Texans living in deregulated electricity markets can shop around for electricity rates to save money on their utility bills.
But would you pay a company money to save yourself money? That’s the dilemma facing anyone wishing to become an Energy Ogre customer. Energy Ogre’s service aims to take the drag out of looking for the right electricity plan for you, but at what cost?
The electricity marketplace in Texas can be confusing, especially with electric companies advertising thousands of deals. If you’re considering switching suppliers, do you want the best rate, a better rate, or just the most straightforward deal?
Let’s look at how Energy Ogre fits into the Texas energy market. Then you can decide if it’s a good fit for your energy needs.
How Does Energy Ogre Work?
Energy Ogre is a resource for Texans looking to save money on their electric bills.
The company website has a savings calculator tool. Assuming you live in a deregulated area, completing the fields generates a report showing how much Energy Ogre estimates it could save you on your utility bill.
Energy Ogre claims to use advanced algorithms to analyze every individual’s electricity use. The company then uses the same algorithms to match your usage profile with the electricity contract, saving you the most money on your utility bills.
The catch? Only members can access the offers. You can become an Energy Ogre member through a $10 monthly or $120 annual membership.
What Services Does Energy Ogre Offer?
Energy Ogre matches customers with Texas’ electric companies, also called Retail Electricity Providers (REPs). However, members who sign up for Ogre Energy won’t deal with the electric company.
The firm says it constantly monitors Texas’ electricity marketplace for the best rates to get customers the best deal, some exclusive to Energy Ogre. These are often 3-12 month plans, and people are kept in the information loop at every step. It also takes into account any hidden fees when working out costs.
Energy Ogre says it compares more than 2,000 electricity plans from over 135 electric companies and can save people up to 40% on their utility bills. The company states it will:
- Handle any account-related issues and procedures like sign-ups for offers
- Track contract renewal dates
- Offer tailored products based on your unique electricity usage profile
- Send usage and bill estimates
- Provide a customer service section to help with inquiries
Is Energy Ogre an Electricity Provider?
No, Energy Ogre is not an electric company but an energy broker.
Members need only send their personal information and payment options to Energy Ogre to become a member to access its services. Energy Ogre does all the supplier switching for you.
Let’s say Energy Ogre changes your electric company every six months. Energy Ogre handles all the paperwork and you receive emails with updates. Energy Ogre’s customer service also deals with your provider or account issues.
As standard, customers receive monthly bills from their electric company, whichever one it may be. Energy Ogre says it continues to monitor and analyze your energy usage and electricity bills to ensure you have the best deal to save you money.
For instance, if Energy Ogre spots a deal beneficial to a customer, its computers calculate potential savings and kickstart a supplier switch on your behalf.
Where Does Energy Ogre Offer Its Services?
Energy Ogre offers its services in the deregulated electricity market areas of Texas. Folks can use the website’s savings calculator tool to see if they are within Energy Ogre’s service area.
What Does Energy Ogre Charge?
Energy Ogre charges $10 a month for its services. Paying customers are called members and can pay in $10 monthly installments or one annual lump sum of $120.
Enter your ZIP Code and compare electricity rates
Will Energy Ogre Save Me Money on Electricity Bills?
First, Energy Ogre charges $120 for its services so using the service carries an inherent cost.
In 2021, the average electricity bill in Texas was $1,558.80 a year ($130.20 per month). According to the website’s claims, saving 40% that year meant paying around $635 less for electricity. That’s a net payoff of $515— if accurate.
However, the service Energy Ogre offers is one that any Texas resident can do for themselves for free.
Multiple price comparison websites help people find the best electricity deals, including Powertochoose.org, run by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Energy Ogre’s pitch is that it saves people time comparing all available discounts and uses algorithms to find the best offer.
Potential members need to weigh up if paying Energy Ogre $120 for what could take them an hour or two is worth it. Notably, the website states: “We can guarantee that the rate plan we’ll put you in will have been the best rate available during the time of selection, with no hidden fees or surprises.”
Will Energy Ogre Get Me the Day’s Best Electricity Rate?
Yes and no.
Energy Ogre analyzes your energy usage and monitors Texas’ electricity market to find the most appropriate energy plan for you. However, once agents sign you up for a product on your behalf, you are committed to the contract.
For example, let’s say you’re an Energy Ogre member and your current electricity deal is about to expire on a Monday. Following the company’s algorithms, the best deal for you is a six-month fixed rate at 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which switches you to that deal.
By Friday, market prices drop and there’s now a six-month offer at 10 cents per kWh. Be aware that Energy Ogre will most likely be unable to switch you to this lower deal. Most electricity contracts carry an early termination fee, often several hundred dollars. It will cost more to get you out of the old agreement and into the new one than the savings available.
Energy Ogre will get you what it considers the best deal at the time. It doesn’t get your electricity at the best rate daily. But Energy Ogre will switch suppliers if its calculations suggest you’ll save money by switching before your contract ends.
