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Compare the Best Energy Suppliers in Massachusetts in 2024

massachusetts electricity supplier rates

Massachusetts belongs to the various states in the country with deregulated electricity. This means that you have the freedom to choose your energy provider and is not limited to the one connected to your utility company.  

As such, you can easily switch to a different electricity provider if you’re not satisfied with the rates and services your current one provides. Although this can be an advantage, choosing a new power company can be a chore due to the number of options. To ease the task, we’ve done the research for you. We hope this article will help you select the best energy company in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Electricity Rates

National Grid - MA (MECO)

18.21¢ Price to Compare

Through July 31, 2024

Provider Plan Term Rate Savings  
Clearview Energy
6 months
10.59¢ / kWh

Save 42%

Clearview Energy
9 months
11.09¢ / kWh

Save 40%

Clearview Energy
12 months
12.69¢ / kWh

Save 31%

Direct Energy
9 months
13.69¢ / kWh

Save 25%

Constellation
36 months
14.69¢ / kWh

Save 20%

Eversource Energy (NSTAR)

17.22¢ Price to Compare

Through July 31, 2024

Provider Plan Term Rate Savings  
Clearview Energy
9 months
10.99¢ / kWh

Save 37%

Clearview Energy
12 months
12.59¢ / kWh

Save 27%

Direct Energy
9 months
13.39¢ / kWh

Save 23%

Constellation
36 months
14.49¢ / kWh

Save 16%

Direct Energy
18 months
14.69¢ / kWh

Save 15%

Provider Plan Term Rate  

Eversource Western MA (WMECo)

16.18¢ Price to Compare

Through July 31, 2024

Provider Plan Term Rate Savings  
Clearview Energy
9 months
10.79¢ / kWh

Save 34%

Clearview Energy
12 months
12.39¢ / kWh

Save 24%

Direct Energy
9 months
13.39¢ / kWh

Save 18%

Constellation
36 months
14.19¢ / kWh

Save 13%

Constellation
24 months
14.49¢ / kWh

Save 11%

Electricity rates vary throughout Massachusetts depending on each utility company’s transmission fees. Hence, the electricity rates for the same plan can differ in other areas of the state. 

Massachusetts has an average residential rate of 25.2 cents per kWh and 18.08 cents per kWh for commercial users. You can use this information when you search for a new energy provider.

Here are some of the more popular and affordable electricity plans in Massachusetts. 

Name of Energy PlanEnergy Plan LengthEnergy Plan Rate
Clearview Energy Live Green6 months$0.1609 per kWh
Constellation 36-Month Plan36 months$0.1469 per kWh
Discount Power 100% Carbon Neutral Power 1212 months$0.1650 per kWh
Discount Power 100% Carbon Neutral Power 1818 months$0.1750 per kWh
Verde Energy USA Get It Fixed 1212 months$0.1750 per kWh
Verde Energy USA Get It Fixed 2424 months$0.1899 per kWh
Direct Energy Green Energy 12 Months12 months$0.2129 per kWh
Direct Energy Green Energy 18 Months18 months$0.1859 per kWh
Direct Energy Green Energy 36 Months 36 months$0.1799 per kWh

Massachusetts Utility Companies

Utility companies differ from energy companies. Energy companies supply the electricity that powers your home and provides you with various plans and associated electricity rates. Meanwhile, utility companies maintain the power grid and other facilities that transmit electric power to your home or business. They also respond to power outages and emergencies involving your electricity service. 

You can’t choose your utility provider. Instead, where you live determines which company will serve your needs. Three major utility companies operate in Massachusetts and these are the following.  

Eversource

Eversource Gas and Energy is a utility company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity and natural gas in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Founded in 1966, it was initially launched as Northeast Utilities, eventually changing its corporate name to Eversource Energy in 2015. 

The utility company currently serves almost 4 million electric and natural gas customers in its 3 service territories. In Massachusetts alone, Eversource Energy takes care of the electricity service in 140 towns.  

National Grid

National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned utility companies in the country. It delivers electricity and gas to over 20 million people throughout New York and Massachusetts and maintains about 84,000 miles of overhead and underground transmission and distribution lines. 

It began operation in 2000 when the London-based National Grid Group acquired New England Electric System (NEES). In addition to providing electricity service, the company also constructs high-speed fiber optic telecommunications networks through its NEES Communications Inc. subsidiary and offers consulting services through Wayfinder Group Inc. 

