switching PEPCO power source to CleanChoice Energy -- how much does your bill go up?

[Anonymous]

I am a DC resident and a PEPCO customer.

Every few months I receive a letter in the mail inviting me to change my electrical power source to renewable sources provided by CleanChoice Energy.

I am inclined to say YES, and make the switch, but before doing so I would like a better sense of how large a percent increase I should expect in my monthly bill.

Has anybody switched to CleanChoice Energy? If so, what % increase in your monthly electricity costs did you experience?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Don't they tell you their rates?

[Anonymous]

Don't do it. Super high rates.

[Anonymous]

that's interesting...we have similar options with BGE except they assure you there will be no change in rates if you switch to clean.

[Anonymous]

Any other insight on this? Would love to hear some more opinions on this matter. Is it the right thing to do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any other insight on this? Would love to hear some more opinions on this matter. Is it the right thing to do?

I’ve consistently heard it’s a scam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any other insight on this? Would love to hear some more opinions on this matter. Is it the right thing to do?

I’ve consistently heard it’s a scam.

I would investigate this further. They are probably buying renewable "credits." You don't actually get the actual "green" electrons. That would be fine, but you just sort of have to take their word for it that they're doing this and the people who they are buying the renewable credits from aren't selling their "green" electrons to someone else as such.

[Anonymous]

Maybe not a scam, but it will cost you at least $15 more per month, and $30 or more in the summer when the AC is on.

They have a pricing calculator on their site, but I despise these marketing techniques which tell you "everything will be the same" but don't mention even once that the price will change (dramatically, about 50% more). It also states that you can cancel any time, but then they have 3 and 12 months long contracts...

Just for that, even if I'm a huge proponent of clean energy, I'll stay away from these guys.

[Anonymous]

I was on the verge of making the switch just now, but paused when I saw that you had to agree to a long contract. The proponents claim "almost the same cost as the dirty energy mix Pepco offers its customers", but I want a better sense of what this will cost me. I'm willing to pay a bit more for renewable energy, but not a lot more.

I'm going to skip it for now.

[Anonymous]

If you own your home and get good sun I am happy to refer you to a company that will install solar on your roof at no cost to you. I just got it on my house and not only do I pay nothing anymore for electricity, I'm generating more than I use so my meter is running backwards.