What can Texans do when it comes to extreme temperatures and rising energy bills?
Time to read: 7 minutes
The temperature is rising and so are energy prices.
When six power plants shut down due to ERCOT putting off maintenance just a-month-and-a-half ago, Texans saw a massive increase in energy bills as a result. Evidently this was a taste of the summer to come. Despite ERCOT’s claims that they would make changes to benefit Texas residents, it seems that they still struggle with providing enough power. ERCOTS handling of the power grid and searing temperatures have caused large increases in energy bills. Now the summer heat is here and it certainly isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to your energy prices. So what is a Texan to do?
We have an answer for that.
In this blog post, we explore rising energy prices, how spending extra money on electricity when you don’t have to should be avoided, and what you can do about it by going solar.
ERCOT and You – Price Spikes and Temperature Hikes
Texans have seen unreal increases in what they are billed by their power companies. In an article published by The Texas Tribune, it’s reported that many are paying a minimum of 50% more than they did a year ago, with some seeing a rise of as much as 70% in their power bills.
By comparison, the typical decrease in energy bills for someone who switches to a solar powered system is as much as 30% to 50%. Another important thing to keep in mind is that, as stated by the state’s website, Power to Choose, as of this past June there has been a whopping increase of 10.5 cents for every kilowatt hour compared to the same time last year. This means that the increased costs for electricity are increased roughly by $80 a month.
Another concern looming over Texans is whether or not the power grid is able to handle extreme temperatures. With the grid straining under the demand for energy and ERCOT’s calls for Texans to conserve power, thoughts of the February freeze of 2021 are crossing the minds of those who depend on ERCOT for power. For many, long lasting blackouts like the ones Texans experienced during the February freeze of 2021 (another event that, in addition to leading to the deaths of Texans, caused unbelievably high increases in energy bills) seem inevitable.
Energy Costs You More Than You Think
While energy bills are increasing, it’s worth keeping in mind that other necessities that Texans buy on a daily basis are also increasing in price. Gas is increasingly expensive and food prices are still climbing. The more money you pay for electricity, the less you have for things like food and gas, which are other resources that are impossible to go without. While the rise in gas prices can be curbed by the use of public transportation, many areas (especially rural ones) in Texas don’t have bus or rail systems. This means that they have to use their own vehicles and are at the financial mercy of gas prices when commuting to and from work and running errands. Cutting back on gas is unreasonable for the majority of Texans, as is cutting back at the grocery store.
Today, visiting a local HEB or a grocery store can be a humbling experience when compared to months ago when prices were cheaper. Shelves that were once flush with canned goods, breads, and other household staples are sparsely stocked. Other areas are constantly out of swaths of food while prices for things like meat and dairy are at historic highs. For Texans, food prices are at a record high and, let’s face facts, everyone has to eat.
While the essentials are getting more expensive, electricity is also a cost that is rising. The good news is that it can be combated by making the switch to solar. Saving money should never come at the cost of putting food on the table for you and your family. The less you pay for electricity, the more you can spend on the things you need in your life, and groceries and transportation are things that you should not have to decide on in your budget.
Switching to Solar is a Very Affordable and Reliable Way to Save Money on Energy Prices and More!
With prices going up for electricity while heatwaves scorch the state, Texans are looking for a way to deal with the heat, energy prices, and the unreliability of the power grid. Solar power is likely the best route a Texan can take for saving money and gaining energy independence. There are several massive benefits to making the switch to solar.
Installing a Solar Powered System Saves you Money on your electric bills
It might go without saying that having a home with a solar powered system saves you and your family money on electricity. When customers switch to solar, they are able to reduce power consumption from their power provider as long as there is sunshine (which is abundant in Texas). In some instances, some solar owners are even able to sell the excess power they generate back to the grid. As we pointed out in the beginning of this post, those who install a solar powered system see, on average, a decrease of 30% to 50% in their power bills. On top of this, IES Texas Solar offers several finance options so that affordability is never an obstacle when it comes to going solar (read more on financing options here).
Having a Solar Powered System Keeps Your Home Powered if the Grid Fails
Grid failure due to extreme temperatures is on every Texan’s mind whenever the ERCOT power grid is mentioned. With the heat in Texas putting strain on the grid, future rolling blackouts are a common customer concern. IES Texas Solar offers solutions to this problem with backup batteries and Generac® generators so that you and your family never have to worry about a power outage and the price spikes that come with grid and plant failure. Backup batteries are also a fantastic way to store energy for future use, so whenever temperatures are especially high and you want to conserve power because the grid is being pressured, you can switch to battery power. On top of that, installing a Generac generator® is a sure-fire way to keep your home (and A/C) running in the case of a sudden power outage. These generators automatically activate when they detect a power outage and are a great way to make sure that you don’t have to worry about being in the dark and without power during a blackout, no matter how long it lasts.
You Gain More Energy Independence
When you install a Solar Powered System, not only do you save money and gain the ability to withstand grid failure, you gain the ability to rely far less on the power grid and utility companies. By using solar energy to power your home, you are no longer completely at the mercy of high energy prices caused by extreme temperatures, rolling blackouts, and ruthless utility companies. Many customers seek the freedom that comes from not depending on an unreliable power grid, especially when prices are being driven so high when people need power the most. Having a Solar Powered System gives Texans the power to pay much less for their utility bills.
Going Solar Helps Your Fellow Texans
While saving money on the power costs is a massive benefit for you and your family, it also helps someone else: other Texans. When you switch to a solar powered system, as we have found out in our posts with IES PV Design Engineer Kevin Marceski, you are able to create your own microgrid for your house and that takes pressure off of the power grid. This makes it easier for the grid to handle the demand for energy across the state.
The Bottom Line? Texans Need Solar Now More Than Ever
Being that energy prices are still rising and the heat is here for months to come, switching to solar is the best decision Texans can make in order to save money for other essentials as well as to protect themselves from another wave of rolling blackouts. It’s time to stop paying so much for unreliable energy, and IES Texas Solar can give you exactly what you need to do so.
For more resources on going solar, checkout our article on off-grid solar powered systems and our other post on the myths and misconceptions on solar power!
If you are considering switching to solar for your home or business, reach out to us by going to our website, iestxsolar.com, or by giving us a call at (855) 447-6527.
