{"id":43956,"date":"2025-11-03T14:36:54","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T20:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/?p=43956"},"modified":"2025-11-04T07:37:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:37:20","slug":"notice-beware-of-bad-electricity-deals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2025\/11\/03\/notice-beware-of-bad-electricity-deals\/","title":{"rendered":"Notice: Beware of bad electricity deals"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_43982\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-43982\" class=\"wp-image-43982 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/BewareofRipoffs-640x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/BewareofRipoffs-640x800.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/BewareofRipoffs-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/BewareofRipoffs-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/BewareofRipoffs-958x1198.jpg 958w, https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/BewareofRipoffs.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-43982\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A consumer contacted CUB frustrated that an alternative supplier was charging them a rate that was about 191% higher than Ameren&#8217;s utility supply price at the time. Beware of bad deals!<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a year when electricity prices have been high, you may get targeted advertisements or offers in the mail tempting you to switch to an alternative supplier. But remember that alternative electricity suppliers are often impacted by the same market conditions that cause utility prices to go up. Be careful about getting lured into bad deals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CUB urges consumers to review the \u201cSupply\u201d section of their power bills to confirm they are not overpaying with an expensive alternative supplier offer, including \u201dmunicipal aggregation\u201d offers negotiated by local governments. It\u2019s important to know your utility\u2019s \u201cprice to compare,\u201d which is the price you compare to alternative supplier offers:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>ComEd\u2019s power price (from October 2025 through May 2026):\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9.689\u00a2 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) (Appears as 0.09689 on bills.)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This price includes the supply price plus a transmission charge.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Ameren\u2019s power price (from October 2025 through May 2026):<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8.402\u00a2 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for up to 800 kWh of usage. (Appears as 0.08402 on your bill.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7.483\u00a2 per kWh for electricity usage beyond 800 kWh. (Appears as 0.07483 on your bill.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These include the supply price plus a transmission charge plus a supply cost adjustment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>IMPORTANT:<\/strong> <\/span>Ameren&#8217;s price is +30% lower than what it was this past summer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If an alternative supplier promises savings, don\u2019t take their word for it. Compare the price they quote you to your utility\u2019s supply prices listed above. (The current price to compare for your utility also should be listed on your electric bill, and can be found on <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/electric\/\">CUB\u2019s Electric page<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and at <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/plugin.illinois.gov\/understanding-the-price-to-compare.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">plugin.illinois.gov<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While many customers may want the opportunity to shop around, there are a lot of pitfalls. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2025\/08\/11\/grim-milestone-cub-review-of-state-data-finds-comed-ameren-residential-customers-have-lost-more-than-2-billion-to-alternative-power-suppliers-over-last-decade\/\"><strong>CUB review<\/strong><\/a> of state electricity choice reports found that Illinois consumers have lost more than <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>$2 billion<\/strong><\/span> to alternative electricity suppliers over the last decade.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An alternative supplier may offer a low introductory rate that will skyrocket after a short period. (Ask how long a rate lasts, and what the new rate will be after the introductory period.) Also, be wary of add-on fees that can raise the cost of the plan. If a supplier offers a lower fixed supply price, scan the fine print for a \u201dforce majeure\u201d clause that allows the company to back out of the deal. (It&#8217;s happened before during high-priced times.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could be on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/electric_municipalaggregation\/\"><strong>\u201cmunicipal aggregation\u201d<\/strong><\/a> deal. (Check this <a href=\"https:\/\/plugin.illinois.gov\/municipal-aggregation\/municipal-aggregation-list.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>state resource<\/strong><\/a> to see if your community has a power deal.)\u00a0 Municipal aggregation is when community leaders negotiate with an alternative supplier to secure an electricity price for all residents who don\u2019t opt out of the offer. But savings aren\u2019t guaranteed, and CUB has received reports of community power deals with high rates. If you&#8217;re on a community power deal, <\/span>confirm the price, how it compares with the utility\u2019s supply rate, and for how long the contract is. You should be able to opt-out of any aggregation offer without paying an exit fee.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CUB\u2019s tips on avoiding bad alternative supplier deals:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Know the utility supply rate and how it compares to the offer.