Connecticut electricity rates are on the rise. If you’re wondering how to shop for a Connecticut electric supplier, and looking for CT electricity info, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll teach you how to compare electricity rates so you can get the benefits of CT electricity deregulation.
When you switch your electric supplier in Connecticut, you’ll benefit from the stability of a fixed rate plan over the life of your contract.
Can I Choose a Connecticut Electricity Supplier?
If your home or business is in the Eversource or UI utility area, you are in a deregulated area of CT. And that means you can choose a Connecticut electricity supplier and shop energy rates.
Eversource, formerly Connecticut Light and Power or CL&P, is the largest utility in Connecticut. Eversource serves most of Connecticut including Hartford, Waterbury, Stamford, New London, Torrington and more. You can stay with the utility for your electricity supply. Or you can pick an energy supplier instead.
The United Illuminating Company/UI serves the Greater Bridgeport-New Haven corridor. You can stay with the utility, UI, for your electricity supply. Or you can pick a supplier for your electricity.
The only areas of Connecticut that are not deregulated for electricity are Groton, Norwich, Jewett City, South Norwalk and East Norwalk. If you live there, your service is provided through Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative, or CMEEC. These areas are not deregulated, so you don’t have electricity choice.
If your Connecticut utility is Eversource or UI, you have the right to choose your electricity supplier.
Can I Beat the Connecticut Utility Rate?
The rate from your utility is called the Standard Service Rate, Standard Service Offer or SSO. It’s based on how much the utility spends on purchasing electricity. Your utility rate changes twice a year; January 1st and July 1st. You can view Eversource utility rate history and UI electricity rate history online.
The Eversource Standard Service Rate: Rate 1 and 5 for January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024 is 14.714¢/kWh.
The Eversource Standard Service Rate: Rate 1 and 5 for July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 is 8.995¢/kWh.
The United Illuminating Standard Service Rate: Rate R for January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024 is 17.0625¢/kWh.
The United Illuminating Standard Service Rate: Rate R for July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 is 11.9101¢/kWh
Use these rates as your price to compare when shopping electricity plans in Connecticut.
Check and see if there are alternative electricity supplier offers that beat your utility’s current standard service rate. And if utility rates decrease on the next standard service rate update? Cancel your agreement with no penalty and switch back to the utility. It’s simple and takes less than 10 minutes.
TIP: Grab your electricity bill before you shop. You’ll need to know your utility account number to enroll with a new supplier.
Shop Supplier Rates vs. Eversource Standard Rate
| Plan Name | Term | Rate/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Energy Live Brighter 11 | 11 | 11.09 ¢ |
| Direct Energy Live Brighter 24 | 24 | 12.19 ¢ |
| Constellation 6 Month Home Power Plan | 6 | 13.49 ¢ |
Alternative Supplier Electricity Rates in CT United Illuminating Utility
| Plan Name | Term | Rate/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Energy Live Brighter 11 | 11 | 12.49 ¢ |
| Direct Energy Live Brighter 24 | 24 | 12.69 ¢ |
| Constellation 6 Month Home Power Plan | 6 | 13.89 ¢ |
Shop Connecticut Electricity Rates by Zip Code
How to Choose An Electric Supplier in CT
Now for the real deal — how to choose an electric supplier in Connecticut.
PURA, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, operates a very informative web site, EnergizeCT, that provides extensive CT electricity info. You’ll find energy efficiency tips, information on rebates offered by your utility, and information on renewable energy portfolio (RPS) standards. They also have supplier offers.
ElectricityPlans.com offers a straight-forward, easy to use experience to select an alternative energy supplier in Connecticut.
Steps to Shopping for Electric Rates in Connecticut
- Visit ElectricityPlans.com/Connecticut/
- Enter your zip code
- View Plans and select the one that meets your needs, whether that’s savings, security, or options.
- You’ll be connected over to the supplier’s site to complete the enrollment.
Yup. See? It really is easy!
You’ll have 3 days (called the “right of rescission”) to cancel your enrollment if you change your mind. There’s no need to contact the utility or your current supplier. Your new supplier will become effective in one to two billing cycles, depending on your meter read schedule.
TIP: Check your bill to find your meter read schedule. You can switch at any time. But to get the biggest benefit out of your shopping, switch your electric supplier 12-15 days before your meter read. Otherwise your switch will take another billing cycle!
FAQs About Shopping for Connecticut Electricity Supplier
According to the EIA, the average electricity price in Connecticut is 29.25¢ per kWh as of September 2023. That includes electricity, delivery and any upcharge based on peak usage.
The average home in Connecticut uses 711 kWh per month. Electricity usage varies by the size of your home, number of occupants, personal habits and how you heat and cool your home.
The average electricity bill in Connecticut is $207 a month. That’s based on 711 kWh a month and the September 2023 average electricity rate in Connecticut,29.25¢ per kWh. Connecticut electricity bills are among the highest in the nation.
As of September 2022, 35.6% of residential customers in Connecticut had switched to an alternative supplier.
If you sign an electricity contract in Connecticut and you’re moving, you have several options.
First, if you are moving in the same utility delivery area in Connecticut, you can transfer your contract to your new address. If you are moving to a new utility area in Connecticut, call your electricity supplier. You can very likely set up new services with the same supplier in your new home. And if you are moving out of state, you can cancel your electricity contract with no penalty. Connecticut prohibits suppliers from charging cancellation fees for residential electric supply contracts. CT customers can cancel their electricity contracts and switch suppliers or switch back to the utility standard service rate without incurring an early termination penalty.
