Smart Electricity Shopping Archives - Page 4 of 9

Tax Credits for EV, Solar & Electrification – The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Last Updated July 10, 2025

For homeowners, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes over $8 billion for home energy efficiency and home electrification projects. You can receive tax credits for new technology including home solar panels, battery storage, or electric vehicles. And you can get tax credits and incentives for replacing your clothes dryer, water heater and cooktop, or for swapping out your HVAC for a heat pump HVAC.

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Big Beautiful Bill & Residential Tax Credits

Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed in July 2025 modifies clean-energy incentives introduced under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Here are new policies related to home solar, batteries, electrification and electric vehicles

Residential Solar Tax Credit: Expires December 31, 2025
EV Purchase Credit: Expires September 30, 2025
Home Electrification Tax Credit: Expires December 31, 2025

Act quickly to take advantage of these tax incentives before they expire!

Here’s an easy reference chart for the changes:

Top 5 Texas Business Electricity Mistakes

Shopping for business electricity in Texas can be a challenge. But you can avoid common mistakes businesses make in energy procurement by knowing what to look for.

Most mistakes are simple oversights. Don’t treat electricity procurement like it’s just another purchasing decision. These can be complex contracts and it’s important to avoid these errors.

Cheapest Texas Electricity Rates and Plans (July 2025)

Last Updated July 30, 2025

Finding the cheapest electricity rates in Texas doesn’t have to be a chore or require tons of research. Every month, we update our recommendation for the top three cheapest electricity companies in Texas, and highlight the cheapest electricity rates in your area. Here’s the July 2025 update.

Best Cities for Using Solar Panels in Texas

Texas is a top state for residential solar panels. According to Google Project Sunroof, 90% of Texas buildings are solar-friendly. But what are the top cities for solar panels in Texas? And why are they the best cities to consider rooftop solar? Here’s our summary of the best cities for solar in Texas, based on third party data.

How to Get Help Paying Electric Bill

With rising electricity costs, you may need help with your power bill. If you need help with your electric bill in Texas, there are three basic options.

Contact Your Electricity Provider: Your REP is the first point of contact if you need help paying your power bill in Texas. Working with them can give you a bill payment extension and keep you from being disconnected.
Call 211 Utility Assistance: Texas 211 is a central clearing house of resources. The 211 operator may be able to match you to available aid programs.
See if you qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This program provides bill payment assistance for those on SSI or that earn less than 150% of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines.

Below we provide additional information on each option. Plus ideas for bill payment help for those who are not low income.

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.

Texas Electricity Trends for 2022

Texas electricity rates in 2022 continue to show the greatest value with long terms plans. The other big trend? More green energy electricity plans as Texas moves generation to renewable energy.

(In a hurry? Jump right to our recommendations on the best residential Texas electricity plan for 2022.)

How to Use an Energy Broker for Commercial Electricity

A commercial energy broker can help your business save money on energy costs, manage contract renewals, and find the best energy solution. They can also advise you on various energy plans and contract terms, saving you a significant amount of time.

Texas Ancillary Services – What Are They? And Why Should You Care?

If you’re a business owner in Texas, you need to know that Ancillary Services could be passed through on your bill, depending on your contract language.

Ancillary Services are processes that help the ERCOT grid maintain a stable, efficient and safe operation. These processes and tools let ERCOT control voltage, frequency, flow and system recovery if there’s an emergency event. And new ancillary services charges in Texas could show up as line items in your business electricity bill.

How Much Does it Cost to Charge an EV at Home?

Last Updated December 12, 2024

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are an increasingly popular choice for vehicle purchases. But before you buy an electric car, you may want to look at how much it will cost to charge. After all, how much will an EV add to your electricity bill? Here’s how to calculate the costs of charging your EV at home.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home? Use your car’s battery storage kWh and multiply that by your price per kWh. That’s a good estimate of how much it costs every time you fully charge your EV. For example, a 40 kWh battery, charged with power that costs 11.4¢ per kWh (the Texas average rate), will cost $4.56 to fully charge. That’s 40 * $0.114.

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Big Beautiful Bill & Residential Tax Credits

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