Compare electricity rates in your area at no cost with the independent Choose Energy marketplace. Energy deregulation gives you the power to choose the electricity compare that provides energy to your home or business. This leads to more competition between providers and cheaper electricity rates for you.
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Across the country, many states benefit from deregulated energy markets. Electricity providers in deregulated areas compete for your business by offering cheaper energy rates and electricity promotions.
Consider what deregulation has meant in Texas. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration:
These are the results for just one state – but energy consumers across the country can profit from deregulation. Currently, eleven states and the District of Columbia can shop for energy plans and rates in deregulated markets.
If you are shopping for a new electricity plan or a lower electric rate, Choose Energy can make the process easy. With our independent, unaffiliated marketplace, you can shop and compare energy plans in your area at no cost. Find your state on this page or enter your ZIP code to get started.
Electricity rates vary based on several factors, including location, seasonality, the weather, and energy demand in your area. Energy prices are normally more expensive in the summer or winter when temperatures are extreme and demand is higher. You could secure a low electricity rate if you shop at an off-peak time of year, like the spring or fall.
The average price for electricity in the U.S. is 13.85 cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh). As of September 2021, Idaho had the lowest residential electric rate of 9.95 cents per kWh. Hawaii had the highest electric rate averaging 32.74 ¢/kWh.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to lock in a lower rate with the Choose Energy marketplace. Compare and shop among the best providers in your area in a matter of minutes. To begin, enter your ZIP code above and we will show you a list of all the available electricity rates near you. From there, you can filter for what matters most to you and easily compare your options.
The Choose Energy marketplace allows you to compare low electricity rates and top providers in your area so you can find an energy plant to fit your needs – all at no additional cost. Filter by what’s important to you and sign up in minutes. The shopping process can be boiled down to three easy steps.
The most common types of plans you’ll encounter while shopping on our marketplace include:
Electricity plan term lengths depend on the type of plan and provider you choose. Common terms include month-to-month, 12-month, and 24-month options. There are some plans with contracts lasting as long as 36 months.
For customers with low credit scores or shoppers who want to avoid paying a deposit, the Choose Energy marketplace includes no deposit and pay-as-you-go energy plans. Many of these plans offer same-day connection, so you get the lights turned on in no time.
To shop prepaid and no deposit energy plans, enter your ZIP code above and use the filter tool to narrow down your choices. You can also visit our no deposit page for more details.
In deregulated markets, energy providers (also called suppliers or ESCOs in some states) generate and sell electricity to customers. Utility companies deliver energy to your home or business and maintain the power lines. This means utility companies are in charge of restoring power when there is an outage.
Choose Energy works with top providers across the country to show you a variety of electricity plans in one place. We only allow trusted providers on our marketplace, so you can get reliable and affordable electric service no matter which provider you choose. To learn more about the providers you will find on our marketplace, visit our energy providers page.
Natural gas is also deregulated in some states, including California, Massachusetts, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Illinois. If you are interested in natural gas rates, visit our natural gas page and enter your ZIP code on that page to find rates in your area.
Yes – most electricity companies allow customers who are moving to transfer their plan and service to their new home. In many states, you can shop for a new energy plan prior to your move if you want to switch plans. The details of moving your electric service depends on where you live, so visit your state page to learn the specifics.
Switching energy providers is easier than it may seem. First, if you are under a contract, you’ll need to find out if you will be charged an early termination fee. You can find this information on your plan’s electricity facts label (EFL). Next, enter your ZIP code above. We’ll show you plans in your area and you can filter and compare to find the right option for your energy needs. From there, we’ll help you sign up for your new plan and your provider will make the transition in your service.
Possibly. Each energy provider on our marketplace sets a different credit threshold and if you fall below this threshold they may require a deposit. When you shop with us, we’ll let you know if you have to pay a deposit for the provider you choose. We can also help you find no deposit options that you can compare to your original choice. Visit our deposits guide to learn more.
Yes, we run a soft credit check – the kind that doesn’t affect your credit score – and we only run it once. The providers we work with require a credit check before they will offer service. Credit checks are a normal part of the electricity shopping process and allow providers to determine whether you will need to pay a deposit. We’ll check your score for all of the providers on our marketplace so you can find the best rate. Visit our deposits guide for more information about the credit check process.
Looking for some extra reading? We’ve compiled several resources to help make the energy buying process easier. See some of our guides and helpful pages below:
Updated: 8/27/2020
