![\"ProviderPower_Smartelectricchoice\"](\"https:\/\/providerpower.com\/power-to-help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/02\/ProviderPower_Smartelectricchoice.png\")
<\/p>\nRight about now you may be putting the final touches on Valentine’s surprise for your sweetheart. The last thing on your mind is the utility bill – until it arrives. Suddenly, a candlelit dinner seems a lot more economical.<\/p>\n
Being that we\u2019re still in the grip of winter, it\u2019s understandable that electric bills will be higher than other times of the year. But that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t do something about it. Today we\u2019re taking inspiration from those cute little Valentines conversation heart candies to provide tips on how you can make \u201csmart\u201d choices on your electricity bill.<\/p>\n
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If you live in a deregulated area you\u2019re not stuck with a single provider. Customers can play the field and choose the electric provider they like best.<\/p>\n
Much of the time the primary focus is on finding the provider with the lowest rates. While that is important, it\u2019s best to find a provider that\u2019s the total package. Providers that offer fixed rates make your monthly bill more predictable. Length of the contract is also a major factor when you\u2019re looking for an energy partner. If you find a great rate locking it in for a long-term commitment will benefit you.<\/p>\n
Customer service is kind of like the quiet kid in class who surprises you with an amazing handmade Valentines Day card out of nowhere – it can be easy to overlook and you\u2019ll probably regret it if you do. Provider Power makes customer service a priority because we know reliability is important. We also know that when a customer calls they like to hear the voice of a knowledgeable rep on the other line who can handle billing issues quickly.<\/p>\n
Another aspect of customer service that\u2019s sometimes forgotten about is the extra perks. Electric providers that want to keep customers happy are all about incentives like offering sign up rebates, referral rewards, and additional resources to improve energy efficiency at home. In other words, if a company is just an energy provider they may not be \u201cthe one.\u201d<\/p>\n
The utility delivers your bill each month, but how often do you read it beyond the amount due? Your electric bill may not be as entertaining as a romance novel, but understanding how to read it can actually help you to make smart choices.<\/p>\n
If your provider has the customer service aspect of the business nailed down there\u2019s a good chance they\u2019ve created a guide to help customers decipher their bill. The guide will explain each part of the bill and how monthly rates are calculated. This information can help you discover when you use the most energy in a year, month or day. Knowing how to read your bill can also reduce the need to call customer service since you may be able to find the information you need yourself.<\/p>\n
There are a lot of ways to reduce energy use at home, but some changes move the needle more than others. When it\u2019s cold outside you\u2019ll want to pay careful attention to the temperature indoors. There are two places in particular to monitor:<\/p>\n