National Energy Shopping Day
National Energy Shopping Day is a practical nudge to look at a monthly expense that often runs on autopilot. Energy arrives with the flip of a switch, so it is easy to assume the plan behind it is fixed, too.
Position your energy supplier or comparison platform as the trusted guide helping customers unlock savings and sustainability during National Energy Shopping Day.
- '5 Hidden Charges on Your Energy Bill—and How to Avoid Them' educational guide
- Customer testimonial: 'I switched suppliers and saved $X/month'
- Interactive rate-comparison tool demo targeting regional energy markets
- Sustainability angle: 'Shop for cleaner energy options this June'
National Energy Shopping Day began as an effort to help people take charge of their energy choices, particularly in parts of the United States where retail energy markets allow customers to select a supplier. The event was launched by the Retail Energy Supply Association, a trade association representing competitive retail energy providers.
RESA created the day to promote a simple message: in markets with energy choice, consumers do not have to treat their energy supply as a take-it-or-leave-it service. They can review their supply rate, compare available plans, and select an offer that fits their priorities. That might mean lowering costs, choosing a plan with specific features, or selecting options that support cleaner energy products.
The day is also an educational campaign. A surprising number of customers in eligible markets either do not realize they have a choice or do not understand what “choice” actually affects. In many deregulated or competitive market structures, the local utility continues to handle delivery infrastructure and reliability, while suppliers compete to provide the energy supply portion. National Energy Shopping Day emphasizes that distinction so customers know what is changing when they switch and what is not.
From a consumer standpoint, that clarification matters. Some people hesitate to shop because they assume switching suppliers means switching the company that fixes outages or maintains lines and pipes. In most retail choice structures, the utility still performs those roles. The switch is about the supply agreement, the price structure, and the customer service tied to that supply contract.
The effort also reflects a broader belief in the value of competition. When multiple suppliers compete, they tend to develop different plan designs and add-ons to attract customers. That can include stable pricing offerings, bundled services, specialized plans for certain usage patterns, or products that incorporate renewable energy features. While not every plan is a bargain and not every market experience is identical, the underlying theory is that active customers encourage better market behavior than passive customers.
Over time, National Energy Shopping Day has gained attention through supplier outreach, consumer education efforts, and mentions across energy-focused outlets. The theme has stayed consistent: people deserve to know what options exist, how to compare them, and which questions to ask before making changes.
It also serves as a reminder that energy shopping is not a one-time task. Plans can expire, introductory rates can shift, and household or business usage can change. By promoting periodic review, the day encourages a habit of checking in on contract terms and costs, rather than waiting for a bill to become unexpectedly expensive.
National Energy Shopping Day is especially relevant in the subset of jurisdictions where supplier choice exists, but its message travels well beyond those borders. Even where switching suppliers is not available, the day’s emphasis on understanding bills, comparing terms, and asking clear questions can help consumers become more confident and better informed about energy costs and services.
Check Your Current Plan
Start with the most recent energy bill and look at it like a detective, not like a piece of mail to file away. Many bills separate “supply” charges (the energy itself) from “delivery” charges (the wires, pipes, meter, and utility maintenance). In areas with supplier choice, the supply portion is often the part that can be shopped. A few details are especially useful to gather before comparing anything: The name of the current supplier (it may be the utility or a third-party supplier)The supply rate and whether it is shown as a price per unitAny base charges or monthly service fees tied to supplyThe plan type, such as fixed price, variable price, or introductory pricing that later changesThe contract end date and whether the agreement renews automatically For businesses, it helps to pull several months of bills to see how usage swings by season or operating hours. A plan that looks attractive at one usage level may not be the best fit when demand spikes. The goal is not only to know what is being paid, but to understand what is being paid for. Understanding that first makes comparing easier later, and it also prevents a common mistake: judging a plan by a headline number while missing additional charges, timing, or conditions.
Compare Rates From Multiple Providers
Search reputable comparison tools or official state or regional resources that list licensed suppliers and plan options. Some regions provide “apples-to-apples” formats that standardize how prices and terms are displayed. That can be a relief, because energy shopping has its own language and it does not always resemble typical retail shopping. When comparing plans, price matters, but it is only one ingredient. Other considerations can change what “best” means: Rate structure: Fixed rates can help with budgeting, while variable rates can fluctuate with market conditions.Contract length: Shorter terms may offer flexibility; longer terms may offer stability.Minimum usage requirements: Some plans are designed for higher usage and can be less favorable for smaller homes or small offices.Fees and penalties: Early termination fees and enrollment fees can erase savings if switching happens too quickly.Billing and payment options: Some suppliers offer autopay discounts, paperless billing incentives, or budget-style programs.Customer support: Availability, clarity, and responsiveness matter when something goes wrong. Try to find the best price for your needs, not just the lowest number on a screen. A plan that is slightly higher but easier to understand, less restrictive, or more aligned with the way a household or business uses energy can be a better long-term choice. Some plans also include extra benefits like fixed rates or green energy choices. In competitive markets, suppliers sometimes bundle energy with energy-efficiency programs, smart-home tools, or rewards programs. Those perks should be evaluated with the same scrutiny as price: useful if they will be used, meaningless if they are not.
