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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the benefits of signing up with Aspen Energy?
    You will receive lower costs and first-rate customer service.
  • What makes Aspen Energy different from my utility company?
    Most utilities only offer expensive variable rate plans. Aspen Energy has a variety of rate plans to meet your needs.
  • What sets Aspen Energy apart from alternative energy suppliers?
    Aspen Energy is an unbiased energy consulting firm. Therefore we are always working on behalf of the customer, not the alternative energy supplier.
  • How long has Aspen Energy been brokering these saving plans?
    Since June of 2000.
  • How much will I pay for natural gas or electricity with Aspen Energy?
    That depends on where you are located and what utility serves you. Competitive offers are available for each utility area we serve. For more details and to enroll, click here.
  • Are there any monthly fees?
    There are no monthly fees charged by Aspen Energy although the alternative energy supplier may charge a fee. All fees are explained in the natural gas or electricity agreement.
  • Is there a cancellation fee?
    There is no cancellation fee for most variable rate products. There is usually a fee for fixed rate products, should you cancel before the agreed-upon time period.
  • Is a contract required for a fixed rate product?
    Yes, in order for an alternative energy supplier to guarantee a fixed rate for a set period of time, you need to agree to be a customer for that time period.
  • What happens at the end of a fixed rate agreement?
    At the end of the agreement, you will continue to be served by your alternative energy supplier on either a variable rate basis or a new fixed rate. Your alternative energy supplier will notify you of the new fixed rate before your agreement comes due.
  • Does the rate include transmission and distribution fees?
    It may, depending on your utility market. This fee is clearly indicated on the alternative energy supplier's agreement.
  • How am I billed?
    Your utility company will continue to bill you as they always have. The alternative energy supplier's natural gas or electricity supply charges will appear along with your utility service and delivery charges. You still make only one payment to your utility company. In some cases the supplier will bill you separately.
  • If I switch, can I decide to return to my utility later?
    Yes. If for any reason you decide that you prefer having your energy supplied by the utility, you can switch back, subject to the terms of your agreement.
  • What if I have a problem with my service?
    Your utility company will continue to take care of those problems if they occur. Just give them a call like you always would.
  • Will the service level from the utility be reduced when I switch to an alternative energy supplier?
    No, your service level will not be affected. Your utility is responsible, by law, for providing safe and reliable energy delivery, transmission and distribution services.
  • Will the utility charge me more for "other services" if I change alternative energy suppliers?
    No, the utility cannot increase any charges based on your selection of another alternative energy supplier.
  • Who should I call if I have a gas leak?
    For any problems with your natural gas service, report of a gas leak, billing problems, meter reading, estimated readings, and budget payment plan amounts, you will still call your utility company.
  • What do I do if my gas or electric is disconnected, or I need to hook up to the utility or increase my service level?
    The local utility is responsible for keeping your gas or electricity flowing. This does not change with deregulation. They should continue to be contacted if you experience an interruption in service. Similarly, the local utility is still responsible for connecting new customers to the pipeline or grid.
  • Will the natural gas that I receive through an alternative energy supplier be of the same quality as the utility?
    Yes, our sources for natural gas are the same as those used by utilities. Natural gas travels through the same pipeline system, assuring you of the same quality.
  • What is natural gas and electric deregulation?
    Natural gas and electric deregulation allows customers to buy gas from alternative energy suppliers other than the utility (the utility, however, will still distribute the gas to the home or business). Aspen Energy can take advantage of alternative energy suppliers gas supply and market opportunities that are not available to the regulated local utility. These opportunities enable Aspen Energy to offer its customers innovative gas offerings. Customers can benefit from these offerings in terms of gas savings and rate stability.
  • Why are states deregulating/restructuring natural gas utilities?
    The objective of deregulation is to offer customers greater choices, both among alternative energy suppliers and services. Ideally, that will result in increased efficiency and dollar savings. Under competition, alternative energy suppliers have to find innovative ways to attract customers such as cutting costs and dropping rates. Deregulation is also expected to increase the reliability of energy supply because deregulating industries attract new capital that can expand infrastructure. Additionally, deregulating industries see an increase in the numbers of alternative energy suppliers offering the product or service. As a consequence, deregulation may increase the number of back-up suppliers if one company experiences problems. Deregulation also promotes new technology. Alternative energy suppliers have more incentive to develop and introduce innovations because they can profit from those that succeed.
  • How will deregulation/restructuring save me money?
    Providing consumers with access to gas from the wholesale market allows retail customers a choice of alternative energy suppliers. Competition among alternative energy suppliers is expected to lead to lower energy costs for all customers in the long run.
  • Will I save money compared to what I pay my utility?
    One of the significant benefits to you when consulting with Aspen Energy is that you can control your gas bill more effectively. For example, you may lock into a fixed rate with an alternative energy supplier on an annual contract. This protects your budget from the price spikes and fluctuations that can typically occur with utility gas rates throughout the year. The utility does not offer fixed rate options. Your utility's charges will continue to vary, and Aspen Energy cannot forecast what they will be in the future. However, Aspen Energy will continually strive to offer pricing alternatives that will allow customers to better control their energy expenditures.
  • Have consumers saved money in deregulated markets thus far?
    So far, deregulation in natural gas and electricity appears to have fulfilled the expectation of lower rates. Rates for all classes of customer - residential, commercial, electricity generation, and industrial - are dramatically lower today than they were in 1985, the last full year of natural gas regulation. The customer savings are the largest for the largest customers, whose supply markets are fully deregulated in most states.
  • What do I have to do when my state restructures natural gas markets?
    Virtually all large natural gas customers already purchase gas from alternative energy suppliers. When retail gas markets are deregulated, it will be accompanied by notices from the local gas company and the state regulatory commission as well as stories in the local news media. Each state has different rules for retail deregulation, so you will need to consult local sources (or this web site) for specific details.
  • How can I enroll?
    Aspen Energy offers traditional paper agreement, web-based and telephone enrollment processes. The Aspen Energy Customer Care Center (800-926-0046) is available Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm EST for enrollment, questions or any other assistance. Enrollment via the Internet is available right here at www.aspenenergy.com. In some web-based enrollment cases, an Aspen Energy representative will have to contact you to complete enrollment.
  • Once I enroll with an alternative energy supplier, how long does it take for service to change over?
    It takes one or two billing cycles, depending on the utility's meter-reading cycle.
  • How do I know that I've been switched to an alternative energy supplier?
    You will receive notification from the utility.

 

Frequently Asked
Questions