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 It is likely the utility supply price is your best bet.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Make sure the offer is not an introductory rate that ends in a month or two.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> And if it is, find out when it ends, and what the new rate will be.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Scan the fine print for hidden monthly fees and red flags.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it&#8217;s a low fixed rate, scan the fine print to see if the company allows itself to change the rate during certain market conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Be careful of multi-year deals.<\/strong> Y<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ou don\u2019t want to get locked into a long-term deal that goes sour a year or two into it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Be wary about giving your bill or your account number to just anybody.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An unethical door-to-door sales representative who sees your bill can get your account number and sign you up for an offer without your permission. There\u2019s no need to sign up at your doorstep\u2014high-pressure sales tactics are a red flag.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>If you want to sign up, watch your bill like a hawk<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Be prepared to get out of the deal\u2013 you should be able to exit with no penalty.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>There are other ways to reduce your utility bills than going with an alternative supplier.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Practice energy efficiency.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple things like weatherizing windows and doors can help make utility bills more affordable. Don\u2019t take risks that keep your home too hot or too cold. Efficiency is about eliminating waste but keeping your home safe in any weather.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/electric_peaktimesavings\/\" rel=\"noopener\">ComEd Peak Time Savings <\/a>or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/electric_amerenpeaktime\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Ameren Peak Time Rewards<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These programs give you a bill credit if you\u2019re able to reduce your energy usage for a limited number of hours on certain days (typically hot summer afternoons) when electricity demand is highest. Demand-response programs like these give you incentives to reduce energy usage when demand is at its peak\u2014that helps lower overall energy prices.<\/span> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/comed-hourly-pricing-program\/\">ComEd\u2019s Hourly Pricing<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/ameren-power-smart-pricing\/\">Ameren&#8217;s Power Smart Pricing<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> programs are two other demand-response programs that could be right for your household.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Consider your savings options with solar power.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn more about <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/introduction-to-rooftop-solar\/\">rooftop solar<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/ilsfa\/\">income-qualified solar programs<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If solar panels aren\u2019t possible at your home, consider a community solar deal to help ease costs. Currently, community solar offers guarantee savings compared to the utility\u2019s supply price. But be a careful shopper: Get more information at CUB\u2019s special website, <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/solar-in-the-community\/\">SolarInTheCommunity.com<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re struggling to afford your bills, learn about energy assistance. Income-qualified consumers can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). To learn more about LIHEAP and if you qualify, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/dceo.illinois.gov\/assistanceforindividuals\/energyassistance.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>this page at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website <\/strong><\/a>or<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0call the assistance line at <\/span><strong>1-833-711-0374<\/strong><b>. <\/b>(<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/04\/01\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-applying-for-liheap\/\">Read our step-by-step guide to applying for LIHEAP<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/04\/01\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-applying-for-liheap\/\">.<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, stay in contact with your utility company.<\/span> If you&#8217;re <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">struggling to pay bills, call your utility to inquire about energy efficiency programs as well as payment options that give you a longer time to pay off debt.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a year when electricity prices have been high, you may get targeted advertisements or offers in the mail tempting you to switch to an alternative supplier. But remember that alternative electricity suppliers are often impacted by the same market conditions that cause utility prices to go up. Be careful about getting lured into bad deals.\u00a0 CUB urges consumers to review the \u201cSupply\u201d section of their power bills to confirm they are not overpaying with an expensive alternative supplier offer, including \u201dmunicipal aggregation\u201d offers negotiated by local governments. It\u2019s important to know your utility\u2019s \u201cprice to compare,\u201d which is the price you compare to alternative supplier offers: ComEd\u2019s power price (from October 2025 through May 2026):\u00a0 9.689\u00a2 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) (Appears as 0.09689 on bills.)