Glossary - Dynowatt

AREP

A Retail Electric Provider (REP) that is owned, and is now independently operated, by the original electric utility for that area.

CFL

(Compact Flourescent Light) - A type of light bulb that combines the energy efficiency of fluorescent lighting with the convenience of a standard incandescent bulb. Most CFLs produce light similar in color to a standard incandescent bulb.

Consumption

Refers to how much electricity a customer uses.

Cost Per Unit

Refers to how much you pay for a unit of energy. For electricity, 1 unit = 1 kiloWatt (kW).

Deregulation

The elimination of regulation from a previously regulated industry. A deregulated industry is one that was formerly a monopoly regulated and controlled by the government and has since become open to competition from the private sector.

Direct Solar Gain

Solar energy collected from the sun (as heat) in a building through windows, walls, skylights, etc. Also known as "solar heat gain."

Electricity

A property of the basic particles of matter. A form of energy having magnetic, radiant and chemical effects. Electric current is created by a flow of charged particles (electrons).

Energy Consumption

The amount of energy consumed in the form in which it is acquired by the user. The term excludes electrical generation and distribution losses.

Energy Efficiency

Using less energy to perform the same function.

Energy Supplier

See Retail Electric Provider.

ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas)

The corporation that operates the electric grid and manages the deregulated market for the majority of Texas.

Fixed Rate

A per unit cost that does not change. Dynowatt offers Fixed Rate Plans that allow customers to pay the same rate (or cost per unit of energy) for 6 months, 1, 2 or years.

Fossil Fuel

Oil, coal, natural gas or their by-products. Fuel that was formed in the earth during prehistoric times from remains of living-cell organisms.

Green Power

Energy that is generated from renewable sources such as wind, hydro (water), solar and biomass. Dynowatt offers GoGreen© by Dynowatt™ which is generated 100% by Texas wind power.

Heat Gain

An increase in the amount of heat contained in a space resulting from direct solar radiation, heat flow through walls, windows, and other building surfaces, and the heat given off by people, lights, equipment, and other sources.

Heat Loss

A decrease in the amount of heat contained in a space, resulting from heat flow through walls, windows, roof and other building surfaces and from exfiltration of warm air.

kW (KiloWatt)

One thousand (1,000) watts. A unit of measure of the amount of electricity needed to operate given equipment.

kWh (KiloWatt Hour)

The most commonly-used unit of measure to explain the amount of electricity consumed over time. It means one kiloWatt of electricity supplied for one hour.

Local Wires Company

Also known as TDSP (Transmission and Distribution Service Provider). Transmits and delivers the electricity to a customer's home or business along the poles and wires. This company is responsible for maintenance and repair of these poles and wires and regulated by the PUCT.

Monopoly

A business environment in which one seller controls all market sales. Utility companies no longer act as monopolies in states where the energy industry has been deregulated, including Texas.

Municipally or City Owned Utility

A not-for-profit electricity provider that is owned and operated by the municipality it serves. Texas city-owned utilities may decide whether or not their customers will have a choice of REPs.

Natural Gas

Hydrocarbon gas found in the earth, composed of methane, ethane, butane, propane and other gases.

Power

Electricity for use as energy.

PUCT

Public Utility Commission of Texas. A state agency that provides a regulatory environment under which electric, gas, telecommunication and water utilities operate. Dynowatt is recognized and approved by the PUCT.

Renewable Energy

Resources that constantly renew themselves or that are regarded as practically inexhaustible. These include solar, wind, geothermal, hydro (water) and wood.

REP (Retail Electric Provider)

A company that specializes in supplying electricity generated through traditional electric plants and/or through natural resources (green power). Dynowatt is a REP.

Solar Energy

Heat and light radiated from the sun. Also known as "solar power."

Solar Heat Gain

Heat added to a space due to transmitted and absorbed solar energy. Also known as "direct solar gain."

Solar Power

Electricity generated from the sun.

TDSP (Transmission and Distribution Service Provider)

A government-regulated “wire company” that transmits and delivers electricity to homes and businesses along poles and wires in a specified geographic area. TDSPs are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the poles and wires, and are regulated by the PUCT.

Vampire Energy Use

When energy is consumed by electronic devices (usually in the form of lights) when the devices are plugged in but are not being used. Also called "phantom energy use," this type of hidden consumption accounts for 10-20% of most energy bills.

Variable Price

A price (cost per unit of electricity) that fluctuates with the market.