Shannon Bedrich, Author at ElectricityPlans

21 Tips to Manage Your Home Utilities in a Hurricane

Harvey, Maria, Sandy, Katrina. Just the names of these powerful hurricanes evoke strong memories of devastation and flooding. There are a lot of articles on hurricane preparedness for you and for your pets. But what about your home?

Learn what you must know to manage your home’s utilities during a hurricane or a flood. Hurricane season peaks in early September, but flooding can occur any time of the year. Make sure you are prepared!

The High Risk of Summer 2018 Texas Month to Month Electricity Plans

Last Updated June 1, 2018

Texas electricity customers face historically high electricity prices this summer. The rising energy rates are not so much a result of the cost of natural gas, the primary commodity used to generate electricity, but are a result of increased demand and anticipated shortages in supply. What does this mean for customers on variable rate, month to month electricity plans? High, high, high electricity rates for the dog days of summer. Who is most at risk? Prepaid electricity customers and customers on holdover rates from expired electricity contracts.

Smart Electricity Shopping During the Holiday Season

December means holiday shopping season for many people, but the one item most people leave off their list is to shop for a new electricity plan.

If your contract is due to expire in the next couple of months, you might be surprised at the affordable rate plans you can find during the holiday season. Winter is traditionally a slow season for electricity shopping, yet there are several good reasons to compare electric rates and lock in a plan for the upcoming year.

You might think that cold weather means higher rates, but that’s not always true.

Smart Home and Tech Gadgets for Holiday Gift Giving

Last Updated November 6, 2025

It’s our annual holiday gift giving guide to smart home technology! With these gifts, the tech-loving recipient gets a fun gadget plus energy savings for the home. Many of these devices will be on sale during Black Friday, so check online for current pricing and deals!

Is a Short-Term or Long-Term Electricity Contract the Better Deal?

Is a short-term or long-term electricity contract a better deal? Well, it depends.

The cost of electricity can vary widely from month to month. That’s why consumers go for a fixed rate electricity plan. That way you’re protected from wild rate swings.

But how do you determine what length of contract to sign? Is a short term or long term electricity contract better? It depends largely on the region of the country that you live in and the time of year that you are shopping for a fixed rate. Learn about the benefits of the fixed rate contract and how to determine the best electricity contract length for you.

TL;DR: Long-term electricity contracts of 24-36 months are often the cheapest price and protect you against inflation. Economic indicators across the country are pointing UP for energy costs. In Texas, it’s high power demand for data centers, bitcoin mining and industrial processes. In the northeast it’s capacity costs that are increasing your bills. Time to lock in.

Electricity Contract Ending? Here’s What’s Next.

Electricity deregulation gives consumers the power to choose their own electricity provider and an electricity plan that fits their budget. But that fabulous rate you signed up for with your electricity provider will come to an end when your contract expires.

Don’t let your electricity contract expire without taking action. If you let your contract expire without renewing or switching providers, you will have high variable rate electric bill coming your way. Keeping a low rate isn’t overly difficult, but it does require some planning and timely action.

Why Is Your Electric Bill Higher Than You Expected?

Electric bill higher than expected? How can that be? You read the electricity providers’ information and picked what you thought was the best electricity plan available in your state. You even compared electricity rates offered and chose the cheapest plan.

Now you’ve received your first electric bill, and the power costs are much higher than you expected. And you’re wondering, Why is my electric bill so high? Why doesn’t the electricity rate on my bill match what you signed up for? Why is my electric bill higher than I expected?

6 Tips For Raising Energy-Smart Kids

You’re aware of the importance of having a small carbon footprint, and do all you can to leave this world a little cleaner while saving money in the process. But what about the next generation? Are you doing all you can to raise your kids in an energy-smart way?

Making your kids energy aware takes more than just nagging them to turn out the lights when they leave the room. Teaching kids to be conscious of the environment will instill good habits that last a lifetime. Try these tips to make saving energy a more fun and natural part of their day.

Stuck In A Contract With Your Electricity Provider? Know Your Options

Do you feel like you are stuck in an electricity plan contract? What should you do if you are in a contract and electric rates go down? What if you find another electricity plan from another provider that’s better? And what if you are moving?

The big question is, “Can I cancel my electricity contract?” The answers depend on your specific situation. Each electric supplier has a unique policy for early termination fees and each state has their own rules about what your supplier can charge in different situations.

Bill Credit Electricity Plans – Texas Teaser Rate or Good Deal?

Last Updated April 20, 2026

Bill credit electricity plans are among the most popular in Texas. These are the electricity rates that look amazingly low at the advertised rate of 1000 or 2000 kWh. But dig into the details and you may find you’re paying a higher price per kilowatt hour than you expected. We call these plans a Texas teaser rate. And while they can be good for some consumers, they can be a big red flag for others.

Shannon Bedrich

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