energy consumer https://www.starenergypartners.com Mon, 24 Aug 2020 18:38:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.10 Stand Up! Knowing Your Rights As An Energy Consumer https://www.starenergypartners.com/blog/electricity-company/stand-knowing-rights-energy-consumer/ Thu, 05 May 2016 08:00:56 +0000 http://www.starenergypartners.com/?p=9242 As an energy consumer in a deregulated energy state, you are gifted with certain rights that an electric utility supplier cannot violate. These rights are important to keep in mind—not only will they keep you from being ripped off or abused, but they will actually make the process of searching for an electricity retailer a...

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]]> As an energy consumer in a deregulated energy state, you are gifted with certain rights that an electric utility supplier cannot violate. These rights are important to keep in mind—not only will they keep you from being ripped off or abused, but they will actually make the process of searching for an electricity retailer a lot simpler, too!

Check out this condensed list of energy consumer rights, and know your rights!

Comment submission

Most states provide their residents the option to submit comments on proposed changes in rates or service. This can generally be done by mail, email, or online. Contact your electricity retailer in your area to obtain the information in your state!

Transparent Bill Statements

As an energy consumer, you’re allowed to know how much you are being charged for your electricity and just how much electricity your home has consumed. One benefit of this transparency is that it helps you keep your supplier completely honest; if you know your electricity rate, then you can measure your home’s energy usage manually (by reading your electricity meter). This lets you do a rough calculation of what your energy bill should look like.

Electricity meter readers

Employees from your electricity supplier are required to provide proper identification when they request to read your electricity meter—that is, if you ask them to. Once they have done so, they are allowed to take a reading of your meter. 

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

This program helps keep qualifying low-income families safe and healthy through initiatives that help them pay their energy bills. Visit the Office of Community Services website to learn about eligibility criteria and to see if your family qualifies!

Shut-off protection

Many states protect their customers from a loss of energy service (even if you’re behind on your bill) when the weather becomes extremely cold or extremely warm. The thought here is that you are always protected from dangerous extremes in temperature, period.

Disconnection notice

Another right is disconnection notice, where an energy consumer is notified that their electricity will be shut off before their service is taken away. This allows energy customers to seek financial assistance if they are having trouble paying their bills, or look for a new supplier without being left in the dark.

Check out the rest of our Bright Insights blog for more information on renewable energy and energy efficiency advice!

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