Compare Connecticut Electricity Rates (2024 Best Prices)

Compare Connecticut Electricity Rates (2024 Best Prices)

Here’s a quick overview of Connecticut electricity rates:

  • Current average retail rate of electricity: 26.48 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
  • Current range of electricity prices in CT (from renewable sources): 14.39 to 19.99 cents/kWh
  • Average monthly electric bill: $158.41
  • Average energy usage: 711 kWh

Figures accurate as of time of publication.

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Who Has the Best Energy Rates in Connecticut?

Although you’ll learn more below about why choosing an energy plan and provider entails more than finding the cheapest rate, Verde Energy has the lowest electricity costs for a renewable energy plan in Connecticut at just 14.39 cents per kWh. You can click below to compare prices and plan terms from the top Connecticut energy companies.

Connecticut Energy Rates

Connecticut initiated a deregulated energy market in 1998, which means customers now have an energy choice and can pick any electric supplier they like. A deregulated market means more competition for your business, which ultimately drives down the cost of energy in Connecticut. The average price per kWh in CT is around 26.48 cents per kWh, but you could pay much higher or as low as 14.39 cents depending on your electric supplier.

While you can choose your power supplier, you can’t choose the company that delivers your power, also known as your public utility company. Most Connecticut homeowners will be serviced by the utility Eversource Energy (formerly Connecticut Light & Power or CL&P), which is the largest energy provider in the state. Your rate will be determined by both your designated electric utility — typically Eversource or the United Illuminating Company (UI) — as well as the energy supplier you choose.

Comparison of Electricity Rates in Connecticut

There are many different energy suppliers in Connecticut to choose from, which can make deciding which is right for your home a challenge. The table below provides a side-by-side look at the suppliers available. 

As a website that promotes environmental friendliness, we will only be including companies that offer renewable energy plans, which you can learn more about below. Therefore, popular companies like Constellation and Direct Energy have been excluded from this list (even though they offer renewable plans in other states).

Plan Name Term (months) Plan Rate (¢/kWh)
Ambit Energy Green Plan 12 18.75 cents
Major Energy Simple Green Choice 12 12 19.99 cents
Verde Energy USA 100% Green Energy Plan 12 12 19.99 cents
Verde Energy USA 100% Green Energy Plan 12 Seasonal 12 14.39 cents
Verde Energy USA 100% Green Energy Plan 24 24 19.09 cents
Verde Energy USA 100% Green Energy Plan 6 6 17.29 cents

*Rates will vary based on your public utility; you’ll see the rates above if your utility is Eversource. Rates are subject to change.

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Verde Energy

Best Value for Renewable Energy

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • No early termination fees
  • Many years of experience
  • Low rates

Cons

  • History of issues with misleading marketing
  • No prepaid plans
Badge icon

Major Energy Electric Services

Great Regional Provider

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Many years of experience
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Wide variety of contract term options
  • Wide variety of plan options

Cons

  • Charges contract cancellation fees
  • No prepaid or no-deposit plans
  • Slightly high number of complaints versus competitors
  • Expensive
Badge icon

Ambit Energy

Great Regional Provider

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Many years of experience
  • Makes charitable contributions

Cons

  • Charges contract cancellation fees
  • Not as many renewable energy options as competitors
  • Some reports of misleading door-to-door sales
  • History of issues with misleading marketing

How to Find the Best Electricity Rates in Connecticut

The lowest electricity rate isn’t always the best one, as other factors also determine how suited to your needs a particular plan is. The per-kWh price will always be important, but we’ll provide some information on two additional factors you should consider when shopping for an energy plan.

Your Energy Usage

First, you’ll want to consider your energy usage, including how much power you consume and when you use it. Many electric companies in Connecticut use tiered rates, which typically require electricity customers that use below-average amounts of energy and above-average amounts of energy to pay more for power. If you use well below or well above the average of 711 kWh per month, a tiered rate might not be as beneficial for you as another option.

Additionally, some customers might find that they use the most energy in off-peak hours. According to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), off-peak times are typically before noon and after 8 p.m. In that case, a time-of-use (TOU) rate structure might be more beneficial.

Contract Length

In addition to the per-kWh rate and your average monthly consumption, you should consider the length of the contract you need to sign to enter into an energy plan. Most plans in Connecticut range from just a few months to two or three years. In general, longer contracts beget lower rates, but they also lock you into a specific plan for a longer time.

Different contracts also have varying terms of agreement, which are crucial to consider. Some plans have sign-up fees, some have early-cancellation fees and some are variable-rate structures while others are fixed-rate. You should always read the fine print before committing, and you can consider using this tool or clicking below to help narrow down your options and choose the best plan for your specific needs.

Types of Electricity Plans in Connecticut

There are a few industry terms that you’ll come across when choosing a new electric supplier in Connecticut that can make the decision more complex. Below, we’ll explain the different types of energy plans you’ll see, which should help demystify the process a bit.

Fixed-Rate Plans

Fixed-rate plans include a single rate you’ll be charged per kilowatt-hour, which means your electricity rate won’t change for the entirety of the contract. However, this doesn’t mean that your utility bills will always be the same, as months of higher use will still be charged at the same rate and end up being higher than other months.

