It’s a new year, and as we make resolutions (or perhaps already break some), it may be worth slipping another goal in between commitments to go the gym more and tackle that stack of unread novels on the nightstand: looking at your monthly energy bill and acting based on what you see.
And unlike that 6 a.m. alarm waking you up for a run in the winter cold, this resolution doesn’t have to be painful.
January 17-23 is Big Energy Savings Week, a proactive initiative to help consumers internalize that your electricity and gas supply, similar to any monthly service plan, needs periodic review and management. Just like you need to check your data usage on your phone plan or your streaming service subscriptions, you should engage in energy shopping throughout the year to ensure you get the most value possible from your energy dollars.
But just like with a gym buddy or book club, you don’t have to do it alone. The Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA) is available as a resource to help you understand how to shop and compare options effectively.
Routinely shopping for your energy needs as you would for other everyday items is a smart practice. Electricity and natural gas are similar to other commodities (like gasoline or crops) and fluctuations in pricing and potential savings are inevitable. Regularly checking in with your energy bill will help you maximize your value.
The first step is determining eligibility based on your location within a state or jurisdiction that permits consumers to choose their electricity and natural gas provider. Not all states allow consumers to choose, and many, unfortunately, continue to use the outdated monopoly-utility-dominated model. A visit to RESA’s website provides an interactive map showing the states where choice is available.
Many states that empower consumers to choose have public utility commissions that maintain websites offering comprehensive information on licensed suppliers, products, plans and pricing. These platforms prove instrumental in simplifying the shopping experience. Examples include:
- DC Power Connect
- Empower RI
- Energize Connecticut
- Energy Switch MA
- MD Energy Choice
- NJ Power Switch
- NYS Power To Choose
- Ohio’s Apples to Apples
- PA Gas Switch
- PA Power Switch
- Plug In Illinois
Once you know if you have a choice and have found a state-run shopping website for your state, or perhaps received an offer from a retail supplier serving customers in your area, the next step is to analyze offers.
What matters to you will be different than what matters to other energy customers, but there are some helpful general questions you can ask yourself (and resources like this Consumer Education Guide from RESA and the resources on the state-run websites can help as well).
When considering retail electricity or natural gas options, you should consider:
- Is the offered price fixed, variable, or some combination of both?
- How long is the contract in effect and is it possible to change suppliers?
- What are the energy sources and what are their environmental impact?
- What value-added services are available from the supplier?
- What rights do you have as an energy consumer in your state?
An organization that has fought for consumers’ rights for over 20 years, RESA is a staunch advocate for consumer freedom in selecting energy providers, and we recognize that education is paramount in navigating offers, comparing plans and comprehending contract terms. For those seeking a deeper understanding of retail energy choice, its benefits, and effective shopping practices, RESA invites exploration of its comprehensive online consumer resources section of the website: www.resausa.org.