How Does Energy Ogre Make Money?
Energy Ogre makes money from its membership fees of $10 a month.
Is Energy Ogre Worth It?
By signing up with Energy Ogre, your time and money are at stake. You must give the company your money to be a member and take around 10 minutes to sign up with personal details.
Anyone considering being a member must think whether they have the time and motivation to look for electricity deals. Does $120 a year compensate for the time gained and any possible savings? The choice is yours.
What Are the Advantages of Using Energy Ogre?
Energy Ogre claims its advantages to members include:
- Saving them time
- Reducing their utility bills
- Finding the most cost-effective plan based on actual electricity usage
- Automatic renewals so you never slip onto a more expensive tariff
- Hints and tips on energy efficiency and Texas’ electricity market
- Helping shift power supplies when they move home
- Benefits and bonuses to anyone who refers a family member or friend via promo codes
- Talking to your electricity provider on your behalf
- No hidden fees on electricity bills
Energy Ogre also claims to be the state’s largest independent residential energy broker. That means it’s not affiliated with any energy provider, which is why the company says it will always look for the best product for your usage. For example, Power Wizard is another paid membership-based website that looks for lower electricity prices for Texans. But Power Wizard is owned by NextEra Energy, an energy company operating in Texas.
What Are the Disadvantages of Using Energy Ogre?
Energy Ogre is not for everyone. The company requires payment of $120 a year to perform a task—finding a suitable electricity deal—that many people can complete by themselves in a couple of hours. Spending money to save money is not always a winning formula.
Members must provide personal information to Energy Ogre so the firm can complete its tasks. This includes providing your name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, credit card information, and electricity bills. You may also have to give them the login details for your current electricity provider’s account.
Some people prefer to know what they pay to plan their expenses. Energy Ogre, however, generally finds 3-12 month contracts. That extra choice of two to five-year fixed-rate products may not be available.
While choice is at the core, Energy Ogre members also lose some of their ability to make their own energy decisions, such as signing a special offer from their existing provider. You may only get to compare some of the deals being touted.
Remember that Energy Ogre is an energy broker. Ultimately, your contract is with an electric company and not Energy Ogre. Also, Energy Ogre cannot restore power during outages; only your utility can do that.
What Is the Ogre Energy Guarantee?
Energy Ogre states it will give anyone their money back if they are not completely satisfied with its services. The company doesn’t guarantee to save you money, only “guarantee that the rate plan we’ll put you in will have been the best rate available during the time of selection, with no hidden fees or surprises.”
Does Energy Ogre Offer Business Electricity Rates?
Yes, Energy Ogre offers business electricity rates. Properties using less than 80,000 kWh per year can use the website and pay $120 annually. Any accounts requiring over 80,000 kWh annual usage must contact Energy Ogre directly.
Reviews: Is Energy Ogre a Good Company?
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) lists Energy Ogre, scoring under 2.5 out of 5 stars from customer reviews. Energy Ogre is not registered at BBB.
As of September 2023, the company had received 23 customer complaints in the last three years, with 11 of those in the previous year. Energy Ogre has around 80 employees and has assisted more than 100,000 Texans.
How Do I Contact Ogre Energy?
There are several ways to contact Ogre Energy. You can email them, call their customer services, or write to their headquarters at 24 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77046.
The company also has a LinkedIn profile page, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram accounts.
How Long Has Energy Ogre Been in Business?
Energy Ogre has been in business in Texas since 2013, giving it a decade of service to Texans. It has been featured on several TV shows, including WFAA, KDFW Dallas, and Telemundo 39.
Who Owns Energy Ogre?
Energy Ogre was founded by Jesson Bradshaw, who is the company CEO. Bradshaw has been trading energy since the 1990s, including working at Texas’ principal grid operator, ERCOT.
Is Energy Ogre the Same as Griddy?
No, Griddy and Energy Ogre are not the same company.
Griddy was an electric company, a REP, that supplied electricity to customers across Texas. Griddy went bust after the Texas winter storm in February 2021. Energy Ogre is not an electric company or REP. Energy Ogre is an energy broker connecting customers with electric companies.
Griddy’s sales pitch was similar to Energy Ogre’s. Griddy sold electricity to people at the wholesale price but with a $9.99 monthly fee. Energy Ogre says it looks for the best electricity deals for its members with a $10 monthly fee.
Should I Use Energy Ogre for Electricity?
Signing up as an Energy Ogre member will cost $120 a year. The company guarantees the best rates for electricity at the time of asking. While it claims to save people up to 40% on their utility bills, such large or any reductions are not guaranteed.
Many Texans who wish to reduce their utility bills and find the best electricity plan for their usage have many tools to do so by themselves. The bottom line is it’s your choice. As with most decisions, be sure to do your research before signing any dotted line. Fortunately, even in the face of rising electricity prices, there are solutions to suit your needs.
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