Connecticut Electricity Rates
Connecticut was one of the first states in the nation to deregulate its electricity market, opening retail choice to consumers in 2000. With rates averaging 27.84¢/kWh—54% above the national average—Connecticut residents have every incentive to shop for competitive suppliers. Over 41% of CT customers have already switched, and competitive suppliers now sell more than two-thirds of all electricity in the state. Below you’ll find current rates, utility territory breakdowns, and everything you need to find the best plan.
Key Takeaways
Connecticut Avg Rate
U.S. National Average
How Connecticut Electricity Deregulation Works
Connecticut began deregulating in 1998, splitting its two main utilities—Connecticut Light & Power (now Eversource) and The United Illuminating Company—so that energy generation and delivery became separate functions. Since 2000, residential, commercial, and industrial customers have been able to choose their own electricity supplier.
Identify Your Utility
Check your bill to see if you’re served by Eversource (most of CT) or United Illuminating (Bridgeport/New Haven area). Your utility determines which suppliers and rates are available.
Compare Suppliers
Browse certified suppliers and compare generation rates, contract lengths, and plan features. The CT PURA Official Rate Board is a useful starting point, and ElectricChoice.com offers additional plan details.
Select & Enroll
Choose a plan and sign up online or by phone. Your new supplier handles the switch notification to your utility. No calls to make, no paperwork to file.
Start Saving
The switch completes within 1–2 billing cycles with zero service interruption. Your utility continues to deliver power and handle outages. Only the generation charge on your bill changes.
Why CT Rates Are So High (and Why Shopping Matters More)
Connecticut’s high electricity rates stem from constrained natural gas pipelines that create winter supply bottlenecks, aging transmission infrastructure, aggressive renewable mandates, and the state’s small market size. These structural factors affect all customers equally—but the generation portion of your bill is still shoppable. Because CT’s rates are among the highest in the continental U.S., even a modest percentage savings from switching suppliers translates to significant dollar savings on your monthly bill.
Connecticut Electric Utility Territories
Connecticut’s deregulated market is served by two main utilities. Your utility determines the delivery charges on your bill and which competitive suppliers are available in your area.
Eversource Energy
Eversource (formerly Connecticut Light & Power) is the state’s largest utility, serving approximately 1.3 million customers across most of Connecticut. Major cities served include Hartford, New Haven (portions), Stamford, Waterbury, Danbury, and Greenwich. Outage line: 800-286-2000.
The United Illuminating Company (UI)
United Illuminating serves approximately 340,000 customers in the greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas. UI is part of the Avangrid family. Despite its smaller territory, UI customers have access to many of the same competitive suppliers as Eversource customers. Outage line: 800-722-5584.
Types of Connecticut Electricity Plans
Connecticut’s competitive market offers several plan structures. Given the state’s high rates, choosing the right plan type can have a significant impact on your annual electricity costs.
Fixed-Rate Plans
Your generation rate stays locked for the entire contract. Especially valuable in Connecticut where winter price volatility can cause dramatic month-to-month bill swings.
- Rate locked regardless of market spikes
- Critical protection during New England winters
- Terms typically 6–24 months
- Early termination fees may apply
Variable-Rate Plans
Your rate adjusts monthly based on wholesale market prices. Can deliver savings during mild months but carries risk during CT’s cold winters.
- No contract or cancellation fees
- Rates drop during mild spring/fall
- High risk during winter price spikes
- Switch anytime without penalty
Green Energy Plans
Connecticut has set a goal of generating 23% of energy from renewables. Green plans support this mission through renewable energy certificates (RECs).
- Support CT’s renewable energy goals
- Often competitively priced
- Wind and solar sourced RECs
- Same reliability as conventional
Short-Term Plans
Try a supplier with a 1–3 month commitment before locking into a longer term. Useful for CT renters or anyone new to the state.
- Minimal commitment required
- Low or no cancellation fees
- Good for testing supplier service quality
- Typically converts to variable after term
CT-Specific Warning: Winter Variable Rate Risk
Connecticut’s constrained natural gas pipeline capacity means wholesale electricity prices can spike dramatically during cold snaps. Variable-rate customers have seen winter bills double or triple in extreme months. If you’re on a variable plan, consider locking in a fixed rate before November to protect against winter price volatility.
Connecticut Energy Profile
Connecticut’s mild summers and petroleum-heavy heating market create a unique energy consumption pattern. Despite having some of the highest per-kWh rates in the nation, overall electricity consumption per household is relatively low.
Petroleum is the dominant heating fuel in Connecticut, used by nearly half of all households—significantly higher than the national average. Only about one in six CT households uses electricity as their primary energy source, partly because the high per-kWh cost makes electric heating prohibitively expensive. Consumer-funded efficiency programs conserve more than 400 million kWh annually, helping to offset some of the cost burden.
Energize Connecticut
Energize Connecticut is the state’s official program focused on helping residents make informed energy decisions. It offers home and business rebates, financing options, and resources for energy efficiency improvements. The program encourages customers to use the Official Rate Board to compare suppliers and find the best deals available in their utility territory.
