Glacial Energy Blog

Myth or Fact: Smart Meters

Although there has been some skepticism, Smart Meters are already starting to change the way people use and manage their electricity. Some myths about Smart Meters include:

 Myth: Smart Meters can turn off appliances in your home without your permission.

Fact: Smart meters do not identify electrical devices in the home or record when they are operated.  Smart meters only record total energy usage, as do older, analog meters. Furthermore, Smart Meters do not have the capability to operate appliances inside a home or business, including turning appliances on or off.  In the future, companies may offer voluntary programs in the future that include Home Area Network Devices for inside the home that give customers the ability to control certain appliances.

 Myth: Smart meters are surveillance devices.

Fact: Smart meters do not monitor household activity.  Smart meters only record and send energy usage data over secure, encrypted networks.  They never send personal data.  The advantage of smart meters is that companies will no longer have to send an employee to the house or business to read the meter, which actually equates to more privacy for the customer.

Myth: Smart meters will emit radiation into my home.

Fact: Smart Meters do not emit any microwave radiation, but communicate using radio frequencies (RF), similar to common every day devices such as radios, cell phones, baby monitors, wireless networks, etc. Smart Meters emit extremely low, infrequent signals 48 times per day. Each transmission is only a fraction of a second, resulting in an average daily transmission of about 5 seconds. Also, exposure levels decrease significantly as distance from the transmitter increases. RF also weakens as barriers such as building materials and meter enclosures enter its path

Myth: Installation of a smart meter will automatically cause an increase in customer bills. 


Fact: Smart meters have been tested and proven to record energy usage accurately and do not cause higher bills. In most cases, higher bills can be attributed to changes in weather, timing of rates, older equipment malfunctions and human error.

Most Important Thing to Know About Smart Meters

There are many things you should know about Smart Meters, but the most important thing you should know is that Smart Meters give you the ability to have insights into how you’re using electricity in your home.
Through access to energy usage data, consumers will be able to better understand their own energy usage. Beyond that, the Smart Meters will also enable cutting-edge technology, like smart thermostats, smart appliances and smart homes.

For additional information about smart meters please visit Wikipedia or view our blog article about smart meters.

 About Glacial Energy- Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting www.GlacialEnergy.com

Myth or Fact: Electricity Deregulation

Since the electricity market was deregulated several years ago, residents in cities participating in this emerging competitive market have enjoyed their power to choose retail electric providers. Electricity deregulation has been a success despite the abundance of several detractors, most of which are coming from areas and states where the implementation of energy deregulation has failed. Some myths about electricity deregulation include:

Myth: Electricity deregulation has failed because retail rates are rising – not dropping – in regions with competitive electricity markets.

Fact: Electricity rates have been rising throughout the country, not only in deregulated states. These increases are largely a result of rising costs for the fuel used by generators to produce electricity. The push for cleaner, more reliable and efficient power plants drive costs higher as well. Despite this pressure, if one takes into account price increases over the same timeframe in other consumer goods like food, housing and health care, electricity price increases are mostly modest by comparison.

Myth: The price of electricity increased due to Energy Deregulation

Fact: Legislators in some states who are not eager proponents of energy deregulation are blaming this policy for the increase in electric prices. Higher prices due to dramatic increases in the prices for natural gas and petroleum products are an occurrence not only in deregulated states but on a nationwide scale as well. For consumers, no matter how electricity is marketed – through a deregulated competitive market, cooperatives or through municipalities – the price is still dictated by the cost of the raw materials used for generation.

Myth: Rates may be increasing across the country, but the worst increases have been in deregulated states.

Fact: In most of the states that deregulated to increase competition, political agreements were made to cap rates for a certain period of time and, in some cases, actually roll them back. As a result, many customers in deregulated states have been paying below market rates in recent years despite increases in the input costs for generating electricity. As these rate caps expire, rates are catching up and starting to reflect current market prices that are being driven by significantly higher fuel prices.

