Massachusetts Electricity Rates and Providers [November 2022]

Massachusetts Energy Rates

Massachusetts is home to many different Residential Energy Providers (REPs), so you have plenty of options to choose from to reduce your electric bills. However, you might be wondering how the deregulated market in Massachusetts affects your energy prices.

A deregulated energy market like the one in Massachusetts means that the energy supply chain is split between two parties before it reaches your home: the supplier and the distributor.

Energy suppliers — the companies that actually generate the electricity — are regulated by the DPU, so rates for basic service always stay in check with what is fair. You cannot choose your supplier, and one is assigned to you instead based on your location within the state.

Current suppliers in Massachusetts include:

• Eversource (the largest supplier in the state, formerly called NStar in the eastern part of Massachusetts)
• National Grid (formerly called Mass Electric Co)
• Eversource (formerly called the Western Massachusetts Electric Company, or WMECO in the western part of Massachusetts)
• Unitil

Energy distribution companies — the companies with which consumers sign contracts for electric service — dictate where a supplier’s energy should be routed based on customer acquisition. These are the companies you can choose and the ones that compete to keep prices low to get your business.

It’s especially important in Massachusetts to choose the right supplier for your needs and budget. Electricity costs in the area have increased more rapidly than the national average, as you can see in the chart below.

How Do Massachusetts Electricity Prices Compare Based On Company?

The table below provides a comparison of the energy plans available in Massachusetts. It’s important to note that, as an environmentally friendly website, we’re only including options from companies that offer 100%-renewable energy plans. We’ll discuss these green plans in depth later on and provide some information as to why they’re favorable.

*All energy rates are accurate as of November 2022 for 02301, the largest zip in MA. Rates may have changed since the last update. For the most recent daily electricity prices in your area, please enter your zip code above to get connected with a local power provider

How Do You Find the Best Electricity Rates in Massachusetts?

Finding the best energy prices in Massachusetts requires you to consider a few factors that can change the per-kWh rate in your energy contract. The two most important of these factors are how much electricity your household uses each month and how long you’re willing to lock into a contract.

While it’s easy to browse the table above and find the lowest per-kWh rate, that’s unfortunately not always going to bring you the best overall energy rates in Massachusetts. Below, we’ll include two of the most significant things you need to consider if you want to get the best long-term price for electricity in Massachusetts.

Your Energy Usage

Many homeowners neglect to consider how average energy consumption plays into their initial and ongoing energy rates. The rates in the chart above all assume you use the average amount of energy for Massachusetts, which is around 602 kWh per month.

Many REPs use tiered rates, which balance out the cost per kWh among households that use wildly different volumes of electricity. These rate plans usually charge low-consumption customers more than high-consumption customers. Therefore, your per-kWh rate could be higher than estimated if you use less than 602 kWh per month.

The time that you consume most of your electricity can also come into play for REPs that use time-of-use (TOU) plans. These plans charge more for energy during peak hours when demand is high. Your rate can fluctuate based on when you consume energy with a TOU plan.

Your Contract Length

Next, you’ll have to consider the length of the contract you’re willing to enter into. Longer contracts typically come with lower per-kWh rates because local utility companies want to guarantee your business for longer. However, longer contracts also mean you’ll be locked into a specific rate for longer, which can be detrimental.

Your Contract Terms

Finally, the terms in your contract can dictate what you pay for energy and when. Some REPs offer introductory rates for new homeowners or new customers. These rates will eventually expire and will typically increase after that. Make sure you understand if and when your rate will change with these plans.

You should also look at cancellation fees if your contract has any. Some companies advertise low cancellation fees but then charge that fee for every month your contract should have persisted had you not canceled.

Still not sure which company is right for you? You can use this tool to find a provider instantly based on our research and recommendations.

What Types of Electricity Plans Are Offered in Massachusetts?

There are several types of energy plans that you’ll come across in Massachusetts, and although some of them seem self-explanatory, there are details you should be aware of before committing. We’ll explain the most common energy plan types in Massachusetts below.

