Retail electric providers (REPs) offer supply services, rates and other related products to residential and business customers (your local utility still delivers that electricity) in deregulated markets across the United States. Deregulation encourages low electric rates and great service, as competition develops between established electricity providers.
Obviously, retail electric service providers need to attract and retain customers, so offering the best rates, service, etc. is in their best interest — and yours. We’ve put together a list of 25 of the top providers from across the US’ deregulated electricity markets. We’ve gathered information from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), JD Power, sales material from individual REPs, as well as other resources to come up with a comprehensive profile of each company.
There are many fantastic retail electricity providers across the United States, which is why we’re only starting off with a list of 25. More providers will be featured in the coming weeks!
1. 4Change Energy
Number of customers (estimate): N/A
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Areas Served: Arlington, Fort Worth, Richardson, Austin, Houston, Waco, Corpus Christi, Irving, Dallas, Plano
Founded: N/A
Residential/Commercial: Residential
General Products: month-to-month or 12 month plans (fixed or variable rate)
Green Energy Products: several “green” energy plans
BBB Rating: A+
BBB Accredited: 2012
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 4/5
Price (JD Power): 4/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 4/5
4Change Energy is a retail electricity provider based out of Dallas, Texas. This company believes that electricity should be made affordable for everyone. They also believe that good electricity benefits the area in which you live. 4Change Energy supports several charities including, the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Heroes for Children and Feeding Texas. This electricity provider makes charitable donations on behalf of customers who sign up for services. Overall benefits include,
• Low rates
• Fast and simple service
• Access to online customer account 24/7
• 4% of Annual profits support local charities
2. AEP Energy
Number of customers (estimate): 5 million
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
Areas served: Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan, Washington D.C.
Founded: 2002
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Business (Partners)
General Products: Firm Priced Plans, Index Price Plans, Block & Index Plans, Variable & Fixed Plans
Green Energy Products: Eco-Advantage
BBB Rating: A+
BBB Accredited: 2009
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 4/5
Price (JD Power): 5/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 5/5
AEP Energy helps consumers receive the supply of electricity in the following ways:
- Commercial & Industrial Supply
- Energy Efficiency
- Renewable Energy
- Demand Response
- Residential Supply
- Distributed Generation
The company has many features and tools including, AEP energy online, account management, partner programs, and other innovative technical solutions.
3. Ambit Energy
Number of Customers (estimate): 1 million
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Areas served: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C.
Founded: 2006
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Small Business/Commercial
General Products: Residential, Commercial and Small Business plans, Free Energy Program, Travel Rewards
Green Energy Products: Green-e Energy certified programs
BBB Rating: A+
BBB Accredited: 2006
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 3/5
Price (JD Power): 4/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 4/5
In 2010, Inc. Magazine named Ambit Energy the number 1 fastest growing private company in the Untied States. The company’s goal is to provide the best cost-effective choices for electricity and natural gas customers in a deregulated energy market.
4. Amigo Energy
Number of customers (estimate): 1.8 million
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Areas served: Texas
Founded: 2003
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Commercial
General Products: Basics Plan, Nights Free Plan, Small Business, Large Business
Green Energy Products: Green Energy Product
BBB Rating: N/A
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 4/5
Price (JD Power): 4/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 3/5
Amigo Energy is a subsidiary of the Just Energy Group. The company is an established retail electric provider in the state of Texas, where they provide hundreds of thousands of customers with fair and reasonable electricity rates.
5. Beyond Power
Number of customers (estimate): N/A
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Areas served: Texas
Founded: N/A
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Commercial
General Products: Smart Home Automation, Savings Calculator
Green Energy Products: Renewable Energy Benefits, Beyond Opportunity Referral Program (all products are renewable energy)
BBB Rating: N/A
Power to Choose Rating: 4/5
Beyond Power runs its business based on several traits including, putting the customer first, integrity, dynamic purpose, sustainability, innovation, charity and community. The company’s primary goal is to make renewable energy affordable for all consumers.
6. Bounce Energy
Number of customers (estimate): N/A
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Areas served: Texas, Pennsylvania, New York
Founded: 2008
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Small Business
General Products: fixed rate, month-to-month, build your own, and military plans
Green Energy Products: Smart Green, Organic Power Promotional, Organic Power Fixed 6, Organic Power Fixed 12
BBB Rating: N/A
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 3/4
Price (JD Power): 4/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 4/5
Bounce Energy is a retail electric provider that is committed to giving residential customers more than just electricity. The company achieves this through providing energy-related products, rewards programs and reasonable pricing.
