Smart Electricity Shopping
“Five star rating from the Public Utility Commission of Texas,” the billboards scream. This summer we’ve seen three retail electricity providers (REPs) bragging on their 5-star rating with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), just in the Houston area alone. Are 5-star ratings from the PUCT like 5-star reviews on Google? Not exactly.
In this article we break down what PUCT ratings are, and why we think they don’t matter much in your search for the best electricity provider.
Read More about PUCT Ratings: What Do They Mean?
In this article we cut through a lot of online misinformation to give you the straightforward truth about senior citizen electricity discounts in Texas.
Read More about Electricity Plans for Texas Senior Citizens
Searching for the best electric companies in Texas? Here are our choices for best electricity provider in Texas, by category.
Read More about Best Electricity Companies in Texas (2025)
Electricity prices are not what they used to be. Long gone are the days of 10 cent all-in energy rates in Texas. If you’re shopping electricity rates, it helps to know how electricity rates have changed over time. This Texas electricity rates history gets you prepared for your next shopping cycle.
Read More about Texas Electricity Rates History, 2021 to Present
The Public Utility Commission of Ohio, in a May 19, 2025 series of social media and news posts, is encouraging Ohio residents to seek alternatives for their power supply.
Read More about New Electric Rates Take Effect June 1 in Ohio; PUCO Encourages Shopping
Utilities are defined as the essential or optional services you need in your house, apartment, or business to keep it comfortable and functioning properly. In this article we review the 5 essential utilities plus the optional utilities that give us modern conveniences.
Read More about What are Utilities in a House, Apartment or Business?
Pennsylvania is part of the PJM Interconnection, which manages the electric grid for PA and 12 other states. Your electricity bill includes not only energy and delivery costs, but also capacity costs. PA capacity costs incent power generators to maintain sufficient supply on the electric grid during times of peak demand.
Here’s what you can do to keep your bills under control.
Read More about Pennsylvania Electricity Rates Increase June 2025 – Here’s Why
In Ohio, you not only pay for electricity and delivery, you also pay for “capacity” as part of your electricity generation charges. Capacity costs are increasing in June 2025, and you’ll see this impact on your bill.
Here’s the background, and what you can do to keep your bills under control.
Read More about Ohio Electric Rates Increase June 2025 – Here’s Why & What to Do About It
Want to switch electricity companies in Texas? If you live in Texas, it’s easy to change your electricity provider. Most Texas residents have the ability to choose their electricity provider, thanks to deregulation. (Check this list of deregulated vs. regulated city in Texas to see if you can switch electricity suppliers.) This quick read gives you the basics of switching electricity providers.
Read More about How to Switch Electricity Providers
Since deregulation began in Texas in 2002, many Texans have had a choice in their electricity provider. In fact, over 85% of Texans live in an area with electricity choice.
What choices did consumers make in 2024? In our first annual electricity shopping review, we’ll reveal price trends, what plans consumers picked, and Texas electricity shopping statistics.
Read More about Texas Electricity Shopping Statistics – Annual Review 2024