The new school year is a sure sign that fall will soon be in session in New England. One lesson that we can teach our kids is that the start of the fall semester is the perfect time to learn a thing or two about saving energy. The tips below will help you do just that!

Spend Time Outside After School

Soon the time will change and there won’t be as many hours of sunlight to enjoy after school. Now is the time to make the most of it. Spending time outside after school also means kids won’t be using energy hungry devices and electronics inside. But the benefits go well beyond reduced energy use. Researchers have found kids that spend time outside enjoy better school performance, physical fitness and sleep.

Open Up the House

You can bring the fresh air inside and save energy at the same time. The fall in New England is the perfect time to open a few windows and doors around the house. The temperate weather will feel great and you’ll get a better view of the changing foliage.

Consciously Wash Those New School Clothes

Did you buy a laundry load worth of new clothes for the school year? Did you know washing and drying clothes accounts for 5% of household energy use? You don’t want to have the smelly kids in school so forgoing the laundry isn’t an option. The better solution is to eco-consciously wash your clothes.

• Always fully load washer and dryer.
• But don’t overload the dryer. Loads that are too full can take longer to dry.
• Hang as much as possible and consolidate loads when you dry.
• Do all of your dryer loads back-to-back. The dryer is more efficient when it’s already warm.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Use wool dryer balls to decrease drying time.
• Use the extended spin option on the washing machine to draw out as much moisture as possible.
• Set the dryer temperature too low to prevent over drying clothes.
• If your dryer has a cool down cycle setting use it each time you dry.

In the market for a new washer and dryer? Check out the list of ENERGY STAR appliances. You may also want to consider gas-powered and heat pump dryers since they tend to cost less to operate.

Adjust the Thermostat for School Time

In the summer, kids are home during the day so the AC is working overtime. Now that school’s back in session, the thermostat can be adjusted. Use your programmable thermostat to bump the temperature up while the kids are at school and adults are at work. Set it to cool back down a few degrees for about 30 minutes before school lets out.

Charge Devices More Efficiently

Even elementary students are now using tablets for schoolwork. And good luck getting your high schooler to put their smart phone down for a second. Charging all of those devices along with the TV, Blu-ray player and gaming consoles adds up on the electric bill. There are two options for reducing energy use while keeping everything powered up:

Smart power strip – Upgrade your regular power strip to cut down on needless energy use. A smart power strip can tell when a device goes into standby mode and will completely shut off the energy supply so vampire power isn’t a problem.

Solar chargers – Why spend money on electricity when you can harness the power of the sun? Solar chargers with 15 watts or more can recharge tablets or multiple smartphones at once. Even on the last day of September sunset in New England isn’t until 7:11pm. That gives you plenty of time after school to recharge and get homework done before bedtime. Bonus: solar chargers are great to take with you on the go when you won’t be near an outlet.

Save on energy during the entire school year with an affordable energy plan from Provider Power. We are a leading electric supplier in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. Choose your state to see electric rates!

We use electricity every day without thinking twice about it. Flip a switch or push a button and it’s there. But where does it come from? Where does the electricity generation start? 

The short answer to that question is – it depends. In the U.S. electricity doesn’t come from a single source and it’s less centralized now than in any other point in history.

Sources of Electric Power Generation

According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA) electricity is generated from three primary sources:

Fossil Fuels – 2,651 Billion kWh

Since the electric grid first fired up more than 100 years ago, fossil fuels were the source of power. The fuel source is heated to create steam (vaporized water) that rotates turbines that are connected to power generators. The generators convert the energy into electricity.  

• Natural Gas (35.1% total share) – In recent years, natural gas has become the primary fossil fuel for generating electricity because it’s cleaner than coal, in abundance and relatively cheap to get out of the ground. 
• Coal (27.4% total share) – Coal used to be the #1 source of electricity generation, but over time coal-fired power plants have been shut down in favor of natural gas, nuclear and renewables. Just 10 years ago coal was the primary fuel in 20 states. 
• Petroleum (0.6% total share) – Because of the cost, petroleum isn’t commonly used to produce electricity. It’s most prominent in Hawaii, but the state has a goal to use 100% renewables by 2045.

