Deregulation has completely changed the way people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts get electricity. You no longer have to settle for a sole provider that was selected by the local government. In deregulated energy markets, consumers are the ones that get to do the choosing.
That means consumers have a decision to make. It’s a decision that can have a long-term impact on your monthly budget, and the right answer isn’t always clear. What are electricity consumers to do?
As with so many other purchase decisions today, consumers that comparison shop online is the ones that find the best deals.
The Electricity Comparison Shopping Challenge
The one problem when you’re shopping for electricity plans is the prices can fluctuate. Electricity isn’t like many other consumer goods that have a set value for the foreseeable future. The rates for electricity can change day-by-day. There’s a good chance the rates will be higher or lower than what you saw just a week ago.
The changing prices mean you can do research in advance, but you’ll have to save the serious comparison shopping until you are ready to sign up for a new service.
The Best Time to Compare Electricity Plans Online
When you sign up for an electric service it’s not a one-time expense. It affects your finances month after month.
The absolute best time to compare offers and sign up for a new electricity plan depends on where you live. That’s because consumer demand has a big influence on what’s offered. Ideally, you want to compare electricity plans when demand is low because this is when wholesale electricity prices are at their lowest.
Wholesale electricity prices are driven by use. In the northeast, winter is the peak electricity season, and in the summer demand skyrockets in the south. According to the Energy Information Administration’s data, our customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine should find the lowest rates between May and October.
Because electricity rates and plans are so regional, researching your area’s weather trends to find the most temperate months is a good idea. You can also use your billing records over the last year or two to determine when demand is the lowest in your city.
Keep in mind there are a few factors that could complicate matters when you’re trying to find a better electricity plan. One of the most common issues is being under contract. If you signed up for a fixed-rate plan you may be under contract with your current provider. You might have to pay a fee for breaking the contract to switch providers.
Of course, not everything can be perfectly timed in life. If you find yourself in need of a new electricity plan during the peak seasons see what Provider Power has to offer. We have fixed-rate electricity plans, and you can lock in your rate for up to 24 months.
Get seasonal price protection that can make chilly winters and hot summers easier to handle!
Social Distancing Tips From Provider Power
Up until a few weeks ago, the term social distancing wasn’t a part of everyday conversation. It was a concept that few people had the first-hand experience with, but now it’s a reality for millions in the USA and around the world. In the wake of the COVID19 pandemic, people are following a stay at home mandates and self-quarantine initiatives in an effort to stop the spread.
The tips below can help you take social distancing measures without feeling the effects of isolation.
Replace Social Visits With Video Chatting
If you’re one of the thousands of people who got an Echo for the holidays you may want to send the gift-giver a thank you card. When people were told to stay at home for over two weeks, platforms like Facetime and Echo became a social lifeline that provides face-to-face discussions that are one step away from in-person interactions.
And people aren’t just video chatting one-on-one. Some people are arranging video chat happy hours and dinners with a group of family and friends. You have to make dinner and drinks yourself, but it’s better than feeling like a social outcast.
Want to organize a virtual movie night? Then check out the Netflix Party Chrome extension. Discord is another option that can allow a group of users to share the screen of one person who’s streaming a movie.
Zoom use has skyrocketed in recent weeks primarily among professionals and students. The app is designed for work functions and has had high-profile plugs from entertainers like Howard Stern that are producing shows remotely. The video conferencing platform also has special features like filters and backgrounds that take video chatting up a level.
Take a Walk, But Keep Your Distance
It’s kind of amazing how little Americans walk these days. A few years ago researchers like Tom Vanderbilt pointed out that Americans walk less than any other industrialized nation. Part of the reason we stopped walking is the technology that limits the need to travel on foot. Health experts are concerned that quarantining at home isn’t going to help the problem.
If you aren’t at high risk for severe COVID19 illness and keep a safe distance from others (6+ feet), taking a walk won’t break the social distancing rules. Most state parks and trails are closed, but even a quick walk around your neighborhood can be beneficial. The fresh air is good for your pulmonary health and mental state. And walking is actually a great form of exercise that just about anyone can do for free.
Take a Virtual Class
Catching up on the streaming shows you’ve fallen behind on isn’t the only way to be productive during the self-quarantine period. As many school children can tell you, remote learning is the new norm.
There are virtual classes for virtually every interest, hobby, and profession. You can take an online driver’s education, join a yoga group or learn how to cook a new dish. At the end of the quarantine, you can at least say you learned something new.
A few more of our top social distancing tips include:
Provider Power is dedicated to serving our customers during the COVID19 outbreak. We have taken measures to enable our customer service agents to work remotely so that they can stay safe while providing the exemplary assistance you’ve come to expect.
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