How to Encourage Prospects to Switch Energy Brokers
In a deregulated market, consumers have the power to choose their energy provider if they’re not happy with the one they have. But, they may have questions such as, what are the reasons to switch brokers? And how do they go about doing it without disrupting their service? Here’s everything you need to know to show prospective clients how switching energy brokers can save them money on energy.
Reasons to Switch Energy Brokers
They may be thinking, “My broker is fine. I don’t need to switch.” But, there are actually a few reasons why they might want to consider changing brokers.
1. They’re not happy with the service
If they’re not happy with the level of customer service they’re receiving, it may be time to switch brokers. They have the power to choose their energy provider, so they should feel comfortable and taken care of by their broker. If they don’t, it’s time to find someone new.
2. Their rates have increased
If their energy rates have gone up, it may be time to switch brokers. A good broker will work to get them the best rate possible. If their broker isn’t doing that, it’s time to find a new one.
3. They want to go green
If they’re interested in going green and using renewable energy, some brokers specialize in that. If their broker doesn’t offer what they’re looking for, it may be time to switch.
How to Switch Energy Brokers
Now that you have the reasons to switch brokers to present to prospects, let’s talk about how to walk them through the process.
1. Check if there are any cancellation fees
Before switching brokers, they should check to see if there are any cancellation fees. They don’t want to be stuck paying a fee just to leave their current broker.
2. Choose a new broker
There are a few things to consider when making this decision. Provide them with all of the reasons why they should choose you as their new energy broker. First, by comparing your rates and plans to other energy brokers. Also showing that you are licensed and accredited. Then, direct them to your customer reviews so they can get a feel for the customer service they can expect.
3. Make the switch
Tell them that once they’ve decided, the process of switching is simple. All they have to do is contact you to make the switch.
We hope these tips help you increase your client base!
The Energy Broker Strategies for Power Price Increases
Power prices in the US have been increasing recently, and this has been hard for energy brokers and consumers. While many consumers are now shopping for different types of deals, energy brokers also need to look for alternatives to lessen the impact on their business.
If you are using software for energy brokers, you will be able to see several options open to you that can lessen costs. Using software for your business can help make processes efficient and lower your overall costs. Here is what to know about the power price increase and strategies you can use to lessen overall costs:
Why Are Power Prices Increasing?
If you use energy broker software that informs you of gas prices or read the news, you will know that prices increase. The global oil demand has been steadily increasing, and OPEC has prohibited oil extraction from increasing in many countries.
Since oil is a primary component of electricity production, the increase in oil prices has translated directly to electricity costs increasing. Electricity plans becoming more expensive is forcing consumers to look at alternative plans and find electricity brokers willing to supply cheaper electricity.
Look At Cost-Cutting Practices
You can reduce the impact of increasing electricity prices on your consumer by reducing the costs of management and maintenance of your business. There are many options available to you, like adopting energy brokerage software, educating your employees about energy efficiency, using software to track how much energy is being used, etc.
As an energy brokerage business, it is crucial that you understand what your customers are looking for. You want to cater their plans to their uses, which can also reduce their overall costs.
Find Government Incentives
If you provide energy to other businesses, you can look for government incentives that make energy cheaper. It is only targeted at businesses that want to lessen their energy consumption. Some incentives you can find are:
- Tax breaks
- Energy audits
- Rebates
Depending on what kind of consumers you have and what plans they are using, you can find various incentives available. Businesses will also be keener to reduce their consumption or adopt energy-efficient technology, saving money and increasing efficiency simultaneously.
Use Green Energy Providers
Using renewable energy for your customers can lessen or completely eliminate the dependency on oil prices. It can make electricity cheaper in the long term, and you might also find government incentives that can make it more affordable.
It can be ideal to implement an energy management software to ensure businesses can track their consumption and know where reduction needs to occur. It can make businesses more energy-efficient without much hassle.
Make Consumers Aware
As an energy broker, you help find the best energy deals for your clients. When electricity prices increase, your customers might start looking elsewhere even if no better deals are available. Your responsibility is to make your customer aware of why the prices are increasing and whether they should stick to or cancel their current electricity plan.
Making consumers aware is crucial when you want to ensure long-term clients and help them find the best deals. Use these alternatives to lessen the impact of rising electricity prices and your continued success.
Contact us if you are interested in a Live Demo of our Energy Brokerage Software – the only retail energy software featuring a Live Marketplace.
