Electricity Blog: News, Trends, & Information

Should I Install a Whole Home Generator?

Thinking about installing a whole house generator for your home on the Texas Gulf Coast? Good call. The Gulf Coast is prone to hurricanes, flooding and power outages.

A whole home generator can be a good value if it brings you peace of mind and convenience during power outages and emergencies. They can automatically activate when the power goes out, so you barely notice a power outage. But they can be expensive, costing $8,000-12,000 to install.

Here’s what you need to know about installing a whole house generator in Houston or elsewhere in Texas.

>Before purchasing a whole house generator, take a look at this article on portable generators for your home.

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.

Liberty Power Bankruptcy – What Now?

Last Updated November 8, 2021

If Liberty Power supplies your residential or commercial power, you may need to shop for a new electricity contract soon.

Liberty Power declared bankruptcy on April 21, 2021. While some Liberty Power customers were acquired by NRG, many others are being returned to their utility or to the Provider of Last Resort as of the most recent court decisions in November 2021.

What you need to do depends on what type of customer you are (residential or commercial) and what state you are in. Here’s what you need to know if you’re a Liberty Power customer, and what to do next.

What are the Best Thermostat Settings for Summer?

Last Updated May 19, 2026

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.

Texas Electricity Companies with a Satisfaction Guarantee

Last Updated May 18, 2026

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: These Texas electricity companies offer 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.

How to Compare Plans to find the Best Electricity Rates in Texas

Looking for the best electricity rates in Texas? Use our guide to find the best power prices for you, what to look for in an electricity plan and step by step process to compare electricity plans.

What’s Going On With Texas Electricity? February 2021

Last Updated October 14, 2022

What’s going on with Texas (ERCOT) electricity? And more importantly, why don’t I have lights?

Below we walk through what’s going on with Texas electricity during this brutal cold snap. We also have some ideas on why rolling blackouts have turned to 36+ hours without power in some areas.

Texas Electricity Trends for 2021

Last Updated May 27, 2026

With 2021, we expect to see low prices for long term plans and an increasing number of green energy electricity plans as Texas moves more and more generation to renewable energy.

Get current information with our Texas Electricity Trends for 2022 report.

Texas Electricity Rates Chart – No Gimmicks Electricity Plans

Last Updated May 27, 2026

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.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist and Tips

Last Updated November 5, 2025

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.

Blog

Key Takeaways

We just need your ZIP code