Best Electricity Rates in Connecticut 2026: How to Compare Suppliers and Save

Connecticut has one of the highest electricity rates in the continental United States — averaging around 23–26 cents per kWh depending on your utility and season. The good news: Connecticut’s electric deregulation law gives residential customers the power to shop for a competitive electricity supplier and pay a lower rate than the default utility price. If you’re on Eversource or United Illuminating’s standard service offer (SSO), you may be leaving real money on the table every month.

How Electricity Deregulation Works in Connecticut

Connecticut deregulated its electricity market in 2000, allowing third-party electric suppliers (also called competitive suppliers or ESCOs) to sell electricity to homes and businesses. Your local utility — Eversource or United Illuminating — still delivers the power through the same wires. You’re only choosing who generates it and at what rate.

If you do nothing, you’re on the utility’s Standard Service Offer (SSO). The SSO rate changes every six months (January and July for Eversource), and in recent years it has been volatile — spiking significantly during periods of high natural gas prices. Competitive suppliers lock in fixed rates or offer variable plans that can beat the SSO when conditions are right.

Connecticut’s Two Utilities: Eversource and United Illuminating

Your utility depends on where you live in Connecticut:

Eversource Energy serves most of Connecticut — the majority of the state including Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport, and surrounding towns. Eversource’s SSO rate is set twice a year and tends to reflect the volatile New England natural gas market.

United Illuminating (UI), now part of Avangrid, serves the greater New Haven and Bridgeport area. UI also offers a Standard Service rate that fluctuates with wholesale markets.

Both utilities allow you to switch to a competitive supplier at any time. Your delivery charges (the wires and poles fee) don’t change when you switch — only the supply/generation portion of your bill changes.

What Rates to Expect in 2026

Connecticut’s electricity rates rank among the highest in the nation. In 2025–2026, Eversource residential customers saw supply rates ranging from approximately 13–18 cents per kWh just for the supply portion (before delivery charges). When you add delivery, your all-in cost often lands between 22–28 cents per kWh.

Competitive suppliers in 2026 are offering fixed rates in the 14–17 cents per kWh range for supply-only, with some introductory plans going lower. The key is comparing the all-in cents per kWh to what your current utility statement shows as your supply rate — not the total bill rate, which includes delivery that you can’t change.

Types of Plans Available in Connecticut

Fixed-rate plans lock in your supply rate for a contract term (typically 6, 12, or 24 months). These protect you from rate spikes but mean you won’t benefit if rates drop. Given Connecticut’s historically high and volatile rates, fixed-rate plans are popular with homeowners who want predictability.

Variable-rate plans fluctuate month-to-month with wholesale market conditions. They can be cheaper than fixed rates in mild seasons but can spike dramatically during winter heating demand or summer cooling peaks. Variable plans are better suited for customers who monitor rates closely.

Green energy plans pair supply from renewable sources (wind, solar, hydro) with your electricity consumption. Connecticut has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires utilities and suppliers to source a growing percentage from renewables — competitive suppliers often offer 100% renewable plans at competitive rates.

How to Compare and Switch Connecticut Electricity Suppliers

The process is straightforward and takes under 10 minutes:

Step 1: Find your current supply rate. Pull your most recent electric bill. Look for the “Generation Service Charge” or “Supply” line. This is the component you can change. Note the rate in cents per kWh.

Step 2: Compare offers. Use a comparison tool to enter your Connecticut ZIP code and see available supplier offers side-by-side. You’ll see fixed and variable plans with their rates, contract terms, and any cancellation fees.

Step 3: Choose a plan. Select a plan with a rate lower than what you’re currently paying for supply. Read the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) carefully — look for early termination fees, automatic renewal clauses, and whether the introductory rate is guaranteed for the full term.

Step 4: Enroll. Enrollment takes a few minutes online. You’ll need your account number from your utility bill. The switch typically takes effect within 1–2 billing cycles. Your utility continues delivering power — you won’t experience any interruption.

Step 5: Monitor your bill. After the switch, your bill will show two supply-related lines: the competitive supplier’s rate and the utility’s delivery charges. Make sure the supply rate matches what you agreed to.

Connecticut Consumer Protections for Electricity Shoppers

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) licenses all competitive electricity suppliers. Before a supplier can sell in Connecticut, they must be PURA-licensed. Key consumer protections include a 3-day cancellation right after enrolling, a requirement that suppliers provide an Electricity Facts Label disclosing all rates and fees, a prohibition on slamming (switching your supplier without consent), and the right to return to standard service at any time. If a supplier goes out of business, you’re automatically returned to the utility’s standard service — no interruption in power.

Common Questions About Connecticut Electricity Choice

Will my power go out if I switch suppliers?

No. Your utility (Eversource or UI) continues to deliver electricity through the same lines regardless of who supplies it. Switching suppliers has zero effect on reliability or service calls.

Is there a fee to switch?

Enrolling with a new supplier is typically free. The fee to watch for is an early termination fee (ETF) if you leave before your contract ends — these range from $0 to $50 or more depending on the supplier and plan. Always check the EFL for ETF terms.

How much can I save in Connecticut?

Savings vary with market conditions and your usage. During periods when the utility’s SSO rate is elevated, competitive suppliers can offer supply savings of 10–25% or more. In a low-SSO environment, the savings may be smaller. The key is to compare at the moment you’re shopping — rates change.

Can renters switch electricity suppliers in Connecticut?

If your utility account is in your name, yes — you have the full right to shop regardless of whether you rent or own. If your landlord pays the electricity and includes it in rent, you don’t have an account to switch.

What happens when my contract expires?

Most suppliers will notify you 30–60 days before your contract ends. You can renew, switch to a new supplier, or return to the utility’s standard service. If you do nothing and your plan auto-renews, it often rolls to a variable rate — set a calendar reminder before your contract expires.

Are there green energy options in Connecticut?

Yes. Multiple Connecticut-licensed suppliers offer plans sourced from 100% renewable energy — wind, solar, and hydro. These plans are sometimes competitively priced with non-renewable alternatives, especially when renewable energy certificates (RECs) are inexpensive.

Bottom Line: Is It Worth Shopping for Electricity in Connecticut?

Given Connecticut’s consistently high electricity rates, shopping for a competitive supplier is one of the more impactful ways to reduce a recurring household expense. The switching process is simple, reversible, and free — and you’re protected by PURA regulations throughout. The main work is comparing offers when your current contract expires or when the SSO rate resets. Use a comparison tool to see current rates and calculate whether switching makes financial sense for your household.