Unitil

Unitil Corporation is a utility company operating in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, serving approximately 102,400 electric customers and 75,900 natural gas users. Its service territories include business districts, recreational centers, and commercial and industrial customers, such as electronic component manufacturers and educational institutions. 

Types of Energy Plans in Massachusetts 

The great thing about having deregulated electricity is that you can choose your energy provider. The different electricity companies in Massachusetts offer various energy plans with varying rates and term lengths. Knowing the kinds of plans available in Massachusetts will help you determine which one will best suit your needs. 

Fixed-Rate Plans

If price stability is a big thing for you, choose among the fixed-rate energy plans offered by the different power companies in Massachusetts. In a fixed-rate energy plan, the price you pay per kWh won’t change until your contract expires. The contract length varies but usually ranges between 12 and 36 months. This type of plan makes it easy to predict your monthly electricity bill letting you adjust your budget accordingly. On the downside, you may need to pay an early termination fee if you choose to end your service before the end of your contract. 

Variable-Rate Plans

Whereas the price per kWh in fixed-rate energy plans doesn’t fluctuate from month to month, the opposite holds for variable-rate plans. In this type of energy plan, your electricity rates vary from one month to the next as the price depends on the prevailing rate on the energy market. As such, you can expect your bill to spike in some months, while in certain months, you may get to save a few bucks because of lower prices. 

No-deposit Plans

Most energy companies require a deposit before providing electricity service. You may be able to waive that requirement depending on your credit score. However, if you’ll be staying in Massachusetts for only a few months or if you don’t have a good credit score, a no-deposit energy plan may be your best option.  

With this type of plan, you won’t need to undergo a credit history check or put down a deposit. Instead, you pay upfront for the electricity you will be using. Your balance goes down as you consume electricity, and you’ll need to top up the amount in your account when it reaches a specified level. 

Green Electricity Plans

If you’re concerned about the state of the environment and aim to help nature, you’ll be glad to know that Massachusetts has made substantial investments in green energy. As such, you can easily find competitively-priced green energy plans offered by the many energy providers operating in your area. 

Green energy plans are those that provide electricity coming from renewable sources. These include wind, solar, and hydropower. In some instances, these plans have cheaper per kWh rates than those with electricity from traditional sources like coal, gas, and oil. 

Business Energy Plans

Energy deregulation brings benefits to business owners, too. If you own a business in Massachusetts, you can choose among various business energy plans offered by the power providers in the area.  

You can contact any of the energy companies in the Bay State to learn more about their business energy plans. Talk with their energy experts, who can provide customized energy services and rates for your business

Factors That Affect Electricity Rates

The per kWh price of electricity constantly fluctuates, sometimes several times a day. You may also see huge dips and spikes during certain months, such as during the winter and summer seasons. What brings about such rapid and significant changes? Well, different factors go into the computation of electricity prices, and any one of those can send the rates into a tailspin.  

Let’s look into those factors to help you understand these energy fluctuations. 

Fuels

We’re talking about fuels that are burned to generate electricity. More often, these are fossil fuels, such as gas, oil, and coal. These fuels don’t come cheap. Due to the dwindling supply, their prices are constantly on an upward trend. Moreover, political factors also often affect the prices in the energy market. So, when the market price surges, expect your energy bill to follow the pattern. 

Power Plant Prices

If fossil fuels aren’t cheap, the prices of power plants are nothing to sneeze at, either. Going into the cost of power plants is construction and maintenance expenses. Often, the amount reaches millions of dollars. All the greenbacks that go into the construction and maintenance of power plants get factored into the computation of energy rates. 

Transmission and Distribution Area System

The electricity produced in power plants won’t do any good if it doesn’t reach the end-users. Thus, the need for a transmission and distribution system that will bring electric power to customers like you and me. Comprising the transmission and distribution system are power poles, power lines, transformers, and other infrastructure that carry electric power over long distances. 

This system is huge, so significant money goes into its construction, operation, and maintenance. There has to be a way to recoup the investment; hence, the amount spent becomes a factor in electricity pricing.  

Area Regulations

In areas of the country with regulated electricity, the state can dictate the per kWh rate. Even states with a deregulated energy market have regulatory bodies that control the pricing of electric power.  

The regulations may include how much and how often energy companies can change their prices. As such, these regulations can easily affect how much you pay per kWh during various months. 

