electricity in and around Austin (Round Rock, Georgetown: apartment, co-op, credit)

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Can you say which electric company is the cheapest or does it change from area to area? Is Hutto more or less than Georgetown? Does it cost more near downtown than Cedar Park area? I'm just using those as examples of different areas. I'm trying to get a handle on which company to go with. Where we live now you go with one. In Texas it's unregulated and you have many to choose from. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

[qtp0000]

I am in north Austin where its Williamson county and Perdenales is the only company we can go with and they are expensive. The rates are double the rate for Austin Electric. Had I known this before I might have looked for a place elsewhere a couple of blocks over and I could cut my eletric bill in half. Plus every month they charge a $20 maintenace fee for the meter and it was $125 to connect service. $75 membership fee $50 deposit. I havent had to pay a deposit on utilities since I was 18 and just starting out.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Oh. Maybe I am not understanding correctly. In an apartment the apartment manager said the occupant has to pick their electric company, (said apartment was in Round Rock). I guess I just assumed, (yes, I know I shouldn't) that when it came to getting a home it would be the same thing. What you're saying then is the only place to get electricity in Williamson county is Perdenales. Thank you, I did not realize that.

[Trainwreck20]

Well, not quite.

Texas is deregulated, with the exception of electric cooperatives and municipal providers. If you are in Pedernales Co-op (PEC) area, then you will get power from them. If you are in the city of Austin, you will get power from them. Other areas around Austin will be deregulated and competetive. Parts of Wm county are not PEC, but I am not sure of the exact boundaries.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

I did some research of my own and it appears the area I'm looking at is choice of electric company. (providing the internet doesn't lie) I'm finding the process gives me a headache. Fixed rate, variable rate, renewable energy, (or not), cancellation fees, etc, etc. Ugh! I think I'm going to stay away from the variable rate, that much I know for sure. I also like that renewable energy is very comparable which is nice too.

[lainieramsey]

I just set up my utilities with Pedernales is the only utility company we can use. Of course they are much more expensive -- seems like it should be against the law for only one company to dominate in a particular area. I've never lived anywhere that you could not choose your electric company. Had I known this, I would have considered somewhere else when buying my home. And like the person who commented above - for the first time since I was about 18 years old - they ran my credit and I have to pay a deposit. What a SCAM!!

[calel]

Ancient thread...

I have PEC too. I suspect the difference in fees between PEC and Austin Electric begins to even out in the summer, since PEC is a little cheaper per kWH...and then there's that yearly member rebate or refund or whatever it is.

[hoangnguyet]

Does anyone know which city in Williamson County (specially Round Rock area) that use only electricity for heating and cooling? Thanks

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by hoangnguyet

Does anyone know which city in Williamson County (specially Round Rock area) that use only electricity for heating and cooling? Thanks

I'm going to guess no such place exists. Lots of nat gas, propane for heating/water heating/cooking. If you are speaking of a heat pump for heating and A/C, that will generally be up to the homeowner(outside of any neighborhood covenants restricting fuel choice).

[tourbound129]

I live in a neighborhood that is all electric (no gas, propane, etc). I live in Pflugerville.