What is an Energy Health Check and what does it find?
A free Energy Health Check is a data‑driven diagnostic that examines a Texas business’s most recent electricity bill to assess supply rate competitiveness, delivery‑charge accuracy, demand‑profile risks, contract timing and tax‑exemption status. United Power Group uses its 25‑year market expertise and a 30‑plus supplier panel to pinpoint savings of up to 27% and flag hidden costs before they become entrenched.
An Energy Health Check is a no‑cost, data‑driven diagnostic that tells a Texas business whether its current electricity supply, delivery charges, demand profile, contract timing, and tax exemptions are aligned with market realities. By reviewing just one recent bill, United Power Group (UPG) can identify pricing gaps, delivery‑charge errors, demand‑side inefficiencies, contract end‑date exposure, and missed tax‑exemption opportunities that together often represent a 5‑15% cost‑reduction opportunity.
The review is not a sales pitch; it is a factual snapshot that quantifies risk and opportunity. Within a week UPG delivers a concise report that ranks findings by dollar impact, explains the underlying market mechanics, and outlines the next steps—whether that means renegotiating a contract, adjusting demand‑side controls, or filing a tax‑exemption correction with the PUCT.
Why a health check matters now
Market volatility and regulatory backdrop
Texas electricity markets operate on a real‑time nodal system managed by ERCOT. Prices can swing dramatically due to weather, generation mix, and transmission constraints such as the 4‑Circuit Path (4CP) charges. Senate Bill 7 (SB 7) guarantees retail choice, but it also means businesses must stay vigilant about the competitiveness of their Retail Electric Provider (REP) rates. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) requires TDSPs—Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, and TNMP—to publish delivery‑charge schedules, yet billing errors still occur at a measurable frequency.
Cost components that matter
A typical commercial bill includes three headline items: the supply rate (cents/kWh), the TDSP delivery charge (cents/kWh), and the demand charge (cents/kW). Ancillary services, transmission tariffs, and the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) disclosures add further nuance. Even a 0.5 cents/kWh error in delivery charges can translate to $10,000‑$20,000 annually for a 2 MW customer.
What the free Energy Health Check reviews
Supply rate competitiveness
UPG compares the customer’s current REP rate against the latest market benchmarks from the ERCOT wholesale index and the top‑tier supplier panel that UPG curates. With 30+ vetted suppliers, UPG can often locate a fixed‑rate or block‑and‑index contract that delivers up to a 27% spend reduction compared with a default retail rate.
TDSP delivery‑charge audit
The audit validates each line‑item against the TDSP’s published schedule and the PUCT’s tariff filings. Errors such as mis‑applied 4CP transmission charges or outdated demand‑zone classifications are flagged. UPG’s experience with over 8,000 business customers has uncovered an average delivery‑charge overpayment of 1.2 cents/kWh, equating to roughly $3.2 M saved across the client base each year.
Demand profile red flags
Using the bill’s demand‑charge data, UPG builds a demand curve and calculates load factor. Peaks that exceed the contracted demand tier trigger a “demand‑profile red flag.” The analysis also checks for “spike‑only” demand that could be smoothed through load‑shifting or on‑site storage, potentially lowering the demand‑charge component by 10‑20%.
Contract end‑date risk
Many Texas businesses overlook the expiration date of their supply contract, leaving them exposed to default retail rates that can be 30‑50% higher during peak periods. The health check flags contracts that will lapse within the next 12‑24 months and quantifies the financial impact of staying on the default plan versus transitioning to a new fixed‑rate product.
Tax exemption verification
Certain manufacturing, data‑center, and agricultural operations qualify for sales‑tax exemptions on electricity under Texas Tax Code §151.02. UPG cross‑references the bill’s tax line with the client’s exemption certificate status. Misapplied taxes are a common source of avoidable expense, often amounting to $5,000‑$15,000 per year for mid‑size facilities.
Typical findings and next steps
Savings opportunities
Across the UPG client base, the most frequent finding is a supply‑rate gap of 2‑4 cents/kWh, which alone can generate $20,000‑$50,000 annual savings for a 500 kW customer. Delivery‑charge errors and demand‑profile inefficiencies add another 10‑15% upside. When combined, these levers can achieve the headline‑level spend reduction of up to 27% that UPG advertises.
Contract renegotiation or transition
If the health check uncovers a better‑priced contract, UPG presents a side‑by‑side comparison, outlines any early‑termination fees, and coordinates the switch to a new REP. Because UPG works with a 30‑plus supplier panel, the transition can be completed within 30‑45 days, minimizing exposure to market spikes.
Demand‑side recommendations
For customers with demand‑profile red flags, UPG suggests operational changes—such as staggered equipment start‑times, automated demand‑response controls, or modest on‑site battery storage. These measures are quantified in the report, showing the expected reduction in demand‑charge dollars and the payback period.
How United Power Group conducts the review
Data collection
The client supplies a single, most‑recent electricity bill (including the supply, delivery, and demand sections) and any existing contract documents. UPG also requests the TDSP’s monthly usage statements if available, to verify consistency.
Analytical tools
UPG leverages proprietary modeling that integrates ERCOT LMP data, PUCT tariff filings, and the Electricity Facts Label to benchmark supply rates. A custom audit engine cross‑checks delivery‑charge line items against the TDSP’s tariff matrix, flagging any deviation.
Reporting
Within five business days, UPG delivers a PDF report and a short video walkthrough. The report includes a cost‑impact matrix, a risk heat map, and a clear action plan. No obligation follows; the client decides whether to act on the recommendations.
Bottom line
A free Energy Health Check gives Texas businesses a fact‑based snapshot of where they stand in a complex, volatile market. By examining one bill, United Power Group can uncover supply‑rate gaps, delivery‑charge errors, demand‑profile inefficiencies, contract‑expiry exposure, and tax‑exemption oversights that together often translate into tens of thousands of dollars in annual savings. The diagnostic is designed to inform decision‑makers—finance directors and operations leaders—so they can act with confidence, whether that means switching suppliers, adjusting demand, or simply confirming that their current arrangement is already optimal.
What is an Energy Health Check and what does it find? — quick questions
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Ready to take control of your energy costs?
Send one recent bill and a UPG advisor will run your free Energy Health Check — TDSP fees, contract terms, renewal windows — with a written summary back to you.