Energy deregulation is the unbundling of some of the functions traditionally provided by regulated utilities. Historically, utilities owned and/or controlled the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and natural gas. Now, customers in deregulated energy markets are able to choose the company that generates (or supplies) their energy. Transmission and distribution functions are still regulated; as such, they are still controlled by the local utility. 

A supplier is a company that provides electricity or natural gas to commercial and/or residential customers in a competitive market. For example, PEPCO is a utility, while SUEZ Energy Resources NA is a supplier. SUEZ Energy Resources NA would provide the energy, and PEPCO would deliver it to the customer.

Electric Advisors can generally help you save anywhere from 10% to 25% on your electric and/or natural gas supply rates. Your savings will depend on several factors, including:

• Your current rate for electricity or natural gas
• Your current consumption of electricity or natural gas
• Your current agreement with the utility/supplier

The only thing the customer needs to do to switch suppliers is sign their contract. From there, we submit that contract to the supplier for processing, and the supplier communicates the change to your local utility company. There is no interruption of service during the switch, and there is no need for your electric or gas meter to be replaced or modified in any way. 

When you use Electric Advisors, you don't have to find energy suppliers or negotiate with them. We do all the legwork for you, at no charge. If you were to undertake this project yourself, you'd have to:

• Navigate your current utility's website, and eventually find a list of electricity and/or natural gas suppliers in your service area
•  Wade through each supplier's voice mail system to find the right department and person to speak with
• Repeat Step 2 with each supplier
• Gather offers from each supplier
• Compare offers to determine which one is right for you; keeping in mind that a lot of these offers won't be in layman's terms
• Sign the offer that's best for you

No. Regardless of who supplies your energy, your local utility company will continue to deliver it uninterrupted.

Each utility may have different procedures for returning to their service. Visit the utility's website or call customer service for more information. Be aware, though, there may be a substantial penalty for breaking a contract with a supplier.

Depending on the utility and supplier involved, you may see:

• One bill - from either your current utility or your new competitive supplier
• Two bills - one from the supplier for energy generation, and one from the utility for delivery

The supplier must notify both you and the utility - in advance - that it will no longer be your supplier. In some cases, a supplier may go out of business or become ineligible to operate in your service area. In either case, your service would be switched back to your utility. EA would then negotiate a new contract with a different supplier, based on rates at the time when the new contract is signed. 

No. Only your local utility company is authorized to connect and/or disconnect your service.

No. We are only brokers of energy supplies between you and your suppliers. We do not:

• Read your meter
• Service and maintain the power lines/gas mains into your business or property
• Provide emergency services, if your utility service goes out or you smell gas
• Bill you

Your current utility provides these services. After you switch, the contact numbers for these services are provided on your monthly bill(s).

We are directly paid by the electric and natural gas suppliers in our network. As our client, you are never charged for the negotiation of your energy rates.