Texas Electrical companies

[7racer]

I just got a notice that my Green Mountain Energy contract is coming up for renewal.

Anyone have a favorite company they like to deal with? Green Mtn did give me their rate with having an EV.

Thanks

[pete8314]

I'm with Reliant at the moment, never had an issue with them, but, from an overnight EV charging point of view, I'm considering switching to TXU when I'm due up for renewal in December. Have you checked Power to Choose ? They have details on all plans available, some of which don't seem to be readily offered by the electricity companies (but they do when you quote the exact details of the plan you want).

[jerry33]

I have been using TXU with the wind power option. Now that the service has been outsourced, who sends the power bill doesn't really matter. They all have poor service.

[W.Petefish]

I have been using TXU with the wind power option. Now that the service has been outsourced, who sends the power bill doesn't really matter. They all have poor service.

+1 for jerry.

[7racer]

LOL so true...I was hoping that my question might reveal otherwise....

[stephenpace]

I have Reliant and have never had an issue, and they have some hardware available free (smart meter monitors, Nest thermostat, etc.). However, TXU has the following plan that may appeal to EV owners:

Save With Free Nights Plan | TXU Energy


Basically this is free power from 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. every day for 12, 18 or 24 full months. For those that charge their car overnight (most people) and keep the air conditioner temp low at night, this plan could be decent. Otherwise, for an 18 month plan, this locks your daytime usage at 12.9¢ per kWh.

[pete8314]

I have Reliant and have never had an issue, and they have some hardware available free (smart meter monitors, Nest thermostat, etc.). However, TXU has the following plan that may appeal to EV owners:

Save With Free Nights Plan | TXU Energy


Basically this is free power from 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. every day for 12, 18 or 24 full months. For those that charge their car overnight (most people) and keep the air conditioner temp low at night, this plan could be decent. Otherwise, for an 18 month plan, this locks your daytime usage at 12.9¢ per kWh.

It was 10.4c at some point in the last few weeks, so probably worth biding your time if this is something you'd consider, though I guess it could carry in increasing too. I will be nearer the time of deliver (Spring 2013).

[stephenpace]

Yes, the 12.9¢ per kWh during the day isn't great, but you have to factor it against how much power you might use at night for air conditioning and charging the Tesla. The real cost to you will be lower than 12.9¢ per kWh in that case. Likely the deciding factor is how many miles you drive per day. However, I kind of like the idea of being able to answer "$0" when someone asks how much the car costs to drive.

[pete8314]

Yes, the 12.9¢ per kWh during the day isn't great, but you have to factor it against how much power you might use at night for air conditioning and charging the Tesla. The real cost to you will be lower than 12.9¢ per kWh in that case. Likely the deciding factor is how many miles you drive per day. However, I kind of like the idea of being able to answer "$0" when someone asks how much the car costs to drive.

Oh year, for sure. I can move other high-consumption stuff overnight as well (pool, dishwasher, washing machine etc), but I'm planning on super-cooling the house at around 5am, so that I don't need air for the first few hours of the (chargeable) day The family have yet to approve this strategy, however.

[W.Petefish]

Geothermal for the win. I can keep my house 66 all year round. (not that I'd want to.) And I get free hot water out of the deal too.