How to Choose Your Energy Provider
If you live in a deregulated energy market, knowing when and how to choose your electricity provider could save you hundreds on your annual costs.
Choosing your energy provider is one of the most effective ways to lower your electricity costs. Thankfully, it's easier than you might think. It usually comes down to entering your ZIP code and selecting the plan that’s best for you.
Whether you’re trying to lower your electric bill or are simply dissatisfied with your electricity plan, you may be able to make a change. Residents in areas that have deregulated energy markets have the right to choose their electricity provider among several competitive options rather than being tied to a universal provider.
Below, we’ll walk you through how and when to choose your electricity provider.
Check out the WattBuy online marketplace to compare electricity plans in your area.
Use an Online Electricity Switching Platform
The easiest way to find and compare energy providers in your area is through an online marketplace. While there are several options to choose from, each offers different information, rates, and deals. At WattBuy, our key priority is to bring ease and transparency to the home electricity marketplace. We are committed to only recommending plans that have our consumers' best interests in mind, based on rigorous user testing and product research. That being said, we encourage consumers to explore all the options and platforms available to them.
Beware of Misleading Special Rates or Discounts
Choosing an electricity provider should be an easy and transparent process, but unfortunately, sometimes it’s not. At first glance, many advertised electricity plans look great, but it’s important to pay attention to the details. Some online marketplaces have found ways to make certain plans appear more attractive to consumers. The plans that seem to be the cheapest may end up costing customers more in the long run.
When looking for a lower-cost plan, pay attention to the fine print and details. For many “cheap” plans, the special rate offered only applies when you use a certain amount of electricity. For example, a plan could be advertised as three cents per kWh (kilowatt-hours), however, this rate might only apply if you use between 900 and 950 kWh of electricity in a single billing period. If you happen to use slightly more or less electricity, you could then be charged at a much higher rate.
The example above is just one of the many ways providers may try to lure you into purchasing their plan. By looking at the details of plans you are considering rather than just their advertised deals, you can avoid falling into these traps.
The Good News
Luckily, WattBuy was created with the customer experience in mind. Whether on our website platform or IOS mobile app, WattBuddy, we compile quality electricity plans for your area and present them in an easy-to-understand format so you can choose the best option for your home. We also work closely with electricity providers to bring you great rates.
From our website or mobile platform, enter your zip code, and compare plans that have been curated for you. From there, you can browse and sign up for a plan directly through us. It’s really that easy.