Myth: Electricity is a prime commodity that should not be deregulated

Fact: Electricity can be compared with an analogy to food, another vital commodity that consumers simply could not live without. In a country like the United States, the food market has considerably very intense market competition all along its supply chain: starting from the production and raw materials, to the final product packaging and form that is served on every American’s dining table. This competition resulted in greater abundance for food that can later be translated to very cheap retail prices. The same would be true for electricity, wherein competition among retail electric providers not only placed the prices of electricity in check but have also resulted in higher levels of customer service never been enjoyed by consumers in a regulated and monopoly-controlled power market.

For additional details about deregulation you can also visit Wikipedia. You can also learn about the history of deregulation by viewing our blog.

 About Glacial Energy- Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting www.GlacialEnergy.com

The History of Energy

History of Electricity Deregulation

Beginning with the 1978 Airline Deregulation Act, the United States started eliminating many layers of economic regulation that had placed industries under strict government overseers.  The latest industry to feel the forces of deregulation is electricity.

For most of the 20^th century, one company generated the electricity, transported it to the local retailer and distributed it to homes and businesses. These companies became mini monopolies, operating in prescribed geographic areas subject to state and federal regulations. The lack of competition resulted in the price of electricity varying from under four cents a kilowatt-hour in Idaho to more than twelve cents in Hawaii.  

Under deregulation, electricity providers were broken into three parts:

The Power Generation Company, the actual power producer

who runs the power plants and sells on the open market.

The Transmission and Distribution Service Provider,

or TDSP, who owns and services the wires and meters, and

The Retail Electric Provider, or REP, who buys power

from the producers and sells it to users.

Residential and Commercial customers purchase electricity service from a REP that purchases power from a power plant and takes care of billing and customer service. The power itself is still transferred over the same power lines from the local TDSP, making the switch painless for consumers.

Similar to mobile phone providers, electricity deregulation allows multiple companies to compete for business in an electricity market. REPs compete on price, service and renewable energy options, giving consumers more choices and lower prices. Similar to choosing which company you use for your cell phone, residential and commercial consumers now may choose their electricity supplier.

Not all states have embraced electricity deregulation. Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois and several other states are leading the way in providing consumers more competitive options in energy providers.  Glacial Energy is a retail electricity and natural gas provider that serves over 20 states.

About Glacial Energy- Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting www.GlacialEnergy.com

What’s the Difference: Fixed or Variable Rate Plans

The commercial and residential electricity market is full of choices that can save consumers money, time and hassle. The key to understanding these choices begins with understanding the basic rate plans that are offered by most electric companies: fixed rate plans and variable rate plans.

Fixed Rate Plans
A Fixed Rate Plan is a rate per usage (measured in kilowatt hours) that remains the same over the length of a contract. No matter what happens with the cost of energy, the amount you pay per kilowatt hour of electricity used will remain the same.

Benefits of Fixed Rate Plans:

With a fixed rate plan your electric bill will only go up or down according to your usage, something you control, not because of the cost of electricity, something you do not control. By selecting a fixed rate plan you will also save time by eliminating the need for researching ever-changing electricity rates, at least during the term of your contract.

Disadvantages of Fixed Rate Plans:
If electric rates decline and you are still under your current contract, you may end up paying more per kilowatt hour than other consumers.

If you worry that electric rates are only going to increase over time, a fixed rate plan protects you from price increases during the term of your contract. However, on the other hand, if electric rates decline, you will keep paying your higher, fixed rate until the contract expires.

Variable Rate Plans
A Variable Rate Plan usually has a low introductory price for a set, short period of time (such as 1 to 3 months). After the introductory price ends, your energy supplier is free to set the price at whatever rate they choose. The electricity market can be rather volatile, meaning that you may pay a different amount per kilowatt hour every month.

Benefits of Variable Rate Plans:

If you want immediate savings when energy prices decline, can afford to pay more if they rise or prefer the freedom to change plans anytime, a variable rate plan offers the best option for you.

