This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of IGS Energy. All opinions are 100% mine.
Last month, I had three different people come to my door to tell me about Energy Choice, and I had no idea what they were talking about. I’ve always paid the power bill but didn’t know I had CHOICES on natural gas and electric supply products, I sent them all away because I didn’t understand why they were at my door. I’m sure they get that lost look a lot so let me share what I have learned about this program. I also give some more tips on how to save money on your utility bill at the end.
Do you know about the Energy Choice program?
An overview about energy choice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqrHKJJUJMw
Let me tell you more and hopefully you won’t look so confused when you are asked about Energy Choice.
Energy Choice is a program approved in certain states where customers are able to purchase electricity and natural gas from an independent energy supplier – these are considered “deregulated states.” Traditionally electric and natural gas consumers did not have a choice as to who supplied their energy; the local utility served all the residents within that territory. Today, however, Energy Choice programs allow eligible customers to shop around and choose an electric/natural gas supplier that best suits their needs. That supplier may be the utility, or one of the many suppliers licensed to market in the consumer’s area. What is the difference between a utility and a supplier? In areas where this energy choice (sometimes referred to as energy competition) is allowed, the utility is responsible for maintaining and repairing the infrastructure of the poles, pipes, and wires that will still deliver electricity and natural gas to consumers. A supplier, on the other hand, is a company that sells the energy that the utility delivers. Suppliers compete in an open marketplace by offering a variety of services and incentives, and consumers chose those that most appeal to them and best meet their energy needs. Suppliers have more options to purchase the energy more efficiently and cost-effectively. The bottom line is: SUPPLIER: Obtains sources of energy for you and delivers it to the utility UTILITY: Delivers your energy to your home or business no matter who your supplier is
Okay, now that you are up to date on what is the difference between SUPPLIER AND UTILITY then we can move on to an Independent Supplier you might want to know more about~ IGS Energy. Serving over one million customers, IGS Energy is one of the largest independent suppliers of natural gas and electricity in the country. They also offer a wide range of home protection products to help customers protect their budgets against costly repairs of the utility lines that keep their home running smoothly, that most people don’t know are their responsibility. Of course, you don’t have to wait for someone to knock on your door to sign you up please check out the enrollment options:
- Directly on IGSenergy.com,
- Through your local home energy consultants in person,
- By mail, and
- Over the phone with highly trained and personable customer service representatives
Energy choice details can be found here: www.igsenergy.com/your-energy-choices/
All associates are trained to be Trusted Energy Advisors; they want to help so ask any questions they will answer. IGS has more than 1,000,000 residential and commercial customers and offers natural gas, electricity and home protection products in 10 states. They will work with your local utility as part of the utility’s customer choice program – they are not in direct competition. They purchase the energy (natural gas or electricity), and the utility delivers it.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Company news can be found here:http://www.igscompanies.com/newsroom/
IGS mission, vision, and values: http://www.igscompanies.com/
More about IGS as an organization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ync8ehundvE
Check out IGS Companies community support plus on their social media:
Competitors – Direct Energy (for objectivity) www.directenergy.com or Reliant www.reliant.com
I know having a LOCKED FIXED RATE is my number one reason to go with a supplier than staying with my utility company. I can budget my bill knowing it is the same every month for a particular time amount, right now I’m set for two yrs.
More ways to save on UTILITY BILLS:
- My family loves to turn on all lights and then forget to turn off, so I do a nightly walk through. I turn off all lights, unplug anything that doesn’t need to be plugged in (laptops that are at 100% or the coffee pot), and make sure we are set for the night.
- We also try to buy Energy Star-certified products: Lightbulbs, TVs, Washers/Dryer, Refrigerators, Fans, and more.
- We set our water heater at 120 Degree plus we turn off when we go on vacation
- Get a programmable thermostat- we don’t need the heater going all day but an hour before showers in the morning and right before bedtime I have our thermostat to go a little higher. We set low in summer and high in winter. It is based on our schedule- they only cost $25.
- Always check your BILL! People make mistakes, so please go over the bill. Make sure you’re only getting charged for the electricity you used by comparing the meter reading on your utility bill to what you see on your meter.
Please check out your energy choice and deregulation. We have CHOICES!!