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.
Shopping Electricity Rates in the Winter Makes Sense
It all starts with Thanksgiving festivities. Cooler weather, extra cooking, and guests filling your home lead to increased electricity usage. After that, it’s holiday lights, even colder temperatures, and more time in the kitchen. Before you know it, your electric bill is sky-high. It’s time to take a look at your electricity provider options to see if you can find a better plan.
The rates you’ll find offered in December are a matter of supply and demand, just like other months.
Electricity usage in winter months can be surprisingly high, especially in northern US states. Even so, winter electric rates are competitive and can be lower than what you’ll find in the heat of summer.
Winter Electricity Shopping Tips
To get the most out of your winter electricity shopping experience:
- Late summer is traditionally the most expensive season for electricity rates. If you are shopping in the winter months with the goal of locking in a good rate for the entire next year, select a contract term that will carry you through the summer months. Avoiding a summer renewal date could save you money.
- If you are shopping for electricity with the goal of managing your budget in the new year, weigh the pros and cons of average billing. For some customers on fixed monthly incomes, average billing might make sense. However, while average billing may level your bill throughout the year, you’ll end up paying more in low usage months than you would if you did not choose average billing.
- Worried about losing electricity over the holidays? Don’t be – there’s no risk in losing power when switching electricity providers.
- You’re likely shopping for a new electricity plan with the intention of saving money. In addition to switching plans, save even more money by doing a quick holiday energy check and consider replacing the old bulbs with high quality holiday LEDs.
How Do I Switch My Electricity Provider?
Holiday electricity shopping isn’t the complicated project you might think it is. A comparison shopping site like ElectricityPlans.com shows you an excellent selection of the available rate plans in your area. You can compare your favorite two or three electric choices in a real apples-to-apples matchup to find the one that fits best with your budget and your lifestyle.
Once you find the right electricity plan for you, click the sign up button to make the switch. Don’t worry…you won’t have to deal with your old company. Your new provider will take care of making all the notifications needed to switch to your new plan.
You won’t even notice when the switch is made; your power will continue to flow without the need for a service call. Everything remains the same, except for a lower bill because you got a great electric rate by switching. As long as you pay your utility bill on time, there will not be a disruption in service.
Read More: How to Shop for an Electricity Plan >>
Save Enough for Next Year’s Holiday
Everyone feels the pinch during the holidays, so finding a deal is especially welcome during the holidays.
Spend a few minutes researching local rate plans to find the best one in your area. With the right contract, you could save enough in the coming year to pay for next year’s presents under the tree.
