
And you know what that requires? Yep: energy.Īll in all, a set-top cable box with a DVR can consume as much as 35 kilowatt hours a month-meaning that it alone can account for $8 a month in electric bills (at least, that's according to reporting coming from the Times, for a Southern California consumer).

but then, of course, you'd have to reboot the machine. You could actually unplug the boxes to stop all that work from being done. To the extent that "the devices," the Times puts it, "use nearly as much power turned off as they do when they are turned on."
Yep energy ca software#
That's in turn because there's a whole mess of work being done under the boxes' casing: spinning hard drives, program guide updates, software downloads, all going on in the background. The boxes don't just consume power when you're using them they also suck up energy when they're turned off. That's because they are, unlike Game of Thrones viewers, extremely bad at enjoying some downtime. The boxes have become, the Times writes, "the biggest single energy user in many homes, apart from air conditioning." And, combined, they consume approximately the same amount of electricity as would be produced by four nuclear reactors-enormous ones, running around the clock. There are approximately 224 million of them in the United States, dotted across the nation's living rooms and bedrooms and taprooms. Set-top boxes, the Los Angeles Times reports, are shockingly greedy energy-guzzlers. Because the machines many people use to experience the show-cable boxes, allowing live and time-shifted viewing-are themselves collections of power-hungry individuals. YEP Energy is based in Houston, Texas, and also serves customers in California and New Jersey.Game of Thrones is about a collection of power-hungry individuals. Cancellation FeesĬancellation fees on short-term contracts with YEP are expensive, however because the cancellation fee is a flat rate without regard to contract length, longer term contracts with YEP become advantageous over competitors who charge higher fees with longer contracts. We do not recommend variable rate plans, because these are not regulated by your state government, and may end being more costly than a fixed rate. Some customers report dissapointment with their variable rate plans, which may end up being more expensive than a fixed rate plan.

YEP customers can earn a $25 credit for them and a friend for referrals. Customer reviews are mixed, with some customers satisfied with their service and energy savings, and other customers dissatisfied with various fees and customer service. YEP has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, based on the small number of complaints that have been made against it relative to its size. Rather, a green energy plan might mean that your provider has agreed to purchase this equivalent amount of electricity from renewable sources. Because electricity is delivered via indirect paths on a shared grid, this does not mean that the electricity that reaches your house comes 100% from renewable sources. To qualify for the Low Price Guarantee, customers must also choose the automatic payment option. However, because electricity prices tend to increase over time, locking in fixed rates for longer periods may prove advantageous and deliver savings.Ĭustomers should be aware that the rates advertised for YEP's variable rate plans apply to the first billing cycle only, after which prices are subject to change, at the discretion of the provider. Electricity prices per kilowatt-hour fluctuate throughout the year, and you may actually lose money by not being able to take advantage of prices when they are low. Fixed rate plans can often be a good deal if you are able to lock in a good rate at the right time of year.Įlectricity customers should opt for fixed rate contracts of 24 or 36 months. None - month to month, renews automaticallyĬustomers report that they appreciate savings on fixed rate electricity plans from YEP. For every 1000 kWh consumed, $3 donation made to USO's Warrior and Family care Program.Plans include state average 10% renewable content.At end of period, option to renew or automatic switch to month-to-month variable rates.Rate remains the same for the entire contract period.Customers should be wary of hidden charges, like a $9.95 monthly charge that applies on consumption of less than 1000kWh, and on a range of charges that are applied against unpaid service and on certain types of bill payment options. YEP's "Low Price Guarantee" is a pledge to undercut electricity rates offered by certain competitors by 5-15%. The standard early termination fee of $175 on all fixed-rate plans is quite high for the short term plans, but very low compared with other providers on longer (24 and 36 month) plans.


YEP offers a variety of plans, including fixed rate and variable rate options, with contracts ranging from 3 to 36 months. Variable Rate Plans and Cancellation Fees.
