TXU Energy to Provide Assistance with Electricity Bills This Summer

The hot summer months are typically when electricity bills spike resulting in customers falling behind on payments and possible turn-off of service. TXU Energy recognizes the special needs that the more vulnerable demographics have during the summer and aim to target those needs with their Summer Moratorium program.

For the third year in a row, TXU Energy will provide a deferred payment program for customers considered low-income, ill, disabled or at least 62 years of age. If you qualify based on the above criteria, call TXU Energy at (800) 242-9113 beginning July 1st and inform them of your situation. The flexible payment plan will be in effect from July 1 through September 30. TXU Energy will also waive deposits for customers over 62 years of age and for those with a near-perfect history of timely payments.

Visit TXU Energy for more information regarding this program and make sure to forward to someone you know who would appreciate the assistance. If you're in the market to switch providers or just to shop around, visit WhiteFence to find the best deals in electricity service and other home services. 

Beat the Summer Heat with the Best Electricity Plans

We are on the cusp of summer and here in Texas we’re certainly starting to feel the effects. You know the suffocating blanket of heat that envelops you as you enter your car, the humidity that raises the temperature by at least 5 degrees, the unmerciful rays of sunlight beaming down for hours… ahhhh, summer is here.

To combat the unrelenting heat, many of us will be uncompromising in our air conditioner usage. More reason to shop around now and beat the rush to get the best deals in electricity plans. For those of you living in deregulated markets, you have the power to choose providers.

Determine what factors are most important to you and your family.

• Do you prefer fixed (rate stays the same over time) or variable (rate fluctuates over time) rates?
• Do you mind paying a few cents more for renewable energy?
• Are you willing to be locked in for a couple of months to a year with longer contract terms resulting in cheaper rates?
• How sensitive are you to promotions such as gift cards and cash back offers?

Use resourceful comparison sites such as WhiteFence and ElectricityTexas to research deals and save money. With just a few hours of contemplating the above questions and browsing, you’ll save your family hundreds of dollars this summer.

Plant a Tree with Green Mountain Energy

Green Mountain Energy is doing something very special to help the environment in light of Earth Day. With the launch of MyEarthDayAction.com, Green Mountain Energy will plant a tree in a forest restoration project in Florida for every "green action" chosen on the Web site. Real environmental awareness starts with developing good habits, so the list is a very helpful way for people to be more conscious of the decisions they make each day. The list includes resolutions for the community, home, office and even transportation. Head on over to MyEarthDayAction and choose your green resolution!

To view more details about this announcement, check out the Green Mountain Energy press release.

Tip 4: Earth Day Electricity Specials!

While we've been offering some general tips to help you be more eco-friendly for Earth Day, individuals aren't the only ones getting involved in the green action. There are several companies participating as well, and they are offering some great deals and specials in order to help the environment, and keep some extra money in your wallet.

Each of these Texas electricity providers is offering a unique green special in honor of Earth Day. There are definitely some great options for anyone looking for electricity service.

Earth Day Special Promotions

• Bounce Energy is offering the Bounce Energy Blue Sky 100% renewable energy plan. Not only will the rate be at the lowest for the month of April, but you will also receive a $50 Home Depot gift card to help "green up" your home.

• First Choice Power has a new special that allows you to order a 100% renewable energy plan from April 15-30. They have a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation Rain Forest Rescue program and will make a donation to protect 2,500 square feet of Rain Forest on behalf of each new customer.

• Direct Energy is offering the Pure Wind Plan. Take advantage of this green plan by the end of April and receive a $50 Visa gift card.

Solar Power Generated from Space

We’re all accustomed to the different types of renewable energy – wind, solar, hydro, geothermal. Leave it to the Californians to be the first in the U.S. to announce an out-of-this-world source of energy. California’s Pacific Gas & Electric has teamed up with Solaren Corp to harvest solar power from space starting in 2016. Solar panels fixated in orbit will capture the sun’s energy, transmit it via microwave beams to Earth where power grids would then send the converted energy to millions of homes.

