Bounce Energy Blog: A Texas Electric Company

PACE Yourself

My husband and I currently live in a newer home but have noticed some things that are definitely not very energy-efficient. We've always talked about wanting to upgrade, but the upfront cost has been a deterrent. After reading an article on a new program called PACE financing, it seems that we are not alone and the government wants to do something about it.

The White House and some of its agencies have developed PACE financing, (Property Assessed Clean Energy) to overcome barriers for families who want to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. What makes this program so interesting is that the cost of the improvements (the debt) are attached to the property, not to the individual borrower/homeowner. During the time you live at the residence, up to 100% of the upgrade cost is added to your property tax bill. So if you are looking to replace old windows, buy solar panels or make other energy efficient home improvements, but don’t have the money or the credit to purchase these items, this program could be the answer for you. In other scenarios, there is an alternative financing approach where you could pay for these energy improvements through your utility bills instead of through property taxes.

Although this program could help a number of people, there are some restrictions. The most important one is that the home improvements have to generate enough savings to cover the costs; this is to help make sure that homeowners make investments that give you the most bang for your buck. Also, most of these programs do not help those who are behind on their mortgage.

Since this program is in the pilot stage, there are only a few cities and counties who are underway; including Austin, TX. Since this program was created in 2009, there isn't much evidence yet to say whether or not this works. But the government does have a plan to research and assess the benefits and effects from PACE programs on items such as greenhouse gases and economic impacts on community spending, which will better tell how the program is doing.  

So, is this an option for the rest of Texas? It’s hard to tell, but an article by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram stated that, “last year, lawmakers passed a bill that lets cities move forward on such programs, making Texas one of 16 states that have opened this door.” So, keep your eyes open to see if this continues to spread to a city or community near you.

For more details on PACE financing, click here.

March and Your Texas Electricity Bill

Winter has been colder in Texas this year on average. February temperatures averaged 4 degrees lower than normal with morning lows in the 30's or colder. Dallas/Ft. Worth was hit by a massive snow storm. Houston and Galveston recorded the 5th coldest February on record.

So, when your electric bill arrives in March, you'll see you've been using more energy heat your home through some of the harshest February-weather in Texas history. Fortunately, customer bills won't be as high as those for December and January when it was colder and not to mention February is the shortest month of the year, so customers will see some relief there.

We've been looking ahead. Weather experts predict March will start off with colder than average weather -- like February. However, milder temperatures are expected on average, warming as the month passes. Ultimately, it should be more comfortable by the end of the month.

Apart from welcoming back the warmth, people will also be using less energy to heat their homes and water heaters.  Your electric bill will accordingly decrease noticeably.

In the meantime, you can save energy by weatherproofing and insulating your home. Caulking, air sealing and weatherproofing your home makes a big difference no matter what season it is. For more tips, check out our Do It Yourself Energy Efficiency Projects: Your Home's Thermal Envelope series.

On a larger industrial scale, spring is also when natural gas prices are at their annual low. Why? Because of the lower demand for electricity will allow utilities to burn less natural gas. Amounts of natural gas in storage will rise and decrease prices. This lull usually lasts until mid-June when the summer cooling season drives up electricity demand. Customers on a variable rate plans could even see their rate per kilowatt hour decrease.

No one likes unexpectedly high bills. Arming yourself with the knowledge of "why", you can manage your bills, make your home save energy year round, and save money with Bounce Energy.

Now those are savings that really pay off.

Low-Income Assistance Programs from the PUCT

The Public Utility Commission of Texas provides specific assistance to families and individuals in need who are having trouble paying their electric bills.

While federal aid is available for Texans in need of income assistance, their are certain particulars and guidelines in order to be eligible.

Here are some specifics about Texas electric payment assistance programs:

• Low-Income Electric Discount Program (LITE-UP Texas) provides discounts on electric rates based on income level for customers in deregulated areas of Texas - May, June, July, August and September only for 2010.
• Certain Texas Retail Electric Providers (REP) operate payment assistance programs for their customers in need, so be sure to check with your provider.
• Average Payment Plans - Required offering for REPs in Texas that averages your electric bill so that you pay a similar amount each month (each provider handles the terms differently, so be sure to read terms of service carefully).
• Some REPs also offer bill deadline extensions and deferred payment plans.

