Your Guide to Moving to Maryland and Setting Up Electricity

Moving to Maryland and setting up electricity is simple once you have some basic info. That’s where this guide for residential customers comes in. Whether you’re moving to a new home or looking to save money on monthly bills, this guide will answer the most frequently asked questions, specifically related to setting up electricity. 
What You Need to Know About Moving to Maryland and Setting Up Electricity 
Since the state passed the Electric Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1999, many Maryland homeowners and renters have been able to choose their home energy supplier. 
The act assigns people to their local utility’s standard pricestandard price unless they shop around. As such, electricity suppliers have developed numerous deals to appeal to different household needs and lifestyles. Hundreds of electricity companies work across various service areas in Maryland, a list of which the Maryland Public Service Commission maintains and regulates. 
When moving to Maryland and setting up electricity, remember to contact your utility or electricity company to connect before moving in, giving at least three business days’ notice. Failure to do so willmay mean there won’t be any power upon arrival. 
Pro tip: Switching electricity suppliers won’t improve reliability because the same utility maintains the local power grid. However, switching may save you money. 

What Are the Utility Companies and Electricity Suppliers in Maryland? 
The first thing anyone moving to Maryland needs to know is if they will live in a deregulated area. Deregulation refers to any area where customers can choose their electricity provider and are not forced to receive their power supply from their utility.  
Ask your realtor or look at bills to see who your utility company is. A utility company operates and often owns the power grid and infrastructure supplying your home or apartment, including the wires, poles, and meters. It maintains the grid’s functionality, such as restoring power after an outage, known as utility services. 
In deregulated areas, an electricity supplier links a customer and the utility. These electric companies advertise offers and deals, collect money from their residential customers, and do all the paperwork when there is a service request. 
In Maryland, the utility providers with a deregulated energy market are: 

Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) 
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) 
Potomac Edison Company 
Delmarva Power 
Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) 

Remember: If you don’t choose an electricity supplier and live in a deregulated area, your local utility will supply and charge you for electricity. You must contact them or an electricity company before move-in day to get connected. 
Check this complete list of utilities and the Maryland Public Service Commission’s list of energy, water, telecommunication, and natural gas utilities for more. 
What Happens If My Maryland Home Is in a Regulated Area? 
Maryland is also home to community-owned utilities called Municipal Systems. They buy energy at wholesale prices and pass on savings to their customers. Areas covered include Berlin, Thurmont, Williamsport, Hagerstown, and Easton. 
Maryland’s Municipal Systems are: 

The Easton Utilities Commission 
Berlin Municipal Electric Company 
Thurmont Municipal Light Company 
Hagerstown Municipal Electric Light Plant 
Williamsport Municipal Electric Light System 

A&N Electric Cooperative and Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative are Rural Cooperative Systems that offer the same service. 
You cannot shop around if your utility provides electricity in these areas. 
What Electricity Plans Are There in Maryland? 

Your move-in day to Maryland is complex enough without spending time setting up electricity. 
But it’s definitely worth considering the electric supplier for your new address. There are a few things to understand before enrolling in any offer. This knowledge will help you search for the most appropriate offer. 

Fixed rate: A fixed rate is a predictable electricity rate for the contract’s length. These plans help people budget for each monthly bill and usually last 6-36 months. 
Variable rate: These deals see the electricity rate change every month, going up or down. That means you could pay more or less to use the same amount of electricity every month. 
Prepaid: Enrollment in a prepaid plan means no credit check, no security deposit to pay, and paying for your electricity in advance. However, sometimes the rates might be higher on this type of plan. 