4 Ways to Become a Retail Energy Broker: Insider Tips for Success
There are many to choose from these days, but how do you know which energy broker platform is the best for your business?
In this blog post, we will give you some insider tips on becoming a retail energy broker and being successful in this industry!
#Tip 1: Get to know the energy broker platform that you are using
The first tip is to get to know the energy broker platform you are using. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is actually very important. You need to understand how the platform works and what features it has to offer. This way, you will be able to use it to its full potential and get the most out of it.
If you are unsure where to start, we recommend checking out our energy broker platform, Enerclix. We offer a free trial so that you can try out all of our features and see if it is the right fit for your business.
#Tip 2: Get to know your customers
The second tip is to get to know your customers. It is important to understand their needs and wants. This way, you will be able to offer them the best possible products and services. For example, if you know that your customers are interested in green energy, you can offer them environmentally friendly products.
In addition, you should also keep up with industry trends to offer your customers the latest in energy services.
#Tip 3: Stay organized
The third tip is to stay organized. This is important because you will be dealing with a lot of information. You need to keep track of all of your customers, their energy needs, and the products and services you offer.
We recommend an easy-to-use energy broker platform like Enerclix. Our platform is designed to be user-friendly and helps you stay organized to focus on what is important – your customers!
#Tip 4: Offer the best customer service
The fourth and final tip is to offer the best customer service. This is one of the most important aspects of being a successful energy broker. You need to be able to provide your customers with the best possible service so that they will keep coming back to you.
Why Choose Enerclix’s Energy Broker Platform?
Here are some reasons why you should choose our energy broker platform:
– We offer a free trial so that you can try out all of our features.
– Our platform has multiple membership/licensing package options to fit your needs.
– Hosted in a Tier IV Facility – the highest level of security and scalability.
– SSAE 16 Type II Compliant and 2048 Bit – SSL.
– Access live pricing and transact deals in real-time with our Live Marketplace™.
– We offer training and support so that you can get the most out of our platform
If you are looking for an energy broker platform that can help you be successful in this industry, look no further than Enerclix!
Contact us today to learn more!
8 Ways To Reduce Energy Costs At Your Business in 2022
Reducing energy costs is a top priority for businesses of all sizes in 2022. Companies are looking for new and innovative ways to reduce their energy consumption, particularly with the US government’s recent focus on climate change and rising energy costs.
Here are eight solutions that can help your business reduce energy costs in 2022:
1. Use software to track and monitor energy usage.
You can use energy monitoring software to track how much energy your business is using. This software can help you see where you are using the most energy and what changes you can make to reduce your consumption. Some metrics that you may want to track include:
– Total energy consumption
– Energy consumption by department or process
– Energy intensity (energy use per unit of production)
2. Advocate for energy-efficient software and hardware.
When it comes time to purchase new software or hardware for your business, advocate for energy-efficient products. This will help reduce your business’s overall energy consumption. Some things to look for when purchasing software or hardware include:
– ENERGY STAR® certification
– EPEAT® rating
3. Use software to automate energy-saving tasks.
Many software programs can automate energy-saving tasks for your business. For example, you can use software to schedule when lights are turned off or on, set thermostats to more energy-efficient temperatures, and control other energy-using devices. Automating these tasks can help you save energy without changing your daily routine.
4. Find an energy broker.
An energy broker can help you find the best energy deals for your business. They will work with you to understand your energy needs and then find suppliers that can provide you with the energy you need at the best price. Working with an energy broker can help you save money on your energy costs.
5. Monitor your carbon footprint.
Carbon footprint monitoring can help you understand your business’s impact on the environment. This information can help you make changes to your business operations to reduce your carbon footprint and help fight climate change.
6. Educate your employees about energy efficiency.
Employees are a business’s biggest resource for reducing energy costs. Educating your employees about how they can save energy will help them become more mindful of their energy consumption. Some ideas for educating employees about energy efficiency include:
– hosting an energy efficiency training
– creating energy efficiency policy guidelines
– posting energy efficiency tips around the office
7. Find government incentives.
Many government incentives are available to businesses that want to reduce their energy consumption. These incentives can help you save money on your energy costs and make it easier for your business to become more energy-efficient. Some government incentives that are available for businesses include:
– tax breaks
– grants
– low-interest loans
– rebates
– energy audits
– energy efficiency certification
8. Use a green energy provider.
If you want to use renewable energy in your business, you can work with a green energy provider. These providers offer renewable energy products such as solar and wind power. Using renewable energy can help you reduce your carbon footprint and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Finally, implement an energy management system. An energy management system (EMS) is a software program that helps businesses manage their energy use. EMS programs can help you track your energy consumption, set energy-saving goals, and monitor progress. Having an EMS can help you reduce your energy costs and become more energy-efficient.
