How to Find the Best Electricity Provider in 2021
When shopping for energy rates, it’s essential to choose your provider carefully. With so many options to choose from, this can be a daunting task – especially if you’re unfamiliar with Energy Choice.
The best electricity providers bring their customers more than just the lowest rates. They provide a customer-first experience, including access to the best energy products, stellar service and notable contributions to their local communities. This is why we’ve created the Provider Score™ rating system to help you make the most confident choice.
Provider Score™ Summary
| Provider | Provider Score | Energy Options | Service Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constellation | CT, GA, IL, OH, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, TX | ||
| TriEagle Energy | TX | ||
| Direct Energy | CT, IL, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, DC | ||
| Tomorrow Energy | PA, NJ, MD, OH, TX | ||
| Starion Energy | CT, IL, MD, NJ, NY, OH & PA | ||
| Public Power | CT, IL, MD, MA, NY, OH, PA, RI, DC | ||
| Energy Harbor | IL, MD, OH, PA | ||
| Frontier Utilities | TX, NJ, PA & OH | ||
| First Choice Power | TX | ||
| Spark Energy | CT, IL, MA, NJ, NY, PA & TX | ||
| Pulse Power | TX | ||
| Verde Energy | CT, MA, NJ, NY, OH, PA & DC |
- Electricity Plans
- Natural Gas Plans
- 100% Renewable Plans
- Business Electricity
- Smart Home Bundles
Provider Score™ Rating System Overview
To help bring more transparency to energy consumers, ElectricityRates.com created the Provider Score™ rating system which takes into account dozens of unbiased data points to rate electricity providers on a 5 point scale. Rating categories include the following:
Product Offering & Innovation
How innovative are the energy products that the provider offers? Do they offer renewable energy plans, smart-home devices or home energy solutions?
Accessibility & Support
How accessible are the electricity provider’s bill payment and customer support options? Do they offer online bill pay, online chat and a 24/7 customer service phone number?
Business History & Community Outreach
How reliable is the electricity provider? Have they been in business for a long time? Are they accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and do they have a positive impact in their community through charitable work?
Customer Reviews
What kind of ratings does the electricity provider have from its customers? Do they get mostly positive feedback and proactively address complaints?
Best Electricity Providers for 2021
Constellation
Provider Score™: 4.5/5
Constellation, an Exelon Company, is a leading competitive energy company serving over 2.5 million residential and business customers across the United States. They specialize in integrated energy solutions from electricity, natural gas and renewable energy supply to energy efficiency and distributed energy solutions.
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Tomorrow Energy
Provider Score™: 4/5
Tomorrow Energy is a retail electricity and natural gas supplier with a mission of creating a positive impact in the world by giving customers more clean Energy Choices. Their electricity plans are backed by 100% National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates. All natural gas plans are backed by 100% carbon offsets.
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Direct Energy
Provider Score™: 4/5
Serving over 4 million residential customers, Direct Energy is one of the largest electricity, natural gas and home services providers in North America. They are also one of the largest commercial and industrial electricity with over 240,000 business electricity customers.
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TriEagle Energy
Provider Score™: 4.5/5
TriEagle Energy has been a well-respected leader in the Texas retail energy industry for close to 20 years. Their focus is delivering value through energy cost savings, instilling trust by understanding the energy needs of its customers and providing customized solutions and products.
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Public Power
Provider Score™: 3.5/5
Public Power is a retail energy provider that serves states throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Since 2008, they have served over one million homes and businesses. They pride themselves on offering competitive, and straight-forward energy plans with hassle-free customer service.
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Energy Harbor
Provider Score™: 3.5/5
Energy Harbor is a retail energy provider specializing in providing clean, carbon-free energy for residents and businesses. They’re headquartered in Akron, Ohio and serve nearly one-million customers across Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Safety, reliability and sustainability are outlined as Energy Harbor’s core values.
Learn MoreIf you live in an area with Energy Choice, you can switch energy providers and realize potential savings on your electricity bill. Or, if you live in Texas, you are most likely required to shop for your electricity supply.
The most crucial factor for most people is pricing and paying the lowest rate possible, resulting in a lower bill. However, to make the best possible decision, there are a few other factors to keep in mind.
- Plan Length: Are you able to lock in a longer-term fixed rate that will protect you from fluctuating market-rates and potentially save you more over time?
- Savings: Are there savings available over what you’re currently paying for your default service?
- Renewable Energy: Do you care about the environment and purchasing 100% renewable energy?
- Special Offers: Are there offers for smart-home products or any other special incentives that come with the plan?
- Terms and Conditions: Are there any early termination fees or other terms you should know about?
On ElectricityRates.com, you’ll find great rates from leading providers that clearly outline all of these considerations for you. To see rates in your area, enter your ZIP Code at the top of the page.
There are hundreds of electricity providers in the United States. Follow the links below to learn more about different electricity providers and what they offer.
- Ambit Energy
- Amigo Energy
- Brilliant Energy
- Cirro Energy
- CPL Retail Energy
- Dominion Energy Solutions
- Energy Plus
- EverBright Energy
- Green Mountain Energy
- Just Energy
- Reliant Energy
- Respond Power
- Stream Energy
- Tara Energy
- Texpo Energy
- TXU Energy
- Viridian Energy/prov
- Xoom Energy
How do Retail Electricity Providers Work?
There are several steps when it comes to how electricity reaches your home or business. First, electricity is generated through various methods and enters the grid. Once energy reaches the grid, there are two primary things that happen: energy supply and energy transmission or delivery. Electricity providers are responsible for the supply portion.
Electricity Providers (Supply)
- Negotiate Rates
- Provide customer service and additional energy solutions
- Sells energy to the end user
Local Utility (Transmission & Distribution)
- Maintain energy infrastructure
- Respond to power outages & emergencies
- Provide default supply service for customers who don’t switch providers