Smart home technology is making life easier and more energy-efficient, especially for those looking to lower their bills from Texas energy providers. Keep reading for popular home electronics you can control with your smartphone to help you run a more energy-efficient home.

Smart thermostats

A smart thermostat lets you control your home’s temperature from anywhere, so you’re not heating and cooling your home when you don’t need to. With cooling and heating among the largest energy expenses in a home, this device is a game-changer for those looking to lower their energy usage and monthly bills. Many smart thermostats are able to learn your habits and adjust automatically to save more energy. Plus, some energy providers in Texas, like Green Mountain Energy, offer demand response programs that utilize smart thermostats’ capabilities.

Smart lights

You can also use your smartphone to turn your smart lights on or off, whether you’re in the next room or another state. Some even let you dim the lights or change their color. These devices help save energy because you can turn off lights that were left on by mistake or set schedules for your lights, which can help reduce electricity usage.

Smart plugs

A smart plug lets you control the electronic device plugged into it using your smartphone. This is great for lamps, fans, coffee makers and even holiday lights. You can turn a device on and off remotely if you’re not home so it doesn’t waste energy unnecessarily. Many smart plugs also let you set on/off schedules; some even track how much electricity plugged-in home electronics use.

Smart appliances

Many appliances, like washing machines, air purifiers, refrigerators, and more, now come with built-in smart technology features so you can monitor and control them from your phone. For example, you can start a load of laundry while at work so that it’s ready to go into the dryer when you get home or you can get a notification if the fridge door is left open. Some smart appliances also offer the ability to subtly shift energy usage from more expensive peak times to less expensive off-peak hours.

Smart blinds

Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for about 25% to 30% of home heating and cooling energy use. Smart blinds help you minimize this problem by allowing you to open or close your window coverings via your phone. Closing blinds in summer to keep your home cooler or letting in more sun during the winter to warm things up naturally can help you reduce electricity usage without sacrificing comfort. Some systems can even be set to adjust automatically based on the time of day.

Other smart home electronics

There are many other home electronics on the market that don’t necessarily help you save energy but do add convenience and/or sustainability to your life. These include:

Smart sprinklers

A smart sprinkler system helps you conserve water while caring for your yard. Smart irrigation systems not only prevent overwatering but can also deliver precise and tailored watering to different areas or plants, adapt the watering schedule to weather data and send you an alert if a leak or other maintenance issue is detected. Using water more efficiently can lower your water bill and help conserve a valuable resource.

Smart door locks

A smart door lock lets you lock or unlock your doors using your phone. This can save you from driving back home if you forget to lock up or simply allow you to carry one less key around. Some devices even let you program unique access codes for people who enter your home (like babysitters, house cleaners or guests) so you can track who has entered and when.

Smart security cameras

Lastly, indoor and outdoor smart security cameras let you monitor your home using your phone, no matter where you are. This means you can check in on your house, kids or pets at any time. Many smart cameras come with motion detection send you alerts if there’s any activity. And some of the best energy providers in Texas, like Reliant Energy and Direct Energy, even offer custom smart security systems through their partners.

While security cameras don’t directly help you save electricity, the peace of mind they provide can prevent you from wasting your own energy worrying!

Smart home devices aren’t just about convenience; they can also help you save energy and, potentially, money by giving you on-the-go control of your home electronics.

Compare energy plans from top Texas energy providers

While we’re on the topic of “smart,” start shopping for electricity plans from Texas energy providers the smart way: by using Everything Energy’s innovative search and compare tools. Check it out today!

December 3, 2024, marks Giving Tuesday. What is Giving Tuesday? It’s a global call to everyone to perform acts of generosity, both great and small. 

In the spirit of Giving Tuesday 2024, here are some recent ways energy companies in Houston give back to their communities year-round.

Reliant Energy

Houston-based Reliant Energy has a rich tradition of contributing to communities and organizations in Texas and nationwide. A few of their giving initiatives include:

Reliant Gives

The Reliant Gives program supports Texas communities by asking employees to nominate local organizations they care about. A public vote on three finalist organizations takes place, with a chance to win donations of up to $100,000. Since 2016, Reliant Gives has donated $460,000 to 12 nonprofits across the state.

Charitable Giving

Through volunteer and employee-led partnership initiatives, Reliant Energy has been able to support organizations like the American Heart Association, Meals on Wheels, Armand Bayou Nature Center and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston — and many more.

Commitment to the Environment

Reliant Energy works with several organizations to involve its employees in activities like rehabilitating nature trails, planting trees and supporting eco-education for students. They’ve also implemented sustainable solutions like solar cart conversions at the Houston Zoo.  

Sponsorships & Grants

Through the NRG Retail Charitable Foundation, Reliant Energy invests in communities in various ways. These include helping families in need pay their utility bills, funding local disaster relief, supporting health clinics and providing scholarships.

