Shopping for an alternative gas or electric supplier in Philadelphia

First things first, what is shopping? Shopping means choosing a supplier that is not the default. Also called an alternative or thirdparty supplier. In Philadelphia PECO is responsible for the distribution of electric, while PGW is responsible for the distribution of gas service. They’re also the default supplier for these services. However, you can choose to switch to a different supplier. You might recognize the names of some thirdparty suppliers, such as NRG or StateWise. Sometimes people are already shopping, and they don’t even know it. You can determine if you are using a thirdparty supplier by looking at the charges breakdown on your PECO or PGW bill.

The decision to shop for a supplier can be complicated and it shouldn’t be made without careful consideration. Here are some questions you should ask before switching to a thirdparty supplier. Number one, are you on a lowincome customer assistance program, like PECO’s CAP or PGW’s CRP. You cannot be on CAP or CRP and use a supplier besides PECO or PGW. Getting off one of these programs could make your bills higher.

Number two, what prices does the supplier actually offer? Consider how much you are currently paying for your gas or electric supplier. You can find this information on your bill under the charges breakdown. Is the supplier’s monthly rate higher or lower than that?

Number three, is the supplier offering a fixed, variable or unlimited rate? Let’s write this down. A fixed rate means you will pay the same price per unit of energy for as long as the contract is in place. A variable rate means the price per unit of energy can change from week to week, from day to day or even from hour to hour. An unlimited rate means you will pay a fixed monthly amount regardless of how much energy you will use.

Finally, you’ll want to consider the length of the contract and if there are any fees. Contracts can range from one month to several years. Some suppliers may charge you if you end your contract earlier. Additionally, suppliers sometimes charge enrollment fees.

Here are a few final things to keep in mind. Most residential customers in Pennsylvania pay more with a thirdparty supplier. Sometimes you'll see supplier reps at the grocery store, or they might even come to your house. They might make it sound like you have to switch right away. If you sign a contract, you have three days to cancel it. After that you can still cancel, either by calling the supplier PECO/PGW, but the supplier may charge a cancelation fee. Finally, if you switch to a supplier without your permission, you can file a complaint with the utility company or the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, also called the PUC.

Thanks for watching this video. If you live in Philadelphia and require legal assistance with your utilities, contact Community Legal Services at 2159813700. For more information visit our website at www.clsphila.org.