Massachusetts Fixed-Rate Plans

Fixed-rate plans include a single, fixed rate for energy that never changes over the contract term. That means you’ll get a per-kWh price on day one, and you’ll pay that price until the contract term has ended, even if local energy prices skyrocket. We almost always recommend fixed-rate plans because they provide peace of mind that you’ll never pay inflated prices for energy.

However, fixed-rate plans also typically require a contract and come with early-termination fees, so they aren’t ideal if you don’t want to be locked into a specific supplier or you want to be able to shop for better rates in the near future.

Fixed-Rate Plans Pros and Cons

Variable-Rate Plans in Massachusetts

A variable-rate plan charges you different rates for your energy based on market fluctuations. These plans can sometimes lead to savings if the market price drops, but they can also lead to higher monthly payments if the rates spike for any reason.

If you’re familiar with the outages in Texas in 2021 due to unexpected snowstorms, you already know why variable-rate plans can be detrimental. In times of high demand or low supply, rates can spike and lead to massive monthly bills. This is the primary reason why we recommend most residents get a fixed-rate option.

Variable-Rate Plans Pros and Cons

No-Deposit and Prepaid Energy Plans in Massachusetts

Some electric utility companies in Massachusetts require a non-refundable deposit for all new customers. This helps offset losses from electric customers who eventually fall into non-payment.

If you have decent credit, your provider may view you as less of a risk for missed payments and agree to waive the deposit. This is a great way to save some money upfront.

Prepaid plans also typically have no deposit requirement. However, you will need to part with money upfront to fund your account in advance. Your electric company will then pull from that account to pay your bill each month. This is a great option for some customers looking to set strict budgets for energy, but it can lead to outages if you forget to add money each month.

Prepaid Energy Plans Pros and Cons

Green Energy Plans in Massachusetts

The last residential option for electricity is a green energy plan. Green plans are the ones we’ve highlighted in the table above. These plans guarantee that all of the energy your home uses will come from renewable energy sources. These can include solar, wind, hydroelectric power and biomass, although the large majority of Massachusetts’ clean energy is from solar.

Green energy plans are great for the environment and allow you to minimize your carbon footprint by reducing your reliance on fossil fuels like natural gas and oil. The per-kWh rate tends to be a bit pricier, but we believe the investment is well worth it.

Keep in mind as you browse green energy plans that all electric utility providers in Massachusetts are required to generate a minimum of 51% of all electricity from renewable sources. This helps the state meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals. Still, plans that guarantee 100% are superior.

Green Energy Plans Pros and Cons

Business Energy Plans

Business energy plans are designed for commercial customers, who typically have greater energy needs than residential customers. The per-kWh charge is often lower than it would be for a home energy plan for the same consumption rate. These plans aren’t as widely available, so you will likely have fewer options as far as suppliers and contract options go.

What Should You Look For When Choosing an Electricity Provider in Massachusetts?

Your personal needs when it comes to an energy company in Massachusetts will depend on whether you’re a new homeowner or Massachusetts resident or if you already live in the area and simply want to switch to a new provider. We’ll break down some of the most crucial things to look for based on your situation in the sections below.

Picking Energy Providers as a New Massachusetts Resident

If you’re moving to Massachusetts or have recently moved and need to set up a new electric service, the most important factor to look for in a provider is the introductory rate and changes to that rate.

Your per-kWh rate will always be important, but this is especially true if you’re a new homeowner or customer. Many of the plans listed in the chart above are only offered to new residents. These include the plans from:

• Direct Energy
• Inspire
• Verde Energy USA
• Discount Power
• Smart Energy
• Clean Choice

If you do pick a plan from one of these providers, make sure you check how high your rate will go after the introductory period ends. While the initial rate might seem appealing, the bump in price after that might end up costing you more in the long run.

We also strongly recommend looking into the company history and reading some customer reviews for companies you’re considering. Since you’re new to the area, you won’t have any sense of homeowners’ opinions of each company. Choosing a long-standing company with many positive reviews is a good way to choose a reputable and reliable provider.

Finally, we suggest looking to see where the energy you’ll be buying is coming from. Many companies in Massachusetts offer low introductory rates for 100% renewable energy. This helps you save some money and contribute to the clean energy movement.