Disadvantages of Variable Rate Plans:

If rates increase, so will the rate you pay. Although a variable rate plan offers more flexibility, you will need to spend time researching the market and comparing suppliers. Be sure to check your rate after the introductory period ends to be sure that you are getting the savings you expected. You can call your supplier’s customer service number any time to check your rate.

If you are someone that is always looking for the best deal, you keep up to date on how much you pay for electricity, and have the time to shop, a variable rate plan provides flexibility to move with the market and get the best price currently available. With a variable rate plan you must start with the assumption that electric rates will stay the same or go lower. (If you think rates may increase, think about selecting a fixed rate plan to avoid facing higher rates)

Deciding between a fixed rate plan and a variable rate plan for your commercial or residential electric needs is a personal decision. By knowing the differences in rate plans you can become a savvier consumer, and can save you more than just a few dollars.

About Glacial Energy- Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting www.GlacialEnergy.com

True Cost of Lighting

True Cost of Lighting – To see the info-graphic enlarged click here to go to Lamps.com – top providers of LED Lights

How to shop for the best electric provider

As a result of energy deregulation residential and commercial electric consumers in many states can now choose the company that provides them with a portion of their electric service, typically through a Retail Electric Provider, or REP.  The U.S. Energy Information Association has a detailed map that outlines electricity deregulation by state.

It is important to understand that consumers only have a choice as to a portion of their residential and commercial electricity service. The power lines that run down your street and into your home will still be operated by your local Transmission and Distribution Service Provider, or TDSP, and a Power Generation Company remains the actual power producer, running and maintaining the power plants. However, similar to choosing which company you use for your cell phone, consumers now may choose their electricity supplier.

To begin your search you will need to find your local electric utilities  “price to compare,” which is the price charged by your local utility for the portion of your service that is open to competition.  and your typical monthly electric usage.

Once you know your utility’s price to compare and your own typical monthly usage, you can begin to shop for your electric supplier.

About Glacial Energy- Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting www.GlacialEnergy.com   I would like to find a sample utility bill in an area we service to show visually where the price to compare and the monthly usage would be found.

The heat is on: High summer temperatures and impact on energy usage

The summer months can be grueling, especially with triple-digit afternoons and no rain in sight. It shouldn’t be any surprise that weather is one of the most important factors affecting electricity demand, and electricity pricing.

In the residential and commercial sectors, heating and cooling account for more than 40 percent of end-use energy demand. As a result, energy consumption in these sectors can vary significantly from year to year, or season to season.

The seasonal pattern of energy and electricity consumption typically exhibits two peaks, in winter and summer. Higher temperatures in summer increase energy demand for cooling and add pressure to the electricity grid during peak periods of demand. This increase in demand typically means higher electricity prices.

Much like most other consumable goods, such as produce or dairy products, prices increase as demand increases and available items decrease. In other words, as we use more energy there is less energy available, making it more valuable.

One study estimates that a “heat island effect “ may be responsible for 5–10% of the summer peak electricity demand for cooling buildings in cities. The “heat island effect” occurs as urban areas develop, changing the landscape as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure replace open land and vegetation.

Although decreasing energy demand takes everyone, individual residential and commercial energy users can do their part, and even save some money. Some quick summer energy saving tips include:
• Turn up your thermostat – Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees or off when you are away. Using ceiling or room fans allows you to set the thermostat higher because the air movement will cool the room. Always take into account health considerations and be sure to drink plenty of fluids in warm weather.
• Be a speedy chef – Nothing is more energy efficient for cooking than your microwave. It uses two-thirds less energy than your stove, and produces a lot less heat.
• Fill up the fridge – Having lots of food in your fridge keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open. So your fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to stay cool.
• Operating swimming pool filters and cleaning sweeps efficiently – reduce the operating time of your pool filter and automatic cleaning sweep to four to five hours, and only during off-peak time.

To learn more about energy saving tips, especially during the hot summer months, keep following this blog and be sure to “Like” Glacial Energy on Facebook.

About Glacial Energy- Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business or cost saving opportunities for your home. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting www.GlacialEnergy.com

What’s so smart about Smart Meters?

