When it comes to home budgeting, your electricity bill takes a big portion of your paycheck each month. Here are simple tasks that can lower your electricity bill while maintaining your home comfort.
What the Best Thermostat Setting When on Vacation?
The plans have been made. The bags are packed. You deserve a vacation. But what are the best thermostat settings for vacation to keep your electricity bill low? In other words, when you’re in vacation mode, is there a vacation mode for your house?
Key Takeaways
The best approach for vacation thermostat settings is 10 degrees higher (summer) or lower (winter) than you normally set it when away from home. This lowers the amount of time your HVAC system is running while you are away.
- Summer vacation thermostat setting 80-85°
- Winter vacation thermostat setting: 50-60°
- If you have pets at home, consider their comfort as well when choosing a vacation thermostat setting.
- Never turn your thermostat completely off when on vacation, to avoid mold and mildew or freezing pipes.
If you’re planning your trip now, consider our tips for adjusting the thermostat settings to reduce energy, create a comfortable environment for your pets and lessen household damage risks.
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Columbus Ohio Renewable Energy and Carbon Neutral Programs
Columbus Ohio has the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2022 and carbon neutral by 2050. That’s a goal not only for the city facilities, but also for all residents and small business owners. Here’s our review of the Columbus Community Choice Aggregation Program for electricity, which is one step toward that goal. Plus we review your options to go green when you opt-out of aggregation. And, how you can go carbon neutral with your natural gas.
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What are the Best Thermostat Settings for Summer?
What’s the best air conditioner temperature setting in the summer? You want to keep your home cool, but also want to keep control of your electricity bills.
Key Takeaways
Keeping in mind both energy efficiency and comfort, the the best thermostat settings for summer are 76° when you are home, 80° when you are away and 72° at night. Then use ceiling fans in the rooms you are in to feel up to 4° cooler.
Here’s more on why these thermostat settings are the best.
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Texas Electricity Companies with a Satisfaction Guarantee
How can Texas residents compare electricity plans without getting locked into a bad contract? First, read the fine print on the plan. The more complex it is, the less likely you’re getting a good deal. Second, look for an electricity plan with a satisfaction guarantee. A guarantee lets you switch away or switch to a new plan with no early termination penalty.
That’s why we like these electricity companies with a satisfaction guarantee. With electricity prices higher than they’ve ever been, a satisfaction guarantee gives you a chance to shop around.
SUMMARY: Texas electricity companies are increasingly offering a satisfaction guarantee to attract new customers. These guarantees are from 30-90 days and let you switch to a new plan if you don’t like your initial plan choice (or if prices go down) with no early termination fee. Some providers will give you the option of switching away with no early termination fee. As always, read the fine print of any offer.
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Texas Electricity Rates Chart – No Gimmicks Electricity Plans
Texas Electricity Rates Charts make it easy to find cheap electricity plans plans with no gimmicks. They’re a simple way to make an electricity price comparison. Below you will find electricity rates charts for Houston, Dallas and Corpus Christi.
SUMMARY: A no-gimmicks electricity plan is a basic fixed rate plan that doesn’t include plan structures like bill credits, base charges or tiered rates. These plan structures make an electricity plan look very cheap at a specific usage level. But consumers can get a bill surprise if they use more or less kWh than the advertised rate.
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Fall Home Maintenance Checklist and Tips
Fall has arrived!🍂 And out of habit, you adjust the thermostat to keep your home warm and toasty. Then you get your next electric bill and question your life choices. But you don’t need to be cold to save on energy costs. Instead, keep as much heat as possible in your home and curb unnecessary electricity usage with our helpful fall home maintenance checklist for energy efficiency.
How to Get Same Day Electricity in Texas
Do you need same day electricity service? Whether you’re moving in to a new home or to get power on today, when you have lights out no service, you need electricity fast.
Key Takeaways
- Texas residents can get same-day electricity connection from any provider in Texas, as long as you sign up online or by phone by the cut-off time.
- The company with the latest time for same day move-in is TXU Energy, who can start your electricity service the same day Monday – Saturday if you enroll before 6:30pm.
- We include a list of Texas electricity providers and their cut-off times for same-day move-in.
Month to Month Electricity That’s Not Prepaid
Looking for a month-to-month cheap Texas electricity plan? You’ve found it!
Month-to-month electricity plans, also known as variable-rate plans, are subject to frequent rate changes but have no contract. This can be a convenient option for consumers that don’t want to commit or that need a short term solution for energy.
Pro Tip: If you are moving soon, you don’t have to go month to month. You can get a fixed rate electricity plan instead. If you move before your contract expires, your early termination fee is waived as long a you provide a forwarding address as proof of your move.
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Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program – Bill Payment Assistance
Texas consumers have a new financial backstop to avoid electricity disconnection during the COVID-19 coronavirus quarantine.
If you need help paying bills, the Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program can help. This program is designed to help those who can’t pay bills due to unemployment or economic hardship caused by COVID-19.
The Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program officially ended on August 31, 2020. The information below provides the history on this program and recommendations for electricity service.
If you have trouble paying your electricity bill, contact your electricity company to work out a payment plan.
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