The United States has three main power grids: The Eastern and Western Interconnection, which each service multiple states, and Texas, which gets an independent power grid. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, handles 85 percent of the state’s power needs, producing and distributing electricity to 23 million people.

But, why does Texas need its own grid?

Slate reports that during World War II, Texas was home to many factories required for critical supplies. The electrical planners didn’t want to depend on energy coming in from other states, so they used the abundant natural resources to set up a grid specifically for Texas. Even today, this state requires a massive amount of electricity to keep the industrial sector powered, so it makes sense to have a dedicated grid.

Texas has a strong culture of self-sufficiency, which had an influence on the development of its own energy grid. It does have links to the other interconnections, which get used during particularly high demand periods. Unusually hot summers or long heat waves can sometimes lead to Texas importing energy, so the air conditioners keep going strong.

The utility companies governed by the ERCOT typically do not sell energy outside state lines. This configuration allows Texas to set most of its own rules and regulations, as opposed to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission setting oversight in place. State regulators can make decisions that make the most sense for their residents, rather than making adjustments based on the needs of multiple states.

Texas has the space and natural resources needed to produce inexpensive electricity for residents and businesses. These costs fall below the national average. Renewable energy sources, such as wind-powered electricity, are moving Texas to more environmentally friendly options.

However, inexpensive energy does have a downside. Population growth in Austin is significant, thanks to startups, tech companies and other businesses moving into the area. Google Fiber also plays a role in bringing in more people. The energy grid needs to adapt to the rising amount of individuals who call Texas home, but electricity companies have less of an incentive to build in Texas compared to states with higher energy costs.

Contact Bryant Electric Service to make sure you’re getting the most out of the Texas Power grid and take back your energy today!

If you own an RV, you are probably always looking for ways to make life easier. One of the areas you may struggle with is providing consistent electricity to an RV. When you are staying in an RV park, there is often a power source—however, if you want to use your RV’s power system at home (to utilize it as a guest house, for instance) you may feel at loss as to what you need to do. Follow this advice from an electrician in Los Angeles and see what you need to do to “borrow” electricity from your home for your RV.

First, you must realize it is not as simple as just plugging your RV into your home’s electrical system. This will overload your power system, trip the circuit breaker and leave you scratching your head. If you see this as something you may do very often, you want to get in touch with Electric Connection—the electrician Los Angeles residents turn to—and let these experts set you up with an RV to home connection.

There are adaptors available but they will not provide enough electricity to do much other than operate the lighting in your home. You will need to install a long term solution. This is a project that can be done yourself; however, it is strongly recommended that you turn to a professional. It requires extensive wiring work that is not recommended for those not skilled in working with electricity. Essentially, you need a specific circuit that is dedicated to powering your RV.

If you are interested in powering your RV from the electricity in your home, contact Electric Connection today and let us work with you on this project. You will appreciate the experience, expertise and top-notch customer service you receive every time you call Electric Connection.

You aren’t blinking without realizing it; you aren’t sleepy or imagining things. Your eyes aren’t tricking you—your lights are flickering. There are a few different reasons the lights in your home might be flickering, so read on to figure out what your problem is, as well as whether it’s a simple fix, or cause to contact a professional here at Hoffman Electrical!

Our team has been providing top-class electrical services to Tampa and the surrounding areas for nearly three decades. Our team has the skill and experience needed to suss out your flickering light problems, guaranteed.