Massachusetts Frequently Asked Questions
Do electricity suppliers have to be licensed in Massachusetts?
Yes, they must be licensed by the Department of Public Utilities.
Do electricity suppliers have to be licensed in Massachusetts?
Yes, the deregulated energy policy in Massachusetts allows state residents and businesses to purchase their electricity supply from a competitive supplier other than the public utilities.
How many people have switched electric suppliers in Massachusetts?
Hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents and businesses have switched to a competitive electricity supplier to lower their rates per kWh.
How much will I save by switching suppliers?
Your savings will be based on the rate you can get from a competitive retail supplier compared to the current price to compare you can get from the utility. The rate difference multiplied by your usage will provide the savings.
Will the utility be upset if I choose an electric supplier?
No, the Massachusetts utilities encourage customers to take advantage of competitive electricity supply rates from other companies.
What will my new electricity supplier do?
Your new Mass electricity supplier will generate your electricity while your local utility will continue to provide maintenance, customer service and billing for the transmission and distribution of your electricity.
What are the different sections of my utility bill?
Your utility bill is divided into two components:
- Supply Charges (or Generation) – this is the portion of your bill that will reflect the charges from your new electricity supplier.
- Delivery Services – this is the portion of the bill that will reflect your utility charges which include distribution and transmission charges.
Do I have to pay a deposit?
No.
What are fixed and variable rates?
A fixed rate is a rate that you can lock into for a specific duration of time. Each of the plans will have an expiration for that fixed rate plan.
A variable rate is a rate that may fluctuate on a monthly basis based upon current market conditions.
A variable rate is a rate that may fluctuate on a monthly basis based upon current market conditions.
How often can the variable rate change?
The variable rate will only change once a month and the supplier will notify you beforehand to tell you what the rate will be for the following month.
Will I get two electric bills?
No, you will still receive only one bill from the public utility showing both the charges from your new supplier and the utility. You just send one payment to the utility as usual.
Do I have to tell the utility I am switching suppliers?
No. You just simply enroll with a new supplier and they will notify the utility.
What if I have a contract?
You should always pay attention to any term expiration dates if you have a cancellation fee. If you do have a cancellation fee, be sure to start with a new supplier at the end of your term and not before.
Will my bill look different?
No, your bill will look the same but will reflect the name of the supplier and the new rate per kWh.
Who do I call if my power goes out?
You still call the public utility if your service goes out or you have any other repair issues.
For National Grid- 800-322-3223
For NSTAR - 800-286-2000
For WMECo - (877) 659-6326
For Unitil - 888-301-7700
If I cancel do I have to pay a fee or penalty?
There are some suppliers that require a cancellation fee and some that do not. This information will be listed when you compare plans.
When I switch, how long does it take before I see savings?
When you enroll with a new supplier, allow for 2-4 business days for your new supplier to process your account. After that, you will officially be switched on the next possible meter read date.
Will there be any interruption in service?
No. There is never any interruption in service when switching suppliers.
Do the suppliers offer green energy?
All Massachusetts suppliers provide a small portion (approx. 20%) of their electricity from renewable sources. There are also 100% renewable electricity plans available to you which you will see when comparing plans.
Will I get a confirmation when I enroll online?
Yes, you will receive an e-mail confirmation outlining the Massachusetts electricity supplier you have chosen, along with the details of your electricity plan and the customer service information for your new supplier.
Can we sign up for an electric supplier if we don’t have a utility account yet?
No. A current utility account must be in place before any competitive supplier is able to switch your service.