U.S. Oil Production to Increase in 2022
According to a recent Energy Information Administration (EIA) report, U.S. oil production is expected to increase significantly by 2022. The report states that the country’s crude oil output will jump from an average of an additional 2.5 million b/d to an average of 28.8 million b/d in 2022. This is great news for the American economy and energy independence!
The main driver of this growth is the Permian Basin, located in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The basin has seen a surge in drilling activity in recent years, and the EIA expects production to more than double by 2022.
Other areas expected to see growth include the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The EIA estimates that production from these areas will increase by 30% and 25%, respectively, by 2022.
This growth in U.S. oil production is good news for the country’s energy security and economy, and it will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It’s also a significant boom to the energy industry. So, let’s take a look at some of why this growth is expected to occur.
What this means for the American economy
One reason for increased production out west may be higher prices that have been fetched for Permian Basin oil in recent years. The basin is one of the most prolific oil-producing regions in the country, and it has seen a surge in drilling activity in recent years. This has led to higher prices, which have helped offset the cost of drilling.
The Permian Basin is also a significant producer of natural gas, and the growth in oil and gas production is likely to continue. This will create opportunities for companies that provide goods and services to the energy industry, and it will also help create jobs.
So, what does it all mean for energy independence?
This will lead to less reliance on OPEC and other foreign producers, and it will also mean that there will be less demand for oil from countries like Venezuela or Nigeria. This is good news for the U.S., as it will help to reduce our trade deficit and increase energy security.
How this will impact the global oil market
The global oil market is expected to see a historic shift in the coming years as demand continues to grow while supply stagnates. This will lead to higher prices and increased volatility in the market.
The growth in U.S. oil production will help to offset some of this volatility and should lead to somewhat lower prices for both crude and refined products.
What does this mean for American consumers?
It’s also good news for consumers, as it will lead to lower prices for both crude and refined products.
The increase in U.S. production is expected to impact the American economy and energy independence positively. This will also help reduce our trade deficit, which is currently at an all-time high.
Why Energy Bills are Going up Recently
The average energy bill is going up in the US because gas prices are going up, and this is a specific consumer-side effect of high oil prices.
Oil is a key input for the production of gasoline and other fuels and chemicals that we use to produce electricity. Since oil is traded on the global market, its price is not set by US markets or policies – this means that domestic production has little effect on oil prices.
US policy has little to do with increasing oil production in recent years, which coincides with rising gas prices. Some other countries are also fracking, which has increased global oil supply and put downward pressure on prices.
Decreasing demand in the US is a good thing for the environment since it’s less CO2 emissions, but it puts downward pressure on oil prices, which means that oil-producing countries can sell less of their product.
This effect is not symmetric because oil consumption in the US has dropped by half a million barrels per day since 2006, but consumption elsewhere hasn’t dropped as much.
The reason renewables haven’t been able to keep up is that they are intermittent energy sources, which means plants have little incentive to build them.
So the US has been going for a mix of renewables and gas to produce electricity, which people use at home.
How it Impacts Utility Bills
Utility bills are going up because gas prices are going up, resulting from high oil prices. This means that renewable energy sources like solar and wind wouldn’t have reduced electricity costs.
Behind the scenes, though, utilities are building more renewable energy capacity, eventually becoming more competitive with gas sources due to technology improvements and decreased costs.
Higher prices have meant that the average household spent 4% of their income on gas and other energy sources, which is close to the historical average of 5%.
Higher usage prices are also correlated with higher wages, so it’s not a bad thing that incomes have been rising while prices have been rising. On top of that, energy is only a small percentage of the cost for most businesses and individuals.
How it Impacts Utilities
Utilities have benefited from cheap natural gas prices while renewable energy and storage costs have increased, and made it so that utilities need to charge more for electricity to cover those costs.
Increased prices have prompted utilities to invest in renewable energy and storage, which will eventually help bring down future costs.
