Routine Care
Shop around for better energy rates and service
With competition, you may be able to find better prices and better services for your energy commodities.
Timing: March (yearly)
How To
This task involves exploring opportunities for better prices and service for your energy needs:
- Electricity
- Natural gas
- Heating oil
- Propane
To get started, make a list of potential suppliers of energy that you use in your home. To develop this list, look in your local yellow pages, contact your town or city, talk to neighbors, check on the Internet, etc.
For both electricity and gas, find out if your rates are lower at different times of the day. If so, you can schedule to use your high energy-using appliances (dishwasher, shower, clothes dryer, etc) at times of the day that will cost you less.
If your state has begun deregulation of electricity or natural gas, you may be able to purchase your energy from a non-regulated third-party supplier with lower prices. Check with your state energy commission to determine if your state has begun deregulation and if this is an option.
When you consider different suppliers, your evaluation of suppliers should consider price, reliability and service.
Benefits
The benefits of this task will depend on how energy competition has developed in your particular state.
Costs
The cost of this task is relatively high from an investment in time standpoint. It could take several hours to do the appropriate research and analysis.
Originally posted at http://www.petermuehlbronner.home-wizard.com/tip/tip_enr_1