Tag Archives: TX

Houston Householders May Be in the Dark About The Increase of Electric Rates

Houston Householders May Be in the Dark About The Increase of Electric Rates

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This summer, electric rates have skyrocketed in Houston, Texas! Consumers still continue to hope for a better deal, but they don’t have a good chance. They may be in the dark when they realize that electric retail prices have surged since a few months ago, following changes in weather, a surge in wholesale electricity prices and potential shortages of electricity.

Houston Householders May Be in the Dark About The Increase of Electric Rates

For instance, low electric rates in Houston, Texas have disappeared since a few months ago, making any attempt by buyers with an average use of 1,000 kilowatts per month to lock below 10 cents per kilowatt-hour not possible. 2017 is probably the last year when Houstonians were able to get electric rates of less than 7 cents per kilowatt hour. Many electricity analysts estimate that cheap electricity seasons have long since ended and every Houston resident must be prepared for less pleasant energy plans. Click here to see a full list of the electric plans available in the Greater Houston Area.

Retail electricity providers always avoid discussing price increases, something that is reasonable, but the Texas Electricity Companies Association is more open. They have clearly stated that one-year fixed rate plans have increased by approximately 20 percent. The increase has basically begun since last year. A general analysis estimates that every 2,000 square-foot house will experience an electric bill increase of up to $30 per month, not counting the electric rate increase this summer. An engineer in Houston said that his monthly bills had risen 2 times what he paid last year in the same month. He was surprised, but could not do anything when presented with details of the increase.

Not Only Electricity

The increase does not only occur in the price of electricity. Electricity affects almost everything and the first thing that came was an increase in retail prices. This increase was caused by soaring prices in the wholesale electricity market with many large companies as loyal customers. Estimates of rapidly increasing temperatures and the cessation of no less than three coal-fired power plants indirectly affect wholesale electric prices, and the increase confuses many householders.

Very rapid electric rate increases have damaged several large corporate plans. They couldn’t do much to maintain some of their plans related to wholesale price increases, which damaged everything. Direct Energy is one example. This company has decided to no longer offer “Power-to-Go” after seeing that it was no longer profitable. However, they have predicted a lot of things and they have also bought long-term contracts to prevent wholesale price increases from damaging their entire energy plan portfolio.

Are Houston Consumers in The Dark?

Maybe yes and maybe not. If Houston residents have equipped themselves with contracts that bind prices they may be able to breathe a sigh of relief, but if they are bound to variable electric plans, they are in trouble. Deregulation on one hand brings freedom for Houston, TX residents to choose their energy suppliers, but on the other hand, they are bound by the mechanism of market law on electricity prices. Hopefully this article can give you a clear view about what is happening in Houston (and Texas in general) in the context of electricity supply and the increase of electric rates.

5 Facts About Wheel Repair

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The wheels of an automobile are crucial for its performance and they are often neglected by vehicle owners. Vehicle owners tend to take them for granted and give them a good look only when something is conspicuously wrong. That is where they usually make a mistake.

5 Facts About Wheel Repair

Wheels, like every other part of a car, need regular maintenance and repair to ensure their longevity, safety, reliability and performance. Certain facts that can assist in proper care and repair of your automobile’s wheels are being mentioned hereafter.

5 Important Facts About Wheel Repair

  1. No paint touch-ups, only full painting: Always go in for full wheel painting for scratches and curb rashes. Paint touch-ups for wheel scratches, though not inherently bad, tend to peel out easily and cause further problems.

  2. Rotate for even wear and tear: To ensure proper maintenance of the wheels, one should always get them rotated while getting the oil changed. This helps to even out wear and tear on the wheels and prolongs the health of tires as well.

  3. Rim Straightening: Rim straightening tends to be the most important and difficult process of wheel repair. A misaligned rim can cause the tire to come loose, risking the safety of the driver and passengers. To straighten bent rims, technicians use highly technical measuring instruments and wheel straightening machinery.

  4. No Auto Insurance Cover: Most auto insurance policies do not cover wheel repair and replacement. In case of a blow out or a big puncture rendering the wheels useless, insurance companies don’t compensate for the repair/replacement expenses that can be really steep. However, they do cover any damage to the vehicle caused by such incident.

