Your electric bill is divided into two major sections: delivery and generation. Since 2000 the generation portion of your bill has been deregulated, meaning that independent companies, known as “electric suppliers,” can compete to sell generation services. Customers of Eversource and UI have the option to receive generation service from a licensed supplier or to remain with and receive generation service from Eversource or UI.  The delivery costs on your bill remain fully regulated.

Customers choosing to receive generation from an Electric Supplier should monitor the Supply Summary portion of their electric bill each month, on the right side of the first page.  The Supply Summary shows the rate you are paying, a comparison of it to the utility's generation rate, the rate you will pay in your next cycle, and your contract term. You should know when your contract with your Electric Supplier is scheduled to end and monitor your mail or email for a renewal notice and renewal terms. Most Electric Supplier contracts automatically renew at a different rate, so customers must act in advance of their new rate going into effect. 

If you switching suppliers (i.e., not changing rates with the same supplier) and enroll at least ten days prior to your next meter read date, then the switch happens on your next meter reading date. Your next meter reading date is shown on the electric bill.  Changing rates with the same supplier may take longer to take effect due to the statutory requirement that the charged rate appear as the next cycle rate on your previous electric bill; however, suppliers are encouraged to credit customers for any difference in price during the time it takes the renegotiated rate to implement. Be sure to ask the supplier how your meter reading date will affect the date you switch. For more information about the process please see: "Enrolling with a Supplier - Understanding the process".

Eversource and UI must provide electricity to customers who do not choose another electric supplier. Therefore, Eversource and UI are the default providers of electric generation services.

Eversource or UI will continue to deliver electricity to your home or business and send the electric bill. The only difference is that the Generation Service rate on your bill will reflect the rate charged by the electric supplier. 

Customers who wish to return to Standard Service must contact Eversource or UI by phone. Eversource and UI are required to switch residential and small business customers back to the Standard Service rate within two business days of the request and will prorate your bill accordingly. Be sure to check with your supplier regarding cancellation fees that may apply.

Call Eversource to speak to a representative at 800-286-2000 or local (Hartford/Meriden) at 860-947-2000.

Call UI to speak to a representative at 800-722-5584.

No. Eversource and United Illuminating no longer own power plants or produce electricity. Instead, they buy electricity from wholesale suppliers for delivery to any of their customers that have not chosen an electric supplier.

No. Not at all.

Some may, but it is important to ask if a supplier is purchasing electricity or renewable energy credits (RECs). Most suppliers claiming renewable offers purchase the system mix of electricity and offset a percentage of your use with RECs. PURA issued a decision in Docket No. 16-12-29 restricting these RECs to areas beneficial to Connecticut and the suppliers' appeal of the decision is with the Connecticut Supreme Court.

• Business customers should ask "is the generation rate fixed or variable?" Residential customers will always get a fixed rate.
• How long is the contract?
• Will the contract automatically renew at the end of the term?
• If the contract automatically renews, can it renew for more than my current rate?
• By when do I need to act to prevent the contract from automatically renewing?
• When will you notify me that the contract is ending?
• What are the monthly savings compared to the standard service rate?
• Is an enrollment or other fee required?
• Do you offer any benefits like a home energy assessment or an enrollment bonus.

If you switching suppliers (i.e., not changing rates with the same supplier) and enroll at least ten days prior to your next meter read date, then the switch happens on your next meter reading date. Your next meter reading date is shown on the electric bill.  Changing rates with the same supplier may take longer to take effect due to the statutory requirement that the charged rate appear as the next cycle rate on your previous electric bill; however, suppliers are encouraged to credit customers for any difference in price during the time it takes the renegotiated rate to implement. Be sure to ask the supplier how your meter reading date will affect the date you switch. For more information about the process please see: "Enrolling with a Supplier - Understanding the process".

Connecticut no longer allows suppliers to enroll residential customers into contracts with early termination fees. Business customers may incur a fee.

If you want to change rates with your existing supplier, either to renegotiate the rate mid-contract or to renegotiate the proposed automatic renewal rate, depending on the timing of when you contact the supplier it may take up to two billing cycles for the new rate to be applied.  This is due to the requirement that your existing supplier must provide a next cycle rate for your bill, which is tied to the billed rate for the cycle indicated. Ask your supplier if they will provide you a credit, as suppliers are encouraged to credit customers for any difference during the time it takes a renegotiated rate to be applied. 

Almost all supplier contracts indicate they will automatically renew when the contract expires.  Suppliers are required to communicate the automatic renewal rate to you in advance, but this rate often is more than your initial rate.  When you begin a contract with a supplier, you should calendar two and a half months prior to the contract ending and contact the supplier about the renewal rate at that time.  If you do not want to renew at the rate provided, you may cancel the contract or you may attempt to renegotiate a different rate.  It is important that you renegotiate a rate prior to the supplier providing the automatic renewal rate to your utility, as you will be billed for one cycle for any rate the supplier provides to your utility.  If the supplier has already provided the higher rate to the utility, ask the supplier for a credit for the difference between the automatic renewal rate and the rate you negotiated.