Frequently Asked Questions About Deregulated Energy
For additional information, please contact the WGES Customer Care Center at 1-888-884-WGES.
What is electricity choice?
Deregulation of the energy industry allows residential and commercial customers to choose their own supplier for electricity generation and transmission service separate from the utility. Your utility continues delivering your electricity, reading your meter, and providing emergency service just like they always have. You may now choose WGES to become your low cost energy supplier.
Who is WGES and how much experience does WGES have as an energy supplier?
Washington Gas Energy Services (WGES) is a subsidiary of WGL Holdings, and an affiliate of a natural gas utility company that has served the Washington metropolitan area for over 150 years, Washington Gas. Washington Gas Energy Services was created in 1996 to provide customers with competitive energy options. WGES is one of the largest energy suppliers in the Mid-Atlantic region and supplies natural gas and electricity to over 250,000 commercial and residential customers.
How do I know that WGES is reliable?
WGES is a financially secure company that is licensed by the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania Public Service Commissions to supply electricity to consumers in those states and meets all energy marketing certifications required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). WGES will supply your energy reliably since we have extensive experience and expertise delivering energy to residential and commercial customers for over 10 years.
Will I save money compared to what I pay my utility?
To determine your electricity savings, you need to compare your Utility's generation and transmission charges against those same charges from WGES (the distribution charges will always be the same because they will be determined and charged by the Utility). The amount of money that you will save on your electricity costs (compared to the utility) will vary depending upon your actual usage and the particular pricing offer you choose.
Will I continue to receive one electricity bill if I choose WGES as my supplier?
Yes. You will continue to receive one bill from your local electricity utility (BGE, Delmarva Power, PEPCO or PPL Electric Utilities). WGES' electricity charges will be listed separately on your utility bill.
Will I be able to continue on the Utility's budget bill program if I choose a third-party electricity supplier?
Customers enrolled in the Utility's Budget Billing Plan will be able to remain on Budget Billing, however; the customer's budget bill amount will be the combination of a monthly budget amount for the Utility's distribution charges and a monthly budget amount for WGES' electricity supply service charges. Any settlements or adjustments to either of the monthly budget amounts may not necessarily occur at the same time.
What is the Utility's Price to Compare?
Each utility computes a "Price to Compare" to serve as a guideline to make comparisons between the utility's rate and prices for electricity offered by suppliers. The "Price to Compare" (PTC) is an AVERAGE rate customers will pay per kWh of electricity generation and transmission from the utility. The ACTUAL amount an individual customer will pay per kWh may vary depending upon their rate class and seasonal usage pattern.
Can WGES have my electricity term coincide or expire along with my gas term?
Although it is a possibility, it may depend on the gas and electricity program in which you are enrolled.
What if I sign up with WGES and decide I want to go back to the utility?
You will be signing a contract with WGES for a specific term. This term will vary depending upon the offer you select. If you decide to return to utility service within the term of your contract, you will be required to pay a cancellation fee.
Are there any additional charges or cancellation fees?
For residential customers, WGES will charge the greater of $150 or $20 per month for each month remaining on your contract term if you cancel your contract before the end of the term. If a customer’s supply includes 50% or greater wind power, the cancellation fee will include an additional $50.
Will the utility treat me differently if I switch to a third party supplier?
No, your utility will treat you the same regardless of the company from whom you purchase your energy. You can depend on the same reliable service from your local electricity distribution company whether or not you choose a supplier.
Who will respond to power outages and electricity emergencies?
Your utility, BGE, Delmarva Power, PEPCO or PPL Electric Utilities, will respond to emergencies, power outages and repairs.
Who do I contact if I have any questions regarding electricity generation?
If you have questions about electricity generation billing or other issues related to generation, you will call WGES or your electricity supplier.
Who can help me with the utility (or distribution) portion of my bill?
Washington Gas Energy Services does not have detailed utility billing information for all utilities. You must contact your utility directly at the following phone number for any billing related questions:
BGE – 877-746-6243
Delmarva Power - 1-800-775-9990
PEPCO – 202-833-7500
PPL Electric Utilities Corp. - 1-800-342-5775
My electricity bill looks different. Can you explain why?
