Compare the Best Delaware Electricity Rates

Key Takeaways

• Delaware residential rate: 18.39¢/kWh (close to the national average)
• Delaware commercial rate: 12.69¢/kWh
• Primary investor-owned utility: Delmarva Power, an Exelon company
• Retail electricity choice has been available since 1999
• Delaware participates in the PJM Interconnection wholesale market
• Switching suppliers occurs without any interruption of electric service

Flip the ON Switch: How to Set Up Electric Service in Delaware

Moving into a new home or building a new house? Before you get too cozy, you'll need to get your electricity sorted.

Most Delaware residents get their electricity through Delmarva Power which serves much of the state, including Wilmington, New Castle, and Oceanview.

They maintain the poles, wires, and handle any outages, no matter who you buy your electricity from.

Start Delmarva Energy Service in DE

It's easy to start your new electric service by going to the Delmarva Power website. Click "Start My Service" to begin.

Be ready to provide your address, move-in date, and identification details. Starting service usually takes a a minimum of 3 days and can be scheduled as early as 7:00 a.m. on your requested date.

You can also make service requests up to 120 days in advance.

In Delaware, you're not obligated to buy your electricity from Delmarva Power. Thanks to the deregulated market, you can compare electricity suppliers in Delaware.

Shop the best electric rates at UtilityRates.com and see your options for cheap fixed rates, renewable energy options, and more.

What You Need to Know to Switch Electric Suppliers in Delaware

Thanks to Delaware's deregulated energy market, you have options when it comes to your electricity supplier. In fact, shopping and comparing plans is the best way to get a cheap (Link-TBD) electric rate or a plan that best fits your needs.

But how does switching work? Let's break it down.

First, Don't Worry - Your Power Stays On

Delmarva Power is still your utility. They'll continue delivering your electricity, maintaining the power lines, and responding to outages. This is the delivery side of your electric service and all that stays the same even if you switch suppliers. What changes is who you pay for the electricity supply portion of your service.

What You'll Need to Switch

Before signing up with a new supplier, gather the following:

• Your most recent electric bill
• Your Delmarva Power account number (usually on the bill)
• Your service address
• Name of your current electricity supplier

This info helps your new supplier link your account and notify the utility without delays.

Steps to Switch Electricity Suppliers in Delaware

1. Compare Plans and Rates

Start shopping for the best electric plan at compare Delaware electricity suppliers. Pay attention to the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh), if the rate is fixed or variable, contract length, green energy options, and any early termination fees (ETFs).

2. Choose a Plan That Fits Your Needs

Want a cheap rate that lasts? Go with a fixed-rate plan. Need some flexibility? Try a variable-rate option. Keep an eye out for sign-up bonuses, renewable energy perks, or discounts for new customers.

3. Sign Up with Your New Supplier

Once you've picked a plan, sign up directly through UtilityRates.com. Your new supplier handles the switch.

4. Watch for Confirmation

Your utility will mail you a written notice confirming your enrollment. The switch may take one or two billing cycles to complete.

5. No Fees!

Switching is also easy because there are no fees! Remember, too, that when the switch goes through, your electricity service won't be interrupted and no technician will visit.

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Delaware's Energy Makeover: Deregulation & the Power to Choose

Before deregulation, your local utility's job was to make power, sell that power to you, and deliver it to you. It was a monopoly. There was no choice, no competition, no flexibility, and not much innovation.

In 1999, Delaware sought to cut energy prices and encourage innovation in its energy sector by passing the Electric Utility Restructuring Act.

This law broke up the monopoly Delmarva Power operated. Instead, the utility was required to sell off its generator operations and become a distribution-only utility.

This freed customers to choose their electricity suppliers on the open market. Suppliers, meanwhile must compete against each other to get the most customers by offering the lowest prices.

Thanks to deregulation, Delaware electric customers now have more control over how much they pay. To compete for your business, Certified Electric Suppliers may offer cheap rates, long term plans, green energy options, new customer discounts, and other perks. Shopping around helps you find a low-priced (Link-TBD) option that fits your needs.

Even if you switch suppliers, Delmarva Power still plays a big role. They manage the delivery system, respond to outages, and maintain the infrastructure. That's why your monthly electric bill will always include a delivery charge. The charge covers the costs to the utility for delivering electricity.

Ready to explore your options? Start by checking out supplier offers at compare Delaware electricity suppliers.

You can even shop and sign up all in one place. Compare prices, contract terms, and renewable energy content. It's quick, easy, and could help you save money.

Understanding Utilities vs. Electric Suppliers in Delaware

The electric utility, Delmarva Power, owns and operates the delivery system that gets power to your home. Their job is to support the grid and keep the power flowing. This includes maintaining and upgrading all the electric poles, wires, and substations. When you have a power outage at your home, you contact the utility and they get it all running again. And no matter who supplies the electricity, the utility delivers it for the same cost.

Similarly, Delmarva's default rate or "Standard Offer Service (SOS)" is designed to support consumers that choose not to shop for a retail electricity supplier. But because the SOS price is set up through a rigid auction process, its rates tend to be high.

But thanks to Delaware's Energy Choice Program, you have the power to shop around and choose the company you pay for your electric supply based on your needs and budget. Because electricity suppliers use different purchasing methods to line up electricity supply, they tend to find better deals. And by having multiple companies compete against each other, their prices tend to be lower than the SOS.

And, because these supplier compete to sell you your electric supply, you can compare Delaware electricity suppliers offering the cheapest electricity plans.

Find the Best Commercial Energy Plans for Your Business - Get a Free Energy Quote

Fill in a few basic details-such as your service location, usage range, and business information-to help identify available commercial energy plans in your area.

After you submit the form, we'll review your information and prepare a personalized set of options you can compare at your own pace.

Choosing Renewable Energy in Delaware

In Delaware, going green with your electricity isn't just possible - it's easy. Delaware requires Delmarva Power, our main utility, to reach 40% renewable energy by 2032.

And thanks to the state's Energy Choice Program, you can choose an electric supplier that offers renewable energy plans, instead of sticking with a standard power mix.

When you choose a green energy supplier, the electricity you pay for is typically offset in one of two ways. The supplier buys energy generated by renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydropower. Or, the supplier may purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) and retire them when the energy is used.

RECs certify that "green" energy was delivered to the power grid. They can also be sold to help companies meet green energy standards.

These eco-friendly plans work just like regular electric plans - plus - your money supports clean energy production. And they're compeitively priced!

To find your green electricity plan, compare your option at compare Delaware electricity suppliers.