The Illinois energy choice laws are allowing consumers to compare electricity rates in Chicago, and the results have been lower ComEd electric bills with zero downside.
Choosing to buy electricity from an alternative electricity company at lower generation electric rates than the ComEd default rates simply allows the citizens of Illinois to pay less on their monthly electric bill. When you compare electricity rates in Chicago it is important to make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. For residential customers, the Illinois Commerce Commission demands that all electricity companies offer rates on the same playing field and that they include both generation and transmission. However, consumers do need to make sure that the rate they choose is fixed and not variable.
Many electricity companies offer variable rates that do not contain limits to how high the price can go. The electricity company will market their variable rate with an initial rate. This rate will only be guaranteed for the first month, after which the rate can go up immediately. On contrast, fixed electric rates will not change during the term of the contract. If the fixed rate is set at a lower price, when compared to the default rate, you are guaranteed to pay less for your electricity.
Many consumers may not want to switch electricity companies because they fear the contract. The truth is that the contract is a good thing as it protects the consumer, indicating what the electric rate will be and for how long (the term). Electing to receive power from a company without a contract will put the consumer at extreme price volatility risk. Furthermore, the Illinois Commerce Commission oversees the contract language allowed by the electricity companies. In conclusion, taking the time to compare electricity rates in Chicago will result in huge electric bill savings.
For some business owners it is a simple concept; take a few minutes to compare electricity rates and end up saving between ten to 25% on a necessary business expense, the electricity bill. However, for many others the concept of electricity choice and deregulation is still foreign.
Those who have been quick to adapt to the new market are seeing the benefits with a lower PECO bill. Most competitive suppliers offer single billing which means even though a switch is made they still receive one bill a month from PECO energy. The bill includes the negotiated generation supply rate which is competitive, and the delivery distribution charges from PECO which remain regulated by the state.
Clearly Pennsylvania electricity choice is working as over 36% of business customers in the state have selected an alternative supplier, with that number being even higher, at 45%, in PECO Energy territory. The PECO Energy territory, which includes the city of Philadelphia and surrounding areas, serves the most customers out of all the Pennsylvania electric utility territories.
Over a dozen electricity suppliers are marketing their service to Philadelphia business customers. The PECO territory is one of the most active energy choice markets in the country. The high default rates combined with current low energy wholesale prices allows for competitive energy companies to offer significant discounts versus the PECO default rate. Savings will vary based on customer size and location, but nearly all PECO customers can save over 10% with current market conditions. With summer fast approaching, now is the ideal time to lock in a low fixed electric rate that will save a company money right away and protect them from potential future increases.
Current competitive PECO rates for businesses are below.
Electricity choice in Pennsylvania allows for alternative power companies to solicit customers who previously did not have choices when it came to who do buy their power from. The program seems to be working as more power companies continue to offer service in the state, resulting in lower electricity prices for energy shoppers.
Electricity customers can compare several rate offers at electricity comparison sites designed to help consumers compare electricity rates, as well as learn about energy choice and current default price structures.
Energy consumers who do not select an alternative supplier pay a default rate with their local utility company (PECO, PPL, Duquesne). The default rates – price to compare – are based on a series of auctions that have previously been held. Choosing a lower priced supplier simply means a lower monthly electric bill, from the same local utility company. Energy choice seems to be working as prices continue to fall, companies expand, and customers adopt to their new choice by shopping. It is becoming more difficult for incentivized politicians to argue against the Compete Coalition, an organization who supports nation wide energy choice programs.
Electricity customers who are serviced by Baltimore Gas & Electric are finally starting to see the benefits of Maryland energy choice as competitive energy companies have pushed prices down.
How Do I Lower My BG&E Electric Bill?
There are a thousand different answers to this question. Some are true, some are myths, some are smart, and some are just plain ridiculous. While many people will spit out some energy efficiency strategies and facts – unplug appliances, turn down the AC, keep blinds shut during the day – the easiest way to lower your BGE bill is to exercise your freedom to shop the competitive electricity market.
You can always take the time to learn about energy efficiency and put that to practice, but there is no simpler way than taking 5 minutes to switch off of the high BGE default rate and onto a lower competitive rate.
Maryland electricity choice laws have structured it so that BG&E continues to deliver power to their customer’s properties regardless of which energy supplier they choose. BG&E is now only in the business of power delivery and power line and wire maintenance. When you choose a competitive supplier, you continue to receive your monthly electric bill from BG&E. The rate you choose simply replaces the default BG&E supply rate. So if the competitive rate is lower than the default rate, you save money on your electric bill.
So, How Do You Lower Your BGE Electric Bill?
Simple! Just shop and choose one of the low competitive electricity rates below.