Nuclear – 807 Billion kWh

Nuclear power generates 19.3% of U.S. electricity. Nuclear energy is produced by a process called fission, which is when atoms within a nucleus are split. Fission is capable of producing large amounts of sustainable power. The downside is there are concerns over public safety should there be a disruption at a power plant, and it produces radioactive waste.

Renewables – 713 Billion kWh

All of the renewables together make up 17.1% of electricity production. Many people are surprised to learn hydropower is the top contributor. Whereas some fossil fuels are being used less, renewables are steadily expanding. The use of renewables is expected to grow as the infrastructure is built and the cost goes down.

Hydropower – 7% total share

Wind – 6.6% total share

Solar – 1.6% total share

It’s worth noting that the EIA estimates an additional 30 billion kWh are produced by personal small scale solar photovoltaic systems. 

Electricity’s Path: From the Power Plant to Homes and Businesses

Once electricity is generated it has to be distributed from the power plant to the end consumer. The electric grid that delivers power is one of man’s most amazing achievements. It’s an intricate network that’s a complex system of local grids with substations, power lines and distribution transformers that relay electricity across long distances. 

The path electricity takes depends on where a person lives and whether the energy market is regulated. 

The Power Players

Utilities own and manage the electricity distribution system that connects consumers to the electric grid. They charge consumers a fee for their delivery services. The utility may also handle electric billing. 

Suppliers are the entities that generate and supply the electricity that’s distributed to consumers. 

Areas With Deregulated Energy 

California was the first state to deregulate the energy market, and since then dozens of states have done the same. In deregulated areas, there’s a selection of electricity suppliers that provide the electricity that’s delivered by utilities. Suppliers also offer end consumers a variety of energy plans at variable rates. Consumers can choose the supplier they want to work with and the plan that best serves their needs and budget. 

Areas With Regulated Energy

In regulated areas, electricity is typically provided by a single municipal electric utility or an electric cooperative that’s been selected by the local public utility commission. Consumers have no choice in who supplies their electricity and rates are set with no possibility of finding better prices.    

Consumers can rest assured that electricity in deregulated areas is just as reliable as regulated markets. This is largely due to the fact that utilities are in charge of maintaining the distribution system and taking care of problems that can disrupt the flow of electricity. 
Provider Power is a premier electricity provider in the deregulated markets of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. If you’re looking for competitive rates from a local supplier check to see which electricity plans are available in your area.

What do you set your thermostat at in the summertime? The answer depends on where you live and what makes you feel comfortable. Thanks to modern day technology we can control the climate in our home no matter what it’s like outside, but it comes at a cost.

The electric bill can really add up over the course of the summer. Even though it’s only needed part of the year, air cooling is nearly 15% of the total annual energy use of a home.

If you’re looking for advice on how to stay comfortable and cool without burning the kilowatt hours this summer we’ve got it.

The Ideal Temperature for Saving Energy in the Summer

A lot of time and energy has gone into determining the ideal temperature during the summer. The magic number is 78 degrees. At 78 degrees your home is comfortably cool without being too far off from the temperature outdoors for the better part of the day.

The goal is to keep the house as close to the outside temperature as possible because it helps slow down heat flow. Of course, it also requires less energy when the temperature is higher. According to the Department of Energy, you can reduce overall energy use by 1% for every degree higher than 78 degrees as long as the temperature is elevated at least eight hours in the day. Bump it up 7-10 degrees and you could shave 10% off your electric bill.

Using a Programmable Thermostat to Keep Comfortable Without Wasting Energy

Your programmable thermostat is one of the best energy saving tools in your home. If you had to reset the thermostat every time you left for work or went to bed, chances are it wouldn’t happen. With a programmable thermostat, you can set it once and not worry about it again until fall.

Your thermostat will have pre-programmed settings that will be in place unless you adjust them. They are supposed to minimize energy use, but they don’t work for all families. To get the maximum benefit from your programmable thermostat:

• Create a custom schedule for each day based on your typical activities.
• Bump the temperature up higher when no one will be home for four or more hours. Somewhere between 85-88 degrees is ideal. Stretch the savings by setting the temperature to increase 20-30 minutes before you leave.
• Program the schedule so that the temperature drops back to 78 degrees half hour before you arrive home.
  Consider increasing the temperature by a few degrees when you’re asleep and turn on overhead fans if you have them.
• Fight the urge to drop the temperature lower than normal in an attempt to cool things off faster. All it does is waste energy.
• Put the programmable thermostat is a spot that won’t be thrown off by environmental factors like direct sunlight, drafts from an open door, warm lamps or air flow from a vent.

