Who this is for
Businesses in deregulated markets (including Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and others) with meaningful electricity or gas usage: especially those on default utility rates or approaching a contract renewal.
What to look for in a provider
- Deregulated market. You can only choose a supplier if your state and utility allow it; availability is location-specific.
- Rate structure. Fixed (price certainty) vs. index/variable (tracks the market). Fixed is common for budgeting.
- Contract term and timing. Locking in when wholesale prices are low matters more than the headline rate.
- Transparent broker margin. Reputable brokers disclose how they're paid (a small per-unit adder built into the rate).
- Supplier reliability. Creditworthy suppliers that won't pass through surprise costs.
- Renewal management. Avoiding automatic rollover onto expensive variable rates.
Frequently asked questions
How do businesses save money on commercial energy?
In deregulated markets, businesses can buy electricity or gas from competitive suppliers instead of the default utility rate. A broker compares rates across many suppliers, negotiates, and locks in a contract, often below the standard rate. The utility still delivers the power and handles outages; only the supply portion changes.
What is an energy broker and how are they paid?
An energy broker compares supplier offers on your behalf and manages the contract. Brokers are typically paid a small margin built into the per-unit energy rate (commonly a fraction of a cent per kWh for electricity), disclosed by reputable brokers. Because brokers negotiate volume rates across many clients, the all-in price can still beat what you'd get going direct.
Which states have deregulated energy markets?
Deregulation varies by state and by electricity vs. gas. Fully or partially deregulated electricity markets include Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and others. Whether you can switch depends on your specific location and utility, which is worth confirming first.
Should I choose a fixed or variable energy rate?
Fixed rates lock a price for the contract term, protecting against market spikes and making budgeting predictable. Most businesses prefer this. Variable rates track the wholesale market and can be cheaper when prices fall but risky when they rise. The right choice depends on your risk tolerance and where energy prices sit in the cycle.
When is the best time to lock in an energy contract?
Ideally when wholesale energy prices are low, not necessarily when your current contract expires. Because rates move with the market, timing the lock-in matters. Watching the market and starting before your renewal date, rather than letting a contract auto-roll onto a default variable rate, is where savings are won or lost.
Does switching energy suppliers interrupt my service?
No. Your local utility continues to deliver energy and handle any outages regardless of who supplies it. Switching suppliers changes only the supply charge on your bill. There's no new equipment, no interruption, and no change to reliability.
How we help
Through licensed energy partners, we help you compare commercial electricity and gas rates and time a contract well. Tell us your location and rough usage, and we'll arrange a comparison. Free to your business.
How we're paid: energy procurement is provided through licensed partners who may compensate us if you sign up. That's why this is free to you, and why we only recommend what fits.