Direct Energy

Another energy company in Houston that serves residents across the state, Direct Energy, features a Neighbor-to-Neighbor Bill Assistance Program. This lets customers donate any amount to help fellow Texans in need keep the lights on. The electricity provider works with more than 40 agencies across the state, who ensure this aid goes to carefully screened, qualified individuals.

Green Mountain Energy

Through Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, the Houston energy company’s charitable giving initiative, both the company and customers can donate to provide sustainability grants to nonprofits. Sun Club projects focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, clean transportation, sustainable agriculture and environmental education. 

From its inception in 2002 through 2023, Green Mountain Energy Sun Club has given $14.2 million to nonprofits, helping to complete over 160 projects.

Compare these and other electricity companies in Houston

When you shop for energy plans with Everything Energy, you’ll see the latest offerings from the retail electricity providers above, plus other trusted Texas energy companies like Cirro Energy and Discount Power. Choose the plan that best fits your needs, and sign up in minutes!

On Election Day, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the chaos, stress and 24-hour news cycle surrounding the presidential election. But is it the best way to use your energy compared to other possible activities? After you’ve cast your vote and done your civic duty, you can opt out of the media coverage for your peace of mind.

Here are 9 electricity-free activities for Election Day that can help you take a break while unplugging and reducing energy usage at home.

Electricity-free activity #1: Go for a walk

Take a stroll to clear your mind and get a dose of fresh air. Walking around your neighborhood or in a nearby park helps you focus on nature and gives your eyes a break from screens. Plus, it’s great exercise!

Electricity-free activity #2: Read a book

Instead of scrolling through the latest news on your phone, pick up a book. Reading a physical book doesn’t use electricity, and it’s a great way to escape into a new world or learn something new. For lighter fare, try a magazine or even a comic book.

Electricity-free activity #3: Meditate or do yoga

Mindfulness exercises, like deep breathing or meditation, or yoga are perfect activities for winding down from a hectic election season.

Electricity-free activity #4: Journal

If you have a lot on your mind, writing in a journal can be a great outlet. Jotting down your thoughts and feelings or listing things you’re grateful for can help reduce stress and take on a positive perspective.

Electricity-free activity #5: Create something

Arts and crafts are a great distraction from the day’s drama. Painting, knitting, scrapbooking and more let you unwind while making something special. The only power required is the power of your own imagination!

Electricity-free activity #6: Catch up with a friend or loved one

Whether it’s your best friend, spouse or a friend you haven’t seen in a while, they will probably welcome the distraction of a screen-free meetup as the votes slowly trickle in.

Electricity-free activity #7: Play cards or a board game

Gather your family or friends for a fun game night. Board games and card games don’t require any electricity and are a great way to bond and share some laughs.

Electricity-free activity #8: Declutter

If you can’t shake the stress of today’s election results, at least put your nervous energy to good use and tackle some of the excess in your home. Since a cluttered environment has been proven to raise levels of cortisol (a stress hormone), decluttering can have a positive impact far beyond just Election Day.

Electricity-free activity #9: Sleep

Sometimes, the best way to unplug is to rest. A quick nap can recharge your energy without using any; if it’s late in the day when you get home from work, simply go to bed early. The news will always be there for you in the morning, but tonight, you can escape and catch a few extra Z’s.

Compare energy prices — the key to lowering your electricity bills

Whether you unplug on Election Day or tune in all evening to watch state-by-state results, don’t forget the power of an energy compare exercise. If you compare energy plan terms, perks and pricing, you can find the best energy plan for your home and needs — no matter which candidate wins. Start shopping today.

When was the last time you sat down to compare electricity usage, year over year? Doing so can help you take control of your energy bill — and budget.

Compare electricity usage to your previous bills

Knowledge is power. Do you know…

• …how many kilowatt hours (kWh) you use during an average month?
• …how many kWh you use during your cheapest electricity months?
• …how many kWh you use during your most expensive energy months?

If not, it’s time to investigate. You can start your energy comparison with two simple steps.

Step 1: Compare electricity bills from this year and last year

If you’ve lived in your current residence for more than 12 months, it will be straightforward to compare electricity usage. Simply find your current bill and last year’s bill from the same time period. (It doesn’t matter if you have had different electricity providers because you’re only looking for your usage data.)

You should see your monthly kWh listed on your invoice. How does your usage this month compare to that same month last year? Check other months to see if you seem to be using more, less or about the same amount of electricity that you used a year ago.

If you have switched residences in the past 12 months, it will be more difficult to compare electricity usage. This is especially true if the two places vary greatly in size and/or energy efficiency. However, it’s still a good exercise to complete to better understand how you use energy.

Step 2: Figure out the reason(s) for the year-to-year difference

The next step to compare electricity usage is to figure out why it’s higher or lower than a year ago.