The goal is to reduce air conditioning use as much as possible by finding times when the temperature can be increased without impacting comfort. If you’re unsure where to start you may want to get a smart thermostat. It can analyze your AC use to create energy efficient schedules.

The Fan Factor

What if we told you there was a way to increase the temperature by 3-4 degrees and not even notice the difference? You’ll still be using electricity, but a fan requires a lot less energy than the AC and the windchill effect can make things feel much cooler when you’re in the room. Just make sure to switch the fan off when you leave to room or you’ll waste energy.

Get more energy saving tips by signing up for a Provider Power electric plan. We have New England energy plans with competitive rates and helpful advice on how to reduce electricity use all year long!

Here’s a fun energy fact – appliances and electronics account for 45 percent of a home’s energy use. The Energy Information Administration’s latest residential energy use survey found air conditioning and space heating were still the biggest electricity consumption categories, but some appliances weren’t far behind.

The type of appliances you have and how you use them has a direct impact on your monthly electric bill. Keep reading to find out if your appliances are energy efficient or electricity offenders.

Best: ENERGY STAR Appliances

Doing away with some appliances isn’t realistic for the vast majority of people. The next best thing is owning appliances that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation. ENERGY STAR appliances meet EPA energy efficiency standards, which means they consume less energy than non-certified machines.                

Another benefit of ENERGY STAR appliances is that the EPA provides specific information on energy consumption. It’s very handy if you’re buying new appliances and want to maximize energy efficiency. Bonus Benefit: you might be eligible for rebates if you purchase ENERGY STAR appliances!           

Worst: Storage Water Heater

No single appliance uses as much electricity as the water heater. It accounts for 14 percent of energy consumption in a household. Older storage tank water heaters that aren’t insulated are going to be the least efficient. Heat pump and solar water heaters tend to be the most efficient options. The water heater’s temperature setting also has a huge impact on energy usage no matter what type you use. Keep it at 120 degrees Fahrenheit for comfort and energy efficiency.

*Good to know: Part of the reason water heaters carry so much of the energy load is that it includes the energy needed for dishwashers and clothes dryers.

Best: Dishwasher

The water heater used to warm water to clean dishes may be an energy suck, but the dishwasher isn’t. Dishwashers make up just 1 percent of residential electricity usage. To keep energy use at a minimum always run full loads and forgo the drying cycle.                   

Worst: Refrigerators

Refrigeration is the biggest energy consumer of all the kitchen appliances. At 6 percent of total electricity use, refrigerators use way more electricity than all the other major kitchen appliances combined (microwave 1 percent, stove 1 percent, dishwasher 1 percent). When you consider that a refrigerator has to constantly run this makes sense.

There are easy things you can do to keep energy use in check while still keeping food cold. For starters, try to fully stock the fridge. The more void space there is the more energy is required to maintain the cold temperature. And it’s a good idea to check the temperature setting. It should be kept around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. While you’re at it, make sure the automatic defroster is set (if available) and put the fridge in power-saving mode to limit the amount of time the anti-sweat feature is used.

Best: Front Loading Washing Machine

The clothes dryer may be an energy hog, but washing machines are surprisingly efficient. Only 1 percent of annual electricity use comes from the washing machine. The low usage rate is aided by the growing popularity of front-loading washing machines, also known as high-efficiency washing machines.

In tests performed by the EPA and Consumer Reports, front loaders proved to be more energy efficient than top loaders. They can be up to 60 percent more energy efficient than traditional washing machines and use 40-60 percent less water.

Worst: Clothes Dryer

Refrigerators are followed closely by the clothes dryer in terms of how much energy is used. The EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2019 projections estimate that clothes dryers will be 5 percent of total residential electricity use. This is significant considering clothes dryers don’t continuously run like refrigerators.

The best thing you can do is minimize clothes dryer use by drying laundry the old fashion way – hanging them on a clothesline. ENERGY STAR clothes dryers are the next best option. They’ve been available since 2014 and use approximately 20 percent less energy. The EPA estimates that if all clothes dryers in the U.S. were ENERGY STAR rated it would save at least $1.5 billion a year.