More information and details on Texas Low-Income Assistance Programs from the PUCT.

Why Your Home Needs An Energy Audit: Part 2

Every house and lifestyle, is different. It's safe to say that climate and location are primary factors in how your home performs. Typically, Texas energy rates are low during the winter. The other major factor is how you use energy in your home. When combined with information about local weather, the home's thermostat settings, as well as energy bills for a 12 month period (24 is more accurate), an energy audit can render a more accurate picture of how your home uses energy. 

Unless you already have a few years experience of belly-crawling the dusty, cramped spaces of your home to weather-seal it, you should consider having a professional visit and perform an energy audit. Now you might think all an energy auditor does is seal a fan onto your front door and then prowl your house looking for drafts. Sure, they might perform this test, but not only do you get the benefit of their years of training and experience, you also gain from a fresh perspective.

Professionals can often see things you have overlooked that can help you save on your energy costs and be more energy efficient. For example, a slight discoloration along a corner of your living room wall might indicate an unsealed gap in your home's framing that lets in cold air and moisture. Due to the stack effect, warm air exhausting out of any paths in the upper floors is pulling in outside air behind it. These and other hidden heat losses can also be detected with heat-sensitive cameras, a tool most homeowners don't own. 

A qualified energy auditor can also give you an informed choice of options. Some fixes might just require a tube of $4.00 caulk to save you $100.00 in energy costs. Some fixes might be more expensive but can be done over time. An energy auditor can make recommendations for improvements and solutions based on what they learn about your living habits, needs, and budget. This can include efficient low-wattage lighting fixtures, getting the best insulation for your buck, as well was Energy Star rated appliances and upgrades so you can take advantage of both Federal and State rebate offers . 

Remember, not only will an energy audit show you where to start saving money to heat your home this winter but it will identify cooling problems that cost you during the hot summer months. But whether or not you decide to do it yourself or consult a professional, you should do it as soon as possible so you can identify your home's problems and develop a plan of action. After all, making your home energy efficient not only saves money, energy, and natural resources, it also makes your home more comfortable and enjoyable for you and your family. 

Comparison Shopping for Electricity in Texas?

Determining an electricity plan that fits your unique needs is much like comparison shopping for many other products. Do these wants/needs sound familiar?

• Price vs. features
• Simple, no hassle process
• Peace of mind
• Special incentives
• Price drops

The list could go on and on, but you get the drift. Comparison shopping for electricity in Texas is no different. You may value features and peace of mind and not worry as much over sticker shock, but in the end the search for value is the same for us all.

Does this describe you?

• Looking for the lowest rate for short term cost cutting.
• Looking to lock in the same rate for a predetermined period of time so you'll rest assured that rates won't skyrocket when the temperatures inevitably rise or drop.
• You want more than just an electricity plan, primarily superior customer service and a company that provides peace of mind, not just a monthly bill.

The beautiful reality of the Texas electricity market is that no matter how you define ultimate value, there is an electricity company and plan that fit your budget and criteria. At Bounce, we define value in how we approach both our customers and our electricity, offering plans with unique terms and incentives for people looking past just the sticker price, but still offering lower rates to help customers save money.

Value is simply what we do.

Why Your Home Needs An Energy Audit: Part 1

This heating season, you probably want to save money on your energy use. This is especially true during this winter's cold snap that caused high demand from Texas energy companies in both Dallas and Houston. But that might not be the only reason. You might find that your home's HVAC system is always running hard but can't adequately heat your home. Or some rooms in your house seem cooler or hotter than others. Maybe you noticed a mold or mildew problem in a room other than your bathroom. Perhaps your water heater can't keep up with demand. You can fix these problems by starting with a home energy audit. 

How does a home energy audit work?

