Finding the Top Utility Companies in Connecticut
Connecticut energy companies work hard to bring you low electricity rates, renewable energy options, and attractive energy plans that are suited to everyone’s pocket and energy use. If you purchase electricity in Connecticut, the Connecticut electricity rates may surprise you. With the average electric rate of $0.2228 per kWh, Connecticut is one of the more expensive US states. If you haven’t shopped for energy in a while, it may be time to check out Connecticut electric suppliers and find an electricity plan that will save money for you.
Connecticut Electricity Companies
There are two Connecticut energy companies. These are Eversource Energy and United Illuminating. Besides these two companies, there are other Connecticut electric suppliers who work in the Eversource and United grids to ensure that 100% of CT territory is covered with good and reliable electric service.
Eversource Energy is the largest local utility in Connecticut. This company is publicly traded and was formed in 2012 by merging several other companies. Eversource serves other states as well, namely New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The company delivers both electricity and natural gas. To check out which electricity rates Eversource offers in your area, simply enter your ZIP code on Electricrate and browse.
United Illuminating Company (UI), on the other hand, is the smaller of the two utility companies serving Connecticut. It maintains the grid and ensures that power outages are taken care of in the New Haven and Bridgeport area. To check out United Illuminating rates in your area, simply enter your ZIP code and check out the plans.
Eversource Energy
Eversource Energy is the largest utility company in Connecticut. It serves over 4 million residential and commercial customers across three states. It was established in 1966 as Eversource Gas and Energy and had its own power generation capacities. The new name came as a part of a merger and rebranding, as the company made it clear that it wanted to focus on clean sources of energy. The five companies that merged in 2012 to make Eversource are:
- Connecticut Light & Power,
- Public Service of New Hampshire,
- Western Massachusetts Electric,
- Yankee Gas, and
- NSTAR Electric & Gas.
If you experience an outage and live in the utility Eversource Energy area, you can contact them at +1-800-286-2000. Considering that Eversource covers a vast majority of Connecticut, the odds are that this is the company you need to contact. There are several suppliers working alongside Eversource in this service area, the largest being Direct Energy and Clearview Energy. You do not need to contact them, as they do not maintain the grid.
United Illuminating
United Illuminating covers a smaller portion of the Connecticut service area. It is based in Orange, Connecticut. This utility company services a part of the CT grid and delivers electricity to residential customers as well as both large and small businesses in the area. United Illuminating was established in 1899, and it transmits and distributes electricity to 335,000 residents.
The company does not have its own energy generation capacity, so it purchases all of its electricity from energy generators. There are several other electricity suppliers offering their services in the UI service areas. These are:
- Clearview Energy (also available in the Eversource),
- Constellation Energy,
- Verde Energy,
- Public Power, and
- Direct Energy.
If you experience an outage, you can contact your utility company at +1-800-722-5584. This is also the number you should contact if you notice any fallen or downed power lines. In case your electricity meter malfunctions or your meter read date is missed, you can call this number and do the meter reading yourself.
Connecticut Energy Rates
As Connecticut residents enjoy a deregulated energy market and the benefits that having competition in the energy market brings with it, it is important to note that Connecticut Energy rates are very different from one supplier to the next. In the case that you decide to stay with your utility for electricity service and not shop for electricity, you may be missing out on great deals offered in your ZIP code area.
To check all power suppliers working in your area, simply enter your ZIP code on Electricrate and start browsing. With a number of plans, including prepaid plans, you will be able to purchase exactly the plan suited to your needs. First, however, let’s check out the two utilities working in this state.
