EP 453: Stop Falling For The Cheapest Rate

What makes Brian Colliani with Anchor Energy a good neighbor?

That “cheap” electricity rate you found online? It might be costing you more than you think. In Texas’ deregulated energy market, the options are endless—but so is the confusion. We sit down with Brian Colliani of Anchor Energy to break down what “Power To Choose” actually means and how to navigate it without falling into the fine print traps that lead to higher bills.

Brian brings a unique perspective, combining his background as a Navy aviation electrician with years in the energy industry. His mission is simple: help homeowners, renters, and small businesses choose electricity plans that actually match how they live and use power not just what looks good on paper.

We dive into one of the biggest misconceptions in the market the idea that the lowest advertised rate is always the best deal. From “free nights” plans to time-of-use pricing, Brian explains how certain offers can either save you money or quietly drive your bill up depending on your daily habits. Sometimes, the smartest move isn’t the flashiest plan, it’s the most consistent one.

Beyond choosing a plan, Brian shares how Anchor Energy has grown through real community connection: local networking, chamber involvement, and word-of-mouth referrals built on trust. You’ll also walk away with practical, easy-to-apply energy tips that can lower your bill starting this month.

If you live in a deregulated part of Texas and want to stop guessing and start saving, this conversation will change how you shop for electricity. Subscribe for more local insights, share this with a friend tired of high bills, and leave a review with the one question you still have about your energy plan.

To learn more about Anchor Energy go to: https://www.anchor.energy

Anchor Energy

469-885-1239

Transcript

Welcome To Good Neighbor Podcast

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Sophia Yvette.

What Anchor Energy Actually Does

SPEAKER_01 0:10

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Are you in need of an energy saving company? Well, one might be closer than you think. Today I have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, Brian Kolliani with Anchor Energy. Brian, it is great to have you on today. Now we are all so excited to learn about you and your business. Please start off by telling our listeners just a little bit more about your company and the different ways that you're helping people.

SPEAKER_02 0:39

I appreciate it, Sophia. Thanks for having me on. We're Anchor Energy. We help people, residents, apartments, small businesses help people save money on their electricity bills. And it all comes to if you have the power to choose in the deregulated state of Texas, we can help you choose the better rate.

SPEAKER_01 1:00

So, Brian, tell us a little bit more about your story. You know, how did you originally get into an energy saving company?

SPEAKER_02 1:09

Um, been in energy pretty much all my life. Joined the Navy as an aviation electrician in 2010. Uh, currently still in the Navy here in Texas as a reservist. And I started in solar 10 years ago just trying to help people save money. And when I got out to Texas, I learned about the deregulated uh areas, and now I can help people choose different electricity companies that you don't have to go solar with. So it's really simple out there and uh sometimes it's confusing for customers, but uh easy to do.

The Biggest Electricity Rate Myth

SPEAKER_01 1:46

Well, thank you for your service and jumping a little bit further into things today on the energy saving side of things. You know, what is that number one misconception you'd like to put to rest for our listeners?

SPEAKER_02 2:02

Uh, biggest misconception is always clicking on the lowest rate you see out there because sometimes that always doesn't work out for the individual customer because sometimes you have to be in a certain kilowatt hour usage or time of use, free nights, free weekends, free days. Sometimes the lowest is not the best, but just a straight line approach is always a better rate here in Texas.

Who They Serve And How They Grow

SPEAKER_01 2:31

All right. And Brian, you know, getting into things a little bit more here, we're gonna switch the conversation to growth for a second. Now we know that marketing is the heart of every business. So ideally, who are some of these customers that you like to help out and how are you attracting them?

SPEAKER_02 2:51

Uh anybody with an electric bill. That's uh all I like to say when I have finding a customer. But if you have the power to choose, so if you're in a co-op uh like here up here in North Texas, like CoServe or GCEC Grayson County, I can't help those customers. But if you do have the power to choose with an Encore or Texas New Mexico Power Meter, give us a call. Uh what was that second question follow-up?

SPEAKER_01 3:16

How are you attracting them?

SPEAKER_02 3:19

Most of the time, I do a lot of networking. Me and my team are in a lot of local chambers and just really getting out and meeting people, meeting businesses uh door to door sometimes. But that's really about it. A lot of referrals.

Simple Ways To Save Energy

SPEAKER_01 3:33

Well, you know, I know we all could use some tips when it comes to saving energy. Have you ever thought about having your own podcast for the business before?

SPEAKER_02 3:41

I have not, but there's plenty of tips and tricks out there. Um, keeping your uh HVAC and AC at a lower temperature or decent higher temperature. There's a lot of things you can do and save, but plenty of easy info you can find online just to help you save a few dollars.

SPEAKER_01 3:59

Now, getting more into specifics here, you know, what is that number one quality that your business has that makes you stand out from other energy saving companies?

Goals For The Next Year

SPEAKER_02 4:10

Really just honest and try to help people one person at a time, treat every customer, whether big or small. Doesn't have to be a very large business. We're not looking to make a million dollars out here, just really trying to help somebody uh save money in any way we can.

SPEAKER_01 4:28

And what is your goal like within a year from now? What type of growth would you like to see within your business?

SPEAKER_02 4:35

Um, growing individually, adding a few more team members, and just slow process. You know, the turtle wins the race, just going a little bit slower than the rabbit. So that's all we're trying to do here.

Where To Find Anchor Energy

SPEAKER_01 4:47

Well, Brian, this has been a lot of great information. A final question for you where could our listeners go to learn more about Anchor Energy?

SPEAKER_02 4:56

Go to our website, uh Anchor.energy, so not.com.energy, or check us out on any of our socials. Our handle is Anchor Energy US.

SPEAKER_01 5:08

Well, Brian, I really appreciate you being on the show today, and we wish you and your business the best. Moving forward.

SPEAKER_02 5:15

Appreciate it. Thanks, Sophia.

SPEAKER_00 5:17

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpfrisco.com. That's gmpfrisco.com or call four six nine two two two one nine three four five.