It sounds strange to turn to power suppliers for help in using less energy and to cut personal electricity costs. But helping people use less electricity is a form of proactive service. And it’s a common practice among electricity providers.
Here’s a quick look at why this is and how power suppliers can help you use and spend less.
Why do power suppliers want to help me cut energy costs?
There are a few reasons why power suppliers would like you to use less energy.
One reason is based on the current electricity grid. At any given time, there is a set amount of electricity available. During “peak demand,” a lot of people want to use energy at the same time. Think: a very hot Texas summer day. The available electricity can get maxed out with everyone cranking up the AC.
At this point, more energy is needed to prevent brownouts or blackouts. One way to make more is to update old generators or build new ones. But it’s actually more cost-effective for electricity providers to encourage homes and businesses to use less energy.
Another reason power suppliers want to help you save energy is based on customer satisfaction. Customers usually don’t need to contact their electric company. But when they do, it may be to express unhappiness about a high bill. By helping customers keep their bills lower, power suppliers proactively address those concerns. This can give people fewer reasons to switch electricity suppliers.
Lastly, electricity providers know that we’re all working with limited resources from the earth. When customers reduce energy waste, everybody wins.
These win-win situations show why it’s in all of our best interest to use less energy. So how do power suppliers help us do this?
What ways do power suppliers help customers conserve energy?
There are many ways that power suppliers empower people to save energy. Here are just a few:
Energy-saving tips
Most electricity providers offer energy-saving tips and tricks on their websites. A few examples include Green Mountain Energy and Direct Energy’s helpful Learning Center.
Incentives for conserving energy
Some power suppliers offer incentives for using less. Reliant Energy’s Degrees of Difference program, for example, rewards customers for using less when demand is high.
Eco-friendly devices
It’s becoming more common to see power suppliers offering energy-saving products (like smart thermostats) bundled with their electricity plans.
Power supplier apps & other technology
Power suppliers often offer a useful app or other tech, like online account management. These can help you to monitor your energy usage.
App features can include things like viewing past usage, tracking your green impact, controlling your smart thermostat on the go and more.
How can I attempt to reduce my electricity costs today?
1. Check your home for energy wasters.
Phantom load, also called “vampire power,” occurs when a plugged-in item is not in use but consumes power in standby mode. Phantom load can amount to 5-10% of your electricity bill. However, fixing this issue can help you save on your monthly bill.
2. Make easy lifestyle changes to use less energy.
Some energy-saving actions, like making home updates, can seem daunting. But don’t get discouraged! Instead, start with the easy stuff. Turn off lights, entertainment and computers when you leave the room. Set your thermostat a degree or two lower in winter. Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees. These all take mere seconds to do but can make a difference.
3. Make sure you’re with one of the best power suppliers for your lifestyle.
The “cheapest” electricity supplier or a retail electricity provider with what appears to be lowest rate per kilowatt hour listed online, is not always the best electricity supplier for your home. And they may not necessarily net you the lowest energy bill. You have to dig a little deeper. For example, look at factors such as your typical monthly usage, your highest usage hours and plan incentives and perks that may lower your total monthly electricity costs.
Find the top power suppliers, plans and pricing for your life
Now that you’ve seen how power suppliers can help you cut energy costs, it’s time to find the right one for you. To weigh your options and make apples-to-apples comparisons between electricity plans, visit Everything Energy. Our innovative search tools make it easy to find the best electricity provider based on your specific needs and preferences.