National Grid Massachusetts
Contents
- 1 National Grid Massachusetts
- 2 National Grid Power Outage
- 3 National Grid Basic Service Rate
- 4 National Grid Electric Bill
- 5 National Grid Bill Pay
- 6 Energy Deregulation in Massachusetts
- 7 Choosing an Electric Supplier
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions
- 9 Is There a Cancellation Fee?
- 10 Will I Receive Two Separate Bills?
- 11 Can I be Double-Charged?
- 12 Who is my Current Energy Provider?
- 13 What Happens at The End of my Term?
- 14 Massachusetts Utilities
- 15 Clean Energy
- 16 Electricity Rates
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies serving the United States. The utility company operates in Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and serves more than 20 million customers. National Grid is responsible for maintaining and managing the power lines that deliver electricity to its customers in Massachusetts. This section of the electric bill is known as the delivery charge and represents the regulated section. Customers living in the National Grid electric service area will not be able to switch utility companies for delivery services.
National Grid Power Outage
If you’re living in the National Grid service area and experience a power outage, then you will need to contact the utility company. Thanks to advancements in technology, power outages can be detected and even diverted before they can occur. However, if your lights do happen to go out, then the utility company should be notified.
- National Grid Customer Service: 1-800-322-3223
National Grid Basic Service Rate
Along with managing the power lines, National Grid is also in charge of providing customers a basic service rate for supply services for those who choose not to switch to a competitive electric supplier. The basic service rate may change several times a year and is not a long-term fixed rate. This rate is also known as the price to compare. Customers can use the price to compare while shopping for an alternate energy supplier. If the energy supplier is offering a rate that is lower than the price to compare, then the customer will be saving money by switching.
National Grid Electric Bill
The National Grid electric bill is split up between the delivery and supply charges. The delivery charge represents the regulated section of the bill and is charged to the customer by the utility company. The supply charge represents the deregulated section of the electric bill. Customers living in deregulated electricity markets have the power to shop around for a lower supply rate. Energy suppliers will require customers to provide their National Grid account number to switch.
National Grid Bill Pay
It’s easy for paper bills sent through the mail to be easily lost or misplaced among all the other mail that accumulates. Free yourself from this mess and go paperless today! National Grid bill pay offers an easy alternative for customers to pay bills online and keep track of past payments. When you sign up with auto-pay, the monthly amount will automatically be deducted from your bank account and you will never have to worry about missing a payment again.
Energy Deregulation in Massachusetts
Massachusetts deregulated its electricity markets in 1997 with the passage of the Electric Industry Restructuring Act. This legislation took away the monopoly powers of the utility companies and allowed outside energy suppliers to provide Massachusetts residents an alternative for the supply charges on the electric bill. The supply charge is the cost of power a customer is estimated to use for a given period. Lowering the supply rate that a customer pays for the generation of power will translate to higher savings!
Choosing an Electric Supplier
If you’re new to Massachusetts or you’re tired of paying high electric bills, then there are a few things to keep in mind while selecting a new energy provider. All energy suppliers that provide services in Massachusetts are required to be licensed by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). You can find a list of qualified energy suppliers on the DPU’s website.
Energy choice brings more options to the consumer including different types of energy plans. The energy plan that is right for you may not be the same one right for your neighbor. Energy plans vary by rate product type, contract length, along with the source of power generation. Below are commonly asked questions by consumers when shopping for an electric supplier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Cancellation Fee?
Most energy suppliers will include an early cancellation fee if the customer changes to another provider before the expiration of the contract. The early cancellation fee will be listed in the terms and conditions of the energy plan. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before signing up with a new provider.
Will I Receive Two Separate Bills?
When you change electric suppliers, the customer will still receive one electric bill from National Grid. The utility company will incorporate both the delivery and supply charge on the electric bill. This method of billing is known as single billing. A few energy suppliers will allow the customer to opt for dual-billing.
Can I be Double-Charged?
It will not be possible to be charged by two separate electric suppliers for the same billing period. Everything must go through the utility company. When you change energy providers, the new provider will notify National Grid. The utility company will then notify your current energy provider and will oversee the switch.
Who is my Current Energy Provider?
Your current energy provider can be found listed on the electric bill underneath the supply charges. If you’re still having issues then you will need to contact the utility company and they will notify you of your current provider.
What Happens at The End of my Term?
If you take no action, then most energy suppliers will place you on a month-to-month variable rate. When this happens don’t be surprised to have the electric bill double or even triple in a single billing period. If you wish to go back to National Grid, then you will need to notify the utility company or cancel with your current energy provider.