Choosing an electric company? (Dallas, Howe: insurance, mortgage, house)

[seattlerain1]

hi-
We are moving down to Dallas soon and I've just gotten over the confusion of learning that I have to water my home's foundation, when I learned about another weird Dallas thing--choosing your own electric company.
I read the article in the Dallas morning news last week and searched for companies in the area where we will live (Far North Dallas), but I'm still a little confused. Are there more reputable electric companies and are there companies that should be avoided? Any kind of recommendations or insight in choosing a company would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[karenthomas76]

Did you go to the powertochoose.org website? When I lived in TX, I had Reliant and liked them pretty well.

[bluescreen73]

I'm going to sound completely cynical here, but oh well. The "Power to Choose" simply means you're picking your poison, because no matter who you choose, you're getting screwed.

Electric deregulation in Texas has been an abysmal failure. Competition has not brought the lower rates it promised. In fact, rates are up 35% since deregulation.

Our particular provider isn't part of the power to choose scheme and we have some of the lowest rates in the state. Why? We're part of a non-profit Co-Op, not a corporation.

[momof2dfw]

I'm also in an area that I can not chose my providor as the city owns their own power plant. Our rates are also lower than others with the right to chose and "benefit" from deregulation. I rather like GP&L

[LQQKOUT]

I am in an area where I can choose....the funny thing with the choice though...all you really choose is the provider you get a bill from and a residential fee. You electricty (from what I am told) still comes from TXU no matter if your with Reliant, Cirro or otherwise. However I have heard of some more "Greener" companies out there that claim to offer service and claim to get their electric source from cleaner places....however that fact of the matter is TXU owns all the wires that are fed into everyones home. I would totally go greener, but I need more proof.

[Grainraiser]

Yep the same person reads your meter and your simply billed by a different company. I will offer the OP this advice. The highest rates are doing the summer month. Do not sign a long term contract during the summer months. I lock in last summer at .16 during the winter got a 2 year offer of .11
It cost me $100 do get out of the old deal but the price difference was worth it.

[Mohammed Iqbal]

Please make a note the Reliant Energy is trapping its consumer by contract for 24 months. Once you singed the contract, you are on their mercy to send you higher monthly bill and if you disagree with them you are helpless during the contract months. Before you sign the contract you make sure what you getting. To cancel the contract it will cost you $300. By the way the contract has a fine writing, twisting phrases and you will need glasses to read for one hour. This is the trick they are using on consumer in Texas.

[seattlerain1]

Thanks everyone for the advice! I feel like I'm trying to get a mortgage or home owner insurance. It shouldnt be so complicated to get electrical services! Any other info will be greatly appreciated.

[FalconheadWest]

I would stay away from Reliant from person experience. I sold a house in 2005, and just last month, May of 2009, did I receive a check from them of monies they owed me!!

When the date to close on my house was set, I called to have my power turned off for the new owners to call and set up in their name. I found out a couple of months later when I received a past due bill that they "declined shut off" to the house. Huh? How can you decline shutting off the power when someone is moving??!!

4 years later, I got my money back!!

[bookworm2768]

Originally Posted by seattlerain1

Thanks everyone for the advice! I feel like I'm trying to get a mortgage or home owner insurance. It shouldnt be so complicated to get electrical services! Any other info will be greatly appreciated.

I agree with the previous poster who said you are just picking their poison. We are on our 4th company in a year and a half. (Reliant, TXU, Yep and now Spark). Spark has not beeen horrible . . . yet.

Powertochoose.org is a good tool since you can compare offers. For the first year that you are here I do not recommend signing a long term contract. However, watch out for the fluctuating rate ones which can suddenly go through the roof with no warning.

Rates offered at the end of the summer will be much lower so don't pick anything permanent now. However a fluctuating plan that may be 16 cents now may be 24 cents in July.