Your electricity utility has itemized the three main components of your bill so you will have the information you need to make an informed decision about choosing a competitive electricity supplier like WGES. The three main components of your bill are generation, transmission and distribution.
DEFINITIONS - Please explain the following electricity charges on my bill: Generation, Transmission, Distribution
Generation Service Charge Generation service charges are for the production of electricity at the power plant. Prior to deregulation, the electricity utilities owned and operated the power plants and were the sole providers of electricity generation service. With deregulation, you're no longer required to buy your electricity generation service directly from the utility. Now you have the choice to purchase your electricity generation service from an independent supplier like WGES. (WGES' electricity supply service includes all generation service charges.)
Transmission Charge - The transmission charge is part of the basic service charge that is included on every customer's bill for transporting electricity from the source of supply to the electricity distribution utility (BGE, Delmarva Power, PEPCO or PPL Electric Utilities). The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates retail transmission prices and services (WGES' electricity supply service includes all transmission charges.)
Distribution Charge - The distribution charge is part of the basic service charge that is included on every customer's bill for delivering electricity from the utility (BGE, Delmarva Power, PEPCO or PPL Electric Utilities) to the customer's home or business. The electricity distribution charge is regulated by the Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania or District of Columbia Public Service Commission. (WGES' electricity supply service excludes all distribution charges.)
Is a special meter required?
No special equipment is required to buy electricity from WGES.
When will I be switched over to WGES once I sign up?
New customers should be switched within a month or two, with the new supplier charges appearing on the bill mailed the month following the switch.
Will my electricity service be interrupted in any way?
No. Your energy service is not affected when you choose WGES. The utility maintains responsibility for safely delivering your energy through its existing wires without any disruption in service.
What is an aggregator?
An aggregator is a buying group that bargains for electricity by negotiating lower prices for customers who have authorized them to act on their behalf.
Can I have automatic debit?
Yes! Your Utility offers this payment method and we highly recommend it.
Can I pay by credit card?
No, not at this time.
Does WGES offer a low-income rate or participate in any other low-income programs?
No, not at this time.
Are any other services available from WGES?
Yes. WGES also offers natural gas service. You may view our gas service offerings by selecting Natural Gas from the homepage of this site. In addition, customers may add wind power to their electricity supply. Click here to learn more.
Do you offer online billing?
Not presently. All WGES electricity charges are consolidated on the Utility's electricity bill. And presently, the Utilities do not have the capability to offer "online billing" for customers using third-party suppliers.
I want to sign up with WGES, but my name does not appear on the utility bill.
For consumer protection purposes, your Public Utility Commission has ruled that only individuals whose name appears on the utility bill may change electricity generation suppliers.
Do I have to sign a contract to enroll with WGES?
Yes. WGES requires a contract for a certain term.
What happens at the end of my contract term?
You will receive a renewal offer about 45 – 60 days before your term is over; however, you are not obligated to renew. Specific renewal information is provided in the Terms and Conditions of your electricity offer.
Will WGES perform a credit check?
WGES may perform credit checks and request financial data on customers. In addition, WGES requires customers to be current with their utility payments.
What is a kilowatt-hour?
Kilowatt-hours are a measure of electricity usage. One kilowatt-hour equals 1,000 watt hours. Using a 60 watt light bulb for one hour consumes 60 watt-hours of electricity. Using a 60 watt light bulb for one thousand hours consumes 60 kilowatt-hours of electricity. The customer's electricity meter measures electricity usage.
Where can I obtain additional information about electricity choice?
The Maryland Public Service Commission has a website (http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/Intranet/info/shopping_new.cfm) and a toll-free information line (1-800-800-4491). The Delaware Public Service Commission Choice Line has a website (http://depsc.delaware.gov/electric.shtml) and a toll free information line (1-800-746-7335). The Pennsylvania Utilities Commission has a Web site (http://www.puc.state.pa.us) and an Electric Competition Hotline (1-888-782-3228). The electricity utilities (BGE, Delmarva Power, PPL Electric Utilities and PEPCO) also have information on their individual websites.
