In 1996, New York created a system where you can choose who sells you electricity, similar to choosing a phone carrier. That means you can buy electricity from a company other than ConEd or National Grid. Most NYC residents have never done this. Most of them are overpaying because of it.
Curious what you'd save?
Most NYC apartments save $150-300/year by switching suppliers. Takes 2 minutes to check.
See my savings →First: understand what actually changes (and what doesn't)
ConEd still delivers your electricity, and the wires stay exactly where they are. No outage, no truck, no appointment.
The only thing that changes is who sells you the electricity itself. ConEd still handles delivery, moving it through the wires to your home. A different company handles the sale of the electricity. Your bill still comes from ConEd. The line showing what you paid for electricity itself just shows your new supplier's rate.
If something ever goes wrong with your power, you still call ConEd. They own the wires. The supplier you choose has nothing to do with that.
Step 1: Find your current rate
Pull out your ConEd bill or log in to coned.com. Look for a section called "Supply Charges." That's the cost of the electricity itself, separate from what ConEd charges to deliver it through the wires. You'll see a rate in cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), the unit your meter counts. That number is what you're currently paying for electricity.
As of early 2026, ConEd's standard supply rate is around $0.14 per kWh(EIA, March 2026), though some customers pay more depending on their plan. Write that number down. It becomes your baseline for comparison.
If you can't find it, divide the total supply charge dollar amount on your bill by your kWh usage. That gives you your effective rate per kWh.
Step 2: Compare available suppliers
Use the SwitchNYC calculator to compare available rates for your zip code. You'll see fixed rates, variable rates, and green energy options side by side.
A few things to watch for:
- Fixed vs. variable: A fixed rate is a locked-in price per kWh that doesn't change for the length of your contract. A variable rate is a price that can change every month with no cap. For most people, fixed is easier to manage and harder to get burned by.
- Introductory rates: Some suppliers advertise low rates that spike after 3 months. We flag these. Always check what the ongoing rate is, not just the intro offer.
- Green energy options: Several suppliers offer 100% renewable electricity. Some are priced at or below ConEd's rate right now. See our green energy guide for details.
- Early termination fees: Some contracts charge a fee if you cancel before the term ends. Read the contract before you sign.
Watch out for suppliers with great intro rates that spike after month 3. We flag these.
Step 3: Sign up with your new supplier
Once you've picked a supplier, the signup process is straightforward.
- Have your ConEd account number ready. It's on your bill.
- Go to the supplier's website or call them. Most have an online signup that takes under 10 minutes.
- You'll confirm your address, ConEd account number, and choose your plan.
- The switch is effective on your next billing cycle. There's nothing else to do.
ConEd will notify you by mail that a supplier switch is pending. If you change your mind, you have a few days to cancel. New York's utility regulator, the PSC, requires this waiting period as a consumer protection for anyone switching suppliers.
Step 4: Check your first bill
On your next ConEd bill, look at the Supply Charges section again. You should see the name of your new supplier and their rate. The delivery charges from ConEd stay the same.
If the bill doesn't look right, call the supplier first. If the issue isn't resolved, you can file a complaint with the PSC. They oversee all licensed energy suppliers in the state.
Can I switch back if I don't like it?
Yes, any time. The process works the same way in reverse, and ConEd charges no fee to switch back. If your supplier contract includes an early termination fee, check the terms before you cancel; most month-to-month plans don't have one.
What about natural gas?
The same deregulation that applies to electricity also applies to natural gas in New York, and the process for switching your gas supplier is nearly identical.
A full gas switching guide is coming soon. In the meantime, the calculator will flag if gas switching makes sense for your situation.
How do I switch back to ConEd standard service?
Same process as switching in the first place. Contact your current supplier and cancel. Most require 30 to 90 days notice, so check your contract for the exact window. After cancellation, your account reverts to ConEd's standard supply rate on your next bill cycle. You do not need to call ConEd to make this happen. If your supplier charges an early termination fee, that will appear on your final bill. Fixed-rate contracts are most likely to have early termination fees. Month-to-month plans typically don't.
If you're switching back because your supplier's rate went higher than ConEd's current rate, that's a valid reason. Rates change monthly. The SwitchNYC calculator always compares against ConEd's current rate so you can catch this.