Electricity Education Archives - Page 2 of 6

Portable Generator for Hurricane Power Outages

Last Updated February 10, 2025

The hurricane season is just beginning. And Houston got hit by Category 1 Hurricane Beryl which took out 85% of the electricity customers in that city. Maybe it’s time for a portable generator for hurricane outages.

Here’s a quick look at our shopping process for a portable generator for a 1500 square foot 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch style home in Near Northwest Houston. Hopefully this will help you pick the right generator for your home as well.

Always work with a licensed and insured electrician and plumber when installing your portable generator. Also check local regulations in your area regarding permitting requirements.

CenterPoint Energy Outage Map: When Will Power Be Restored in Houston?

Last Updated January 23, 2025

When the lights are out in the Houston area, the most important question is, when will power be back on?

In this article, you’ll find the link for CenterPoint Energy’s outage map and information on how to use it, plus all the contact information you need to report a power outage in the area.

Full List of Deregulated Cities in Texas

Over 26 million people in Texas, more than 85% of the state’s population, now have the power to choose their electricity provider thanks to electricity deregulation.

But deregulation doesn’t include the whole state of Texas. Some cities in Texas are deregulated and others aren’t. The list below will help you understand what cities fall into each category.

Understanding ERCOT Conservation Alerts

Last Updated June 3, 2024

If you live in Texas, you’re familiar with energy conservation alerts. In 2023, ERCOT (Electricity Reliability Council of Texas) issued 13 requests for energy conservation. And 2024 is expected to have hotter than average temperatures, so the risk of energy conservation alerts is high! Use this guide to understand ERCOT’s energy conservation and energy emergency alerts.

How to Lower Your Business’ Demand Charges

How your Texas business uses electricity this summer will impact your bill for the next year.

If you have a demand meter, your peak demand charges for the next calendar year will be established during the grid’s highest demand days in a 4 month period. That’s known as your 4 coincident peaks, or 4CP.

In this article, we’ll explain what 4CP is and how it impacts your business. Then we’ll give you tips on how to lower your demand charges based on this knowledge.

Preparing Your Home for a Texas Cold Front

North and West Texas have their share of cold weather and even snow. But those on the Gulf Coast are less familiar with what to do when a Texas cold front is on the way. Here’s your checklist to prepare for below freezing weather in Texas.

Electricity Bill Payment Scam – How to Avoid Getting Tricked

The electricity bill payment scam is on the rise in in Texas. Scammers will call you pretending to be from your light company and demand payment. They’ll threaten to turn your electricity off if you don’t pay right away.

To avoid an electricity bill payment scam, look for things that are out of the ordinary. If your electric company has never called you before to demand payment, and specified that you can only pay with a GreenDot card from Walgreens? It’s likely a scam.

Here’s how to tell an electricity bill payment scam from a real disconnection notice from your electricity company. And how to avoid getting ripped off.

Lower Electricity Bill for Pool Owners in TX

Homes with swimming pools use 40-50% more electricity than homes without one. The amount of additional usage varies based on the type and size of pool pump and how long it runs.

A standard 2000 watt pool pump will use around 480 kWh a month. An equivalent variable speed 300 watt pool pump will use around 72 kWh a month. That’s a huge difference in electricity usage.

Air Conditioners vs. Fans: Which is Best?

For as long as there’s been air conditioning, there’s probably been the debate. Air Conditioners or Fans. Which is best?

When it comes to air conditioning vs. fans, we say both! Air conditioning keeps the air cool in your home. And ceiling fans can create an additional cooling effect that makes you feel up to 4* cooler.

In this article we tell you how air conditioners and fans work to cool your home. And we look at air conditioners vs. fans from two aspects: keeping you cool and keeping your electricity bill low.

Why are Texas Electricity Prices So High?

In 2022, we had some of the highest electricity prices since deregulation. But now? Prices have come down by 30% or more vs. last year.

Here’s a recap on why prices are so high some years (and during the summer) and some strategies on how to get the best price for your home or business.

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