Over the past year you may have heard something about smart meters on your local, or even national, news. Surrounded by misinformation, you, as a consumer, need to know the facts about smart meters, and how the use of smart meters can offer benefits ranging from saving money on your electric and natural gas bills to more reliable service.

The term smart meter usually refers to electric meters which keep detailed statistics on energy usage, but it can be used for gas or water meters. Each smart meter has a digital display and is similar in size to regular meters. Various types and models of smart meters are available, but all of them have the same basic functionality. Using a communications network, an internal antenna sends electricity consumption data to the electricity supplier.

The number of features available with a smart meter can vary. Another common feature, telemetering, can eliminate the need for suppliers to manually collect data by travelling to the location. Meters with this feature may also provide instant reporting of power outages and other issues, which enables the supplier to give a quicker response. A supplier can also use an energy smart meter network to monitor power for better balancing energy requirements during peak demand periods, such as hot summer days in areas where people use air conditioning.

For electric and gas customers, the smart meter offers detailed breakdowns of the energy you consume, which enables you to see energy usage patterns. Using this information, you can keep a check on your energy usage to save money and to reduce the overall power demand.

Many utilities are preparing helpful videos outlining additional details for roll-out and installation process. Check out a smart meter video made by Baltimore Gas and Electric.

Smart Meter 101 from BGE:

Benefits of Using a Smart Meter:

More Reliable Service
The use of more sophisticated meters is a major step towards improving energy services, such as decreasing the chances of power outages and other service interruptions. Also, by removing the need to send representatives to each household to collect readings, more representatives are available for important issues.

See Your Daily Energy Use
Using a smart meter allows you to become an active energy participant where we all can benefit from more reliable power, reduced carbon footprint and cleaner energy development. Monitoring your energy usage is as easy as going online to see a detailed history of your energy usage and costs, up to the previous day. You can view hourly electric consumption and compare your usage to last week, or even last year – valuable information you can use to make informed energy choices.

About Glacial Energy- Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers selling electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated markets across the country. Glacial Energy has the resources and market knowledge to provide customized quotes for your business. Learn more about Glacial Energy by visiting www.GlacialEnergy.com

Glacial Provides Energy Choice across 22 States

During my time at Call Center Week in Las Vegas, I met with a number of companies that were a bit “outside the box” of what one might expect from such a show. I saw representatives from businesses in the education field, those who specialized in location services, and even one particular social gaming company. Perhaps the most unexpected company present, though, was one that specialized in the retail energy market, Glacial Energy.

I sat down with William Serratore, director of sales and marketing services at Glacial Energy, to talk about his presence at Call Center Week and to take the temperature of his company and see what is on the horizon in the alternative energy space.

Glacial Energy is a seven year-old company that relies heavily on trade shows for its networking, sending Serratore or other representatives to 50 to 60 shows a year. Generally, the company is looking for customers, channel partners and resellers. Right now it boasts over 50,000 customers in 22 deregulated states.

The company sells electricity, natural gas and green energy, and thinks of utility choice as reminiscent of telecom deregulation. Glacial offers easy, month-to-month agreements so clients do not need to make huge commitments and can cancel at any time. Serratore is hoping for nationwide deregulation, which will lead to cost savings for consumers. All politics aside, he feels it will happen soon.

One big initiative at Glacial is the pursuit of green energy. Customers can opt in to green energy with no CAPEX, buying from a consortium. They would then be eligible for renewable energy credits. The green energy is available from Glacial in tiers from 10 percent all the way to 100 percent.

Another big push for Glacial is its movement into the residential market. It is already active in Michigan and Ohio and is working on other states. The company is using an outbound call center to help build awareness, which is one of the reasons it was present at Call Center Week. See, it all comes together in the end…

About the Author- Rich Steeves is a TMCnet Web editor. He taught writing for nine years. He has also worked as an editorial assistant at Penny Publications. He has written short stories, newspaper columns, blogs and recently published his first novel. He attended The George Washington University where he received his bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in education.