This venture looks promising and the possibilities seem endless. However, I’m stuck on what would happen if an airplane, or heck a bird, flew between the beams. Poof! Bye-bye? Or what would happen if the solar panels in space were knocked even a wee bit off course? But I digress. This opportunity has captured the attention of NASA and the U.S. Defense Department and will undoubtedly generate much interest and extensive research from physicists and scientists worldwide.

For more info on how space-based solar power would function, visit the SciTech section of Fox News. For those more visually-oriented, check out this animation at Space.com.

Can Energy be Stored?

I always thought of energy as a commodity that was generated and immediately dispersed to consumers. But today I found out it can actually be stored to be used at a later date. In fact, it's a good way for companies to have a more reliable power grid.

How do you store energy you ask? Well there are a few ways including storing unused air in an unused salt mine. When energy is needed the air is release and combined with natural gas to spin a turbine.

Read Store Power in Super Batteries to learn more about how cities can store energy.

Have You Tried the Energy Diet?

Have you gone on the energy diet? It's all the rage you know. Ok, well maybe it's not the latest fad but it will help you be more energy conscience, be more green and save you money.

Just follow the tips below and trim down your energy use today.

• Use energy efficient light bulbs to reduce your carbon footprint. Also, they do claim to last longer than regular light bulbs so you'll save money there.
• If you plan on insulating your home for the upcoming spring season, make sure to use environmentally friendly materials.
• Turn up the thermostat at night and during the day when no one is home.
• Turn off the lights when you are not in the room.
• Washing clothes in cold water can reduce your carbon footprint.
• Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth.
• Unplug all appliances and electronics that are not used often.
• If buying new appliances, purchase ones that are energy efficient.
• Replace your air filters often.
• Turn the A/C off and open windows when the weather is nice outside.
• Carpool to work or school if possible, even if it's one day a week.
• On sunny days, close your drapes to keep the sunshine out and keep your house cool.

Utility Company Tests Smart Grid in Colorado

Would you like to mange your electrical usage via the Web? For example, you could program your dishwasher to only run when there is wind power available in your area. While at work, you could remotely choose to shut off the water heater at your home for a few hours to conserve energy.

Xcel Energy, Inc., a utility company, is currently running a smart grid test in Boulder, Colorado. It's the first time a high-tech smart grid has been tested in the United States.

Participants in the test can go online and view how much electricity they used the day prior and see how much energy each appliance uses. The test will soon allow them to choose where they want there energy to come from, be it wind, renewable, etc.

The test also allows Xcel Energy to go into neighborhoods and remotely shut off or turn down thermostats when the grid is strained.

Of course with any new gadget there are those for it and against it. Allowing utility companies to go into our homes has some worried that big brother is invading our homes and decision making. Those for the smart grid, think it will help people to be more energy conscience.

Please read the article, The More You Know, in The Wall Street Journal, to learn more about the smart grid test in Colorado. Then hop on back here and let me know your thoughts.

NRG Energy to Purchase Reliant Energy

Texas-based electricity provider reliant has been bought by Princeton, NJ's NRG Energy for a whopping $288 million. The deal, pending regulatory approval, could be finalized in June with the Reliant Energy brand name part of the deal as well. The good news is current Reliant customers won't see any changes in their electricity service, with all current locked-in rates rolled over.

For further details on the Reliant deal, check out NRG Energy set to buy Reliant's business, brand from the Houston Chronicle.

Natural Gas Prices on a Downward Spiral

Did you notice that your natural gas bills were quite low this winter season? I sure did! I had my heater cranked this season and was expecting enormous heating bills but instead was quite shocked when I didn't have to sell a kidney to pay my bills.

I started researching the natural gas market because truly my heating bills were ridiculously low. I stumbled across an article in The Wall Street Journal that answered the mystery.

As it turns out, natural gas prices have hit a record low partly because of the recession. Seems the demand from industrial users has declined and that means the US now has an abundant supply of natural gas in storage so to speak. The supply and demand factor is off kilter, too much supply of natural gas and not much demand.

As this is bad news for natural gas producers, it does mean we, the consumers, can expect natural gas prices to stay low.

To learn more, read the article Spring is Next Test for natural Gas Prices.