An energy audit looks at several specific features of your home. First, it lists the characteristics of your home's thermal envelope: walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, and skylights. Each of these features has a specific R-value, which is a measurement of the resistance to heat flow. The higher the resistance (or R-value), the better the insulation. Another factor is the leakage rate or how much outside air infiltrates into your home. Drafty doors and windows are the primary culprits here, however, other features of your home's construction, age, orientation to the sun, and physical condition will have an effect. A third area to look at is your home's mechanical system - the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) as well as water heating. 

Energy Star provides a Home Energy Yardstick website  so you can compare your household's energy use to the rest of the country. The site is a good place to start and gives some basic recommendations about making home energy efficiency improvements. 

Generally, performing your own energy audit will help you discover most of the major energy usage problems in your house. For example, locating and sealing air leaks will help you save money and make your home more comfortable. An easy way is to wet your hand and then feel for drafts around: 

 * Electrical outlets

 * Switch plates

 * Window frames

 * Baseboards

 * Weather stripping around doors

 * Fireplace dampers

 * Attic hatches

 * Wall or window-mounted air conditioners.

Look and feel for gaps where pipes and wires enter a wall. Also check where your floor meets the foundation. And don't forget mail slots. Check to see if caulking and weather stripping are applied properly and in good condition. 

Go to Part 2.

Another Benefit to Landscaping

There are a number of ways to save on your electricity bill. Weatherproofing, double pane windows, not running the air/heat when away from the home, etc.  But I found another way to save that comes from the outside. In particular, landscaping can actually help out with energy savings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (http://www.energy.gov/landscaping.htm), "[o]n average landscaping for energy efficiency provides enough energy savings to return an initial investment in less than 8 years." If you're looking to make changes to your landscape or looking for additional ways to cut energy costs, here are some tips, from the U.S. Department of Energy, to help beautify your home while helping save on your energy bill.

Tip #1 - Landscaping your home for energy efficiency can reduce your heating and cooling, which is the largest component of your total home energy use. One thing to note is that your landscaping strategy should depend on where you live and your climate.

Tip #2 - Plant trees to shade your home. This can reduce cooling costs in the summertime. Trees can start shading the first year they are planted but typically take about five to ten years for them to reach your roof.

Tip #3 - Plant shrubs, bushes and/or vines next to your home. Doing this creates dead air spaces that will insulate your home in both the winter and summer. Be sure to plant them at least one foot away from your home's wall and from any full grown plants.

Tip #4 - Dense, low-lying trees and shrubbery. During the winter, these that grow on the north and northeast sides of your home can protect it from wind chill, which can help your heating costs. 

If you'd like to learn more about landscaping and the various regional climates, click here.

Switch to Bounce Energy and Be Rewarded

Instant gratification via your Texas electricity company? It's a bit odd to say the least, considering most of us think of a hot shower, cold beer, stellar food, home runs, new cars and other items to be more of the instant gratification experiences.

But by switching to a Bounce Energy rate plan, automatic enrollment in our Rewards Program can earn you:

• $75 bill credit
• Movie tickets
• Free companion airfare ticket
• Free electricity for a month

and more.

Just think of it as our way of thanking you for becoming a Bounce Energy customer (don't worry, current BE customers enjoy incentives as well). Not only do we try to provide electricity service that's more than just a monthly bill in your mail box that you dread opening, but we also find it much more gratifying knowing that small incentives and give backs are a part of the Bounce family of offerings.

Do It Yourself Energy Efficiency Projects: Your Home's Thermal Envelope (Part 11): Your Roof: Heat Shield to Maximum!

There are a few things you can do around your home to save money during the winter months and the hot summer. Basically, you need to air seal your home's "thermal envelope"; the sum total of the home's insulation systems including walls, ceilings, foundation, floors, windows, and doors. These work more effectively with good, tight fits that seal-out the weather, moisture, and air. 

By having a tight seal, the less energy you waste or lose by exchanging it too often with the air outside. Your roof doesn't just keep out the rain. It helps cool and ventilate your home and in a few years, Dow's Solar Shingle might even generate some of your home's electricity.

