Whether you are shopping for an energy provider for the first time or are simply looking to switch energy providers to save money there is no need to worry. Choosing an energy supplier is easy as long as you know what to ask and what to look for. If you live where energy is deregulated, a change in providers could save you 20% on your monthly utility bills. There is a lot to consider in annual costs when it comes to picking your provider so continue reading to learn how to choose the right energy provider and how a switch could save you money.
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Make Sure the Supplier is Licensed and Serves in Your State
The first thing you need to know when it comes to choosing an energy provider is what kind of energy your home uses. Different energy providers supply different sources of energy, so do some research to see what is available in your state. Make sure that the provider supplies you with clear information when it relation extra charges, fees, and taxes. It is important that you know exactly what you will be charged for.
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Ask Questions about How You Can Save Energy
Many times claims can be misleading and a lot of sketchy prices will charge you for extra fees that were never discussed. Make sure you ask questions. One thing that is important to ask your provider is if they will allow you to see how much energy you use in real time. Knowing this will provide you with the knowledge of how many kilowatt hours you are using so your next statement won’t come as a shock after seeing the price.
Ask potential providers what you can be doing in your home to save energy. A good provider will be able to give you a lot of advice on how to keep from wasting energy so that you can save money. They will be able to go over everything from checking for air leaks in your home, sealing air leaks in your home and even ways to save energy in the kitchen.
Check their Rates and Plans
Before you start researching and reviewing other providers pull out your old utility statements and analyze your currents costs. After you have familiarized yourself with your current numbers, do an energy comparison with other providers that serve in your area.
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The next thing you should do is research the rates and plans of potential providers. Take into account fixed and variable rates. Would you rather pay for each kilowatt per hour throughout the duration of your plan or pay according to market prices? Keep in mind that short term plans are less risky, but they are often associated with paying more for energy.
Check the Suppliers History
One step you want to be sure to spend extra time researching when choosing a new energy provider is the provider’s history. Check that this provider is an established and licensed company in your state. There are many customer review sites you can spend time on to see if there are any customer reviews on the provider you are researching. Search the internet for a company website and see if there are any reviews posted. If you can’t find the information you are looking for on the website then be sure to give the company a call and schedule a consultation.
