If you live in a deregulated area, you don’t necessarily have to buy your electricity or natural gas supply from your local utility. You may be able to choose a third-party energy supplier instead.
Switching suppliers gives you more control over your plan, rate structure, contract terms, and included benefits. In this blog, we’ll explain how to change your energy supplier, including how to understand your current agreement and compare your options before making a decision.
Why Should I Switch My Energy Supplier?
There are several reasons you may decide your current energy supplier is no longer the right fit. You may want to switch if:
- You may be able to get a more predictable supply rate with a fixed price
- You’re unhappy with your current supplier
- Your current contract is ending
- You want more value from your energy service
- You’ve moved to an area with energy choice
Keep in mind that an energy service company purchases electricity or natural gas and supplies it to customers through the local utility. Your utility still handles delivery and maintenance, including power lines, gas pipes, meters, outages, and emergency line repairs.
What Should I Look for When Choosing an Energy Supplier?
Not all energy suppliers offer the same plans or level of service. Before switching, look beyond the advertised rate and consider the complete agreement. Here are some top things to consider if you’re looking to switch.
Reliable Track Record
Choose a supplier with an established history and experience serving customers in your area. Your supplier is responsible for acquiring the electricity or natural gas that your utility delivers to you, so reliability matters.
Clear Rate and Contract Terms
Ask whether the rate is fixed or variable, how long the contract lasts, and whether the advertised rate is temporary or promotional. You should also understand:
- When the contract begins and ends
- What happens when it expires
- Whether an early termination fee applies
- Whether there are recurring supplier fees
- How renewal works
A lower rate isn’t automatically better if the contract contains terms that don’t fit your needs.
Customer Service
You should know who to contact when you have a question about your account, supply plan, or contract. Look for a company that makes it easy to reach someone and clearly explains its policies. Customer reviews and testimonials can also give you an idea of what existing and past customers have experienced.
Benefits Beyond Energy Supply
Rate and contract length aren’t the only differences between suppliers. Look at what else is included with your service.
For example, in addition to providing reliable natural gas and electricity supply, Agway Energy Services also offers Agway EnergyGuard® to all its customers as an included benefit. EnergyGuard helps cover qualifying repairs caused by wear and tear on covered heating, cooling, and interior electrical systems, depending on the commodity purchased. This type of value-added service helps you save money long-term and is one of the reasons why independent energy companies have become so popular in areas with energy choice.
What is the Process for Switching My Energy Supplier?
Switching your energy supplier typically doesn’t require changes to the physical energy service in your home. Your local utility continues delivering electricity or natural gas regardless of which supplier you choose.
Here’s how the process usually works.
Step 1: Confirm You Have Energy Choice
Energy choice is only available in certain states and utility territories. If your area is deregulated, you can compare licensed third-party suppliers rather than relying on your utility for energy supply.
Step 2: Check Your Current Supplier and Contract
Once you’ve confirmed you have energy choice, review your latest energy bill and current supply agreement. Confirm who supplies your energy, your current rate, your contract expiration date, and whether an early termination fee applies.
Step 3: Compare Available Suppliers
Look at the full plans offered by the third-party companies operating in your area, including:
- Supply rate
- Fixed or variable pricing
- Contract length
- Cancellation terms
- Renewal terms
- Customer service
- Included benefits
Compare these factors together instead of choosing based solely on the lowest advertised price.
Step 4: Choose Your New Plan
Once you find a supplier and plan that fits your needs, complete the enrollment process. You’ll usually need information from your current bill, including your account number and service address.
Step 5: Your New Supplier Coordinates the Switch
Your new supplier works with the utility to update your energy supply account. You shouldn’t need to schedule a technician or make changes to your meter, wiring, or gas lines.
Step 6: Confirm the Change on Your Bill
The switch may take one or more billing cycles to appear. In many cases billing and payments will still be handled by your utility. The only update will be to the supply section of your bill, which will list the new supplier and rate once your contract
What Are Some Important Things I Need to Know Before Switching?
Switching suppliers is usually simple, but here are a few details that can help you throughout the process.
Your Utility Doesn’t Change
Choosing a new supplier doesn’t change the company that maintains your power lines or gas pipes. Energy delivery refers to the energy being sent to your home by your local utility. Your local utility owns and maintains the infrastructure that connects your home to the grid. They also handle billing, outages, meter readings, and emergency repairs.
Energy supply refers to the gas or electricity you purchase from a supplier who then provides it to your utility to deliver to you. In states with energy choice, you can buy energy from a third-party supplier instead of your local utility, which remains responsible for delivering it.
Your Service Shouldn’t Be Interrupted
Changing suppliers is primarily an account and billing change. Your electricity or natural gas continues flowing through the same utility infrastructure during the transition.
You Shouldn’t Need New Equipment
Switching suppliers usually doesn’t require a new electric meter, gas meter, wiring, pipes, or other equipment. The physical delivery system remains with your utility.
Your Total Bill Can Still Change on a Fixed-Rate Plan
A fixed-rate plan keeps your supply rate stable during the contract term, but it doesn’t guarantee the same total bill every month. Your total can still change based on:
- How much energy you use
- Utility delivery charges
- Taxes and fees
- The number of days in the billing period
Your Current Contract Still Matters
Before switching, check whether your existing supplier charges an early termination fee. If your contract is close to its expiration date, it may make more sense to time the switch around the end of your current agreement.
I Want to Make the Switch: How Do I Do It?
Agway Energy Services supplies electricity and natural gas to homes and small businesses in New York and Pennsylvania. If you live in New York, you can review Agway’s available service areas and energy options by clicking the link above. Customers in Pennsylvania can do the same for participating utility territories.
In addition to reliable energy supply, all Agway customers receive access to Agway EnergyGuard, which provides coverage for qualifying repairs on covered systems.*
When you’re ready to switch, select an available electricity or natural gas plan for your home or small business then contact us to become an Agway customer.
Switching Energy Suppliers FAQ
What’s the difference between my utility company and my energy supplier?
Your utility delivers electricity or natural gas to your property and maintains the infrastructure used to do it. Your supplier purchases the energy that your utility delivers to you.
Will switching suppliers cause a disruption in my electricity or gas service?
No, switching suppliers shouldn’t cause a disruption in your electricity or gas service. Your local utility will continue delivering electricity or natural gas to your home while the supply portion of your account changes.
How long does it take to switch energy suppliers?
A supplier change typically takes one or two billing cycles to appear, but this timeline can vary depending on your utility and enrollment date. Ask your new supplier when you should expect the switch to become effective.
Will I need a new meter or equipment installed?
No, you usually don’t need a new meter or equipment installed when changing suppliers. This equipment is handled by your local utility and shouldn’t be affected by changing energy suppliers.
Can I switch suppliers if I’m still under contract with my current one?
You may be able to switch suppliers if you’re still under contract, but it ultimately depends on your existing agreement. Check your agreement to learn about any early termination fees or other conditions that apply if you switch before your contract ends.
How do I know if I live in a deregulated energy market?
Energy choice depends on your state and local utility territory. If you live in a deregulated market, eligible customers can select a third-party electricity or natural gas supplier while your utility continues providing delivery service. See if your bill has separate supply and delivery charges or if it lists supply options for you.
