Photo Credit: www.thewestpole.net/

Did you watch the news this morning? We did! After the balmy weather we’ve been having across Texas, we couldn’t believe that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter. Maybe that forecast is just for those folks up in the East?

We’re more likely to trust the prediction of Bee Cave Bob, an armadillo known for his weather prediction. While there’s no news at press time what Bee Cave Bob has predicted (the Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon seem to get a later start than those Pennsylvanians), we figure it’s probably more accurate since he’s right here in Lone Star State. Either way, before we know it, it will be time to start spring cleaning on the HVAC and gutters…

Did you watch the news this morning? We did! (Sorry—just a little Groundhog Day humor for you there.) Have a great Groundhog Day, and don’t forget to subscribe to The Current for all kinds of Texas and energy-related news.

Photo Credit: www.caritas-waco.org

Last November, we were happy to take part in the Food for Families event as part of our Food First™ program to end hunger in Texas. Food for Families is the largest one-day food drive in Texas, and it takes place on the Friday before Thanksgiving. We thought that donating 12,000 meals to Caritas of Waco seemed like pretty good way to celebrate and give thanks. At the end of the day, a total of 1,221,385 pounds of food was collected across Texas—a new all-time record!

Then at the awards ceremony in January, First Choice Power won the award for the most pounds of food donated—for the second year in a row. We couldn’t be more honored. Big thanks to all of our friends at Caritas of Waco for the award, and for all of the good work you’re doing in the community.

Photo Credit: energystar.gov

As those W2s start coming in the mail, it’s a good time to think about taxes. The good news is, if you bought an ENERGY STAR rated product for your home in 2011, you might qualify for a tax credit.

So, what is ENERGY STAR, anyway? It’s a government rating system that distinguishes energy efficient products. Not all ENERGY STAR products qualify for tax credits, but the ones that do can really save you money.

Some examples:
• HVAC Air Source Heat Pump: $300
• HVAC Central Air Conditioning (CAC): $300
• Insulation: 10% of the cost, up to $500
• Roofs (Metal & Asphalt): 10% of the cost, up to $500
• Windows, Doors & Skylights: 10% of the cost, up to $500 ($200 for windows)
• Solar Panels: 30% of the cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power

You can see the full list of products that qualify for tax credits at www.energystar.gov.

Even if you didn’t have any ENERGY STAR tax credits this year, they’re worth remembering when you’re buying home products in 2012. But remember to save your receipts and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. You’ll need these documents—along with the tax credit Form 5695—when you file your return.

Will you be saving any money this year because of energy efficient tax credits? Chances are you’re already saving on your electric bill by updating old appliances. Tell us about it in the comments section- we love to hear from you!

But for everyone else out there, Chocolate Cake Day is the perfect excuse to make and then eat chocolate cake (especially if you are someone who needs a reason to indulge). Here at the First Choice Power offices, employees were encouraged to bring a chocolate cake to work in order to celebrate this delicious holiday. We even had prizes! For each cake brought you received a ticket for the drawing for two of the premium parking spots for February. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.

Suzy, a self-declared chocolate lover tried four different chocolate cakes. Her favorite was a chilled cake with vanilla frosting. “It’s wonderful. Going to give me a sugar high”.

Have a favorite chocolate cake recipe? Well don’t be stingy, share it in our comments section. Happy baking!

Arthelia Harris, Customer Care Advocate

Did you know that you could save money on your electric bill by referring your friends and family to First Choice Power? It’s easy. You tell your friends and family how much you love First Choice Power and suggest that they join. When they become customers (and give your Referral ID), they get a $60 Prepaid Visa card just for joining. You get up to $5 each month credited to your bill for each friend, for up to 36 months or as long as they remain a customer. With the summer months approaching this is the perfect time to start your savings.

Your customer referral ID can be found on your statement just below your account number, as indicated in the image below.

Have a customer service question for Arthelia? Leave it in the comments area below!