Ask Questions Before You Switch
Energy contracts can look simple until the fine print shows up, so asking questions is not just smart, it is the whole game. Reaching out to providers directly can clarify details that comparison tables may not fully explain. Helpful questions include: Is the rate fixed for the entire term, or can it change?If it changes, what triggers the change and how is the new price calculated?Are there any enrollment fees, monthly fees, or additional charges beyond the supply rate?Is there an early cancellation fee, and under what circumstances is it waived?What happens at the end of the contract term? Does it renew automatically, and on what type of rate?How will the supplier communicate price changes or renewal notices?Is the plan based on a specific usage band or minimum usage requirement?If the plan includes renewable energy attributes, how are those represented in the product? A quick call or chat could reveal things that websites do not show, or at least explain them in plain English. It also gives a preview of how customer service feels, which becomes very relevant if billing questions or contract issues appear later. Make sure every detail works before signing. The point of National Energy Shopping Day is empowerment, and nothing feels less empowering than realizing the deal hinged on a term that was never understood.
Talk to Your Neighbors or Friends
Energy shopping can feel abstract because the product is invisible. Talking to other people makes it concrete. Someone nearby may already use a different supplier, have tried switching in the past, or have learned which offers were genuinely straightforward and which were frustrating. A few prompts can guide a useful conversation: Was switching simple, or did it take multiple calls and confusing paperwork?Did the bill actually go down, and did the savings hold up after an introductory period?Were there any surprise fees or changes at renewal?Did customer service resolve questions quickly?For business accounts, did the supplier handle multiple meters or locations smoothly? Real stories help cut through confusing ads and fine print. Personal experiences are not a substitute for reading terms, but they can flag patterns, such as providers who communicate clearly versus providers who rely on vague language. People often trust advice from those they know, and even a short conversation can lead someone to check their own bill, which is exactly the sort of ripple effect the day is designed to create.
Share What You Learn
National Energy Shopping Day becomes more useful when information moves around. Sharing what was learned, without turning it into a sales pitch, helps normalize the idea that energy plans can be compared like other services. Sharing can be simple: Explain what part of the bill was shoppable versus notMention which plan features were confusing and how they were clarifiedEncourage others to look for contract end dates and renewal termsSuggest writing down a few key questions to ask before enrolling Post about the experience online or mention it to coworkers who also manage budgets, whether for a household or a workplace. The more people shop around, the more companies must compete for attention, which can encourage clearer offers and better service. This leads to more choices, better prices, and fewer surprises. Just as importantly, it builds basic “energy literacy,” helping people understand how energy is priced and delivered in their region. That knowledge tends to pay off, even for those who ultimately keep the same supplier. National Energy Shopping Day Timeline1935Creation of the Federal Power Commission’s modern authorityThe U.S. Federal Power Act of 1935 gives the Federal Power Commission authority over interstate electricity sales and transmission, cementing the regulated-utility model that later becomes the starting point for restructuring and retail choice. [1]1978PURPA opens the door to independent power producersCongress passes the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), encouraging non‑utility generators and requiring utilities to buy qualifying power, which begins to erode vertically integrated monopolies and sets the stage for competition. [1]1992FERC Order 636 and wholesale gas unbundlingThe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued Order No. 636, forcing interstate gas pipelines to unbundle transportation from gas sales, transforming wholesale gas into a competitive market and creating a template for later retail “choice” programs. [1]1996FERC Order 888 promotes open-access power transmissionOrder No. 888 requires open, nondiscriminatory access to electric transmission networks and encourages unbundling of generation from transmission, enabling robust wholesale power markets that many states later rely on to offer retail supplier choice. [1]1996Pennsylvania enacts the Electric Generation Customer Choice ActPennsylvania’s Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act restructures its power sector so that customers can choose competitive generation suppliers. At the same time, utilities continue to deliver power, making it an early large-scale retail choice model. 1999–2002Texas implements wide-scale retail electric competitionWith Senate Bill 7 passed in 1999 and retail choice starting in 2002, much of Texas opened to competition among Retail Electric Providers, giving millions of customers the ability to shop for electricity plans on price, term, and product features. 2000Maryland launches electric customer choiceThe Maryland Electric Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1999 took effect in July 2000, allowing residents and businesses to “shop for power” from licensed suppliers instead of only buying from their incumbent utility, formalizing consumer energy shopping in the state.
Creation of the Federal Power Commission’s modern authority
The U.S. Federal Power Act of 1935 gives the Federal Power Commission authority over interstate electricity sales and transmission, cementing the regulated-utility model that later becomes the starting point for restructuring and retail choice. [1]
PURPA opens the door to independent power producers
Congress passes the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), encouraging non‑utility generators and requiring utilities to buy qualifying power, which begins to erode vertically integrated monopolies and sets the stage for competition. [1]
FERC Order 636 and wholesale gas unbundling
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued Order No. 636, forcing interstate gas pipelines to unbundle transportation from gas sales, transforming wholesale gas into a competitive market and creating a template for later retail “choice” programs. [1]
FERC Order 888 promotes open-access power transmission
Order No. 888 requires open, nondiscriminatory access to electric transmission networks and encourages unbundling of generation from transmission, enabling robust wholesale power markets that many states later rely on to offer retail supplier choice. [1]
Pennsylvania enacts the Electric Generation Customer Choice Act
Pennsylvania’s Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act restructures its power sector so that customers can choose competitive generation suppliers. At the same time, utilities continue to deliver power, making it an early large-scale retail choice model.
Texas implements wide-scale retail electric competition
With Senate Bill 7 passed in 1999 and retail choice starting in 2002, much of Texas opened to competition among Retail Electric Providers, giving millions of customers the ability to shop for electricity plans on price, term, and product features.
Maryland launches electric customer choice
The Maryland Electric Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1999 took effect in July 2000, allowing residents and businesses to “shop for power” from licensed suppliers instead of only buying from their incumbent utility, formalizing consumer energy shopping in the state.