What To Know About Natural Gas Price Increases as Winter Approaches
The colder weather is coming, and that means natural gas prices are on the rise. In some parts of the country, prices have quadrupled in recent weeks as demand for natural gas spikes.
Per the Winter Fuels Outlook by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the cost to heat a home will increase 30% compared to last year. The number of heating degree days is expected to increase 2.6 percent this winter, compared with last year’s winter.
The Industry’s Story
The oil and gas industry is quick to blame the government for these price increases. They say that increased regulations and taxes are making it more expensive to produce natural gas.
Environmental advocates, on the other hand, say that the industry is simply trying to pass along its high costs of doing business to consumers.
What’s the truth?
The Government’s Story
While it’s true that natural gas production has hit record levels, there are several factors involved in its cost. Here are just a few examples of what oil and gas companies are facing these days.
Increased demand for fracking is overloading pipelines, which means producers have to charge more for natural gas.
The industry is also facing a lot of litigation over water contamination and other environmental problems.
In addition, the industry is dealing with new regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are increasing costs.
For example, the EPA has just finalized a rule that would limit methane emissions from oil and gas operations. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and the new rule will help to reduce its emissions by up to 45%.
Unsurprisingly, the oil and gas industry is not pleased with this regulation. It’s suing to block it, in fact. The EPA, however, says the methane rule is “a key part” of former President Obama’s Climate Action Plan.
While this new methane regulation imposes costs on the oil and gas industry, there are also opportunities for companies that support natural gas development.
In short, while the oil and gas industry does have a lot of moving parts, government regulations are only one piece of the story.
While it’s true that many different factors impact natural gas prices, including increased demand for fracking and court cases over environmental damage, there is another big factor in play here: the cost of doing business.
While industry advocates blame government regulations, the fact is that production costs are going up across the board. This includes everything from labor costs to the cost of materials.
It’s also worth noting that natural gas prices are still relatively low compared to other forms of energy. In most parts of the United States, electricity prices still cost about twice as much, on average. Oil is also more expensive than natural gas.
So, while the coldest days of winter may be yet to come, the political fight over natural gas prices has been going on for some time.
Why is U.S. Oil So Expensive Right Now?
The current oil market is experiencing a major shift brought on by advances in technology that have opened up previously untapped opportunities.
One of the main changes is the U.S.’s ability to extract oil from shale, which has led to an unprecedented boom within the last decade. Shale oil extraction has caused U.S. production levels to grow exponentially since 2006 and it is now the world’s largest producer of oil.
Why, then, are oil prices so high when the U.S. is producing so much?
There are a few reasons for this:
1) The global demand for oil continues to grow, especially in developing countries, as they strive to increase their standard of living.
As a result, the global demand for oil has risen almost consistently over the last decade. New technologies have made alternative forms of energy appear more competitive in the market, but they still have not been able to fully supplant oil.
2) The U.S. is not the only country with shale oil reserves and other countries are beginning to extract their own shale oil, which has led to a decrease in U.S. market share.
Other countries, particularly China, are becoming larger oil producers. These countries have not yet reached their peaks in shale oil extraction, so production levels are expected to continue to grow in the future.
3) The break-even price for shale oil production is much higher than traditional production, so companies are forced to sell at a price where they are still making a profit.
When you say break-even price you are referring to the point at which expenses are equal to revenue. For shale oil, this is right around $50/barrel. This means that companies need to sell their oil at a price above this in order to make a profit.
4) OPEC, an organization of oil-producing countries, has maintained consistent production levels in order to keep the price of oil high in hopes that alternative energy will not be able to compete with oil’s market share.
In a recent report, OPEC released its projections for the future of oil and they do not believe that oil will be unseated by alternative energy in the near future, so they are trying to maintain a high price point.
These four major factors have caused the oil market to be in a state of flux for the last few years, and it is unclear how things will play out in the long term.
What is clear, however, is that the U.S. shale boom has transformed the global oil market and will continue to have a major impact for years to come.
Proposed Closure of Michigan Pipeline by Biden Draws Criticism
Joe Biden is drawing criticism for proposing to shut down a major oil pipeline in Michigan one day after his climate change plan was released.
The president said he would consider shutting down the Line 5 pipeline in the Great Lakes to protect the environment. The move comes after an advisory panel sent Biden a report suggesting he shut it down, which was later signed off on by his campaign. Critics of the plan say closing the pipeline could lead to energy shortages during the winter months.
