Choosing Your Supplier
How to Choose
Just as you can shop and compare before you buy clothes, appliances or telephone services, you can now shop and compare energy suppliers. Follow the steps below for a quick way to find an energy supplier that is right for you.
To switch to an energy supplier, contact your chosen energy supplier and let them know you would like to begin buying your energy from them. They will most likely provide you with some type of contract or agreement. Your chosen energy supplier will then provide us with your enrollment information to switch your energy supply provider.
Even if you switch to another supplier, we will continue to:
- deliver your energy
- respond to service and emergency needs
- provide storm restoration services
We encourage you to consider all available energy supply options and determine which one will best meet your needs.
How to Shop
Before obtaining prices from Energy Suppliers:
- Know the price you are currently paying for the Supplier Services found on your bill.
- You may also view our past and current costs for Supplier Services by visiting Supply Costs.
Obtain prices from Energy Suppliers. Contact information for participating Energy Suppliers can be found on our Energy Supplier List. When contacting an Energy Supplier, be sure to understand the following:
- What is the term of the contract?
- Are there minimum bill amounts?
- Are the energy prices fixed, or will they change from month to month?
- Does the supplier have a customer service center or website?
- Will the supplier bill you directly, or will charges be included in your current bill?
- Are there any early termination fees associated with the contract?
Compare the prices by subtracting our Supply Costs (Step One) from the Energy Supplier prices (Step Two).
To estimate your monthly savings or additional costs, multiply your monthly kWh/therms (from a recent bill) by the savings or additional cost from Step 3. Energy usage can vary significantly from month to month, so this estimate will apply only to that month you have chosen for your example.
Example of This Process:
Electric:
Gas:
Frequently Asked Questions
Lists of suppliers that are eligible to provide energy to customers in our service area are available by visiting Energy Supplier List. You are free to contact the suppliers to compare offers and make a choice.
No. If you do nothing, we will continue to supply your energy and associated delivery services until you choose a competitive supplier.
No. Service quality and reliability should stay the same. You will continue to have access to our customer service representatives during business hours and our crews will still respond to emergencies and power outages.
You will continue to call us in case of an emergency such as a power outage.
It depends on the supplier you choose. You may receive two bills: one from us for the delivery of your energy, and another from your supplier for the energy itself. You may also have the choice of a single bill from us which will contain a separate line for supply charges.
Your savings will depend on several things:
- How much you pay now for the energy you purchase.
- How much energy you use.
- Your agreement with the supplier.
No. Only we are authorized to connect or disconnect your service.
Check the terms and conditions of the contract with your supplier. A customer who chooses to discontinue service with a supplier and wants to resume receiving energy from us can have the supplier return the account to us, or the customer may contact us directly to have the account returned to us.
You must contact a competitive energy supplier. If you and the supplier agree that you will buy your energy from them, they will then contact us to enroll your account.
If your questions relate to the delivery portion of the bill, please contact us at 800-322-3223. For questions about the supply portion of the bill, call the supplier at the number provided on your bill.
We cannot endorse suppliers or advise you to choose one over the other. However, if you are considering buying energy from someone other than us, make sure to get the following information from the supplier:
- What is the term of the contract?
- Are there minimum bill amounts?
- Are the energy prices fixed, or will they change throughout the term?
- Are there penalties for early termination of the contract?
- Will the supplier bill you directly, or will charges be included in our bill?
- What is included in the price per kWh?