Think about how you use electricity. Are you away all day and home all night? Could a time-of-use (TOU) deal, with cheap electricity at night, help you charge your electric vehicle at bargain rates? Or perhaps you want a 100% clean and green renewable energy plan. Spend a little time researching the options available — the time investment will be worth the financial savings. 
The Basics of Your Electricity Bill 
The Maryland Public Service Commission’s MD Electric Choice website is where you can find various electricity offers. 
Many filters help you find the most appropriate deal. Remember that your first energy contract may last 6-36 months, so you must get it right. Here are some pointers about the MD Electric Choice filters. 
Kilowatt Hours 
Electricity charges are in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Ask your realtor for your new home’s average kWh usage to get an idea of your future energy needs. For reference, in 2022, Maryland’s average resident used 968 kWh of electricity monthly, costing $139.99 — both above the national average. 
Types of Rates 
Next is the type of deal, whether fixed, variable rate, or prepaid, and the offer’s duration. Some people like to lock in a good deal for the long term. Remember that these deals often require deposits and security checks and have cancellation fees to terminate early. For others who will be in a home for a few months, a variable rate with no deposit or cancellation fees may be more suitable. 
Energy Sources and Fees 
By 2030, at least 50% of all sold plans must be from green or renewable sources. You can change how much clean energy you wish your deal to contain. 
Filter deals with fees to start service, deposits to pay, and if they have introductory offers. Some deposits are returned with interest applied once the deal finishes.  
Are you moving homes? Check if there are cancellation fees if you want to switch suppliers or if you can move your deal to your new home. Also, look for any other costs, such as late payment penalties. 
There’s also an incentives section for each offer, with anything from gift cards to energy rewards and credits. 
Remember: If you move into your new home and don’t select an electricity supplier, it will default to your local utility company’s standard deal. Be sure you know the local utility company’s rates before shopping around. 
How Do I Transfer Utilities in Maryland? 

Generally, utility companies require 72-hour notice, or three business days, to start, stop, or transfer your electricity supply. We recommend working further in advance than that to ensure you find the best deal and avoid potential cancellation fees. 
Start by finding out if your new home in Maryland is in a regulated or deregulated area. Check the Maryland Public Service Commission website for phone numbers or utilities, or complete an online form. Some electric companies have in-person stores to talk about deals. 
Each utility and electricity company has slightly different sign-up methods. Any verbal agreement, such as over the phone, must later be confirmed in writing. The utility or electricity company you choose for your new service may also ask for some or all of the following: 

The billpayer’s name, date of birth, mailing address, contact numbers, and employer 
The address for the electricity supply 
The new customer’s former electric service address is used to check for previous payment history and outstanding bills 

Identification for the bill payer, such as a driver’s license or Social Security Number 

Remember that a utility or electricity supplier may deny you connection if you give false information or apply on someone else’s behalf without permission, among other reasons. 
Pro tip: Ask your new supplier what happens to your kWh price when the contract expires. Does it auto-renew, and if so, at what cost? Will you be notified?  
Your Satisfaction is Our PriorityWe’re confident you’ll love your plan, but if not, call us, and we’ll help you find the perfect plan without any extra cost.*
*Just Energy will help you find a plan that fits your needs. Please note that new plans will come with a new contract and the end date of the new contract will change to reflect the terms of the new plan. There is no fee to make a plan change, but you will be subjected to the terms and conditions of the new plan.
 
How Can I Estimate My Monthly Electricity Usage? 
You can estimate your monthly electricity usage in several ways. Remember that the average electricity usage in Maryland is 968 kWh monthly. 
For people switching suppliers and not moving homes, check your last few utility bills for your kWh usage. If you can’t find them, call your electricity supplier, and they’ll tell you. If possible, compare energy usage through different seasons — you might be a heavy user in winter and less so in summer or the other way around if you love using air conditioning. 
If you’re moving to a new property, ask the realtor for the house’s estimated or average energy use. 
Do I Have to Contact My Power Supplier to Discontinue Service? 
When moving, you must contact your utility or electricity supplier to discontinue the service. If you don’t, you may continue to be billed and unable to start a new contract at your new property. Your energy supplier must also send you a final bill and any returnable deposit, and a forwarding address is required. 
What Months Can Your Electric Not Be Shut Off in Maryland? 
Maryland residents receive protection from turn-offs during the winter months from November 1 to March 31. During this period, a natural gas or electric utility can only turn off service to homes if they file and get approval for termination from the Maryland Public Service Commission at least 24 hours beforehand. 
During extreme winter weather, utilities can’t turn off service in their service area for nonpayment if the forecast temperature at 6 a.m. is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Similarly, in summer, a natural gas or electric utility cannot turn off service for nonpayment if the forecast temperature at 6 a.m. is 95 degrees Fahrenheit or below.above 
What Are the Average Electricity Rates in Maryland? 

