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Enjoy price security with Safe Harbor fixed price energy plans
Enjoy price security with Safe Harbor fixed price energy plans
Ohio is often referred to as the “Heart of it All.” There’s a good reason why. Nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population lives within 600 miles of Columbus, the state’s capital, making a one-day drive from New York City, Atlanta and Washington, D.C., relatively simple.
It also means making the move from one of those pricier ZIP codes to one of America’s more affordable cities – cost of living in Columbus is almost 10 percent less than the national average – is easier than most relocations.
Columbus is the 14th most populous city in the U.S., and career advancement and job opportunities fuel much of the city’s economic and population growth. The city’s job market is healthier than most similarly sized metro areas, according to U.S. News and World Report, and its unemployment rate is often below the national average.
Education is one of Columbus’s major industries. The city is probably best known for The Ohio State University (OSU). OSU is a “public ivy,” considered one of the country’s best public undergraduate schools, one of two in Ohio, along with Miami University of Ohio in Oxford.
Other major industries include retail, insurance, healthcare and natural gas and electric utility companies. International organizations like L Brands and Schottenstein Stores are headquartered here, along with OhioHealth, the city’s largest healthcare system.
Thinking about making the move? Here’s everything you need to know to make the transition easier, from finding a Columbus, Ohio, electric company or healthcare provider, to getting to know the neighbors.
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Before we talk more about how to make the move to Columbus easier, we want to spotlight an opportunity for Ohio residents – an opportunity you can take advantage of before you move.
Ohio is an Energy Choice state, which means residents have the freedom to compare electric and natural gas providers and choose the energy supplier and plan that best fits their individual situation, whether that’s choosing a fixed-rate plan to make monthly budgeting more predictable, or choosing an energy supplier that offers environmentally friendly clean, green energy..
If you live in Columbus or one of its many suburbs, you can choose your supplier, sometimes called your Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES) provider. CRES providers are certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and offer alternative competitive prices, renewable energy options and other services or incentives. Energy Harbor, for example, is a CRES provider.
Electric utility companies in Ohio include AEP Ohio (Columbus Southern Power and Ohio Power Company), AES Ohio (formerly Dayton Power & Light), Duke Energy Ohio, and FirstEnergy (The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison, and Toledo Edison).
Comparing and selecting an energy provider is simple. And Columbus residents who make the switch still receive the same bill from their local utility company, making the transition even easier. After setting up an account with your utility, shop plans from suppliers so you can be sure you have the plan that’s right for you when you move into your new home.
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From choosing a Columbus electric supplier to visiting the BMV, checking off these tasks will help you start fresh and stress-free in your new Columbus home.
Check out the Energy Harbor Moving Center for more tips
Putting down roots in a new city means more than getting your home in order and meeting the neighbors. To truly feel at home, new residents should get out and explore Columbus. Here are four ways to get started:
Dozens of neighborhoods comprise Greater Columbus, each with its own unique personality. Foodies descend on historic German Village while arts enthusiasts explore galleries in Franklinton and the Short North. Check out online resources for most of Columbus’s larger districts to see what your new neighborhood has to offer.
Columbus’s arts and entertainment scene rivals that of larger cities. Residents support a vibrant performing arts culture, attending sold out events at Nationwide Arena, the Jerome Schottenstein Center and Newport Music Hall. The city is home to several museums, including the Columbus Museum of Art and COSI, one of the largest science and children’s museums in the region.
Sports fans cheer on perennial NCAA football champs, The Ohio State Buckeyes, Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, NHL contenders the Columbus Blue Jackets and the minor league Columbus Clippers, a Cleveland MLB affiliate. The city also has close connections to world-renowned athletes like Simone Biles, Jesse Owens, and Jack Nicklaus.
Travel writer Cameron Hewitt calls Columbus an unexpected foodie mecca. “If you’re headed to Columbus, be ready for some great food,” he writes. “From Himalayan dumplings and explosively flavorful fried chicken, to high-end molecular gastronomy feasts, to artisanal microbrews and spirits, to the best ice cream in the land.” Hewitt’s favorites include Jeni’s Ice Cream, Hot Chicken Takeover and Momo Ghar.
We wouldn’t want to end our overview of Columbus without sharing a few fascinating facts about the state capital. Here are four of our favorites, sure to get you excited about your new home.
Columbus is the birthplace of some famous people, including young adult horror writer R.L. Stine, famous for creating the Goosebumps series, and Guy Fieri, host of Food Network’s long-running show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
The National Football League was headquartered in Columbus for more than a decade, from 1927 to 1939. The home team Columbus Panhandles made history when it became one of the first NFL teams to play another officially sanctioned NFL team.
Travel a bit outside Columbus to Dublin and you’ll find 109 ears of corn made of concrete. Unofficially called Cornhenge and officially titled Field of Corn (with Osage Oranges), the six-foot tall sculptures were built by artist Michael Cochran to celebrate Ohio’s agricultural roots.
Ohio is one of only seven states in the U.S. that provides residents with energy choice through Community Choice Aggregation (CCA). Similar to choosing between other products and services, Columbus residents can shop for energy providers by comparing Columbus electricity rates and choosing the best option for their situation.
If you’re making the move to Columbus, take some time to compare power options at Energy Harbor. A simple fixed-rate plan can help residents avoid seasonal utility hikes by paying a predictable rate for the full length of the plan.
You don’t have to move to make a choice, however. If you are already a Columbus resident – or call any Ohio town home – compare energy rates today and make the switch.
Enter your zipcode to find 100% Green plans in your area.
