Consumers Energy Electricity Rates
If Consumers Energy is your utility, you are able to shop around for your electricity supply from various retail electricity providers. By participating in electric choice in Michigan, you can find providers with lower rates and more flexible and customized plans that your default utility, Consumers Energy. Once you've made the switch, Consumers Energy will continue to send your electricity bill, respond to power outages and other emergencies, and deliver your electricity with the same service and reliability.
Making the switch in Michigan isn't as easy as it is in many other deregulated states since the state's utility regulator, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), only allows 10% of the utility's electric load to come from retail electricity providers. You have probably heard of these "10% caps", and you might be aware that Consumers Energy has already reached its cap, buy you can still shop around and apply to switch. If you do decide to switch, you'll be placed on a queue and the process will be complete once there are more available spots for shopping customers.
Below, you will find information on Consumers Energy, how electric choice benefits you and all customers, and of course, how to make the switch.
Consumers Energy Service Territory
Consumers Energy provides electric service to over 50 counties throughout Michigan. The utility is one of the one of the largest in the nation, with over 1.8 million residential customers.
Information on the status of the utility's 10% caps can be found here
Switching to a Retail Electricity Provider Benefits You
In areas where electricity is deregulated, customer can shop around for a retail electricity provider much like they would a cell phone, cable, or internet provider (the biggest difference is you're your utility, Consumers Energy, will still send your bill and ensure that your electricity is delivered to you safely and reliably). When consumers are able to participate in electric choice, retail electricity providers compete with each other for customers. This competition is reflected in the lower electric rates, more flexible plans, and more innovative products and services that many providers offer.
Switch for these benefits:
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- Potential cost savings
- The choice between different retail electricity providers
- The choice between different rate plans offered by each provider
- Better control and customization of your plan
- The same reliability of service and delivery by Consumers Energy
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Finding the Best Retail Electricity Provider
While Consumers Energy has already reached its 10% cap, you can still shop around now and be placed on a waiting list. Here at ElectricityRates.com, we try our best to provide you with the most up to date information to assist you in making the right decision for you or your business's particular needs. We do not represent any one retail electricity provider, so you can rest assured that our information is as unbiased as possible. We're simply here to help.
One of the best ways to start your shopping experience is by using our FREE Compare & Switch tool, which you'll find at the top of this page. You'll need to enter your ZIP Code into the box, click Compare!, and then select Consumers Energy as your utility. You'll then be presented with a list of reputable providers and their rates and plans that are available in your area.
You'll want to have your most recent electricity bill on hand in order to compare rates. Notice that the providers offer various types of plans, pricing, and contract lengths. You can learn more about comparing providers here, but ultimately, you'll want to choose a provider with a lower rate than you're currently paying. Your electric supply rate can be found on your most recent Consumers Energy bill, just below the payment stub:
Your total supply rate is the sum of the supply charges and cost recovery charges, circled below. In this example, the customer exceeded a normal usage of 600 kWh, so a higher rate was charged for the extra usage. Generally, however, most customers don't go over this usage. Therefore, the normal' rate you are charged is the rate at 600 kWh or below plus the cost recovery charge: 7.0923 cents + 0.052 cents = 7.1443 cents/kWh.
How to Make the Switch
Since Consumers Energy caps have already reached their 10% limit, you will not be immediately switched to a new retail electricity provider. Unfortunately, we can't tell you when your queue number will be called, but can tell you that the switching process is pretty simple.
You may be able to make the switch by using our Compare & Switch tool. If not, you can call the provider of your choice to let them know that you'd like to switch. You will need your utility account information (found on your most recent electricity bill) to complete the process. If you’re having trouble finding your account number, it can be found on the first page of the bill on the payment stub and below:
For your convenience, we have a list of questions to ask retail electricity providers so you can better guarantee that you're making the right choice. Once you are off of the queue, you should be contacted by either Consumers Energy or your new retail electricity provider. You'll begin to see new rates on your bill within one to two billing cycles after the switch is made.