\u00a0 This price includes the supply price plus a transmission charge. Ameren\u2019s power price (from October 2025 through May 2026): 8.402\u00a2 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for up to 800 kWh of usage. (Appears as 0.08402 on your bill.) 7.483\u00a2 per kWh for electricity usage beyond 800 kWh. (Appears as 0.07483 on your bill.) These include the supply price plus a transmission charge plus a supply cost adjustment. IMPORTANT: Ameren&#8217;s price is +30% lower than what it was this past summer. If an alternative supplier promises savings, don\u2019t take their word for it. Compare the price they quote you to your utility\u2019s supply prices listed above. (The current price to compare for your utility also should be listed on your electric bill, and can be found on CUB\u2019s Electric page and at plugin.illinois.gov.) While many customers may want the opportunity to shop around, there are a lot of pitfalls. A CUB review of state electricity choice reports found that Illinois consumers have lost more than $2 billion to alternative electricity suppliers over the last decade.\u00a0An alternative supplier may offer a low introductory rate that will skyrocket after a short period. (Ask how long a rate lasts, and what the new rate will be after the introductory period.) Also, be wary of add-on fees that can raise the cost of the plan. If a supplier offers a lower fixed supply price, scan the fine print for a \u201dforce majeure\u201d clause that allows the company to back out of the deal. (It&#8217;s happened before during high-priced times.)\u00a0 You could be on a \u201cmunicipal aggregation\u201d deal. (Check this state resource to see if your community has a power deal.)\u00a0 Municipal aggregation is when community leaders negotiate with an alternative supplier to secure an electricity price for all residents who don\u2019t opt out of the offer. But savings aren\u2019t guaranteed, and CUB has received reports of community power deals with high rates. If you&#8217;re on a community power deal, confirm the price, how it compares with the utility\u2019s supply rate, and for how long the contract is. You should be able to opt-out of any aggregation offer without paying an exit fee. CUB\u2019s tips on avoiding bad alternative supplier deals:\u00a0 Know the utility supply rate and how it compares to the offer.\u00a0 It is likely the utility supply price is your best bet.\u00a0 Make sure the offer is not an introductory rate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"default","_google_business_share_type":"default","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[364],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43956","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alternative-electricgas-suppliers"],"cp_meta_data":{"_facebook_share_type":["default"],"_twitter_share_type":["default"],"_linkedin_share_type":["default"],"_pinterest_share_type":["default"],"_instagram_share_type":["default"],"_medium_share_type":["default"],"_threads_share_type":["default"],"_google_business_share_type":["default"],"_wpsp_custom_templates":["a:7:{s:8:\"facebook\";a:3:{s:8:\"template\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"profiles\";a:0:{}s:9:\"is_global\";b:0;}s:7:\"twitter\";a:3:{s:8:\"template\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"profiles\";a:0:{}s:9:\"is_global\";b:0;}s:8:\"linkedin\";a:3:{s:8:\"template\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"profiles\";a:0:{}s:9:\"is_global\";b:0;}s:9:\"pinterest\";a:3:{s:8:\"template\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"profiles\";a:0:{}s:9:\"is_global\";b:0;}s:9:\"instagram\";a:3:{s:8:\"template\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"profiles\";a:0:{}s:9:\"is_global\";b:0;}s:6:\"medium\";a:3:{s:8:\"template\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"profiles\";a:0:{}s:9:\"is_global\";b:0;}s:7:\"threads\";a:3:{s:8:\"template\";s:0:\"\";s:8:\"profiles\";a:0:{}s:9:\"is_global\";b:0;}}"],"classic-editor-remember":["classic-editor"],"_edit_lock":["1762263450:5"],"_edit_last":["5"],"_wp_page_template":["default"],"borntogive_page_header_show_hide":["2"],"borntogive_pages_title_show":["1"],"borntogive_pages_Choose_slider_display":["2"],"borntogive_pages_select_revolution_from_list":["3"],"borntogive_pages_slider_pagination":["yes"],"borntogive_pages_slider_auto_slide":["yes"],"borntogive_pages_slider_direction_arrows":["yes"],"borntogive_pages_slider_effects":["fade"],"borntogive_pages_body_bg_wide":["0"],"borntogive_pages_body_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"borntogive_pages_content_bg_wide":["0"],"borntogive_pages_content_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"borntogive_pages_social_show":["1"],"borntogive_strict_no_sidebar":["0"],"borntogive_sidebar_columns_layout":["3"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_pagination":["yes"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_auto_slide":["yes"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_direction_arrows":["yes"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_effects":["fade"],"_wpb_vc_js_status":["false"],"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":[""],"_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":["off"],"_wpsp_is_facebook_share":["off"],"_wpsp_is_twitter_share":["off"],"_wpsp_is_linkedin_share":["off"],"_wpsp_is_pinterest_share":["off"],"_selected_social_profile":["a:0:{}"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["364"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["60"],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":["5"],"_wpb_post_custom_layout":["default"]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43956","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43956"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43956\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44004,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43956\/revisions\/44004"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43956"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43956"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43956"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}