How to Reduce Your Electric Bill

Make sure you aren’t paying more than the Standard Offer Rate for your Electricity Supply

First, electric bills have two parts: delivery and supply. Mainers have some control over what they pay for supply. Most Mainers receive their electricity supply from the Standard Offer Provider at a rate set by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

Some customers purchase their supply from Competitive Electricity Providers (CEP) who are allowed to set their own rates without approval by the PUC.

CEPs often offer an initial “teaser” rate below the Standard Offer rate, but later raise the rate.

If you receive your electric supply from a CEP, check the Supply page of your bill to make sure you are not paying more than the current Standard Offer rate. If you’re paying more than that, call your utility to switch to the Standard Offer. (Note: CMP customers can also switch to the Standard Offer by using a form on the CMP website.)

If you are not sure where to find your rate on your bill, call the Office of the Public Advocate at 207-624-3687.

Understand your usage.

• High use devices include appliances that run a motor, create heat, or create cooling. Think space heaters and dehumidifiers.
• Use the Energy Manager tool on the CMP website or the Online Services Portal on the Versant website to track your usage week-by-week, day-by-day and hour-by-hour to find out when your usage is occurring and help nail down what’s using electricity in your home.
• Not comfortable on the web? Call your utility for help.

Be efficient.

• Try to reduce your usage where you can. Unplug items in your home when they’re not in use.
• Efficiency Maine has a great Energy Efficiency Tips Booklet available online – or they’re happy to mail you a copy if you call 1-866-376-2463.
• Efficiency Maine also has rebate programs to help you evaluate your home’s efficiency as well as rebates for insulation, heat pumps, and energy efficient washing machines and air purifiers.

Choose the right delivery rate.

CMP and Versant have special rates for people with heat pumps, people with high electricity use due to electric cars and other new technologies, and even a time-of-use rate. Call your utility to see if any of these can save you money.

Reach out for support.

Finally, if your electric bill is unaffordable, call 2-1-1. There are programs in place to help, and 2-1-1 can connect you to resources in your community.

Have any questions about these tips? Contact our office’s Consumer Advisor at 207-624-3690.