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Energy Companies

Most people have either an electric or gas provider for their home or business. There are several reasons why you may want to know who those suppliers are. Finding the best company can be hard, which is why below you will find information all about energy companies, how to save money on your bill, if your state has deregulated energy or gas, and more. 

There is also a detailed list of public utilities by state to make it easy as possible for you to find the information you’re looking for. You’ll also learn a bit about if power lines or meters near your home are your responsibility to maintain. If you’re about to move into a new home or think that you’re paying far too much for your bill, keep on reading. 

Comparing Energy Companies

How Do I Compare Energy Providers?

largest public power utilitiesYou can use our website to help you compare energy providers. Whether you’re looking to save money, find a more eco-friendly supplier or both, it’s definitely something you may want to look into doing! All you will need is your zip code and you will be given electricity suppliers in your area. 

It is important to note that note every household has the power to choose who their provider is. Some towns and cities only have one provider, which makes it impossible to switch. These places also have higher electric and gas bills since the one provider can charge however much they want. 

How Can I Find Out What Electricity Company I’m With?

If you don’t know who your electric company is and would like to know, there are a few different options for you to find out. If you’re trying to find your gas supplier, you can visit Find My Supplier Site. You will need to enter your address in order to figure out who your supplier is. 

For electricity, you can call your regional electricity distribution company to find out who’s supplying your home with power. You can take a look at our page on electricity providers.

Who Is The Cheapest Electricity And Gas Supplier?

Cheap energy companies can vary from state to state. Find the cheapest energy company in your area, by using Electric Rate’s website. You will be able to easily compare electricity and natural gas suppliers by entering in your zip code. There is also information provided about how and why you may want to switch suppliers in the first place. 

How Long Does It Take To Switch Energy Suppliers?

It can take between two and three weeks to switch energy supplies. Many companies offer plans to make the process a bit quicker. There is a two week cooling off period that your energy supplier will have to wait for the switch can begin. 

Feel free to ask your current energy supplier and the one you’re switching to for an estimated date the switch will be completed by. This will make it easier when it comes time to switch your automatic bill payment over as well. 

How Can I Get Cheap Utility Bills?

Everyone likes to save money where they can. Luckily, saving money on your utility bill can be pretty easy. One of the main ways people lower the cost of their bill is by lowering the temperature in your home during the winter months and keep it raised in the summer. 

This may sound backward, but your heating system and air conditioning units take up an incredible amount of energy. They are one of the main contributors to high energy bills. Keep your home at a comfortable temperature. 

Consider running fans in the warmer months. They cost just cents per hour, which is a steal compared to an entire air conditioning unit. You could also lower the heat or turn off the A/C when you’re not home to save some money.

You also want to make sure there are no leaks, cracks in the foundation, or broken windows in your home. Be sure to regularly get rid of dust and change your air filters often. Below is a guide to how often they should be changed depending on your living situation: 

  • Every six to twelve months for vacation homes or single occupant homes that don’t have pets or allergies.
  • Every three months for an average household without pets
  • Every two months for a home with one pet
  • Every 20 to 45 days for homes with more than one pet or anyone living in the home with allergies. 

You could also limit how often you cook with a stove or use a smaller cooking appliance. Make sure that your home is well-insulated to prevent any drafts or cold air from getting through. You could also save some money on your bill by washing your clothes in cold water instead of warm. Simply change the setting on your washing machine and you’ll be good to go! 

Another way to save some money on your electric bill is to be conscious of what you have plugged in. Consider unplugging appliances or electronics when they are not being used. Lastly, consider planting trees around your home and having indoor plants. The trees outdoors will provide shade and lower your cooling costs and having plants indoors can help to purify the air. 

What States Have Deregulated Utilities? 

In case you don’t know, deregulated utilities are becoming more and more popular. They are more eco-friendly, cheaper, and provide more options for the consumer. Below you will find which states have deregulation. There are 29 in total, but it’s important to note that there is a total of five different types of deregulation:

  • Electric only
  • Gas only (limited)
  • Gas only (pilot)
  • Electric/Gas (pilot)
  • Electric/Gas

Regulated and Deregulated States

List Of Public Utilities By State 

California Utilities

  • San Diego Gas & Electric
  • Southern California Gas

Connecticut utilities

  • Eversource Energy
  • United Illuminating

Georgia utilities

  • Atlanta Gas Light

Illinois utilities

  • Commonwealth Edison Company
  • Ameren
  • North Shore Gas
  • Nicor Gas

Maine utilities

  • Emera Maine (Bangor Hydroelectric)
  • Central Maine Power

Maryland utilities

  • Baltimore Gas & Electric
  • Delmarva Power & Light
  • Washington Gas Light

Massachusetts utilities

  • Unitil (Fitchburg Gas & Electric)
  • Eversource
  • National Grid

Michigan utilities

  • DTE Energy (Michigan Consolidated)