Compare Eversource Energy Electricity Rates
The Eversource Energy service area covers the vast majority of the CT state area. This company provides both electricity and natural gas to CT residents. If you live in the Eversource service area, you have the right to choose your power supplier. This means that you can choose to stay with Eversource and pay a discounted generation rate, or you can browse other suppliers in the area and see if their energy plans fit your needs. Here are the top 5 electricity rates offered in the Eversource CT area:
| Supplier | Plan / Rate Name | Contract Term | Energy Rate per kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource Energy | Rate 1 | 6-month rate validity | $0.11484 / kWh |
| Eversource Energy | Rate 5 | 6-month rate validity | $0.11484 / kWh |
| Public Power | 6 Months Fixed | 6 Months | $0.109 / kWh |
| Verde Energy | Clean Power 24 | 24 Months | $0.160 / kWh |
| Eversource Energy | Rate 7 Peak Rates | 6-month rate validity | $0.14115 / kWh |
Compare United Illuminating Electricity Rates
As the United Illuminated service area is much smaller than that of Eversource, it would be normal to expect a less diverse offer of energy plans and less competitive rates. However, this utility company offers services that match those of much larger utilities as it knows how to run the business. If you want to shop for electricity in the United Illuminating service area, you can expect to see the following five rates as the most popular ones:
| Supplier | Plan / Rate Name | Contract Term | Energy Rate per kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Illuminating | Standard Service Generation Rate | 6-month rate validity | $0.153575 / kWh |
| Public Power | 6 Months Fixed | 6-month | $0.105 / kWh |
| Public Power | 36 Months Fixed | 36 Months | $0.121 / kWh |
| Verde Energy | Clean Power 24 | 24 Months | $0.158 / kWh |
| Verde Energy | Clean Power 12 | 12 Months | $0.164 / kWh |
Types of Electricity Plans in Connecticut
As Connecticut is a varied market, residential and business customers have a variety of electricity plans to choose from. Every local utility and energy provider working in the state offers a variety of electricity plan options, as well as options to choose the source of energy: renewable or nonrenewable. Before you choose the best electricity plan for your household or a small business, let’s read on and learn about different types of Connecticut electric plans:
Fixed-Rate Plans
Fixed-rate plans are plans that enable you to purchase energy at fixed, predetermined residential rates. With a fixed plan, Connecticut customers will pay a bit over the standard service rates but will enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that large energy price fluctuations will not impact them since their rate is locked in. If you are about to shop for electricity and have an energy choice to make, this is our recommended type of plan.
Variable-Rate Plans
Variable-rate plans enable you to purchase energy at fluctuating prices. Unlike with a fixed-rate plan, your energy rate with a variable plan is not fixed, meaning that your electricity price is fixed to the prices in the wholesale market. And although these plans enable you to save during periods of high power generation and low consumption (think autumn and spring), you will be paying way more during the periods of high consumption (summer and winter). We do not recommend that this be your new electricity plan.
No-Deposit Plans
No-deposit electricity plans usually come with energy rates that are a bit higher than fixed rates, but you enjoy not paying the deposit on your plan. If your credit score is high enough, you can negotiate your deposit with the utility company and maybe avoid paying it altogether.
Renewable Energy Plans
Renewable electricity plans are offered by both utilities and all power providers in the Connecticut service area. These plans enable you to use power generated by solar panels, wind turbines, or even hydroelectric dams. As a bonus, you get to reduce your carbon footprint and help mitigate climate change.
Energy Suppliers vs. Utility Companies
When looking for a new provider on Electricrate.com, you will see that there are two types of companies offering electricity in this state: energy suppliers and utility companies. To understand how the CT electricity market works, you should understand the difference between these two. Let’s dive straight in.
A utility company is a company that is in charge of maintaining the grid and delivering electricity to your home. This does not mean that this is the company that you necessarily purchase the electricity from, as CT has a deregulated energy market. Think of a utility company as laying down the road down which the electricity is delivered to you.
On the other side of the spectrum is the energy supplier or power provider. This type of company is the company with which you sign your lighting contract, and it is this company that purchases electricity on your behalf on the wholesale market and sells it to you with a small upcharge. So, a supplier supplies you with electricity, while a utility company ensures that the grid is functional enough so that the power can reach your home.
How does Electricity Choice work in Connecticut?
If you are moving into a new address in Connecticut or would simply like to browse new plans, such as renewable energy plans, you can choose between Connecticut electric suppliers or utility companies. You have the right to choose your desired energy plan based on your energy needs, energy efficiency solutions and freebies, and any other factors you need important. To save money and energy, we recommend that you take your time making your choice.
Connecticut Energy Deregulation
Energy deregulation is not a new thing in the US. Texas, for example, has had a deregulated energy market since 2002. A rich offer of electricity plans, ways to save money, and even get free energy with fixed-rate plans all compete in the same market whose service marks the best that the market can offer. Energy deregulation in Connecticut is overseen by PURA – Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
This body ensures that the suppliers stay fair and offer affordable service to all CT residents. The deregulation rules bring you energy choice and ensure that every old and new provider:
- Can offer only fixed-rate plans, with adjustments once every six months,
- Can offer cancellation fees no higher than $50,
- Has to let you know about generation rate change in advance,
- Can switch you to their service once a month only, during the meter reading date. Exceptions may apply to some utility companies and business customers.
