The Short Version
- Your utility's default supply price is called standard service. It resets every six months, and the next change is January 1, 2027.
- For households, Connecticut bans cancellation fees and variable rates. But almost all supplier contracts renew automatically, often at a much higher price.
- Businesses with 500 kW or less of demand get 3 business days to cancel a new contract, but their contracts can include fees and other terms households can't get.
- The easiest way to get it right: let us compare offers for you. It's free.
Your Bill Has Two Parts
Delivery always stays with Eversource or United Illuminating (UI). Supply, called generation service, is the electricity itself, and you can choose who provides it. If you don't, you get your utility's standard service.
Most customers who choose a supplier still get one bill from Eversource or UI, and the first page shows your supplier's rate next to the standard service rate.
Connecticut Standard Service Prices, 2026
Residential standard service generation rates, in cents per kWh, from EnergizeCT's rate board:
| Utility | Jan to June 2026 | July to Dec 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Eversource (Rate 1) | 12.641¢ | 11.577¢ |
| United Illuminating (Rate R) | 13.695¢ | 11.987¢ |
Source: EnergizeCT Rate Board, residential standard service generation rates, checked September 27, 2026. Time-of-use, electric heat, and business rates differ, so always check the standard service rate on your latest bill before comparing offers.
See the full details, what it means for your business, and how to beat it on each utility's page: Eversource, United Illuminating.
Connecticut's Rules for Households
- No cancellation fees. Public Act 21-117 prohibits electric suppliers from charging residential customers a cancellation fee.
- No variable rates. Since 2015, a residential supplier contract has to be a fixed rate for at least four months, and a renewal price can't change for at least four months either.
- A clear bill. The first page of your bill shows your supplier's rate, when it expires, and the standard service rate, so you can check every month.
- An easy way back. You can return to standard service online, and the change can take up to about two days.
- Hardship protection. Customers with a financial hardship status can only be served by a supplier at or below the standard service rate.
The Renewal Trap
Here's where most Connecticut households lose money. According to the state, almost all supplier contracts renew automatically, and they often renew at rates much higher than the starting rate. The ban on cancellation fees means you can leave, but only if you notice.
Put your contract's end date on your calendar, and check the supply summary on the first page of your bill each month. If your rate is above standard service, you're paying more than you need to.
For Businesses
Connecticut's household protections don't all carry over to businesses. Business contracts can include cancellation fees, longer terms, and pricing structures households can't get. A few things still protect smaller businesses:
- 3 business days to cancel. Any customer with a maximum demand of 500 kilowatts or less can cancel until midnight of the third business day after signing or receiving the written contract, whichever is later.
- A written contract. It has to explain when the supplier can end it and any penalty for early termination. Read that section before you sign.
Connecticut is part of the ISO New England grid, where capacity costs are set through regional auctions. For larger accounts, how a contract handles those costs matters as much as the energy price.
How to Compare an Offer
- Start with the standard service rate on your bill. An offer only saves you money if its price is lower, and remember standard service changes every January and July.
- How long is the fixed price? Know exactly when it ends.
- What does it renew at? Ask for the renewal terms in writing before you sign.
- For a business: is there a cancellation fee? Know the amount and when it applies.
- Any monthly fees or incentives? A gift card isn't worth a higher rate for a year.
Watch out for "your utility sent me." Door-to-door and phone sellers sometimes imply they're from Eversource or UI. Your utility doesn't sell supply contracts. Don't share your account number with anyone who knocks or calls uninvited, and never sign on the spot.
Why Let Us Shop for You
You can compare supplier offers on your own. Most people don't have time to read every contract, and the renewal terms are where the costly surprises hide. Here's what you get when we do it for you:
- Offers side by side, compared against the current standard service rate and the next one.
- The fine print, read for you. We flag renewal terms, cancellation fees on business contracts, and how capacity costs are handled.
- Someone watching your end date. We reach out before your contract ends, so an automatic renewal never catches you off guard.
- Free to you. The supplier you choose pays us. If nothing beats what you pay now, we'll tell you.
Or skip the form: send us a photo of your bill.
Free 10-minute checklist When does your energy contract end, and what will you pay the day after? Get the Energy Contract Checkup →FAQ
Will my power go out if I switch?
No. Eversource or United Illuminating still delivers your electricity, handles outages, and usually still sends your bill.
How often does standard service change in Connecticut?
Every six months. The current prices run July through December 2026, and new prices start January 1, 2027.
Can a supplier charge me a fee to cancel?
Not if you're a residential customer. Connecticut prohibits cancellation fees for residential customers of electric suppliers. Business contracts can still include them.
How fast can I go back to standard service?
You can switch back to your utility's standard service online, and the change can take up to about two days. Your current bill is prorated.
Can my business cancel a new supplier contract?
If your maximum demand is 500 kilowatts or less, you can cancel until midnight of the third business day after you sign or receive the written contract, whichever is later.