Michigan Gas Utilities

  • SEMCO Energy

New Jersey Utilities

  • Atlantic City Electric
  • Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G)
  • Jersey Central Power & Light
  • Orange Rockland Electric
  • Elizabethtown Gas
  • Rockland Electric
  • South Jersey Gas
  • New Jersey Natural Gas

New York utilities

  • Central Hudson Gas & Electric
  • National Grid (Keyspan New York)
  • Consolidated Edison Co.
  • National Grid (Keyspan Long Island)

Ohio utilities

  • Dayton Power & Light
  • Duke Energy
  • Ohio Edison
  • AEP Ohio (Ohio Power Company)
  • Toledo Edison
  • Dominion East
  • Vectren Energy Delivery

Pennsylvania utilities

  • Duquesne Light
  • Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed)
  • National Fuel Gas (PA)
  • PECO Energy
  • Peoples Gas (formerly Equitable Gas)
  • PPL Electric Utilities
  • UGI Central Penn Gas
  • UGI Penn Natural Gas
  • West Penn Power

Texas utilities

  • AEP Texas Central
  • AEP Texas North
  • CenterPoint Energy
  • Cirro Energy
  • Oncor Electric Delivery
  • Sharyland Utilities
  • Texas-New Mexico Power

Utility Vs Supplier

What Is An Energy Provider?

An energy provider, which may be referred to as a supplier, is a company that sells electricity or gas directly to the public. There are competitive, alternative, and third-party suppliers. An energy provider will buy electricity and gas from power generators, then you buy it from them. This is a little different in a deregulated market. A deregulated market will allow you to have more options when it comes to who your provider is.

What Is A Utility Company?

A utility company is who the energy suppliers get their power from. These companies own power lines, poles, transformers, and wires. Utility companies have electric providers who are affiliates that work with them directly. It is their responsibility of checking meters, maintaining the lines, and making sure that all safety requirements are met. 

Because utility companies serve a much larger area than electric companies, you may not even know who your utility company is. To find out, it is usually listed on your electric or gas bill. If it isn’t found there, you can contact your electric company to find out who they’re affiliated with. There are many reasons why you may need to know who your utility company is. The main reason is that they keep the public updated on gas leaks and power outages. 

What You Need To Know About Electrical Equipment Maintenance 

Who Is Responsible For Electric Meter Repairs?

The meter is the responsibility of the utility company when it needs repairs. They are also responsible for installation, maintenance, and reading the meter. You can find out who your utility company is by looking at your bill or calling your electricity provider. 

Who Is Responsible For Power Lines?

This depends on the circumstances and placement of the power lines. If a power line needs to be restrung for any reason, the public power district will get the job done. They will also untangle the lines from trees, but if this is done in a residential area, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to have the trees and branches removed. 

Who Is Responsible For My Electric Meter Box?

why is the electric utility market regulatedThe electric meter box, electrical lines that are torn from your home, and the power pole mast on your property will need to be fixed by a private electrician. This will be your job to find and hire an electrician to fix the issue. In general, meter sockets and power masts that are on your property will fall on the shoulders of you, the homeowner. If any of these things other than meter boxes are not on your property, such as electrical lines or power poles, those will not be your responsibility. 

Who Is Responsible For The Power Line From Pole To House?

The public power department is responsible for anything that happens to wires from the power pole to the point the lines reach before they enter the conduit system for someone’s property. Who your public power department, or PPD, is will vary depending on where you live. 

Occasionally, the public power department will do their best to make temporary repairs in hopes to restore power to residents. If the damage requires more work to be done, the issue will be turned over to a private electrician to make final fixes to restore power completely.  

Who Is Responsible For The Underground Power Line To The House?

Both the conduit and the cable inside the conduit are the responsibility of the utility company

Summary

Now that you’re much more educated on all things related to energy companies, we hope you have a better idea of whether or not you want to switch. There are plenty of ways you can save money on your bill and also help to improve the environment! If you’re interested in deregulation, the comparison table above has given you the most up-to-date information available in regard to which states have it and what type they have. 

You’ve learned how utility companies and energy companies are related, along with their differences. With that being said, it is important to remember what is your responsibility when it comes to things such as meter boxes, power lines, and poles. 

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