You, as a customer, can only request to switch your provider once a month, as it takes around two weeks to make the switch. It is useful to know all these tips when you shop for electricity. Otherwise, you risk being scammed.
Shopping for Connecticut Electricity
When shopping for a new electricity plan in Connecticut, it is useful to have a good friend by your side to help you out. Electricrate.com is here to help. Simply enter your ZIP code and start browsing the electricity plans offered in your area. If you find that the utility companies offer too many plans in your area, you can narrow down your search by using filters. You can filter the offer by the type of the plan, electricity supplier, contract term, and many more factors. Once you have narrowed down the choice, simply click on desired plans and learn more.
How To Find the Best Electric Supplier?
When looking for the best electric supplier, there are several factors that you should take into consideration. A part of finding the right energy plan means also finding the right power supplier. If you are about to shop for new energy options, either as a resident or a small business owner, you should pay attention to the following:
- How old the power provider is,
- What their online reviews say about them – pay attention to any hidden fees or unreasonably high early cancelation fees,
- What types of energy plans do they offer to their customers,
- What contract terms are available,
- Whether they offer clean energy.
In every deregulated energy market, there are shady electric suppliers. For this reason, it is important to compare the suppliers and review them online. A single bad comment does not necessarily mean that the company underperforms – it’s just that a dissatisfied customer is more likely to leave a review than a satisfied one.
About Connecticut
Connecticut, or the Constitution state, is one of the most prosperous in the United States. With the highest income per capita in the whole country, CT is truly a place to be. Beautiful open spaces, clean air, and impeccable shoreline all take your breath away. Take your friends for clam chowder or buttered crab rolls and enjoy your days off like never before.
Popular ZIP Codes
Connecticut has a lot to offer to new residents. Despite the high property and food prices, Connecticut has some of the best living standards there is in the USA. Great public schools, the vicinity of the City and Boston, as well as miles upon miles of hiking trails, make Connecticut a place you want to move to. Some of the most popular ZIP codes in CT include:
- Madison, ZIP code: 06443,
- West Simsbury, ZIP code: 06092,
- East Lyme, ZIP code: 06333,
- East Granby, ZIP code: 06026, and
- Cheshire, ZIP code: 06410.
Living and Moving to Connecticut
If you plan on living or moving to CT, you will be happy to know that there are many both indoor and outdoor activities to do while there. Here are some of the best activities you can do while in CT:
- Visit the Gillette Castle,
- Have an imaginary ride on the Essex Steam Train,
- Hike the Trails in Kent,
- Go Fishing at the Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, and
- Visit the Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden.
FAQs
What is the difference between National Grid and Eversource?
Eversource is an electric utility and energy provider working in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. It is the largest local utility in Connecticut, delivering electricity, natural gas, and water. National Grid, on the other hand, is a British-based electricity and natural gas utility working in the Northeastern US: Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.
Is electricity cheap in CT?
The average electricity rate in Connecticut is $16.58 per kWh for residential customers. This is over 40% higher than the national average but still cheaper than electricity in Hawaii, for example. The best way to go about finding cheaper electricity rates is to consult Electricrate. Connecticut electricity customers can find energy plan options starting from $0.10 per kWh, which is over 40% cheaper than the average rate for the area.
Are public or private utilities better?
There are pros and cons to both public and private utilities. When it comes to public utilities, you can enjoy a lower price of electricity and a combo service – one company maintains the grid and supplies the electricity to your home. On the other hand, private utilities very often have innovative products and incentive programs to ensure you are satisfied and do not overpay for the electricity you’ve consumed.
What is the average electric bill in Connecticut?
Connecticut electric suppliers charge on average $187.30 per month for electricity. This means that the average Connecticut customer pays $72 more than the national average. If you are unsure how much you should be paying for electricity this month, you can calculate your energy usage. This is the reason why so many Connecticut homeowners use Electricrate to search for a new electricity supplier and invest a significant amount of money in the energy efficiency of their homes.
Conclusion
If you live in Connecticut or plan to move to the Constitution State, you may need to check out a few electricity plans before making your final choice. Thanks to deregulated energy, utility companies, and power suppliers compete with those who will offer the best service at the most affordable price. If you want to shop for electricity in CT, you’ve come to the right place. Use our search bar and find the best deal for you and your family.
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