Houston Member..Recommendations On Electric Provider

[slow&rusty]

Hey Guys - My contract with Reliant is up and was looking for recommendations, lots of marketers out there (incl. fly by night). I was hoping to keep my cost down under 10cents \ kWh.

Thanks!
Yasin

[lindbhr]

Yasin,

Try Amigo Energy. Mention that I referred you and we may both get some sort of discount.

Good Luck,

Hugh

[Scott Watkins]

https://www.southwestpl.com/portal/Login.aspx

[thingmon]

Just went through this... As you may know, most plans are based on useage so take a look at your bills and see where that puts you. For most plans, the rate drops the more juice you use. They also have penalties and whatnot if you switch out before the plan term passes.

Here's a good comparison site from the TX PUC: Power to Choose

Good luck!

[Pazuzu]

I'm paying a fixed 9.4 cents with Amigo on a 12 month auto-pay account.

[red-beard]

I'm just re-upped with Pennywise power. They are owned by NRG, just like Reliant. 8.9 cents per kWh.

Do not use Mega power. The are not filling out the power to choose label correctly. The number they show is not the combined distribution and power rate, only the power.

definitely check out powertochoose.org

[BRPORSCHE]

Champion.

PM me and I'll hit you up with a promo code.

[KFC911]

Wow, you guys have a choice? It's always been a monopoly in every place I've lived.

[red-beard]

Well, the power is really supplied by Centerpoint Energy. We get to choose our "Electric Provider" which really means who bills us.

Check out Power to Choose to see how many we can use. Use zipcode 77001 for Houston.

The plans vary month to month, 3-4 month lock, 6 month lock, 12 month lock, 18 month lock and 24 month lock. Usually the longer the lock, the higher the rate.

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by KC911

Wow, you guys have a choice? It's always been a monopoly in every place I've lived.

Monopoly sounds good. Oncor, the state utility provider, has to resell it to anybody who can pony up for the license. So now you have 20+ companies reselling electricity from the same provider with their mark ups (or at least that is how I understand it.)

What's annoying though is that if you consume just under 1000 kw, you will pay almost 25% more than if you go over, 8.2 vs 10.2. So if I get a cheap plan and I see that I won't make it to 1,000 kw, I will start leaving every light on in the house just to get the discount. So much for saving energy.

[red-beard]

I wish I could get my electric usage down to 1000 kWh!!!

[David]

I work for NRG so of course my suggestions are Relaint or Green Mountain. I'm pretty sure we don't own Pennywise.

[red-beard]

Here is a link to information on Pennywise Power

Retail Electric Provider Report

PENNYWISE POWER LLC
10177
Type: REP
Date Certificated: 10/27/2008
Service Area: Entire State
Type of Certification: Option I


DBA Names

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PENNYWISE POWER

Contact Information

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mailing / PO Box (Mailing Address)
PENNYWISE POWER, LLC
AUNDREA WILLIAMS
DIRECTOR REGULATORY ANALYSIS
1201 FANNIN STREET
HOUSTON,TX 77002
Web: www.pennywisepower.com
Email: aundrea.williams@nrgenergy.com
Phone: 713-537-3000
Fax: 877-619-0616 Mailing / PO Box
PENNYWISE POWER, LLC
AUNDREA WILLIAMS
DIRECTOR REGULATORY ANALYSIS
1201 FANNIN STREET
HOUSTON,TX 77002
Web: www.pennywisepower.com
Email: aundrea.williams@nrgenergy.com
Phone: 713-537-3000
Fax: 877-619-0616
Company / Physical
PENNYWISE POWER, LLC
AUNDREA WILLIAMS
DIRECTOR REGULATORY ANALYSIS
1201 FANNIN STREET
HOUSTON,TX 77002
Web: www.pennywisepower.com
Email: aundrea.williams@nrgenergy.com
Phone: 713-537-3000
Toll Free: 877-455-4674
Fax: 877-619-0161 Authorized Rep
PENNYWISE POWER, LLC
BRYAN SAMS
REGULATORY SPECIALIST
1005 CONGRESS AVE
SUITE 1000
AUSTIN,TX 78701
Email: bryan.sams@nrgenergy.com
Phone: 512-494-3000
Fax: 512-494-3050

[David]

James, I have pneumonia and a fever so memory's a bit off. I do now recall the big boys mentioning we aquired them. I recall they're supposed to be sort of a no frills supplier. Of course I don't know what frills we get from the more expensive retailers

[red-beard]

You get the fringe benefit of paying more money for the same product!

And I hope you feel better!

GO TEXANS!

[slow&rusty]

Thanks for all the suggestions fellas, I will give Penny Wise Power a call, I visited their website and their rates are very competitive.

David - I thought you managed \ owned \ ran a machine shop? I did not realize you are in the electric business.

Yasin

[David]

Yasin, I'm just the engineer for NRG's Houston shop. I don't really want to be the shop manager (since I get paid about the same but with no employees to manage) but unless I really screw up, I probably will be when my boss retires.

I finally got around to switching to Reliant Energy yesterday from one of the other companies so I guess I'm towing the company line now

[red-beard]

David,

What rate are you getting? Do you get an employee discount?

Also, are you doing the MS150 this year?

[David]

I signed up with Reliant for 7.5 cents/kwh for 6 months, the longest contract I could find at that rate.

I guess it's no secret, so yes employees do get a little discount but we have to be a customer first. So after I'm hooked up, I'll apply for the discount and pay a little less than 7.5 cents.

FYI, before deregulation power in Houston was about 7.5 cents.

I'm signed up for the MS150 but I haven't ridden in months. As you know I'm all about how quick I finish so I've got a lot of training to do in the next couple months.

[Neilk]

I don't want to sign up for a 6 months contract as I don't want to renew at the height of summer that may require signing up for a more expensive plan.