How to Change Electricity Providers

Plan to make your electricity switch go more smoothly.

When you move to another home, changing electricity providers is a necessary hassle of the process. Changing providers may also allow you to enjoy lower rates or better customer service. Details are important when determining when and how to end your old service and set up the new service. Plan your service ending and beginning to reduce the stress of switching your electricity provider. Doing so can make your experience much less aggravating and help you enjoy the new company's service sooner.

Instructions

1. Learn whether the state to which you are moving or your current state allows you to choose your electricity provider. In some states, electricity companies compete for electricity business instead of a local municipality providing the only option for electric services. Some states that allow consumers to choose their electricity companies are Texas, Rhode Island and Michigan.

2. Contact the electricity companies to determine which has the best offer. Track your electricity usage over the different seasons of the year to figure out how much electricity you are likely to use to help you compare rates and plans.

3. Call your current electric company and notify the representative that you will be ending your service and on what date you need it to end. Be aware that you may have to pay fees if you have a contract for a certain length of time with this company and you have not reached the end date of the contract before you have service cut off.

4. Call your new electricity company, and request that service will start on the day you need it to begin. Ensure that there is not a period of time that you will be without service. Start service the same day that you end your previous service to avoid having no electricity.

References

• Bill Eater: How to Switch Electric Companies and Save Hundreds

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish