What exactly is energy choice? Did you know that even existed? If you didn’t—it’s OK! Some folks are not aware that their state offers far more options than just what the local utility offers. In fact, since 1998, Massachusetts residents have had the freedom to choose their energy supplier. This includes both electricity and natural gas. During that time, millions of homes and businesses have made the switch away from a public utility company—and you can too.
That’s right—and we’ll say it again: Your utility company does not have to be the company that supplies the energy you use in your home. (To clarify, the utility owns the infrastructure that delivers the energy to your home.)
An energy supplier is what we, Discount Power, are: a company that supplies your electricity. That is the piece you get to choose yourself. You can do your own research, compare plans, customer service and pricing options, and decide which supplier is the right one for you. There are probably more of us right in your backyard than you think!
When you change energy suppliers, next to nothing will change for you. Your utility company will still deliver the electricity to your home. It will still be the one billing you. It will still maintain and repair all equipment like meters, wires and pipelines.
What will change is how much you pay for your electricity. This is the free market at work! Energy suppliers always compete against each other with electricity rates. With that in mind, you have an opportunity to save money as that competition helps keep energy costs down.
You’ll want to make sure you have a good understanding of your energy bill and the services you’re paying for. When you find your latest bill, you’ll want to confirm these three important pieces of information:
Now that you know you have a choice, you’re probably excited to find the right energy supplier for you. The options can seem overwhelming at first. Here are some tips we’ve put together to help you comparison-shop:
Make sure you are dealing with a legitimate energy supplier. Find out if the energy suppliers you are looking into are licensed. The Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs has a searchable database.
Read the fine print. Some electricity suppliers may advertise great rates, but those rates may only be introductory or variable, and may only last for a short while. Then your rates could go up. If you want stability, look for a supplier that offers fixed-rate plans that can keep your rates the same for a few months, or even a year or longer. Some suppliers may claim they have low rates, but then they add on fees, surcharges, one-time enrollment fees, and other hidden costs. When that happens, you end up paying much more than you thought you would. Some may make it difficult, and expensive, for you to change suppliers.
At Discount Power, we believe in transparency. You can search for which electricity plans we have available where you live here in Massachusetts. And you can contact us with any questions—our dedicated customer service team is always happy to help!
Examine term lengths. If you’re looking for a fixed-rate plan, suppliers often offer them with term lengths from as little as six months to as long as two years. Remember, you’re locking in that rate, so that will impact what you pay each month. Think carefully about what works best for you.
Consider the environmental impact. If reducing the environmental impact and carbon footprint of your energy choices is important to you, some suppliers offer green energy options. Discount Power’s Green Energy plans mean that 100% of your electricity usage will be offset by carbon-neutral, wind-generated sources. Many utilities don’t offer eco-friendly options such as these!
Contact Discount Power to learn more about what energy choices here in Massachusetts can best work for you.
When you switch to us, nothing changes but your rate. You’ll still get your bill from the utility company and they will still handle all your service needs. You’ll just have more options, more control and more ways to reduce your carbon footprint too! Enter your ZIP code today to get started.