Are Gas And Electric Service Providers Still Trying To Monopolize You?

Did you know that you have the option to choose different energy service providers just like you choose your internet service providers, cable tv service providers and cell phone service providers?

Depending on the city and state you live in, you most likely have been with the same energy service provider for years. Are you too afraid to break away from your traditonal energy service provider? Yes you are and you know it. Although you have asked yourself many times, why is my light bill so high, or why is my gas bill so high? You have asked these same questions so many times but yet, you kept going back to the same energy service provider. Sure, you threw in a few punches over the phone by either disputing a bill here and there argumentatively but eventually your services got shut off or you opted for the payment plan.

But my question to you is why come you didn't opt for other energy service providers? Don't give me that "Well, there were no other energy service providers back then and I have been with this one for 20 semi years." Bull crap! You are in the here and now and guess what? You have options, choices, alternatives, you can now pick any door and get the prize that's awaiting you behind that door.

Before you begin searching for energy service providers, there are a few questions that you should ask before switching your electric or gas services. For the sake of simplicity, the questions below pertain to electricity energy suppliers.

1. Are there any enrollment fees or start-up fees?

2. What is the energy rate charge?

3. Is it a fixed rate or a variable rate?

4. Will you be able to switch suppliers if you have an outstanding balance with another supplier?<----Hope you don't have to ask that

5. After enrollment, when will the change of energy supplier take effect?

6. How long will the rate charges last? (For example 12 months, 24 months, 36 months)

7. Do the energy service supplier require a credit check?

8. Can the contract be terminated without penalty?--->You want to know if there are any early termination fees/cancellation fees.

9. What is the recission period for terminating or cancelling a contract?

10. Who can you call when there's an outage?

These are basic but important questions that you need to ask and if you have more then that, never hesitate to ask.

Once I called my utility service company and wanted to know if there were any charges on my electric bill that were unnecessary. There was a charge on

my bill for something called the Smart Meter Program and I knew I had never voluntarily signed up for this and so I enquired about it and was informed that

it was a required charge mandated by the federal government.

Then, I came across another charge on my electric bill and I enquired about it as well. I was being charged a franchise cost and I didn't own a franchise, lol

but again, the customer service representative informed me that it too was a required charge, she even went so far as to tell me to take it up with my municipality.

So, no matter how dumb the question might seem, just ask it because you are the one who's going to get charged for the bill and

you need to know what it is you're paying for and why.

It's so great to be able to shop around for almost anything without being restricted or limited to one product or service. Let's review a few alternative service providers over your traditional ones.

Constellation Energy was originally established in the 1800's but at that time, they were known as the Gas Light Company of Baltimore.

But now, as of September 25th., 1995 they are known as BGE, Baltimore's Gas And Electric. The company has over 10,000 employees and

they are listed under the stock symbol CEG on the New York Stock Exchange.

Constellation Energy offers electricity services to residents in Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. and of course, Baltimore, Maryland. Constellation Energy offers gas and electricity services. Constellation Energy gas services is limited only to the Baltimore, Maryland area.Constellation Energy provides business and residential services. They supply energy to businesses in more then 38 states.

Constellation Energy electricty options vary from state to state. In Illinois, there's no sign up fees plus it's hassle free switching meaning that there's no service interruption plus they offer promotional bonuses. Charges early termination fee. No credit check. (877-451-0662)

Spark Energy is a Texas-based retail electricity provider that offers affordable electricity to people and businesses from coast to coast. Spark Energy requires you to have a social security card to enroll. If you don't have a social security card, you can still enroll but you have to pay a deposit. You could possibly be charged switching or moving fees depending on the type of move that you're doing and the area where you live. But overall, for a standard switch there is no charge. Credit check required. Charges early termination fees. (877-547-7275)

EverBright Energy located in Illinois created by Nania Energy provides electricity services to Illinois home and small business owners. Illinois residents and business owners can enroll online or by phone. No enrollment fees or start-up fees required. Services start 30-45 days from date of enrollment. Charges a small $50.00 cancellation fee. No credit check required. (877-333-3837)

Unfortunately, I am not able to list all of the electricity energy suppliers by state, so, here's a very helpful url that you might appreciate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_electric_companies

I hope you find this link very useful and more importantly, I hope you take your first step in participating in the deregulation era.