Step 1: See the Light
Did you know electric lighting can burn up to 25% of your home energy budget?¹ Compact florescent bulbs (also called CFLs) use about 75% less energy than old-fashioned incandescent bulbs while still providing the same amount of light. They also stay cooler, which reduces home cooling costs. And each bulb can last up to 10 times longer.

Switching your light bulbs to CFLs can really help you save money on your electric bill. For example, replacing a 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 13-watt CFL will save about $65.80 in electricity costs—and remove over 600 lbs of carbon from the Texas environment.²

A few things to know about CFLs:
• Always screw them in by holding the bottom part (called the ballast), not the twisty glass part.
• Make sure you have 3-way bulbs for 3-way sockets, and dimmer bulbs for dimmer sockets.
• Most motion-sensitive lights and timers won’t work with CFLs.

Ready to see the light? The average home has 18 light fixtures—that’s a lot of opportunity to save. Buy some CFL bulbs now and slowly replace your incandescent bulbs as they burn out, or go ahead and replace some frequently used incandescent bulbs now to start saving money immediately. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Current blog to catch next month’s tip to help you save money on your electric bill.

¹http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/lighting/
²Based on 1.35 lbs/CO₂ per 1kWh. Source: US EPA 2005 Texas emissions data.

But don’t think that because that game is over, all the fun is out of fundraising. This February, teams from the Belton area will be competing in Belton’s Second Annual Canstruction® Competition. It’s a timed building contest where participating teams make amazing sculptures out of cans of food. Last year, the teams built all kinds of fun stuff including one called U2 Can Help (featuring a portrait that looks a lot like Bono) and King TunaCANmon, which went on to win national awards. And at the end of the contest, all the cans (and funds that are raised) are donated to Helping Hands Belton, a local food pantry.

If you’re in the Belton area, you should consider getting a team together to enter! Or at least go by to check it out. The public is invited to watch the building from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 2—kids especially love seeing grown-ups hustling to balance cans and build their entries. As an event sponsor, we’ll be on hand to cheer for the teams and help with the judging. For more information visit the Helping Hands site. We hope you CAN make it!

According to the Energy Star, the average household spends $2,000 a year on electricity. We’ve put together 12 simple ways to save energy, which will not only save you money but also help the environment. And these steps are way easier than the kind you’d take on in aerobics class.

Here’s a sneak peek at all of our electricity bill-slimming steps. But don’t worry—we’ll break down all the details each month, starting next week with our January step.

How to save money (and electricity):

Step 1: See the Light
Did you know that each of those twisty CFL bulbs can actually save you more than $40 in energy savings? ¹

Step 2: Make a New Routine
Setting your thermostat a few degrees cooler in the winter and a few degrees warmer in the summer can cut your bill by around $180 a year. ¹

Step 3: Examine Your Outlets
Are your external electric outlets letting air (and money) escape? We’ll help you seal ‘em up and keep your heated and cooled air inside.

Step 4: Wear Your Shades
Blinds and drapes aren’t just for privacy—they also prevent heat loss and gain from the sun.

Step 5: Look for Leaks
Leaky ducts can reduce your home’s energy efficiency by 20%, which costs you more and puts more stress on your HVAC system.

Step 6: Go Dark
Dimmers, motion sensors and timers can make your lighting more efficient—and less expensive in terms of bulbs and electricity usage.

Step 7: Get Some Fans
Did you know that most ceiling fans have a winter setting? Using fans in summer and winter can help you use your HVAC less—and save electricity.

Step 8: Watch Your Water
When was the last time you thought about your water heater? Using the correct temperature settings and insulation can mean big savings on your electric bill.

Step 9: Bulk Up
Adding extra insulation to your attic or crawlspace can cost less than being poorly insulated. We’ll show you how to evaluate your insulation situation.

Step 10: Remove Those Warts
Are your power cords sucking energy—and money from your home?

Step 11: Check Your Fridge
Is your garage fridge or deep freezer sabotaging your electric bill?

Step 12: Make a Plan
Does your electric plan fit your life and your budget? At First Choice Power, we’ve got a lot of options designed to help you save money. We can help you evaluate your electric plan and make sure you’re on the one that’s right for you.

