Electricity Choice - how do you decide?

Many consumers are aware that they have a choice when it comes to purchasing their electricity commodity, but few people are aware of how to go about making the right electric choice. There are a few things to consider:

Do you want to lock in a rate or leave it floating? There are advantages to both:

• Fixed rates give you budget certainty
• Fixed rates can protect you against rising prices
• Variable rate plans usually allow you to switch any time
• Variable prices tend to go down when prices go down

Does the supplier you are considering have a good reputation?

• Check with your Public Utility Commission, they usually keep a complaint scorecard.
• Give their customer service department a call. If it takes longer than 5 minutes to speak to a person, move on.
• How long have they been in business under the same name. Many scammy companies will move from name to name, scamming their customers all along the way.

Look for third-party companies who specialize in helping consumers choose:

• Many markets have consumer help web sites such as the "Texas Electricity Right to Choose" web site or the Power to Choose.
• Consider regionally focused companies such as New Jersey Electric Company or Pennsylvania Electric Company.

Understand your choices and the market, the best decisions are informed decisions.