to choose your own provider, companies can sell you the electricity but your utility is still responsible for delivering it to you and maintaining your service. Although I only get one bill, some of the charge is from the energy provider, and the rest is from the utility company.

The energy provider "owns" their portion of the electricity sent to your utility's grid, then your utility takes it from there.

 

[OutHouse]

I am looking for a cheap area to live. last i checked CO was not cheap!

looks like you are going to wyoming then. lol

 

[jagec]

Damn that's cheap, up here in Michiganistan we have the privelege of paying our overlords 14-15 cents per kWh.

Might be cheaper at higher volume but I typically use a little.

There is almost certainly a distribution charge added to that figure, so it's probably more like 10-12 cents per kWh.

At least, that's how it works in MD.

 

[rcpratt]

Electric choice is one of the stupidest things ever.