I get a lot of calls and mailings about electricity. Should I switch my electric supplier?

Before switching suppliers, it’s important to know some basic information first.  From January 2016 to July 2017, most Melrose residents participated in the community electricity aggregation program with Constellation as the supplier.  As of August residents and businesses were automatically switched back to the default supply option, National Grid’s Basic Service rate of 9.432 cents per kilowatt hour, as the City determined that it’s the best rate option currently.  The City will monitor the electricity markets over the coming year and will likely reintroduce the aggregation program at a later date in 2018.  More information about the Melrose program is here: https://melrose-cea.com/.  

Consumers should also know that National Grid’s Basic Service rates change twice a year on May 1 and November 1.  In addition to National Grid’s default supply option called Basic Service, there are dozens of other electricity suppliers serving our region.  Some of those suppliers engage in aggressive marketing by phone, direct mail, and door-to-door sales.  Consumers are advised to not provide their electric account number unless the contract terms are known and agreed upon.  Contract terms to avoid include early termination fees, variable rates or low initial offers that increase after just three to six months, added account administrative fees, and claims of green power that are from out of state and provide no local benefits. The MA Department of Public Utilities maintains a website that provides the current utility Basic Service rates as well as rates offered by other suppliers called EnergySwitchMA.gov: http://www.energyswitchma.gov/#/.