The Power Lab

Too often, people only think about electricity in terms of how much they’re paying each month. While the impacts on your budget are important, energy efficiency also matters when it comes to saving our planet. What may seem like a small gesture, like changing incandescent bulbs in your home for energy efficient light bulbs, can […]

A smart thermostat is a vital smart home product, managing your home’s temperature to help you optimize your energy consumption. Installing one can take all the thought out of managing your home’s heat and cut your energy costs. You can improve these savings further by becoming a Power Wizard member to find the electricity plan […]

Most of us don’t pay much attention to the energy used in the household. Yet, higher bills are almost always a sign of wasting energy at home. With so many people staying at home in the last couple of years of the pandemic, things became even more burdensome. The increased use of computers, TVs, and […]

Everybody needs electricity. This is especially true in Texas, where a power outage can lead to sweltering heat in summer and brutal cold in winter. But if you’re not paying attention, your electricity provider could be taking advantage of you and your family with gimmicky plans and hidden fees. Since no two families use power […]

Because Breaking Up is Hard to Do You’ve been with your energy company for a while. In fact, you two have enjoyed a lovely few years together. You’ve paid the bills, and they’ve provided the electricity. It’s been a mutually beneficial relationship – complete with some rewards for paying on time – but it also […]

Some bills are predictable — your mortgage or rent, car payment, mobile phone, subscription services. Every month, you pay the same amount. Others, like your electric bill, can be a stressful mystery. It’s already one of the most expensive utility bills for most US residents. When there’s an unexpected spike in your electric bill, it […]

Modern living requires a constant supply of energy for round-the-clock use in homes. Nationwide, U.S. energy demands are projected to rise by  7% in the next 20 years, accompanied by an increase in the cost of electricity. About  70% of the electricity used in the U.S. comes from burning fossil fuels in power plants, contributing […]

Do you want to shop for electricity in Texas? Does the process leave you feeling confused? You’re not alone. Due to deregulation in Texas, many citizens of the Lone Star State can choose their retail electricity provider (REP) themselves. But there are so many energy providers to choose from, not to mention fees and contracts […]

We all know that summer in Texas is hot. And when it is hot, we have the air conditioning going. We have the ceiling fans going. And we use a lot of electricity. Residential electricity consumption can jump from 25% on a moderate day to 50% on a hot summer day, according to ERCOT.  Since […]

Most of us are working from home, and it’s unknown when the kids will return to school, if even this school year. How do you save money on electricity when everyone is at home? Have you thought about what the Covid-19 pandemic is doing to your electricity bill? The mandate of social distancing means our […]

You Must Understand the Technology to Make the Right Choices for Your Home Smart homes are nothing new. Just think of The Jetsons, Star Trek, and any number of Isaac Asimov novels. For more than a century, science fiction has extolled the virtues of using technology like artificial intelligence to accomplish a wide range of […]

The Answer Could Save You Lots of Money on Your Home Electricity Bill If you’ve been living under a rock for the past few weeks, Summer 2019 in Texas has been hot. You’ve probably been cool under that rock! But you’ve also missed the most significant debate in Texas energy circles: locking in a fixed-rate […]

This past week proved a couple of facts everyone should know about Texas electricity prices. First: Summers in Texas are hot. Actually, they get REALLY HOT. Second: Texas wholesale electricity prices can go SKY HIGH when Texas weather gets hot. What Happened This Week Suppose you are a Griddy customer on a real-time wholesale Texas […]

5 Modern Devices That Can Help Lower Your Energy Usage If you’re like most electricity consumers, you want one thing from your energy company – a lower electricity bill. There are typically two ways you can achieve this: Securing a low kilowatt-hour rate for the electricity you use Using less electricity around the home, thus […]

Using Less Energy Helps Lower Your Home Energy Bills No matter the size of your home, everyone wants to pay less on their electricity bills. Even with a low fixed rate for a long contract, you could have a large bill if you ignore your home energy usage. By introducing a few helpful energy efficiency […]

5 Important Issues You Must Understand About Electricity Shopping We all know the feeling. You see a great price for something you need, so you buy it. But when you use it, you feel like you’ve been duped by a promotion because you didn’t read the fine print like most of us. Luckily, you only […]

Learn How to Take the Best Possible Advantage of Your Electricity Choice We’ve already explained the best method for shopping for electricity in Texas. Also, we’ve delivered critical advice to help you understand which Texas electricity plan is right for you. Now, it’s time to discuss the third pillar in becoming a truly educated Texas […]

Learn how Texas Retail Electricity Providers Determine the Price of Their Plans Everyone who’s ever purchased a Texas electricity plan has asked a couple of questions during the search process. Which of these plans is right for me? How do these energy companies calculate these rates? The first question is precisely why Power Wizard exists. […]

Take Charge of Your Energy Choice Shopping for electricity in Texas can be a challenge. Even if you’ve lived in the Lone Star State for your entire life. It seems like a new retail electricity provider (REP) pops up every other month or so. And if billboards, commercials, and online advertising are any indication, the […]

The Importance of Keeping Up with the Details Everyone has a list of critical personal information that we’ve committed to memory. Important items like phone numbers, social security number, and the kid’s birthdays. We remember them because they are so important to your daily life, but what about your electricity plan end date? Yes, you […]

What Your Neighbor Doesn’t Know About Your Electricity Profile Can Cost You We’ve all done it before, though it probably had nothing to do with an electricity plan. It’s one of those “You’ve become an adult!” moments you see captured in cheesy comedies, and it comes when you least expect it. Let’s set the stage: […]

Better Decisions Backed By Data “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” —Arthur C. Clarke When you think of artificial intelligence, what do you imagine? It might bring to mind images of friendly robot sidekicks like R2-D2 or killer androids like the Terminator. But you likely use artificial intelligence, or AI, every day without […]