  5. Axle alignment and wheel: Getting just the wheels repaired for any discrepancy is not sufficient, as axle alignment and wheels are closely related. A non-aligned axle can severely damage the wheels and endanger passengers’ safety, thereby implying the importance of getting the alignment corrected along with wheel repair.

Wrap Your Wheels with Stylish Vinyl Sheets

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Vinyl sheets are known as polyvinyl chloride or PVC Sheets. They are commonly used for flooring or vehicle wrapping. It is a kind of organic material that is derived from ethane, which is becoming a popular choice amongst homeowners seeking a sturdy cost-effective floor and vehicle owners looking to improve the appearance of their cars.

Uses and Advantages of Vinyl Sheets

Vinyl sheets are mainly used for decoration purposes.

They are durable and easy to install. They can be installed even without the help of professional contractors. Although hiring a professional is recommended.

Modern vinyl often mimics wood, stone, tile, and exotic colors. In fact, many homeowners like to choose vinyl sheet over other kinds of flooring due to its strength and aesthetic appeal.

Vinyl sheets are known for their durability and versatile designs.

In addition, vinyl is a cost-effective alternative to these other materials.

With the changing era, car wrapping with vinyl sheets is the New Buzz in town. They can be applied to your car’s hood, trunk, roof, dashboard, gauges, interior, amplifiers, wheels, mirrors, door handles, glass, cell phones, laptops, pods, motorcycle parts, metal parts and just about any relatively non-porous surface.

These vinyl sheets can be purchased online or in most car wrap shops in Houston, TX.

Wheel Wrapping with Vinyl Sheets

Firstly, vehicle wrap grasps more attention as it is more noticeable. Secondly, paint re-sprays automatically decreases the value of your vehicle, plus the fact that vinyl sheet wraps are easily removable. Therefore, wrapping the wheels with vinyl is safe and cool.

Wrap Your Wheels with Stylish Vinyl Sheets

The above image shows how a wheel looks after vinyl sheets are used for wrapping. It also shows that it can be removed easily without any problem.

Wrapping the wheel with vinyl sheets gives a different look to a car, something that is out of the box. Nowadays everybody tries to be out of the box and wrapping your wheels with vinyl is a good idea.

Wrapping the wheels makes the vehicles look royal and classy. You can decorate the wheels of your car into your idea.

Most people paint their car wheels, but the intelligent ones wrap their wheels with vinyl, so that they can change it if they get bored from it. Wrapping the wheels can make your car unique.

People who want their vehicle to look more versatile and cool should wrap their wheels with vinyl sheets. The best thing about it, is the fact that if you don’t like it, you can remove it or change it. Vinyl wrap is the new fashion which everyone wants to try. The most important factor in its popularity is its low cost.

There are many online stores and local shops in Houston, Texas if you want to wrap your wheels with vinyl sheets.

Would you try wrapping your wheels with vinyl sheets?

The Pros and Cons of Wheel Repair

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Wheel repair can help save you a lot of costs as a driver. Sometimes wheel damage is very minimal, yet; you are not assured of safety while using the wheel. Buying a new wheel will be a big expense for you, and most of the times you are not even prepared for it. This is when wheel repairs come in handy.

The Pros and Cons of Wheel Repair

There are days when finding a specific wheel is very difficult. Some vehicle models come with wheels that can only be ordered from limited stores. Such times necessitate drivers to find a good repair shop, and hence, have repairs done. You will have been relieved of all the stress and worry of finding a new wheel. Note that professional service providers are capable of doing repairs in a way that the wheel will look as good as new.

When Wheel Repairs Should Be Avoided

Are there times when wheel repairs just do not work out? Well, it is possible that your wheel is completely damaged, and repairs cannot solve anything. The service providers can sometimes advise you to look for a new wheel in such cases. If you would still insist on repairing the wheel, there is a chance that you will be back to the garage sooner than you think. This is obviously costly and time wasting. In some unfortunate cases, you can incur accidents or get damages on your car, because of a wheel that should have been replaced in the first place.

