Electricity, Natural Gas, Energy and Green Power Glossary

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Glossary

Biomass
Energy resources derived from organic matter. These include wood, agricultural waste and other living-cell material that can be burned to produce heat energy. They also include algae, sewage and other organic substances that may be used to make energy through chemical processes.
BTU
British thermal unit. The standard measurement for natural gas.
CCF
The unit used to measure the amount of natural gas consumed by a customer. 1 CCF = 100 cubic feet of natural gas.
Compact Fluorescent Bulb
Light bulbs that combine the energy efficiency of fluorescent lighting with the convenience of a standard incandescent bulb. Most produce a similar color of light as a standard incandescent bulb.
Consumption
Refers to how much energy (electricity, natural gas, or green power) a customer uses.
Cost Per Unit
Refers to how much you pay for a unit of energy. When talking about natural gas, 1 unit = 1 CCF. When talking about electricity, 1 unit = 1 kiloWatt.
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 "solar heat gain."
Electric Utility
A state agency that distributes electricity to customers within a specific geography.
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 Provider
A company that supplies energy in the form of electricity, natural gas or green power to customers. Accent Energy is an Energy Provider.
Energy Supplier
see Energy Provider.
ESCO
Energy Service (or Supply) Company. A company that specializes in supplying energy, including electricity, natural gas and/or green power. Accent Energy is an ESCO.
Fixed Rate
A per unit cost that does not change. Accent offers Fixed Rate Plans that allow customers to pay the same rate (or cost per unit of energy) for 1, 2 or 3 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.
Fuel
A substance that can be used to produce heat.
Fuel Gas
Synthetic gas used for heating or cooling. It has less energy content than pipeline-quality gas.
Gas
Gaseous fuel (usually natural gas) that is burned to produce heat energy. The word also is used, colloquially, to refer to gasoline.
Gas Utility
A state agency that provides delivery and service of natural gas to customers within a specific geography.
Green Power
Energy that is generated from renewable sources such as wind, hydro (water), solar and biomass. Accent Energy's green power product is called GoGreen©.
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.
Hydro
Means "water". Accent Energy’s green power product, GoGreen© is generated by 100% is generated by 100% wind power.
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.
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 NY, TX and CA).
Natural Gas
Hydrocarbon gas found in the earth, composed of methane, ethane, butane, propane and other gases. Accent Energy offers natural gas to customers in New York and California.
NGM
Natural Gas Marketer. A company that specializes in supplying natural gas to customers. Accent Energy is an NGM in New York and California.
Power
Electricity for use as energy.
PSC
Public Service Commission. State-run PSCs provide a regulatory environment under which electric, gas, telecommunication and water utilities operate. Accent Energy is approved by the PSC New York.
PUC
Public Utility Commission. State-run PUCs provide a regulatory environment under which electric, gas, telecommunication and water utilities operate. Accent Energy is approved by the PUC in every state we serve.
REM
Retail Energy Marketer. A company that specializes in supplying energy, including electricity, natural gas and/or green power. Accent Energy is an REM.
Renewable Energy
Resources that constantly renew themselves or that are regarded as practically inexhaustible. These include solar, wind, geothermal, hydro (water) and wood.
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.
Tax Credit
A financial credit provided by the government to reward citizens or businesses for taking a desired action. People that move from their utility company as their energy supplier to an independent energy services company like Accent Energy receive a tax credit(s) in New York.
Therm
One hundred thousand (100,000) British thermal units (1 Therm = 100,000 BTU). Used to measure natural gas.
Utility
A state-regulated entity that provides service to residents and businesses within a specific geographic area.
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 Rate
A rate that fluctuates with the market.

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