Enchufado con WattBuy

The Energy Information Agency reported that average electricity usage in Pennsylvania was 870 kwH/month in 2011. Using that as a standard consumption rate, I calculated the different types of average costs to a consumer for choosing an ESCO versus the default distributor. First, in 4 out of the 9 distributor regions, it turned out to be cheaper to use an ESCO on average. In Duquesne, Met

Ben and I recently started working with recent data from ESCOs in Pennsylvania to observe trends in their pricing schemes. I'll be making a few posts based off of the database querying we did and (hopefully) graph some of our findings. Since the prices range from September 2010 to June 2013, the analysis will be what customers could have chosen in hindsight, but hopefully will point to trends to direct customer's future decisions for optimizing their preferences (100% renewable, cheapest opti

When customers switch electricity service providers in Pennsylvania, they have numerous metrics upon which to evaluate new options. A growing group of customers are interested in ensuring that the electricity they purchase has the least negative environmental externalities. Some of these customers have made the decision to install renewable energy generation capacity at their home to reduce their reliance on a power grid they see as environmentally unsustainable, but many more would like to acc

Further complicating the consumer electricity sales market is the presence of a variety of multi-level marketing firms. These companies range from electricity service companies that offer compensation to their existing customers for referrals to firms that have built their entire business around building downlines through “consultants” that they hire as part of large network marketing initiatives. On the network marketing end of the spectrum, it is often hard to tell if participants are actuall

While many customers have made the decision to switch to a new electricity provider as a result of deregulation, not all are happy with their decision. Some customers have been taken in by low introductory rates that rapidly increase after the discount period closes. Other customers have been lured by one-time account credits or gift cards.  There are opportunities for almost every custome

Since the final rate caps were removed from Pennsylvania utility tariffs in 2010, over 2 million customers have switched their service providers. While some may debate the merits of deregulation in the sector, it’s clear that consumers have voted with their feet in switching to plans that they found more attractive. The introduction of consumer choice allows customers to select plans with a range of different benefits, including lower costs and renewable electricity generation sourcing. 

The team just came across an excellent article written by Professor Matthew Woessner of Penn State University that details the specific issues he’s had in working with the electricity service company he chose to switch to after deregulation. While he knew that he had signed up for a variable rate plan, he was shocked to see his rate more than double during one particular month, jumping from a