Repair or Replace?

Should you then repair or replace your wheel? Well, it depends on the seriousness of the wheel damage. Essentially, you need to consult the wheel repair service providers, such as Wheel Repair Houston, and find out the extent of the wheel damage and the best way forward.

Save Money With Wheel Repair

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You must always make sure that your wheels are in perfect condition for safety purposes. Your rims should be well aligned and free from cracks or dents. However, after years or even months of driving your vehicle, you will realize that these standards are compromised. Replacing the wheels could be way too expensive, which leaves you with the best alternative – wheel repair.

Save Money With Wheel Repair

Repaired Wheels Look Good As New

Many wheel repair providers are skilled enough to make your wheels look as good as new. Whether you have dents or cracks on your wheels that compromise your safety on the road, the best technicians have the tools to do perfect repairs. In the end, it will seem as though nothing had happened to your rims.

People think that repaired wheels are unsafe. This perception is wrong. If you select the best technicians, they will take time to look at the wheels, and find out if the repairs will be worthwhile or not. If your rims are completely damaged, they will advice you to go for replacements. However, in most cases, they are able to help you save cash by giving you excellent repair services to your wheels – thanks to their extensive training and experience.

Finding The Best Deals in Rim Repair

For best deals in rim repair, you need to research widely. You should find the kind of shop that is affordable, yet offering quality wheel repair services. You could find the shops from online sources or from referrals. Ultimately, you do not need to pay for a new wheel when you can save a lot of cash through repairs.

Tips on Finding Wheel Refinishing At An Affordable Price

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Driving on worn-out wheels will not only spell doom on various vehicle parts, but also reduce fuel efficiency. You can avoid all this hurdles by seeking professional wheel refinishing services. There are a number of rim repair companies that offer wheel refinishing at an affordable price.

Tips on Finding Wheel Refinishing At An Affordable Price

3 Tips To Find Affordable Rim Refinishing

Here are some tips to help you find affordable rim refinishing services.

  1. Research

    Take some time to research on various wheel companies in or around your residential area. Most of them have websites or blogs that they use to communicate and advertise their wheel refinishing services. Hence, you can get all the information you need about various companies through the internet. This will save you time and money, as all you need is a computer and a reliable internet connection.

  2. Compare and Contrast Prices

    Once you have narrowed down to two or three companies, compare and contrast the price tags on their wheel refinishing service. The price should be in line with the quality and amount of work to be carried out on your rims. Be cautious not to sacrifice price for quality, hence this fact should not be considered solely.

  3. Reputation

    Some companies offer affordable services to clients, but have a poor reputation in the market. Hence, it is wise to go a step further and look at the reputation and credibility that the company holds among its customers. Disregard companies that have a negative reputation, as this could be an early sign of unsatisfactory service delivery.

Choosing a professional and affordable rim refinishing service will save you money that would have been spent on new wheels.

Chrome Wheel Repair in Houston, Texas

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The kind of vehicle you drive says a lot about your personality. A high-end vehicle brand like a jeep may announce affluence, while a limo will spell class. Just as this, the kind of wheels your car rolls on can make a whole lot of difference, especially on the performance, safety and comfort of your vehicle. One of the best ways to enhance both, the performance and the aesthetics of your vehicle, is by installing chrome wheels.

Chrome Wheel Repair in Houston, Texas

Chrome rims come in a wide variety and they can be easily customized to suit your ever-changing needs for different occasions. Having said so, it is important to realize that just like any other kind of rims, your chrome wheels will be just as susceptible to damage, and what happens upon damage is what is important.

For many people, the only solution to damaged chrome wheels is to replace them with new ones. However, in as much as this is a viable solution, it is not the only one. Repair is another option for your damaged chrome wheels. In fact, repairing your chrome rims as opposed to buying new ones can be quite beneficial. One of the greatest benefits of chrome wheel repair in Houston, Texas is that it is cheaper in comparison to buying new ones.