 Maryland residents were paying an average of 15.53 cents per kWh of electricity, about half a cent more than the national average. This rose to 17.46 cents per kWh in Maryland in December 2023, some 1.7 cents more than the national average. 
Therefore, finding an excellent value electricity rate is essential, considering Maryland electricity is often more expensive than the national average. Price rises within the state further increase the need to find value. 
With the average electricity bill touching $140 monthly, even a 5% saving could put $84 back into your pocket every year. 
Are There Any Time-Of-Use or Peak/Off-Peak Pricing Structures? 
Maryland electric companies and utilities offer time-of-use prices, with lower rates during off-peak periods compared to high-peak times. These deals are helpful to people who use appliances at night, charge electric vehicles, or are away from home all day. 
For example, in kWh, BGE advertises a flat rate of 14 cents, rising to 32 cents during peak times and as low as 9 cents for off-peak hours. PEPCO and Delmarva’s swing from between 10 to 46 cents per kWh. Other companies like Potomac Edison may even reward you with energy credits for charging an electric vehicle at certain hours. 
The many electric companies that compete for your business within deregulated areas also offer time-of-use and off-peak pricing structures. 
What Are the Payment Options for Electricity Bills in Maryland? 
Check with each company for details, but most offer several payment options. These include automated, online, over-the-phone, in-person, check, and by debit or credit card. 
You can also ask about budget billing, meaning you pay a fixed amount over 12 months to cover your energy usage. This is helpful to people who may use more energy in winter than summer but spreads those costs across the year rather than having higher bills at certain times. 
Electricity in Maryland: How Am I Protected? 
For protection, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates public utilities, including electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, water, etc. Contact the PSC’s Consumer Affairs Division with any payment disputes or complaints. They may even be able to find help with paying utility bills. 
The PSC’s Consumer Affairs Division’s phone number is (410) 767-8043. 
For information on residential electricity suppliers, the Maryland Office of the People’s Counsel is available at 410-767-8150 or toll-free at 1-800-207-4055. They can help with rogue sales practices and unreasonable behavior from the state’s energy suppliers. 
Unfortunately, there are some unsavory practices in Maryland’s energy market. These include sales practices locking people into unsuitable and expensive deals to pop up sales pitches, fishing for new customers, and not delivering on promises. 
Take care with door-to-door salespeople, and never sign up for a deal if you do not fully understand it or feel pressured or uncomfortable making the switch. The Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition found that, in 2022, customers who bought electricity from an electricity company rather than their local utility paid, on average, $483 more than for their utility’s standard service. 
‌Moving to Maryland and Setting Up Electricity Made Easy 
Moving to Maryland and setting up electricity can be a simple process thanks to deregulation and the Maryland Public Service Commission’s price-checking website, MD Electric Choice. It’s a job that shouldn’t take long if you follow this guide. 
Find out which utility operates the power grid in your new neighborhood. If it’s a regulated area, contact the utility at least three business days in advance to set up a connection. 
Ask the local utility company for their prices if your new home is in a deregulated area. Next, shop around using the Maryland Public Service Commission’s MD Electric Choice website to see if there are better deals from competing electricity companies that suit your lifestyle. 
Many people are happy with their utility. However, it’s always worth spending just a few minutes to see if switching suppliers could save you money on utility bills in the long run, freeing up more cash to splash on making your new place feel like home. 
Brought to you by justenergy.com
All images licensed from Adobe Stock.