We’re not saying you should definitely switch – but we think everyone should at least consider it, especially if they feel their electric bill is high, or their contract is up for renewal.
We’ve compiled a list of the most commonly expressed reasons why businesses and consumers might decide not to switch electric companies, even when it could possibly save them money. Don’t let any of these reasons get in your way of saving money on your energy bill, especially during ‘peak season’ summer months.
1) “Switching is such a hassle”
Actually, switching electric companies is easier than you think. Don’t let this excuse keep you from saving money this summer. The ‘hassle’ part really only seems problematic if you had to shop around yourself and compare electric companies, plans, rates and pricing. That’s why Electric Choice is here! We show you all the ins and outs of each supplier’s plan and you get to compare all the most current rates from the leading suppliers, along with incentives, to make the best decision. We even have live consultants available free over the phone to help you switch. Hassle Shmassle, we’re here to help.
2) “I’ve just been with ________ Electric Company for SO long!”
Loyalty to your electric company is often an understandable reason not to switch. But before you dismiss the thought of switching for this reason, ask yourself “Why am I still using this electric supplier”. If the ONLY reason is because you’ve been there as long as you can remember, then it’s time to consider other options. Unless you personally know the a certain representative at the company who knows you by name and sends you cards on the holidays and offers to babysit, chances are you won’t miss much else about them if you switch. This, by itself, is not a good reason to pay a higher electric rate than you otherwise could. Change can be daunting, but just give us a call and we’ll show you how easy of a transition it can be.
3) “My rate is not so high that I want to go through the trouble”
Imagine you’re driving down main street, and on your right is a gas station with prices of $3.50 per gallon. But on the other side of the street, gas is 25 cents less, but you’ll have to wait for the traffic and make a bit of a detour to get there. Is it worth the trouble? Absolutely! A quarter doesn’t seem like a lot, but in the realm of energy, whether its per gallon or per kilowatt-hour, even the small change adds up quickly. And it’s almost always worth the very minimal amount of effort it takes to switch to the lowest possible rate you can get.
4) “I’m getting a good rate, I don’t think switching will help me”
This one is only a viable excuse if you know for certain that your rate is the best one you can possibly get in your area. If you refrain from using the advantages of Electric Choice just because you don’t think it will help, then you could be robbing yourself of substantial savings over the long run (maybe even the short run). Furthermore, it’s important for everyone (those of us lucky enough to be in a deregulated state like TX or PA) to participate in electric choice to keep stability in our energy market, and our prices low. When we exercise our right to choose, suppliers compete more aggressively, prices remain low and the market stays healthy.
5) “I just switched last month, I’m not switching again!”
If you recently switched, and you signed a contract with your new electric company, then of course this one is okay…. just make sure you re-evaluate your options at the end of your contract term. BUT, if you didn’t lock in a fixed rate or jump into a contract, then your recent switch last month is not a good enough reason to refrain from switching this month (especially as we approach summer, when prices increase). Plans without contracts are usually “variable rate” plans. They often seem desirable when you sign up, but the rate you pay can fluctuate wildly, often not in the direction you’d prefer. If you recently signed up for a variable rate plan, you should be checking rates every month, comparing prices against your monthly bill and considering your options at the end of each billing cycle. If you’re unsure or have questions about this, just call us!
6) “Shopping around takes too much time”
This is one of the worst excuses of all. You are literally one click away from doing all your electricity shopping all at once in less than five minutes. Just click the “Compare Prices” tab, enter your zip code, and check out our nifty, sortable, expandable and ultimately informative price table to get the full skinny on the power companies near you. We show you the available suppliers, their current rates (updated daily), the various plan options they have, promotion details, plan details and more. You can sort the list according to various factors you wish to compare, and we’re standing by during regular business hours to help you shop!
7) “I don’t want to get ripped off by a new supplier”
Electric Choice proudly works with only the most reliable, highly trusted and reputable electric suppliers in the regions we serve. That means we’ve taken out all the guesswork for you. If you’ve been burned in the past or had a bad experience with another electric supplier, it’s understandable to be apprehensive about switching. But we have formed solid relationships with trusted suppliers and we only represent those with the highest standards of quality and practices. We have also recently implemented a rating and reviews system so our customers can help us ensure our suppliers remain vigilant and dedicated toward meeting and exceeding the needs of their customer base.
Choosing to switch electric providers and shop for lower rates helps our economy stay healthy and makes energy deregulation successful. It’s also the best you can directly impact and reduce your electric bill.