BGE - has anyone switched to a new provider?? (house, neighborhood)

[trying2moveup]

Since the BGE threads are getting alot of hits, I thought I'd ask two questions-

1) has anyone lived in a BGE service area but opted out for another electric/gas supplier? If so, how easy was it for you to do and was it worth it?

2) We bought a house that was a duplex converted into a single family. It has one gas meter but 2 separate electric meters. It has dual zone hvac. My question is -- do you HAVE to have 2 electric meters to have zone HVAC? I would think not, b/c I never saw this on new construction around my old neighborhood, but I have no experience with more than one HVAC system at a time. I know from already asking BGE that we can have a licensed electrical contractor come out and put it on one meter (electrical), at our expense of course. Has anyone ever done this and what was the ballpark figure on the cost?

thanks much!

[trying2moveup]

SOMEBODY out here has to be so mad at BGE that they told them to shove off. . .
I'd love to hear what happned and how you did it

[NJ2MDdude]

What alternative providers?

[7th Direction]

Originally Posted by NJ2MDdude

What alternative providers?

Yeah, there are some areas in Maryland where BGE is the only provider. There are Allegheny Power and PEPCO in some areas, but others are stuck with BGE.

My in-laws get their power from another provider, but BGE still charges a processing fee (to read the meter, or something)... funny thing is, their bills are still $700-$1000 a month.

[trying2moveup]

Originally Posted by NJ2MDdude

What alternative providers?

What I meant to say was is anyone buying their gas/electric on the "open market" even though they are in BGE's territory?
Supposedly we can shop around now for this stuff,like going to Shoppers instead of Giant for groceries. I do know that BGE still charges to bring it into your home but I'm wondering if anyone out there has found a kwH and therm cost that make it worth switching and paying BGE jsut for the distribution (which is crazy insanely high anyway).

[NJ2MDdude]

Originally Posted by trying2moveup

What I meant to say was is anyone buying their gas/electric on the "open market" even though they are in BGE's territory?
Supposedly we can shop around now for this stuff,like going to Shoppers instead of Giant for groceries. I do know that BGE still charges to bring it into your home but I'm wondering if anyone out there has found a kwH and therm cost that make it worth switching and paying BGE jsut for the distribution (which is crazy insanely high anyway).

There is no true "open" market, unless you consider the for-profit arms of BGE and PEPCO as true competitors. Years ago, the MD DC suburbs had Connectiv Energy as the alternative electricity provider, but it pulled out of the DC market at the beginning of this decade.

[trying2moveup]

Then wh at is all this on the BGE bill about how your rate to compare is such-and-such if you are shopping for other gas/electric?

Can't you get it from someone else, even if BGE/PEPCO/WHOEVER has to transmit it to your house? I can't believe there are no people on this website that haven't done this. We're a small state, but not THAT small!

[North Beach Person]

You can get your electric from another supplier, but you have to track the vendor down. You'll probably have to sign a multi-year contract. BGE will transmit the electricity to your house (it's actually their electric) for a transmission charge. Most of the folks who have done this in MD are BIG users like manufacturers, it adds up when you're talking millions of KWH.

[GotBackHome]

I occasionally get phone calls at my office from other companies claiming they can save me lots of money if I switch to them for my electric (although BGE is still the 'provider' since it's their lines).. turns out they can't save me much and I don't bother.

Never had anyone call me at home about it.

[jcmoore1031]

A friend of mine has switched from BG&E to Washington Gas & Electric. The rate is 10.8% versus 12% She said her bill has decreased since using Washington Gas & Electric. I am now in the process of switching to WG&E