If you’re using more electricity than this time last year, what could be the reason? There could be many behavior-based reasons. These include working from home more often, going on fewer or shorter vacations, using a gaming computer more often, adding energy-consuming appliances, etc.

What if you can’t think of any changes in behavior that could have caused the difference? You might start looking at your home’s structure to see if improvements should be made. For example:

• Do you need to reseal air leaks around doors and windows?
• Does your HVAC’s air filter need to be replaced?
• Are you using your thermostat in the most efficient way?
• Are any major appliances in need of replacement?

Addressing issues like these can help you reduce your electricity usage.

If you’re using less electricity than last year, that’s great! Ask yourself what behaviors may have contributed to that year-over-year decrease — and keep doing them as often as possible.

Challenge yourself to use less by this time next year

Now you have a better understanding of the factors that may have affected your electricity usage in the past 12 months. So, why not commit to making the next 12 months more energy efficient? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Try some energy-saving tips from Texas electricity providers.
• Measure electronic device or appliance usage with a watt meter to learn more about which items in your home use the most energy.
• Utilize smart plugs to set timers and schedules for electronics that don’t always need to be turned on.
• Swap out incandescent light bulbs for more efficient LEDs (including during the holidays).
• Compare electricity rates, plans and providers to discover the best energy deals.

The simplest way to compare electricity prices

Reducing your usage is one way to lower your electricity bill. Another way is to compare electricity plans and pricing to make sure you’re getting a good deal. The simplest way to do that? Search Everything Energy to find the plan and price that’s best for your home, lifestyle and budget.

You may be feeling a little lucky this week with St. Patrick’s Day approaching. But when it comes to finding low energy rates for your home, it takes a little more than luck.

It’s true, there are some great electricity rates out there from Texas electricity providers. You just need to do some research first.

What happens to my energy rates when I leave my electricity choice up to chance?

One of the great things about Texas is its deregulated electricity market. This gives Texans the power to choose their retail electricity provider (REP). The good news is, there is an abundance of REPs to choose from.

The bad news is … well, there is an abundance of REPs to choose from. The thought of digging through all the options for the lowest energy rates might make you want to just pick one randomly and hope for the best. (Especially if you’re one of the many newcomers Texas gains each year.) Or, if you currently have a Texas energy provider, you may be tempted to let your contract automatically renew.

Both of these “strategies” mean you are not exercising your right to choose to the fullest extent. And you could be missing out on lower energy prices from your current REP or other electricity providers.

Is electricity price per kWh the pot of gold I should be looking for?

When you shop for energy rates, you’re probably looking mainly at the kilowatt hour (kWh) cost. This is a helpful starting point. But there are many factors that can drive that price on the screen up or down. A good thing to remember is that cheap energy is not always the best choice.

In addition to price, don’t forget to consider:

• Term length – A month-to-month plan may have an appealing kWh cost at first, but it can fluctuate with market prices on a monthly basis.
• Plan type – A Time of Use plan, such as one that offers free or discounted rates on nights or weekends, could affect the average kWh cost on your bill. It may have a higher rate listed that some other plans. But if you use most of your electricity during the discounted periods, it could result in lower average energy rates than regular plans. (However, a Time of Use plan can also result in higher kWh costs than listed if you don’t take advantage of the discounted time periods.)
• Other perks – A plan that comes with a bonus offer — like airline miles — might turn out to be a better deal, or more valuable to you, even if the electricity price per kWh is a bit higher than other plans.

What else should I look for in electricity providers and plans to save some green?

In addition to term length, plan type and added perks, other factors are also important to consider before you choose an energy plan.

First and foremost, find a Texas electricity company you can trust. A cheap electric company should still have good customer service and positive consumer ratings.

Second, you want to only consider the best electricity providers for your specific lifestyle and needs. If you’re sustainability-focused, that could mean choosing a provider that offers clean energy plans. If you’re budget-conscious, that could mean selecting a provider that offers ways to monitor and manage your electricity usage.

Finally, shopping for electricity based on your average monthly usage can show you more accurate energy rates. Plan pricing can vary based on how much you consume. For example, a person using 2,000 kWh per month could see a different average price per kWh than another person on the same plan who only uses 500 kWh a month.

In the past, these nuances were difficult to detect. However, there is now a very simple way to shop for electricity. Everything Energy’s innovative search tools let you easily filter plans based on your average monthly usage, term length, perk preferences, providers and more. It even shows you the true kWh cost and average monthly bill estimates based on your actual usage

How can I increase my odds of finding low energy rates?

In summary, luck can only get you so far. Finding the best energy rates is more than just choosing the plan with the lowest kWh costs. But Everything Energy takes the effort out of the equation, so you can search, compare and sign up for a plan in minutes.

Best of all, it’s free to use Everything Energy. Give it a try today and find the energy rates you’ve been looking for