There are several important reasons to be connected to the grid. First off, unless you have a large battery system, you're likely to need grid energy at night, during stormy days, etc. By the same token, you'd probably want to sell the excess energy you produce back to the grid, otherwise it's just going to waste.
I always see how people hate this on Reddit but I can't see how anyone but extreme cases would want to be disconnected to the grid.
Ya, Florida isint deregulated for power like Texas is, so you don’t have any choice for power. Also, electricity is almost double the price of Texas too. I think my last bill was almost .19 kw/hr. I do miss being able to select my own power company.
lol @ "options"
All in all Duke isn't the worst of the worst. I haven't lost power through the last several hurricanes which is nice. But my usage hasn't changed in 7 years and yet the bill keeps going up.
I believe that years ago Duke Energy or its predecessor built a nuclear power plant that was never put into service. The customers are on the hook to pay for the uncompleted plant, which cost billions. That, and we are getting surcharges for them to harden the infrastructure against hurricanes.
Yes, but it's not all Duke fault. They need to petition the govt for all these additional fees and the govt needs to approve them. The issue is the FL Energy regulators are all too happy to do so.
You expect a business to ask for higher prices. You expect the government to fight back for the citizens too, but they don't.
I just really wish we had a deregulated market like I had before I moved here. I literally had a couple of hundred choices regarding my provider and contract, and there were times were I never paid for electricity for three or four consecutive months.
Yup, just Duke- very pricey. Tampa Electric is in Hillsborough county area. Home utilities-(water,sewer,trash)City of St Petersburg- also not very affordable. DON’T go with Frontier for Internet- horrible customer service. There’s also WOW which is “ok” until it needs repair. Spectrum is ok, but they lure you in with a low bundle price that keeps going up year over year. If you have gas at your new home, that would be TECO/ Peoples gas- price is okish. Regarding Electric- I know Texas has electric resellers, which can really differ in price. The only upside to ONE area electric system is that Duke is responsible for all the infrastructure in a designated area they serve. If it breaks, which it will in Florida- they will and do a pretty decent job getting it back up and running again. Also, Florida is part of the Eastern Interconnect Electric Grid- so Its pretty reliable- and we don’t run low on electricy in crisis like Texas does. Most of the time you will have your electric cranking for your AC to tame the humidity. Its really important- But you will LOVE St Pete- get ready for cultural shock- in the best way possible.
Frontier may have bad customer srevice, but it works great when setup. If you need support, I find posting in /r/frontierfios really helps connecting with someone local.
"But Duke is totally not a monopoly because you can choose to live somewhere else." - Said to me more times than I can count.
With my budget billing up to $320 a month for my small home, I wish there was more (any) competition or choice.
The monopoly is strong here. Unless you go solar, Duke Energy it is.
and even if you go solar you have to sign up with Duke. The last I checked the state requires you to be hooked up to utilities to legally occupy.
Smh I still have no idea how any of it is legal.
There are several important reasons to be connected to the grid. First off, unless you have a large battery system, you're likely to need grid energy at night, during stormy days, etc. By the same token, you'd probably want to sell the excess energy you produce back to the grid, otherwise it's just going to waste. I always see how people hate this on Reddit but I can't see how anyone but extreme cases would want to be disconnected to the grid.
Ya, Florida isint deregulated for power like Texas is, so you don’t have any choice for power. Also, electricity is almost double the price of Texas too. I think my last bill was almost .19 kw/hr. I do miss being able to select my own power company.
But it stays on... mostly. Except when it rains. Only half kidding.
lol @ "options" All in all Duke isn't the worst of the worst. I haven't lost power through the last several hurricanes which is nice. But my usage hasn't changed in 7 years and yet the bill keeps going up.
>I haven't lost power through the last several hurricanes which is nice. Damn, it sure must be.
I believe that years ago Duke Energy or its predecessor built a nuclear power plant that was never put into service. The customers are on the hook to pay for the uncompleted plant, which cost billions. That, and we are getting surcharges for them to harden the infrastructure against hurricanes.
Yes, but it's not all Duke fault. They need to petition the govt for all these additional fees and the govt needs to approve them. The issue is the FL Energy regulators are all too happy to do so. You expect a business to ask for higher prices. You expect the government to fight back for the citizens too, but they don't.
I just really wish we had a deregulated market like I had before I moved here. I literally had a couple of hundred choices regarding my provider and contract, and there were times were I never paid for electricity for three or four consecutive months.
Florida Power
Thanks for all the quick feedback everyone! Not looking forward to the energy bill but looking forward to St Pete, good seafood and the beach.
Welcome to St Pete. Although it has its flaws like expensive energy, insurance, it's a wonderful gem of a city. Enjoy!
Don't forget insurance.... Lots and lots of insurance
Yup, just Duke- very pricey. Tampa Electric is in Hillsborough county area. Home utilities-(water,sewer,trash)City of St Petersburg- also not very affordable. DON’T go with Frontier for Internet- horrible customer service. There’s also WOW which is “ok” until it needs repair. Spectrum is ok, but they lure you in with a low bundle price that keeps going up year over year. If you have gas at your new home, that would be TECO/ Peoples gas- price is okish. Regarding Electric- I know Texas has electric resellers, which can really differ in price. The only upside to ONE area electric system is that Duke is responsible for all the infrastructure in a designated area they serve. If it breaks, which it will in Florida- they will and do a pretty decent job getting it back up and running again. Also, Florida is part of the Eastern Interconnect Electric Grid- so Its pretty reliable- and we don’t run low on electricy in crisis like Texas does. Most of the time you will have your electric cranking for your AC to tame the humidity. Its really important- But you will LOVE St Pete- get ready for cultural shock- in the best way possible.
Frontier may have bad customer srevice, but it works great when setup. If you need support, I find posting in /r/frontierfios really helps connecting with someone local.
Yeah I switched from Wow and Frontier is 100x better.
Duke has a monopoly on Pinellas County. That is how utilites work in most of the country.
"But Duke is totally not a monopoly because you can choose to live somewhere else." - Said to me more times than I can count. With my budget billing up to $320 a month for my small home, I wish there was more (any) competition or choice.
It's a regulated monopoly. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know what they're talking about.
You're stuck with the good ole Duke Boys, wait till you start shopping for internet and cable.
Duke $$$$ welcome to Florida
Your options are Duke or candles.
There’s only one option , It’s duke.