Selecting an Energy Company If You Are Switching Providers in Massachusetts

If you already live in Massachusetts and are looking to switch to a new electricity company, your priorities will likely be a bit different. You don’t have to worry much about new homeowner rates, and you’ll likely have a better sense of the reputation of local energy companies.

What you should focus on instead are the type of plan offered, where the energy is coming from and the energy rates themselves.

While we recommend choosing a fixed-rate plan, you should figure out if a variable rate would work better for you. If you have a high tolerance for risk and want the potential to save some money, then you may want to shop around for a variable-rate option.

Just like with new Massachusetts homeowners, we suggest you consider where the energy you’re buying is coming from. While green energy plans can be a bit more costly on average, many believe the positive impact you’ll be having on the environment by choosing one is well worth the investment. This also helps keep your home state clean and healthy.

Finally, you should pay careful attention to your electricity rate. Some REPs in Massachusetts do offer introductory rates to new customers, even if they aren’t new residents. If you’re signing up with a company you’ve never worked with before, make sure you understand your initial rate and any changes to the rate over the contract term.

What are 100% Green Energy Plans?

100% green energy plans are electricity contracts that guarantee that all of the energy your home pulls from the electric grid is offset by clean energy sources. These sources include solar, wind, hydroelectric and biomass. Solar power accounts for the majority of the renewable energy in MA, followed by biomass and then wind.²

Massachusetts mandates that a minimum of 51% of each utility provider’s energy comes from renewable sources, so 100% green plans mean that the provider is adding a voluntary 49% to that breakdown.

Who Offers Green Energy Plans?

Thankfully, many different electricity distribution companies in Massachusetts provide 100% green energy plans. These include:

• Alpha Gas & Electric
• Direct Energy
• Inspire Clean Energy
• Verde Energy USA
• Green Mountain Energy
• IGS Energy
• Discount Power
• Smart Energy
• Clean Choice Energy

Other providers offer plans with lower percentages of renewable energy, usually hovering around the required 51% mark in the state. These providers include:

• Major Energy
• Town Square Energy
• Constellation Energy
• Clearview Energy
• Provider Power

What Are The Best Electricity Companies and Providers in Massachusetts?

During our research on the above power providers in your area, we looked at a variety of factors to determine what each company brought to the table in terms of pricing, service, renewable energy offerings and more.

Since choosing a provider is often challenging in deregulated markets due to the number of options, we thought it would be helpful to rank some of the top electric companies in the area. We’ll provide a brief list of some of our top recommendations below.

Discount Power — Best Overall

• 100% renewable energy plans available
• Fixed-rate contracts are standard
• Multiple contract terms offered
• Generally positive customer experience

Verde Energy USA — Best Customer Service

• Fixed-rate plans available
• Green energy plans offered
• Mostly positive customer reviews

Direct Energy — Best for Plan Options

• Multiple contract terms offered
• Fixed-rate plans offered
• Offers several 100% renewable energy plans

IGS Energy — Most Competitive Rates

• Super competitive rates, even for non-green plans
• Multiple contract terms provided
• Fixed-rate plans offered
• Generally positive reviews online

The table below includes a quick look at the green energy plans offered by these top electricity providers in Massachusetts.

Additional Popular Energy Companies in Massachusetts

As mentioned above, we’ve chosen to highlight the companies that provide 100% renewable energy plans, as these providers align most readily with our environmentally-friendly values. However, there are many other companies available to choose from in the area.

The chart below includes a brief look at some companies in Massachusetts that fall short of the 100% clean energy options but still provide the state-mandated 51% renewable option.

EcoWatch Methodology on Energy Providers in Massachusetts:

At Ecowatch we take a sustainable approach to our best lists. We selected the best energy providers in MA by examining a variety of different components of the energy providers business. We considered their renewable options or green plans as the most weighted component of our scoring. We looked at how many different types of plans were available, how many years of experience the companies had, what terms and contracts looked like at each company. Lastly, we took a look at the providers track record when it came to delivering the service and customer service. We examined BBB ratings, looked into B Corp certifications, and found out if they offered competitive and fair pricing. All of these factors helped us decide which companies to recommend and which superlative to award!