Author |
Message |
   
us2innj
Citizen Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 774 Registered: 5-2001
| Posted on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 8:41 am: |    |
Now that PSE&G is going to raise electric rates 15%, does anyone know if there are alternate power providers under the Energy Choice programs that supply power in NJ? Several years ago, we were purchasing our power from Power Direct, but they were only in business for about a year, and then we were switched back to PSE&G, |
   
notehead
Citizen Username: Notehead
Post Number: 609 Registered: 5-2001

| Posted on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 1:43 pm: |    |
Check out Green Mountain -- www.greenmountain.com. They are not as wholly "green" as they suggest they are, but I've been using them for several years and haven't had any problems. Of course, PSE&G still gets a fee for delivering the power, since they own the lines. Green Mountain's rates have been a few bucks per month more than PSE&G, but I am wondering if they will become cheaper after the PSE&G rate hike. |
   
Nohero
Citizen Username: Nohero
Post Number: 1809 Registered: 5-2001

| Posted on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 1:53 pm: |    |
The PSE&G rate hike that was just approved, is for the part of the bill that everybody pays (the "wires charge"). So, even if you switch to a different supplier, you will still pay that part of the PSE&G bill. |
   
barbara wilhelm
Citizen Username: Bartist
Post Number: 34 Registered: 1-2003
| Posted on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 2:05 pm: |    |
Whatever you do I strongly urge you to stay away from Total Gas & Electric. High prices, awful customer service and it will take up tp 90 days to change from them to another carrier. |
   
FOUR STAR STRAW
Citizen Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 913 Registered: 10-2001
| Posted on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 3:16 pm: |    |
Greenmountain? They must have seen you coming a mile away. "We have the money, we have the power, we have the population, and most importantly if we want, we can take you down as well." -Strawberry/ Star Ledger, Sunday June 22, 2003
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notehead
Citizen Username: Notehead
Post Number: 611 Registered: 5-2001

| Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 10:55 am: |    |
This is probably a good place to mention that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is currently offering rebates of up to 70% off the purchase of a home solar power system. If you're adventurous, environmentally conscious, and like the idea of having your electricity for free after a few years, it's a good time to think about going solar. One place to find out more about home systems is http://www.bpsolar.com/homesolutions. |
   
Joan
Citizen Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 1766 Registered: 5-2001
| Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 11:58 am: |    |
If you can't grow sun loving plants in your yard because of the tall shade trees all around, can you effectively power your house with solar energy? |
   
notehead
Citizen Username: Notehead
Post Number: 613 Registered: 5-2001

| Posted on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 1:29 pm: |    |
Joan, I'm afraid not, at least, you probably couldn't meet ALL of your electrical needs. Photovoltaic panels really work best on south-facing roofs in full sun. But even a partially effective installation would offset the amount of grid power you use. And it would eventually pay for itself - it would just take longer. Of course, those tall shade trees probably keep your cooling bill down in the summer, and they're free! |
   
woodstock
Citizen Username: Woodstock
Post Number: 220 Registered: 9-2002

| Posted on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 4:41 pm: |    |
Notehead, I'm all for being green, but my calculations - and they could admittedly be WAY off - show that a solar electric system way up here in the Northeast will not pay for itself for a minimum of 15 years in my south-southeast facing, unblocked home. That's just to break even, before any savings. Now a windmill... that I could definitely make use of!  Waiting For The Electrician, Or Someone Like Him |