Compare Hartford Electricity Rates - Connecticut Electric

Hartford Electricity Rates

Contents

1 Hartford Electricity Rates
2 Hartford Utility Companies
3 Contact Eversource (CL&P) for Power Outages
4 Electric Suppliers That Offer Services in Hartford
5 Direct Energy
6 Starion Energy
7 ClearView Energy
8 Public Power
9 Constellation Energy
10 How to Choose an Electric Supplier?
11 Read the Terms and Conditions!
12 What is the Standard Offer Service (SOS)?
13 Is There an Early Cancellation Fee?
14 Short Term vs. Long Term Agreements
15 What Happens at The End of my Term?
16 Fixed vs. Variable Rates
17 View by City
18 Clean Energy
19 Electricity Rates

Residents in Hartford, CT can shop around for a competitive electric supplier and lower their electric bills. Hartford electricity rates fall under the Eversource (CL&P) utility service area. Thanks to legislation in Connecticut known as PA 98-28, the responsibilities of the utility company became unbundled allowing competing energy suppliers to provide services for the generation charge, also known as the supply rate. Opening the door to outside competition has the effect of pushing down energy prices. When energy companies compete, the consumer wins.

The city of Hartford is the capital of Connecticut. Hartford is located 54 miles north of Bridgeport and has a population of just under 125,000. The climate in the city is described as humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. It’s not uncommon for the city to experience winter storms that can lead to power outages.

Hartford Utility Companies

Eversource, formerly known as Connecticut Light and Power, is a utility company that operates in Hartford, CT. Eversource is responsible for maintaining the lines and wires to safely deliver the electricity to its customers. This charge is known as the delivery charge and represents the regulated section of the electric bill. This means residents living in the Eversource service area will not be able to change to another utility company. The delivery charge is overseen by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).

Contact Eversource (CL&P) for Power Outages

If you recently changed energy suppliers and experience a power outage, then you will still need to contact Eversource (CL&P). The majority of power outages are due to a disruption in the power lines and not due to a lack of generation of power. Thanks to advancements in technology, most power outages can be detected and fixed within an hour. However, if you experience a prolonged outage, then contact Eversource.

Eversource (CL&P) contact information: 1-800-286-2000

Electric Suppliers That Offer Services in Hartford

Although the delivery charge is regulated, you can still shop around for a lower supply rate! Locking in a lower supply rate can help you save over 20 percent on the electric bill. Knowing which energy supplier to choose from depends on the customer’s needs. Below is a list of energy suppliers that provide energy services in Hartford and are known for their quality service and great customer care.

How to Choose an Electric Supplier?

Thanks to energy choice, Connecticut residents have more options to choose from when selecting an energy provider. A customer wanting to lock in the lowest rate possible might choose another electric supplier than a customer wanting a green energy plan. Energy suppliers can specialize in different energy plans. Knowing which energy supplier is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for a new energy plan.

Read the Terms and Conditions!

This may seem obvious, but many people will overlook basic charges that can lead to headaches down the road. The terms and conditions will lay out the details of the plan including energy rate, term length, early cancellation fees, and any other additional charges. Reading the terms and conditions can help you compare apples-to-apples when it comes to choosing a supplier.

What is the Standard Offer Service (SOS)?

Legislation PA 98-28 requires Connecticut utilities to provide a default rate for generation services for customers who do not want to change electric suppliers. The default rate is known as the standard offer service (SOS) and changes every six months. The SOS can be used as the price to compare while shopping for energy plans. If an electric supplier is offering a supply rate lower than the SOS, then the customer will be saving money by switching.

Is There an Early Cancellation Fee?

Most energy plans will come with an early cancellation fee if the customer switches energy suppliers before the expiration date of the agreement. Some electric suppliers will charge a flat fee for canceling early while others will charge a fee multiplied by how many months are left in the agreement. If you’re not careful and change energy plans too early, you can be hit with a cancellation fee of up to $300!

Short Term vs. Long Term Agreements

Deciding on whether to lock in a short-term or long-term rate has a lot to do with current energy prices. The electricity market can be very volatile with large fluctuation in prices throughout the year. If the market is down it makes sense to lock in a long-term rate. However, if the market continues to dip you might be stuck paying a higher rate. Short-term rates are suitable for consumers who are more willing to gamble or who want to change energy providers without worrying about paying a large early cancellation fee.

What Happens at The End of my Term?

Most energy suppliers will switch their customers to a month-to-month variable rate once the initial term expires. When this happens, don’t be surprised to have the electric bill double or even triple in a single billing period. We recommend shopping around for a new energy plan a month before the expiration of your current plan. Paying attention to when the plan expires can save you from any surprises on the electric bill.

Fixed vs. Variable Rates

The two most common rate products include fixed and variable rates. Fixed rates do not fluctuate during the agreement. If the market increases, the consumer will be protected. Just about every fixed-rate plan will include an early cancellation fee if the customer cancels the plan before the expiration date. Fixed-rate products are better suited for the conservative customer.

Variable rates can change at the sole discretion of the energy supplier. It is not uncommon for an energy company to offer a low introductory variable rate, only to have the price increase throughout the term. Most variable rates do not come with an early cancellation fee, giving freedom to the customer to change electric suppliers without being hit with a penalty.

Electric Rate Products	Pros	Cons
Fixed Rate	Remains fixed through duration of term Protects against market volatility Available to both commercial and residential customers	Might pay higher rate if energy market drops Comes with cancellation fee
Variable Rate	Most plans have no cancellation fees Available to both commercial and residential customers	Can easily double or triple in price Supplier can increase rate at their sole discretion
Index Rate	Historically lower than fixed rate plans Can be switched to a fixed rate plan without penalty Tied directly to the wholesale price of electricity	Exposure to market risk Only offered to large industrial size users
Renewable Energy Rates	A clean alternative solution Reliable source of power Available to both commercial and residential customers	You may pay a high premium More expensive than coal