Who’s ready?! Who’s set?! If you’re excited about saving money and electricity in 2012, let us know by posting a comment below, and we’ll enter you in a drawing to win a free, energy saving weatherization kit !The winner will be announced by January 31.

And don’t forget to subscribe to the Current blog so you don’t miss any of the steps. Look for Step 1: See the Light coming next Monday.

¹ Source: http://www.energystar.gov/

So without further ado, here are our top 10 highlights of 2011:

10. Watching football
We do live in Texas, after all. From celebrating the Friday night lights with our Clash of the Cans competition to giving away tickets to the Red River Rivalry to taking some customers to the biggest game of them all, we enjoyed the games.

9. Eating yummy food
From our first-ever Texas Tamale Series to the National BBQ Cookoff in Meridian to Blizzards at the DQ in Nocona, we had some good eats this past year. And when we could we tied it in to raise donations for our Food First™ program.

8. Sending the Merlos family to Walt Disney World
Know what’s more fun than a spelling bee? Our Energy Bee. And not just because it was hosted by Gaby Natale from Super Latina. Contestants first answered trivia questions via text and finally faced off at a competition in our Lewisville office. In the end, the Merlos family was the big winner, walking away with an all-expense-paid trip for four to Walt Disney World.

7. Giving money to do-gooders
Sure, we sell electricity, but we also know the value of saving it. This year, we awarded more than $61,000 in Reduce Your Use Grants to schools and nonprofits. The grants give organizations money for purchasing energy efficient products that will help them use less electricity, so they can save more for the stuff that really matters to them.

6. Making Brad’s day
Nothing’s more fun that surprising someone with one of those goofy giant checks. In March, we awarded $10,000 to our customer Brad Senter who referred the most new customers as part of our Turn On A Friend program.

5. Scouting for the future
Spending time with Scouts makes you feel pretty good about kids today. This year, we partnered with the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas with their College Journey program, as well as their 9.10.11 project. And we had a BBQ the Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts to raise money for Camp Karankawa.

4. Opening some awesome local offices
We’re real proud of the fact that we’re a local company with real storefronts customers can visit when they have a question. This year, we opened local offices in Nocona and Mission. Come in and see us!

3. Helping victims of the North Texas wildfires
While this summer’s terrible drought and resulting wildfires were one of the low points of 2011, we were glad to be able to do a small part to help the people who lost lives, homes and property in the fires.

2. Meeting our goal of donating 1 million meals
When we started our Food First™ program in May of 2010, we also started our Million Meals Challenge—wanting to donate 1 million meals to hungry people in Texas. In September, we finally reached our goal—and decided to start going for our second million meals.

1. Hearing from customers who love First Choice Power
There’s no question—what makes our year is taking care of customers, and nothing brings it home like compliments from the people who trust us to provide electricity for their homes. We love stories like the one from customer Belinda Rodriguez, who wrote on her blog about how much she loves First Choice Power. Hearing from happy customers is always the highlight for us.

Thanks for reading the blog and giving us your business! We’re sure grateful to have you as a customer. Have you got any big highlights from 2011? We’d love to hear them in the comments section. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Current blog—we’ve got lots of energy saving tips, Texas wisdoms and energy news planned for 2012, and you won’t want to miss it.

(Photo Credit: goodcents.pocketsmith.com)

We know that this time of year is a hard one for some families – purchasing presents for the entire clan, while managing to put food on the table. At First Choice Power, we know this is also a time some customers struggle to pay their electric bill. 

Well, if you’re in this boat, we have some holiday joy for you! Just call us at 1-866-454-8387 to see if you qualify for a payment arrangement! It’s that easy. Just call! You may also find help in your community by calling 211 for information on local agencies who distribute funds. 

Also, with 2012 right around the corner, please note this important information about the LITE-UP TEXAS program:  

The program will provide discounts to eligible customers on the following months’ bills in 2012: May, June, July, August and September! Great, huh? 

For additional information on the LITE-UP Texas program, again, please give us a ring at 1-866-454-8387!
Happy Holidays!!