We typically recommend fixed-rate plans because they guarantee you won’t get hit with high rates during times of increased demand. They do normally come with early-cancellation fees and might end up being more costly than variable-rate plans, but they provide the peace of mind most homeowners look for in an energy plan.federal solar investment tax credit tips

Pros of a Fixed-Rate Energy Plan Cons of a Fixed-Rate Energy Plan
Your energy rate never changes throughout the contract Early-termination fees often apply if you cancel early
Simple fee structure makes budgeting straightforward Your total each month could be higher than with a variable-rate plan

Variable-Rate Plans

Variable-rate plans don’t offer the same peace of mind as fixed-rate options because the rate at which you’re charged per kWh depends on local energy prices. The rate can fluctuate with supply and demand, which means you might end up paying less than a fixed-rate plan, or you might end up paying more if demand goes up or the energy supply is low.

Variable-rate plans do have the benefit in most cases of no early-cancellation fees, and they often don’t have fixed terms.federal solar investment tax credit tips

Pros of a Variable-Rate Energy Plan Cons of a Variable-Rate Energy Plan
Your energy rate could be lower than with a fixed-rate plan Your energy rate could be higher during increased demand or times of crisis
Usually no fixed terms or early cancellation fees. Less peace of mind than with a fixed-rate plan

No-Deposit and Prepaid Energy Plans

Many energy plans require a deposit for account activation, which can increase your up-front costs. Some electric suppliers offer no-deposit plans, which, as the name implies, don’t require a deposit to activate service. However, they normally require that you pass a credit check.

If you don’t want to run your credit or you simply want to avoid unexpected charges, you could also opt for a prepaid energy plan. These plans allow you to add money to an account from which electricity charges will be pulled. They’re a good option for those who budget very carefully, but you might experience an outage if you forget to top up the account.

Pros of a Prepaid Energy Plan Cons of a Prepaid Energy Plan
Minimal upfront costs You could lose power if you forget to add money to the account
No unexpected charges These often come with a higher per-kWh rate for energy
No fixed terms, contracts or early cancellation fees

Green Energy Plans

Our top-rated electric companies in Connecticut provide green energy plans, which ensure that all energy supplied to your home is produced via renewable energy sources, including solar power, wind power and more. These plans can be fixed-rate or variable-rate, have contract terms or be month-to-month and may or may not have sign-up fees or early-cancellation fees. In many cases, renewable energy plans can provide more energy savings than those that use fossil fuels like coal and natural gas for energy production.

Connecticut also has a lofty Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal of producing at least 48% of the entire state’s power via renewable energy sources by 2030.1 There are additional milestones each year from now until 2030, and this goal is likely to make green energy plans more readily available and more affordable over the next few years.

Pros of a Green Energy Plan Cons of a Green Energy Plan
Lets you support clean energy without having to install expensive equipment Not as many options available
Reduces your carbon footprint, sometimes for less than you’d pay for non-green energy Per-kWh costs can be 1 to 2 cents higher than you’d find from other providers

Business Energy Plans

Finally, business energy plans are designed for companies, commercial buildings, schools, churches and government buildings. These plans assume a higher consumption rate for business customers than the average homeowner and set a rate schedule accordingly. Not all energy providers offer business energy plans, so you’ll have to run a special search for these plans if you need one in Connecticut.

Electricity Companies and Providers in Connecticut

Thanks to the deregulation of the electricity market, homeowners in Connecticut have an electricity choice and can select the power supplier that suits them best. While there is no power company that will be ideal for every customer, the below companies are some of the top Connecticut energy providers if you’re looking for a renewable option.

Verde Energy

  • Green energy plans available
  • Fixed-rate plans available
  • Relatively low cost
  • Different terms provided
  • Wide footprint in Connecticut

Major Energy

  • Renewable energy plans offered
  • Fixed-rate plans available

Ambit Energy

  • Green energy plans available
  • Fixed-rate plans offered
  • A+ rating with the BBB

What to Look For When Choosing an Electricity Provider

While energy deregulation is great for Connecticut homeowners and provides an energy choice, it also means that choosing an electricity supplier can be difficult. Below, we’ll include a few of the most important criteria you should consider when selecting a company for electric service.

  1. Plan Options: The plan type you choose can play a significant role in how you’re billed and how beneficial it is to you. We generally recommend a fixed-rate renewable energy plan, but some customers might prefer a prepaid plan or a variable-rate plan.
  2. Energy Source: Some electric suppliers in Connecticut provide a 100%-renewable energy plan, which means that all of the power delivered to your home will come from clean energy sources. We strongly recommend choosing a green energy plan.
  3. Per-kWh Rates: The cost per kWh will be one of the most significant factors in deciding what your monthly bills are. Lower prices per kWh are typically better, although the other factors discussed here should be considered as well.
  4. Contract Length and Terms: Longer contracts tend to have lower prices, but they lock you into a longer term of service and might come with early cancellation fees. You should also check the contract’s fine print for planned rate changes, introductory rates, early termination fees, activation fees and more.
  5. Customer Reviews: Online customer reviews can be helpful in deciding which power supplier is right for you. You should consider reading through some of the positive and negative reviews of a company before committing to its services.
  6. Company History: How long a company has been in the industry is also a crucial factor. Local utility companies with longevity are more likely to provide consistent service.

FAQ: Connecticut Electricity Plans

The EcoWatch team is thrilled to get questions from Connecticut residents daily about how to choose an energy plan. Below, we’ll provide our responses to some of the questions we see most often.

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Article author
Dan Simms is an experienced writer with a passion for renewable energy. As a solar and EV advocate, much of his work has focused on the potential of solar power and deregulated energy, but he also writes on related topics, like real estate and economics. In his free time — when he's not checking his own home's solar production — he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, skiing and rock climbing.
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Expert reviewer
Melissa is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainability studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a nonprofit that’s featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.