Competitive suppliers are companies licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to sell electricity to people in Massachusetts. If you don’t buy from a competitive supplier, you will still receive electricity from your electric company.
Frequently asked questions about competitive electric supply
What is a competitive supplier?
A competitive supplier is a company licensed by the Department of Public Utilities to sell electricity supply.
What is the difference between a competitive supplier and an electric utility?
An electric utility, such as Eversource (previously NSTAR) or National Grid, delivers electricity, while a competitive supplier supplies electricity. It might be helpful to think of electricity like the post office delivering a package from a store to your home. The post office delivers the package (like an electric utility delivers electricity), while the package itself is provided by the store (like a competitive supplier supplies electricity).
Do I need to sign up with a competitive supplier to continue receiving electricity supply?
No. If you do not choose a competitive supplier, you will continue to receive electricity supply from your electric utility. This electricity supply is called “Fixed Basic Service.”
Do individual residential customers typically save money by signing up for competitive electric supply?
No. The Attorney General’s Office issued a 2018 report a 2019 update, and a 2021 update that found that Massachusetts customers typically lost money on competitive electric supply. Collectively, Massachusetts residents on competitive electric supply paid $426 million more than they would have paid to their utility for electricity from July 2015 – June 2020. Please note that the rates paid by residents who purchase electric supply through municipal aggregations were not included in the scope of the report.
What type of rates are offered by competitive suppliers?
Competitive suppliers offer fixed and variable rates. A fixed rate remains the same during the length of your contract, which could last for a few months or several years. However, many fixed rate contracts will automatically renew at a variable rate. A variable rate typically changes from month-to-month according to the market and the terms of your agreement with a competitive supplier. The rate for Fixed Basic Service, the electricity supply offered by your electric utility, changes every six months for residential customers.
Is my electric utility overcharging me for electricity supply?
Electric utilities in Massachusetts do not earn profits from selling you electricity supply. Every six months your electric utility sets the Fixed Basic Service price for residential customers based on the electric utility’s cost to purchase wholesale electricity.
If I decide to talk with a competitive supplier, what are some of the questions I should ask?
If you are considering buying competitive electricity, you should ask the supplier for the following information:
- What is the price per kWh (i.e. price per unit of electricity sold)?
- Is the price fixed or variable?
- If the price is variable, how does it change?
- What is the term or length of the contract?
- Are there penalties for early termination of the contract?
- Does the contract contain an introductory price? If so, how long will it be effective?
- Does the contract automatically renew at the end of the term?
- Does the contract provide renewable power? If so, what is its source (i.e. wind, solar, hydroelectric, etc.)?
What if I sign up with a competitive supplier, and then change my mind?
You have three days from when you receive your competitive supply contract to cancel, without charge or penalty. If you cancel your contract after three days, you can return to Basic Service, but there may be an early termination fee depending on your contract with the competitive supplier.
Can a competitive supplier turn off my service?
No. Only your electric utility is authorized to connect or disconnect your service.
Avoiding problems in the competitive supply market
Do not show a competitive supplier’s agent your electricity bill or give them your account number unless you have agreed to sign up with the competitive supplier.
A common tactic by dubious sales agents is to ask to see the customer’s utility bill under the pretense of “determining eligibility” or “comparing the rate that you’re paying now.” Some Massachusetts consumers have complained that they have been switched to competitive supply without their authorization after showing a competitive supplier’s sales agent their account number or showing the agent their electricity bill.
Before signing up for a variable rate, understand how your rate will change.
If a competitive supplier is offering an electricity supply rate that changes from month-to-month after an introductory period, make sure you understand how the rate will change. A competitive supplier may offer you variable rates that change based on “market conditions,” the “supplier’s discretion,” or similarly vague language that does not commit the competitive supplier to set your rate based on any formula or methodology. Be wary of signing up for these kinds of rates.
A competitive supplier may offer these variable rates with a short term “teaser” or “introductory” rate that is lower than the customer’s utility Fixed Basic Service rate, but once the “teaser” rate expires, the competitive supplier uses its “discretion” to set rates that are sometimes twice as high as the Fixed Basic Service rates offered by the electric utility.
When signing up for a fixed rate contract for a year or more, understand that electricity supply in Massachusetts is most expensive in the winter.
Due to seasonal factors, electricity supply in Massachusetts is more expensive in the winter months, especially January and February, than it is the rest of the year. The electric utilities change their Fixed Basic Service rates every six months. During the six-month period that includes January and February, the Fixed Basic Service rates are expected to be higher than in the next six-month period. Therefore, a fixed-rate contract with a competitive supplier that lasts for an entire year may have a price that is lower than the rate you are receiving from your electric utility in the winter months, but could be much higher than the electric utility’s Fixed Basic Service rates in the summer and fall.
Be especially wary if your home has central air or you use window air conditioners during the summer, because air conditioning often results in high electricity supply consumption, which could amplify any difference between a year-long rate locked in with the competitive supplier and the lower rates that electric utilities typically offer in the summer months.
Your electric utility will NOT contact you about your electricity supply rates.
Your utility will not send representatives to your door, or call you on the phone to talk about electricity supply rates. If a representative contacts you about electricity supply rates, this person most likely works for a competitive supplier.
Be wary of aggressive sales tactics.
Do not let a sales agent pressure you into signing up with a competitive supplier. If you choose, you have the right to stay on Fixed Basic Service (provided by your electric utility) or choose another competitive supplier. If a competitive supplier’s sales agent refuses to take “no” for an answer or refuses to leave your home, contact local law enforcement authorities.
When should I contact the Department of Public Utilities about a competitive rate supplier problem?
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) oversees competitive electric supply in Massachusetts. If your electric supplier has been changed without your permission, if you have been charged cancellation or early termination fees that don’t make sense to you, or you are have a billing problem with a competitive rate supplier, you should contact the DPU at 877-886-5066, or complete their online complaint form.
When should I contact the Attorney General's Office about a competitive rate supplier problem?
Even though the Department of Public Utilities licenses and oversees competitive rate suppliers in Massachusetts, the Attorney General's Office may be able to help you. If you switched your provider based on misleading information given to you by a salesperson, if a competitive supplier continues to contact you after you have asked them to stop, or if they are violating “do not call” rules, you should file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division.
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