The 645-mile pipeline is situated in the Great Lakes, transporting up to 540,000 barrels of fuel per day. The line was completed in 1953 and has had over 1,500 leaks since it began operation.
Line 5 is part of a pipeline network that transports about 540,000 barrels of oil each day from Western Canada to refineries in the United States. Petroleum is extracted from the line in Escanaba, Michigan.
The line is also notable for passing under the ecologically sensitive Straits of Mackinac, which connects Lake Michigan to Lake Huron.
Biden’s plan for energy includes moving to 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050; doubling clean energy research funding; building the Green New Deal across the European Union and building a clean economy that creates high-quality union jobs.
Climate change activists welcomed his plan, but they also pushed him to support Senator Bernie Sanders’ Green New Deal proposal.
Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Biden’s energy secretary, says, “This is completely predictable,” saying that heating costs would rise regardless of the Biden administration’s decision on the pipeline. “Yes, it will happen. This year will be more expensive than last year,” Granholm added in an interview with CNN.
Biden’s campaign manager Greg Schultz said this week that the candidate “supports” the Green New Deal but is still reviewing it.
The campaign has not commented on the possibility of closing down Line 5.
What Would a Decarbonized Economy Look Like?
A recent paper by The International Renewable Energy Agency attempts to quantify what a decarbonized economy might look like. The report compares energy use and CO2 emissions to show what 12 major economies might look like in 2050 if they cut their carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent.
The findings show the challenges ahead to make deep cuts in emissions, and highlights that many countries are already reducing emissions.
They conclude that such a target is technically and economically feasible, but it would mean significant changes in how we live and do business.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions
The report examined the effect of steep reductions in CO2 emissions on energy use and the economy.
Global greenhouse gas emissions will increase from 46 billion tons to 65 billion tons on a business-as-usual trajectory by 2050.
A substantial reduction in emissions that hold warming below 2°C, would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to 21 billion tons by 2050 [81% less than business-as-usual trajectory].
Energy Use and GDP
Cutting emissions by 80 percent would reduce global energy use by roughly 37 percent. This is because a lack of carbon-based fuels would require more efficient energy use and a switch to renewables.
In all 12 countries studied, GDP growth was larger than energy use growth. This means that countries could reduce emissions while at the same time growing their economies.
However, if economic growth outpaces emission reductions due to more efficient energy use, CO2 emissions would flatline or even rise slightly between 2020-2050 in many countries.
Energy Mix
Even with rapid decarbonization, electricity generation accounts for only 20-40% of total primary energy demand by 2050 in all 12 countries studied. This is because widespread electrification of end uses, like heating and transport, offsets the gains made through switching to low carbon energy sources like renewables or nuclear power.
For example: In the USA, 80 percent of heat demand would be met by a combination of heat pumps and biomass fuels [70%] or natural gas [10%] in 2050.
In some countries, oil use continues to grow but at a much slower rate than current trends – due to greater fuel efficiency from electric drivetrains.
A Reversible Trend?
The report suggests that getting emissions down to 80 percent below 1990 levels is definitely possible but we still can’t tell if decarbonization is sustainable and at what cost.
It could be reversible, just like we’ve seen in historical examples of technological change [for example, coal]. Technology development drove down emissions by increasing energy efficiency and reducing costs for renewables, which allowed emissions to grow again without much government intervention or legislation.
What’s Missing?
The study discusses various sources of emissions to examine how economic growth, energy use and the energy mix changes with rapid reductions in emissions. However, it does not discuss land use [deforestation] or agriculture, which are important sources of greenhouse gas emissions. And it also omits black carbon [soot], another major threat to global climate stability with local impacts.
The report also does not quantify the social or environmental impacts of decarbonization – for example, how changes to energy use might affect employment levels in various sectors. Nor does it discuss the possibility of negative emission technologies [carbon capture & storage].
Wrapping Up
Rapid reductions in carbon emissions are technically feasible, but they will require an overhaul of our energy systems and lifestyles. This would be an incredible challenge, but we knew that already. This is why we need ambitious climate policy and technology pushing us forward towards a clean energy future, rather than just sticking with business as usual or becoming pessimistic about the challenge. The good news is that such rapid emission cuts mean that economic growth can continue uninterrupted.