We are a specialized service provider of chrome wheel repair in Houston, Texas. We offer all kinds of chrome repair services. We provide high end chrome rim repair services at cost friendly rates and our large team of experts will ensure a quick turnaround service that will leave your chrome wheels looking just as good as new.

The Dangers of Air Leaks From Cracked Wheels

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Nobody should drive a vehicle that has cracked wheels. No matter how small the damage is, every cracked wheel must be repaired with urgency.

Small Wheel Cracks Are Very Dangerous

Any small crack on the rims will make it easy for air to slowly (but surely) leak. This air leakage poses a lot of dangers while a driver is on the road.

The Dangers of Air Leaks From Cracked Wheels

The dangers of air leakage from a cracked rim depend on the degree of the damage. People ignore small cracks and will safely drive to their destination without any thought of it. However, these cracks could expand to the end that a lot of air leakage is experienced over time.

When you are driving a car that has lost air on the wheels, you risk causing serious accidents. One has to drive a car that is pulling on one side, and it is hard to have control over the ride. It is actually very hard to control such vehicle when one is driving on high speed.

Consequences of Air Leaks From Cracked Rims

Once a driver loses control over their ride, anything can happen. Accidents can arise, from vehicles rolling over, to hitting other cars, trucks, and posts on the road, or even hitting people crossing the road. The entire car’s body may also get damaged after some of the accidents that come with air leakage from the rims.

When wheels’ integrity is compromised, one does not have to wait until the accidents happen. Rather, the wheel should be changed or repaired immediately to avoid any incident or accidents. Still, inspections should be done regularly to find out if the wheel has had any crack that could expand to cause air leakage.

Custom Wheel Repair in Houston

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Are you looking for good custom wheel repair in Houston? Here are a few vital points that will help you land a good shop that will offer un-compromised services.

Custom Wheel Repair in Houston

  • Research Widely

    This is a very important first step. Know at least three shops that offer custom wheel repairs. You can get this info by researching from the net. Or else you can visit some of these shops to see what custom rim repair services they offer.

  • Recommendations

    Ask for recommendations from friends and family members who have been to garages for custom wheel repair in Houston, TX. They will share with you their experience. They will tell you what to expect from these shops. This will be very important as it will help you narrow the list of custom wheel repair shops.

  • Prices

    The third step is inquiring the prices the different shops charge for their custom rim repair. Try to account for the difference in price as there could be some extra services offered by the garage charging a higher amount.

  • Technician to Repair Your Custom Wheels

    It is also of importance to know the technician that will repair your custom wheels. Ask the garage manager to introduce you to the in-charge technician. Then, go on and ask the technician how he intends to do the repair of your custom rims. Also ask him some of the challenges he expects to face. By doing this you are gauging your technician’s custom wheel repair skills.

Wheel Repair Houston is the right place to do your custom rim repair in Houston, Texas. You are assured of quality custom wheel repair services at reasonable prices if you follow the steps analyzed here above.

Advantages of Custom Painting Your Rims

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Do you want your car rims to stand out from the rest? Well, paint them! Painting brings out a custom-made look to every ride, helping differentiate those who love style and class, and those who don’t. Actually, painted rims speak volumes about one’s personality or character.

Advantages of Custom Painting Your Rims

Differentiate Your Ride From The Rest

There are millions of cars sold every year, all coming in the same model. The unfortunate thing is that it does not matter much money one pays for a ride. Once it is on the road, you are likely to find other identical models being driven on the same place. In this regard, you will not find the gist of driving an expensive car. The difference only comes when one goes for customized cars, which in this case means painting the wheels.

There are many options to customize cars. However, most of these options are very expensive and time wasting. The easiest and less expensive option to customize a car is to paint the rims. One will achieve the same end result without paying the whole world for the same.

Custom Wheel Painting – Lots Of Options To Choose

There are so many colors that can be painted on a rim. You can decide to go for the bold black or navy blue and feel like an authoritative person on the road. You can also choose the bright colors, such as; white, candy and chrome to indicate that you love bright life and rides. You can also choose colors that match up to your manufacturer’s theme colors if you are painting to match your car. Indeed, there is no limitation as to how easily you can change the appearance of your ride by custom painting the rims.