Connecticut Business Electricity Rates
Connecticut’s commercial rate of 23.89¢/kWh is among the highest in the nation, making competitive procurement essential for businesses. The state’s key industries—insurance, financial services, aerospace, defense, and casinos—all have significant electricity needs.
Insurance & Finance
Hartford is the “Insurance Capital of the World.” Large corporate offices and data centers require reliable, cost-effective power with predictable pricing.
Aerospace & Defense
CT is home to Pratt & Whitney and other aerospace manufacturers. Energy-intensive manufacturing benefits from custom commercial supply agreements.
Retail & Hospitality
Connecticut’s tourism industry, including casinos like Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, requires significant electricity for lighting, HVAC, and entertainment systems.
Best Time to Shop for CT Electricity
Connecticut’s position in the ISO New England wholesale market means electricity prices are heavily influenced by natural gas costs and seasonal demand. Timing your switch can yield significant savings.
Spring: Mar–May
New England’s shoulder season brings the lowest wholesale prices. Heating demand subsides, natural gas pipeline constraints ease, and suppliers offer their most aggressive rates to attract new customers.
Winter: Dec–Feb
CT’s most expensive season. Limited natural gas pipeline capacity from the Marcellus Shale creates supply bottlenecks. Wholesale prices can spike 200–300% during extreme cold, driving up variable rates and new fixed-rate offers.
Fall: Sep–Nov
Summer AC demand fades and wholesale prices drop before winter sets in. An excellent window to lock in a fixed rate that will protect you through the expensive winter months.
Connecticut’s Major Cities
Most of Connecticut’s largest cities fall within deregulated utility territories, giving residents the ability to choose their electricity supplier. Here are the major metro areas where competitive electricity shopping is available.
| City | Utility |
|---|---|
| Hartford | Eversource |
| Bridgeport | United Illuminating |
| New Haven | United Illuminating / Eversource |
| Stamford | Eversource |
| Waterbury | Eversource |
| Norwalk | Eversource |
| Danbury | Eversource |
| New Britain | Eversource |
| Greenwich | Eversource |
| West Hartford | Eversource |
| Fairfield | United Illuminating |
| Hamden | United Illuminating |
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut Electricity
Everything you need to know about shopping for electricity in Connecticut, answered in plain language.
Is Connecticut a deregulated electricity state?
Yes. Connecticut began deregulating its electricity market in 1998, with full retail choice available since 2000. Customers served by Eversource and United Illuminating can choose their electricity supplier while their utility handles delivery, outages, and infrastructure maintenance.
What is the average electricity rate in Connecticut?
The average residential rate is 27.84¢/kWh—54% above the national average of 18.05¢/kWh. The commercial rate averages 23.89¢/kWh. Connecticut has some of the highest electricity rates in the continental United States, making supplier shopping especially impactful.
Why is Connecticut electricity so expensive?
Several structural factors drive CT’s high rates: constrained natural gas pipelines that create winter supply bottlenecks, aging transmission infrastructure requiring costly upgrades, aggressive renewable energy mandates, limited in-state fuel production, and the relatively small size of the New England market. These factors affect the delivery and generation portions of bills across all suppliers.
How do I switch electricity suppliers in Connecticut?
Switching is simple and takes about 10 minutes. Compare suppliers using your ZIP code, choose a plan, and enroll online or by phone. Your new supplier notifies your utility (Eversource or UI), and the switch completes within 1–2 billing cycles with zero service interruption. The same power flows through the same wires.
What percentage of CT customers have switched?
Over 41.8% of Connecticut electricity customers have opted to switch to a competitive supplier. These competitive suppliers now sell more than two-thirds (67.6%) of total electricity in the state—one of the highest adoption rates among deregulated markets nationwide.
What are Connecticut’s Standard Service rates?
Standard Service is the default generation rate for customers who haven’t chosen a supplier. These rates are set through periodic procurement processes managed by PURA (Public Utilities Regulatory Authority) and can change every six months. Standard Service rates aren’t always the most expensive option, but proactive shoppers typically find competitive offers that beat the default rate.
Who do I call for power outages in CT?
For power outages, contact your utility—not your supplier. Eversource: 800-286-2000. United Illuminating: 800-722-5584. Your utility owns and maintains all delivery infrastructure regardless of which supplier you use.
Does Connecticut offer energy efficiency rebates?
Yes. Through the Energize Connecticut initiative, residents can access rebates on energy-efficient appliances, HVAC systems, insulation, and smart thermostats. The program also offers home energy audits, financing options, and resources for both homeowners and businesses to reduce energy consumption and costs.
About this Data
Rate data is sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Connecticut General Assembly Energy and Technology Committee, and the ElectricChoice.com electric rate marketplace. The inclusion, exclusion, ranking, or naming of any rate, plan, or provider on this page does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Listed rates reflect averages and do not include all utility-specific delivery charges. You should review each plan’s terms of service before enrolling. Last data refresh: March 2026.