You might believe that work I describe below is beyond your ability. Never fear, these are easy tasks for any average person. Make sure you have a good set of tools. Plus, you might want to look at the Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit and save on your taxes, too.

By the way, there's no way around this: you will get dirty.

Your Roof: Heat Shield to Maximum!

Your roof is a heat shield for your house. But in order for it to work at peak efficiency, it needs to be adequately ventilated. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends 1 square foot of ventilation opening should be provided for every 150 square feet of ceiling area.  

If you've ever ventured into an attic on a sunny summer day, you know how hot it can be. Temperatures can easily reach 150 degrees F. Trapped heat increases your air conditioner's heat load. This raises your energy costs. Trapped heat also can damage the plywood sheathing, under-layment, shingles and personal items located inside the attic. 

If you are considering re-shingling your home, take a serious look at choosing a light-colored shingle.  A white colored shingle can reflect 30% of the heat it absorbs from sunshine.  Metal roofing systems also come with finishes that reflect heat as well.

Roof ventilation works with two kinds of vents, an exhaust and an intake. Heated attic air flows out through a vent in the upper part of the roof. This pulls in cooler air to enter through intake vents located down in the soffiting or fascia board. As this air absorbs heat, it leaves through the upper vent and the cycle is repeated. Most houses built in the 1960s onwards use a combination of soffit vents and either gable vents, roof vents, or ridge venting to allow air to flow through the attic. By allowing the attic to breathe and circulate heated air out, the house can let go of the heat it absorbs during the day. 

Retrofitting roof vents is not as hard or expensive as it sounds. Nevertheless, it can be daunting to climb onto your roof and cut holes into it. I have found the easiest to install is the ridgevent system. Ridgevents come in plastic or metal vent kits ranging from $1.50 to $4.00 per linear foot. Ridgevents are hollow inside and have either vents along their sides or under a flange. By straddling a slot cut though the sheathing at the roof's ridge or peak, heated attic air can leave without letting rain inside. 

The actual installation technique varies slightly depending on the kit you use.  But basically, you remove the top cap of shingles on the roof, and use a circular saw to cut out two 1-inch wide slots through the roof sheathing from both side of the roof's ridge. If you're installing full length venting, you'll be cutting slots the entire length of your roof. Afterwards, attach the ridge vent (carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions) and caulk over nail heads and all seams. 

Remember, use a new, sharp saw blade and take your time.  Using a dull blade while way-up-high just begs for saw kick-back and a tearful ending.

Seal the Envelope

Now that you've seen what to look for in your home thermal envelope, you can start planning where to begin; walls, ceilings, foundation, floors, windows, doors, or the roof. And while it's import to consider how your home works as a whole, approach improving it one step at a time. Remember that all these jobs don't need to be done all together all at once.  Dividing the project of sealing your home into smaller, manageable jobs around the house makes it easier to tackle. Tackle ridgevents one weekend, insulation another, or a new thermostat some weeknight after dinner. You should notice more energy efficiency -- however slight -- after each improvement. They will add up: you will save money and your home will feel more comfortable. But be sure to take your time preparing and researching: read the instructions, and use good, sharp tools. 

Above all, be careful when considering projects that seem beyond your skill level. If in doubt, hire a professional. After all, sometimes doing-it-yourself can really do-it-to-you.

Visit the Bounce Energy Education Center for more tips on saving energy everyday.

Fan Us on Facebook, Retweet Us on Twitter and We'll Donate Food and Water to the Red Cross to Help Haiti.

Earlier this month, we announced that we would be helping the Red Cross' efforts in Haiti by donating $5 for every new customer who signs up for a fixed rate plan.

See the Press Release Here

We're now adding another charitable effort regarding the Red Cross and Haiti. This time, for every new Facebook Fan added and every Twitter Retweet (RT), we're going to donate the cash equivalent of a bottle of water or food item.

Fan Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter (and Retweet)