Electricity, explained.
Plain-English guides to electricity rates, your bill, and the rules that protect you, built from official sources.
Winter Shutoff Rules in Every State
Twenty states have a winter shutoff moratorium, 15 block shutoffs on freezing days, and 9 have no statewide protection. Plus official counts showing when shutoffs spike.
More articles
Potential Gulf Hurricane: Invest 92L & Weekend Power Outage Risks
Invest 92L has a 90% chance of becoming a tropical depression in the southwestern Gulf. It's expected to turn north toward the Gulf Coast this weekend, bringing heavy rain and power outage risks from Louisiana to Florida.
Hurricane Polo Remnants Hit Texas: Power Outages, Flooding & What We Learned
Hurricane Polo's remnants battered Texas for a week — 12,600+ outages, DFW's 9th-wettest October day, 200+ canceled flights, dam releases, and zero deaths. Full day-by-day timeline and grid lessons.
The Longest Power Outages in U.S. History
Gary, Indiana's 14-day blackout joins a short list of the longest power outages in U.S. history. A data-driven look at the outages that lasted days, weeks, and months — and what they have in common.
PJM Emergency Orders: Heat Wave Threatens Record Electricity Demand
The Department of Energy issued emergency orders allowing PJM to curtail data centers and waive power plant pollution limits as a historic heat wave pushes electricity demand toward an all-time record of 166,304 MW across 13 states.
Invest 90L: Texas Power Outage Risks & Real-Time Tracking
Invest 90L (Potential Tropical Cyclone One) has a 60% chance of becoming Tropical Storm Arthur. Here's what Texas residents need to know about power outage risks and real-time tracking.
South Carolina H. 5439 Would Bring Electricity Choice to Homes
The South Carolina Electric Retail Choice Act would let residential and small commercial customers choose their electricity supplier starting January 1, 2028. Here's what the bill proposes.
Virginia HB 921 Expands Commercial Electricity Choice (July 2026)
Virginia HB 921 / SB 818 removes the 1% peak-load cap and lets any nonresidential customer above 5 MW shop for electricity starting July 1, 2026. Here's what changed and who qualifies.
Cuba's Electricity Crisis: What Happened & Why
Cuba has experienced multiple island-wide grid collapses since 2024. A factual look at the aging infrastructure, fuel import collapse, geopolitics, humanitarian toll, and the solar transition.
Power Factor Explained: The Beer Analogy
Power factor is one of the most confusing concepts in electricity — until you think about it like a glass of beer. The simplest explanation you'll ever find.
How Much Do Christmas Lights Cost to Run? (2026)
LED vs. incandescent, indoor vs. outdoor — here's exactly how much electricity your holiday lights use and what they'll add to your December bill.
How to Set Up Electricity in Texas (2026)
Moving to a new home? Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up electricity service, choosing a plan, and avoiding connection delays.
Texas Electricity Assistance Programs (2026)
Can't afford your electric bill? LITE-UP Texas and other assistance programs can help. Here's how to qualify, apply, and get help paying for electricity.
Supply vs. Delivery Rates on Your Electric Bill
Your electric bill has two main components: supply and delivery. Here's what each one covers, who sets the rates, and which one you can actually control.
50 Surprising Facts on Energy Consumption
From the electricity it takes to power a Google search to how much energy the entire Internet consumes — 50 facts that will change how you think about energy.
How to Break Your Electricity Contract
Stuck in a bad electricity contract? Learn how to break it, what early termination fees to expect, and when it makes financial sense to switch.
Smart Meters: How They Work & What They Do
Smart meters have replaced analog meters in most U.S. homes. Learn how they work, what data they collect, and how they can help you save.
How Much Electricity Does the White House Use?
The White House uses roughly 2,400 MWh per year — as much as 200 average homes. Here's what powers the most famous residence in America.
U.S. Military Energy Consumption Explained
The U.S. military is the world's single largest energy consumer. Learn how the armed forces power bases, vehicles, and operations — and their push toward renewables.
NRG Stadium: Energy Usage & Sustainability
Home to the Houston Texans, NRG Stadium is one of the largest and most energy-intensive venues in Texas. Here's how it powers game day.
Why Is My Electric Bill So High? 12 Reasons & Fixes
Wondering why your electric bill is so high? Here are the 12 most common reasons for high electricity bills and practical fixes to lower your monthly costs.
Rooftop Solar Panels: Are They Worth It in 2026?
A data-driven look at rooftop solar costs, savings, payback periods, and the states where solar panels make the most financial sense.
How Solar Panels Are Installed (2026)
From site assessment to final inspection, here's exactly what happens when solar panels are installed on your roof — and how long each step takes.
100 Most Energy-Efficient Companies in America
From tech giants running data centers on 100% renewables to retailers retrofitting stores with LEDs — see the top 100 most energy-efficient corporations.
Energy Cost of Sci-Fi Weapons & Alien Defenses
What would the Death Star's superlaser actually cost on your electric bill? A fun, physics-based look at the energy demands of science fiction's most iconic weapons.
U.S. Power Plants: Types, Locations & Output
The U.S. has over 11,000 power plants generating 4,178 TWh of electricity annually. See how each fuel source contributes and where the plants are.
Best Energy Tracking Apps & Devices (2026)
These energy-tracking apps help you monitor electricity consumption, find waste, and lower your bills — all from your phone.
How Rural Areas Get Electricity
How do rural communities get electricity? Learn about rural electric cooperatives, the challenges of powering remote areas, and how the rural grid works.
No Deposit Electricity in Texas (2026)
Find no deposit, no credit check electricity plans in Texas. Compare prepaid and no-deposit options from providers like Payless Power, Frontier Utilities, and more.
Percentage of Income Spent on Electricity by State (2026)
How much of your household income goes to electricity? State-by-state breakdown of average electricity costs as a percentage of median household income.
Electric Delivery Charges & TDU Fees Explained
Delivery charges can make up 40–60% of your electric bill. Learn what TDU charges are, how they're set, and whether you're overpaying.
Fixed-Rate Electricity Plans Explained (2026)
Fixed-rate electricity plans lock in your price per kWh for the length of your contract, protecting you from market swings. Learn how to find the best plan and when to lock in.
NFL Stadium Energy: Most Energy-Efficient Stadiums (2026)
From Lincoln Financial Field's 11,000 solar panels to SoFi Stadium's LEED Gold design — how NFL stadiums are cutting energy costs with solar, LED lighting, and green technology.
What Is Electricity Deregulation? (2026 Guide)
Electricity deregulation lets you choose your energy provider. Learn how deregulated markets work, which states have electric choice, and how to save by switching.
Average Home Electricity Usage by State (2026)
The average U.S. home uses about 10,500 kWh of electricity per year. See how your state compares and what drives household consumption up or down.
The 10 Worst Power Outages in U.S. History (2026)
From the 2003 Northeast Blackout to Hurricane Maria, these are the largest and most destructive power outages in American history — ranked by customers affected and total impact.
How to Read a Residential Electricity Contract
Don't sign an electricity contract you don't understand. Learn how to read every section — rate structure, fees, auto-renewal clauses, and the fine print.
What Are Peak Demand Charges?
Peak demand charges can add 30–70% to commercial electric bills. Learn how they work, when peak hours hit, and strategies to reduce your demand charges.
