PSEG Utility Company
PSEG is one of the major utility companies that operate in central New Jersey. The main responsibility of the PSEG is to maintain and manage power lines that deliver electricity to customers within its service area. A few cities that are located in the service area include Hoboken, Newark, and Princeton. The utility company has been in business for over 100 years and currently serves more than 2.3 million electric customers and 1.9 million gas customers. With more than 13,000 employees, PSEG is a Fortune 500 company that has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 13 consecutive years.
PSEG Power Outage
If you’re living in the PSEG service area and experience a power outage, then you will need to contact the utility company. PSEG is responsible for fixing all power outages within its service area. Thanks to advancements in the infrastructure that supports the power lines, potential power outages can be detected and diverted before they can occur.
- PSEG Power Outage Number: 1-800-436-7734
PSEG Price to Compare
Along with delivering power to customers, PSEG is required to provide supply services to customers that decide not to switch over to an alternate electric supplier. The PSEG supply charge is often referred to as the PSEG price to compare. The price to compare is a variable rate that changes twice per year. Customers can use the price to compare while shopping for energy plans. If an energy supplier is offering a supply rate lower than the price to compare then the customer will be saving money by switching to the new supplier.
New Jersey Energy Choice
Energy choice has allowed New Jersey residents to choose a competing electric supplier to lower the supply rate and save money on the electric bill. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities deregulated the electricity market in the late 1990s, opening the door to outside energy suppliers to compete with the utility companies. Before energy choice, the utility companies had a monopoly over the generation, transmission, and delivery of electricity within their respective service areas. Deregulating the electricity market has given residents power to switch energy companies while enjoying the same level of service from the utility companies.
PSEG Sample Electric Bill
Understanding the PSEG electric bill is a good first step to take before switching electric suppliers. The PSEG electric bill is split into two sections that include the delivery charge and supply charge.
- Delivery Charge – The delivery charge represents the regulated section of the electric bill and is charged to the customer by PSEG. The delivery charge is overseen by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. A customer will not be able to change utility companies for the delivery services of the electric bill
- Supply Charge – The supply charge represents the deregulated section of the electric bill and is the cost of generating the power the customer is estimated to use during a period. Energy deregulation allows customers to change electric suppliers and lower the supply rate.
To determine the PSEG price to compare from the sample electric bill, take the total supply charges of $101.57 and divide it by 756 kilowatt-hours which is the amount used during the billing period. This will give you a PSEG price to compare of 13.4352 cents per kWh.
PSEG Energy Saving Tips
Along with taking advantage of energy choice and lowering the supply rate on the electric bill, a customer can take steps to reduce the amount of energy consumed during a billing period. Lowering the number of kilowatt-hours consumed during a billing period can add up to greater savings over time. Below are a few steps a customer can take to reduce their overall energy consumption.
Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat can help reduce energy consumption by adjusting the temperature to match your comfort level. It is estimated to save 3 to 5 percent for each degree raised.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans do a great job of pushing cold air throughout the house. The more circulation that is available the cooler your house will feel. This means less work from the air conditioner.
Blinds and Shades
If you’re planning on leaving the house all day, then closing all the blinds and shades will help keep your house cool. The less sunlight that enters the house the cooler your house will feel.
Choosing an Energy Plan
If you’re moving to New Jersey from a regulated service area, then having to shop for an electric supplier may seem like a hassle. It doesn’t have to be this way! Unlike regulated markets, energy choice gives you more options by providing a variety of energy plans to choose from. Selecting the right energy plan can significantly reduce energy costs by 15 to 30 percent.
How do you know which energy plan to select? The energy plan that is right for you may not be the same one your neighbor selects. Most people are happy with the lowest possible rate that will save them the most money. However, choosing a plan that is derived from 100% renewable energy is growing in demand. If you go this route expect to pay a premium as generating electricity from renewable energy sources is more expensive than conventional sources such as oil and coal.
Below are the pros and cons of the most popular energy plans available on the market.
| Electric Rate Products | Pros | Cons |
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Fixed Rate |
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Variable Rate |
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Index Rate |
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Renewable Energy Rates |
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