Weather Conditions

The weather can nudge the per kWh rate to a higher or lower level in two ways. First, the weather conditions often affect the energy demand. During certain seasons or months of the year, such as winter or summer, the demand for electricity rises as heating or cooling devices operate longer and often in settings that consume more energy. Thus, power rates rise. On the other hand, seasons with mild temperatures typically reduce energy usage, which tends to bring down prices. 

The second way the weather affects electricity prices is through its impact on power distribution. Cold spells or stormy weather can lead to fallen lines or toppled power poles, which reduces the grid’s ability to bring electricity to its intended users. Meanwhile, soaring temperatures can hamper the efficiency of power plants forcing them to reduce energy production.  

Solar Energy in Massachusetts 

Massachusetts belongs to the top 10 states in the country when it comes to solar production. The Bay State also provides incentives for those who choose to power their homes or businesses with solar energy. If you want to use the sun’s energy to cover or supplement your electricity needs, check what solar options are available to you and which incentives you may qualify for.  

Community solar in Massachusetts can be a great option if you’re not ready to buy a solar panel system. Community solar allows multiple residents in the same area to share the cost of solar energy by joining a centralized solar farm. Arcadia is the solar broker for Massachusetts and most other US municipalities.  

About Massachusetts 

One of the original 13 states of the country, Massachusetts is the most populous area in the New England region of the Northeastern US. It’s bordered by Vermont and New Hampshire in the north, Connecticut and Rhode Island in the south, New York in the west, and the Atlantic Ocean in the east. With an area of 10,555 square miles, Massachusetts is the country’s seventh-smallest state. Boston, its capital, is the state’s most populous city. 

The state got its name from the Massachuset tribe, who established settlements in Boston and Salem. It was christened as such by John Smith, an English explorer, and colonist.  

Popular ZIP Codes

If you plan to move to Massachusetts, you’ll benefit from knowing the best places to live in the state. Here are the top zip code areas in the Bay State. 

  • 02420
  • 02139
  • 02446
  • 02138
  • 01778
  • 02445
  • 02142
  • 02461
  • 02421
  • 01720

Living and Moving to Massachusetts 

Living in Massachusetts can be a bit hard on the pocket as it’s considered the 6th most expensive state in the US, with a cost of living that is 45 percent higher than the national average. However, the high price tag comes with a wealth of advantages, especially since Massachusetts ranks as one of the best places to live in the country. 

What makes it worthwhile to move to the Bay State despite the area’s high cost of living? The state’s exceptional educational system, for one. Families with school-age kids will welcome the news that Massachusetts consistently ranks number one in reading and math testing scores compared to all other 49 states. 

Other reasons include the state’s top-notch healthcare system, strong economy, rich history, and diverse entertainment options. These perks can easily offset the drawbacks of living in Massachusetts bring. 

FAQs

What is the Cheapest Electricity Supplier in Massachusetts?

Because electricity is deregulated in Massachusetts, you can choose your supplier. You’ll naturally want to work with a company that offers the most affordable rates. Currently, Public Power has the most competitive per kWh prices. However, you’ll need to stay updated as power rates fluctuate regularly. 

Can I Install My Own Gas and Electric Meter?

No, you’re not allowed to install your own gas and electric meter. Not only is it considered illegal to do so, but it also carries some risks. The utility company owns the metering equipment and other hardware associated with the transmission and distribution of electricity to your home. Aside from the meter, these also include the transformers on the ground or a pole. Tampering with the utility company’s property can lead to the termination of your service. Moreover, it creates a safety issue. Improperly installed meters carry the risk of injury or damage to property if the meter malfunctions.

Does Unplugging Things Save Electricity?

Most modern appliances and electronics don’t completely power down even after you hit the OFF button. Instead, they go into sleep or standby mode. Thus, as long as they remain connected to the socket, they continue consuming electricity. Consider unplugging your devices and appliances if you want to save electricity and lower your utility expenses. 

What is the Average Electric Bill in MA?

Electricity consumers in Massachusetts spend an average of $238 per month for their power needs. That comes to around $2,856 per year. The average electric bill in the state is 13 percent higher than the country’s average electric bill of $2,519. 

Conclusion

The deregulated electricity market in Massachusetts lets you choose your power provider. You can take advantage of such freedom to cut your energy expenses. How? By researching the different companies operating in the area and discovering what energy plan offers the best rates for your needs. 

You can pick a green energy plan if you advocate for the environment. Using electricity from renewable sources will help lower your carbon footprint and may even save you money, as some plans have cheaper rates for their green energy plans.  

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