How to Shop CT Electricity

How to Shop for Electricity in Connecticut

  • Written By: Kelly Bedrich

  • 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.

    Connecticut electricity service areas

    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 12.09 ¢
    Direct Energy Live Brighter 24 24 12.39 ¢
    Constellation 6 Month Home Power Plan 6 13.19 ¢

    Alternative Supplier Electricity Rates in CT United Illuminating Utility

    Plan Name Term Rate/kWh
    Direct Energy Live Brighter 11 11 12.79 ¢
    Direct Energy Live Brighter 24 24 13.09 ¢
    Constellation 6 Month Home Power Plan 6 13.49 ¢

    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

    1. Visit ElectricityPlans.com/Connecticut/
    2. Enter your zip code
    3. View Plans and select the one that meets your needs, whether that’s savings, security, or options.
    4. 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

    What’s the average residential electricity rate in Connecticut?

    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.

    What’s the average residential electricity usage in Connecticut?

    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.

    What’s the average residential electricity bill in Connecticut?

    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.

    What percentage of Connecticut consumers have switched to a competitive supplier?

    As of September 2022, 35.6% of residential customers in Connecticut had switched to an alternative supplier.

    What happens if I move during my electricity contract?

    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.

    About Kelly Bedrich

    Kelly Bedrich co-founded ElectricityPlans in 2016 with the goal of simplifying the complicated process of buying energy. As president and chief technology officer, Kelly keeps our development team focused on providing a user-friendly website. When not reading the latest on technology and finance, Kelly enjoys celebrating Taco Tuesday, listening to live music at local venues, and hiking.

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