Electricity

Choosing a Residential or Commercial Electricity Service Provider the Easy Way

Energy bills are a huge concern for almost any household. In fact, with rising energy bills, almost every family worries about making ends meet. However, the good news is that a few smart moves can help you save a ton on your heating and cooling needs. Most of these tips are well-kept secrets but, at TenantAssist, we believe that everyone should use these tips to reduce their monthly utility payments.

So here goes:

Understand the Basics – Electricity is measured in kilowatts per hour. On an average, most companies charge about 8 cents to about 12 cents per hour. If you are already paying 12 cents per hour, switching to a lower-cost provider could help you save a lot of money. However, this does mean you will have to research kilowatt per hour costs of almost every utility company in your state.

Use Online Comparison Sites – Utility companies usually do list their charges online. The best way to compare rates would be to use online comparison sites. On the other hand, rates do vary according to location and state. Use the comparison website as a guidance tool, but make sure you contact each company individually to get the latest rates.

Read the Contract – Although utility companies are upfront about kilowatt per hour charges, they may not let you know hidden charges and fees. Some companies have a hidden Standing Charge. This charge is a fixed-per-day charge that you have to pay for each day you are connected to the network, regardless of use. Make sure you check charges like these in the contract before you sign on. To prevent being stuck with extra charges, it’s a good idea to read the contract as thoroughly as possible. Don’t forget to read the fine print especially regarding fines, down payments, cancellation charges, installation fees, service contracts, etc. This could save you as much as $100 to $200 every month provided you read the contract carefully.

Understand Payment Options – Most companies offer multiple payment options in the form of quarterly bills, monthly direct debit, and prepayment meters. However, some of these payment options will carry extra charges. For example, the prepayment meter will have to be topped up before the month starts. Similarly, quarterly or monthly payments can be made by check, cash, or direct debit. Opting for prepayment is the best as you do get a discount on your monthly bill.

Sounds Difficult?

Well, yes it is difficult to implement most of these tips. You would have to get in touch with service providers, prepare the paperwork, get approved, and cancel contracts to switch to a new provider. The process seems endless and that’s where TenantAssist steps into the picture. We have more than a decade of experience in matching customers with their utility requirements. When you contact us, we will review your requests and match them to the correct service provider. Our account managers are waiting to for you to call or email us.

Just let us know what you want and we will deal with the rest.