Estimating Appliance Energy Use

There are a lot of variables that go into how much energy an appliance uses, like age and settings. Where appliances are located in a house can even make a difference.

Not sure which appliances are drawing the most energy in your home? The first thing you can do is check your energy bill. If you have a smart meter it should provide details on your energy use that can help you figure out appliance consumption. You can also use the U.S. Department of Energy’s Appliance Energy Calculator.

Not getting energy use estimates from your current electricity provider? Make the switch to Provider Power to receive in-depth reports and advice on how to reduce your energy use!

Did you make the switch to Provider Power recently? Switching energy providers is simple – you don’t even have to update your contact information for billing. However, your bill will be different than before.

Here’s some basic yet essential information on how to read your energy bill.

One Account, Two-Part Energy Bills

In areas where energy is deregulated two entities are needed to get electricity to a home or business:

Provider Power

We’re the energy supplier. We’ve purchased electricity from power generation companies to sell directly to consumers. Provider Power also provides customer service to help you make the most of your electric services.

Public Utility

The local public utility delivers the power to consumers’ homes and reads the electric meter. They are also the ones who correct power outages and maintain the power infrastructure.

Because Provider Power and the local public utility work in tandem, you may get two energy bills. It’s also possible that you’ll receive a single bill from your utility, but the supply charges for Provider Power will be listed separately. It all depends on your market and how billing is regulated.

Items on Your Electric Bill

Every utility and supplier will have their own unique energy bill. Today, many are online e-bills rather than paper bills that are mailed to a property. Regardless of how it’s delivered, most electric bills have similar items to look for.

Account Number

Every bill will list the account number at the top to identify the account being billed. It’s a good idea to always make sure the account number is correct.

Invoice Number/Date

Also at the top of the bill, you’ll find the bill’s invoice number and the date of the statement.

Service For Section

This section contains a lot of basic account information. There will items like the utility company ID number, utility account number and Provider Power’s license number.

Summary of Activity/Account Summary

Here is where you’ll see the amount that’s due and when it has to be paid. You’ll also get a breakdown of your activity since the previous bill. It will include the previous amount due and last payment that was received. If there were any penalty payments or late fees they’ll be listed in this section as well.

*If you receive two bills this section will only contain the supply charges. The fees from the utility company for electric transmission and delivery will be on a separate bill.

Electric Plan Details

Your bill should include information about your specific electric plan including the name, kWh rate, term length/expiration date, auto payment status and more.

Billing History

You can see the billing activity over the previous 12 months.

Important Messages

Any pertinent info such as promotional details will be included in this section.

Payment Stub

If you receive paper statements and plan to pay by mail a detachable payment stub will be on the bill usually at the bottom. The stub will include payment information for that bill.

Definition of Terms

This is a glossary explaining the different terms used on the bill. If you still need clarification for a term or have a related question contact customer support at 866-573-2674 Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.

Payment Methods

Your bill should specify which payment methods are accepted and how you can pay (by mail, online, payment centers, etc.). There should also be information on the steps to take if you need financial assistance in order to pay your energy bill.

Current Charges

The current charge is a complete breakdown of the total amount due. This will include the charge for energy usage plus other monthly fees from Provider Power, taxes and other fees from local and state governments. Examples of other fees include PUC assessments, utility surcharges, and advanced metering charges. If you have any credits that were applied it should be noted.

Usage Details

Here you’ll find all of the information related to your electric usage – kilowatt hours used/meter reading, previous meter reading and billing period.

If You Receive a Single, Combined Energy Bill

For customers that receive one, combined bill there are a few things to be aware of in terms of the charges that are included.

Provider Power supply charges will be a line item on the bill breakdown. Typically it is specified as a supply charge with the rate and usage noted.
Transmission and distribution/delivery charges are for the utility’s services. They are based on how much energy is used.
Local and state taxes will be included.
Any additional fees will also be added as a line item.
The utility company may refer to both the supply and transmission charges as “energy charges”. If this is the case, it may look like you are being charged for your electric use twice when in fact they are two separate charges.

Summary Billing for Multiple Meters

If your property or account has multiple meters there will be a summary billing section that notes the locations of each meter and the electric usage for each one.

Learn More About Provider Power Billing

Still, have questions about your electric bill? We’re here to help you understand every facet of your electricity usage. Give our customer service team a call at 866-573-2674 if you need more information about your electric bill.