Residents in Syracuse have the power to change electric suppliers and lower the supply rate on the electric bill. In 1996, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) passed the Competitive Opportunities Case which deregulated the electricity market allowing outside energy suppliers to provide generation or supply services to New Yorkers. Syracuse electricity rates have greatly benefited from the increase in competition. Before energy deregulation, the utility companies had a monopoly over the generation, transmission, and delivery of power in their respective service areas. A customer unhappy with a high electric bill had no choice but to stay with their utility company. Thanks to energy choice, alternate electric suppliers offer customers a solution to high prices.

The city of Syracuse is located less than 90 miles east of Rochester and has a population of just over 140,000. Syracuse is considered one of the nation’s snowiest cities receiving over 120 inches of snow per year! The cold winters often increase the demand for energy supply. Residents can protect themselves from higher prices by locking in a fixed energy rate.

Syracuse Utility Companies

Syracuse is located in the National Grid service area. If you’re planning on moving to the city then you will have to set up an electricity account with National Grid. The utility company is mainly responsible for managing power lines that deliver electricity to homes and businesses in their service area.

National Grid

Syracuse Power Outage

If you change electric suppliers and experience a power outage then you will need to contact the utility company. National Grid is responsible for fixing all power outages within their service area. Thanks to greater investments into the power grid, potential power outages can be detected and even diverted before they can occur.

  • National Grid Power Outage Contact Number: 1-800-867-5222
  • National Grid Customer Contact Number: 1-800-642-4272

Syracuse Basic Service Charge

Along with delivering power to customers, National Grid is required to provide a default rate for supply services to customers that do not switch to a competing energy supplier. The default rate is commonly referred to as the price to compare. Residents can use the price to compare while shopping for energy plans. If an electric supplier is offering a supply rate that is lower than the price to compare, then the customer will be saving money by switching to the new provider.

Syracuse Renewable Energy

New York is one of the top states in the nation when it comes to generating electricity from hydropower. Due to the abundance of rivers in New York, hydropower represents the top renewable energy source in the state. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, hydroelectricity accounts for over one-fifth of the state’s net generation. Wind power represents the second-largest renewable energy source generating just over 4% of net generation in the state.

New York is among many states that have implemented Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). This requires a set percentage of electricity sold in the state to be generated from renewable energy sources. This percentage is set to increase in the coming years. That last revision was in 2019 and requires 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040.

Selecting an Energy Plan

If you’re living in Syracuse and still on the utility’s default rate, then take advantage of energy choice today! Energy suppliers offer a variety of energy plans to choose from. How do you know which plan will be right for you? Most people just want to lock in the lowest rate possible. However, there is a growing demand for 100% renewable energy and more energy suppliers are starting to step up to meet this demand. These plans may not be right for everyone, as energy suppliers charge a premium to go 100% green. Below are a few things to consider while shopping for a new energy plan.

Should I Choose Fixed or Variable?

Fixed rates will not change during the term of the agreement. If you’re worried about rising energy prices then you may choose to lock in a fixed rate. Locking in a fixed rate product will put a ceiling on the price during a rising market. However, if the market drops, you might be stuck paying a higher rate.

Variable rates can fluctuate monthly. Most variable rates can change at the sole discretion of the energy supplier. These rate plans can be beneficial to the customer if energy prices drop. Most variable-rate plans do not contain an early cancellation fee allowing the customer to switch energy plans without paying a penalty.

Is There an Early Cancellation Fee?

Most energy plans will contain an early cancellation fee if you switch energy suppliers before the expiration of the agreement. Any early cancellation fee will be listed in the terms and conditions. These fees can cost up to $300 so make sure you’re aware of any early cancellation fees if you change electric suppliers before the expiration of your term.

Is it Possible to be Double-Billed?

Once you change electric suppliers it will not be possible to receive two separate electric bills for the same billing period. The utility company will be responsible for overseeing the switch from the old energy supplier to the new energy supplier. If you receive a bill from the old energy supplier then it’s most likely from a different billing period.

What Happens at the End of my Term?

Once the term expires it is common for the energy supplier to put the customer on a monthly variable rate. Once this happens don’t be surprised to have the electric bill double or even triple in a single billing period. We recommend shopping for a new energy plan a month before the term expires.

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