7. Champion Energy Services
Number of customers (estimate): 2 million (residential)
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Areas Served: Texas, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut
Founded: 2004
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Commercial
General Products: fixed rate, hybrid, block & index, layered product, index, custom options 100% Green Energy
BBB Rating: A+
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 5/5
Price (JD Power): 5/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 5/5
Champion Energy Services is one of the fastest-growing retail electricity providers within the United States. Since the company was founded, it has never been associated or affiliated with a utility. Customers include industrial, commercial, government and residential in deregulated states all over America. Champion Energy Services is known for having very competitive electricity rates, straightforward bills, excellent customer service (24/7), and no hidden rates.
8. Cirro Energy
Number of customers (estimate): 150,000 households
Headquarters: Richardson, Texas
Areas served: Texas
Founded: N/A
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Commercial
General Products: fixed-rate plans, no variable or teaser electricity rates
Green Energy Products: 100% Green Energy Plans
BBB Accredited: 2002
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 2/5
Price (JD Power): 4/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 4/5
Cirro Energy is a retail electricity provider that offers great customer service and opportunities for savings. The company has 3 primary goals and they include, making electricity affordable, hassle-free and easy for consumers. Their plans are simple and straightforward, consumers have access to online and mobile accounts, and easy payment options.
9. Constellation
Number of customers (estimate): N/A
Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland
Areas served: Continental United States
Founded: 1816
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Commercial
General Products: Home, Small Business, Commercial, Government
Green Energy Products: Available to residential in select areas
BBB Rating: A+
BBB Accredited: 2013
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 3/5
Price (JD Power): 2/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 2/5
Constellation is an electricity provider based out of Maryland. It offers electricity supply services to a wide range of customers including residential, commercial & industrial and government. Services are provided in 16 states including, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas. Service is also available in Washington D.C.
With Constellation, customers have access to a wide range of online tools and services including, a personal account, and an energy management tool called Energy Manager. This company also spends a lot of time working with different communities to help those in need receive electric services.
10. CPL Retail Energy
Number of customers (estimate): 5 million customers
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Areas served: South Texas
Founded: 2002
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Commercial
General Products: HVAC Cleaning Service, Home Protection Service, Price Protection Plan, Liberty Plan, Price Protection Plan 12, combination of fixed and monthly plans
Green Energy Products: N/A
BBB Rating: N/A
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 3/5
Price (JD Power): 3/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 3/5
Direct Energy owns CPL Retail Energy under its umbrella of energy companies. CPL Retail Energy is based out of Houston, Texas, delivering energy supply services to both residential and commercial customers. CPL helps to employ almost 2,000 Texans and is the third largest energy supplier in the state.
11. Direct Energy
Number of customers (estimate): 5 million
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Areas served: Canada (10 provinces), United States (50 states)
Founded: 1986
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Business
General Products: Direct Energy Business, Direct Energy Home, Direct Energy Services
Green Energy Products: Direct Energy Solar
BBB Rating: A+
BBB Accredited: N/A
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 3/5
Price (JD Power): 3/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 3/5
Direct Energy has around 5,500 employees who service almost 5 million customers across North America. In 2000, Centrica, a British multinational utility company, acquired the Direct Energy to help it expand and grow within the supply energy market. Other information about this company includes,
• It is the largest residential electricity supplier in North America
• Ranked #1 in North American home services
• Provide devices and tools that help customers maintain control over their electricity consumption
12. FirstEnergy Solutions
Number of customers (estimate): Millions
Headquarters: Akron, Ohio
Areas served: Northeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic United States
Founded: 1997
Residential/Commercial: Residential & Business
General Products: Fixed, Variable, Combination Priced Products
Green Energy Products: All Green, Local Wind, Customized Green
BBB Rating: A+
Customer Service Rating (JD Power): 5/5
Price (JD Power): 3/5
Overall Customer Satisfaction (JD Power): 3/5
FirstEnergy Solutions is a competitive subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., one of the country’s biggest investor-owned utilities (electric). FirstEnergy Solutions helps customers to achieve their energy goals because they are well-established, knowledgeable, customer-focused and unmatched in aggregation.
