Start by checking who serves your new address and whether you can choose a separate electricity supplier. In some U.S. areas, households can shop among retail suppliers; elsewhere, the local utility provides bundled service. The rules and available plans depend on the address, so confirm the local arrangement before comparing offers.
First, find out who supplies the new address
Ask the landlord, property manager, seller, or local utility which company currently serves the home and who is responsible for the bill. Then contact the utility or check the relevant state or local utility regulator’s official resources to learn whether retail supplier choice is available at that address. The U.S. Energy Information Administration advises customers to check with their distribution utility or state utility commission. EIA: Can customers choose their electricity supplier?
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The term “electricity provider” can mean the company selling the electricity, the utility delivering it, or one company doing both. In U.S. retail-choice arrangements, a retail supplier sells the electricity while the local distribution utility continues to deliver it. As EIA puts it: “Regardless of the electricity supplier, the distribution utility delivers the contracted electricity to a customer’s meter and charges for that service.” Changing the seller does not change the wires or delivery utility.
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Retail choice is not universal. EIA reported that 26% of eligible U.S. residential customers in retail-choice programs participated in 2021, or 13.2 million customers. Its calculation excluded Texas because retail choice is mandatory in the relevant ERCOT territory. This is a dated national participation figure, not a current count or a guide to whether a particular home can choose a supplier. EIA’s 2023 analysis of residential retail choice
#1 Best Overall
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD Display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
Coordinate the old and new accounts
Treat the move-out and move-in as separate account tasks. Notify the supplier or utility serving your current home of the move-out date, and arrange service with the responsible party at the new address. Closing the old account does not necessarily set up the new one.
- Record the move-out and move-in dates, account or meter details, and the person responsible for each bill.
- Ask when service will start at the new home and how the first bill will be handled.
- If you rent, check the lease for terms about who pays, whether you may select a supplier, any notice requirements, and what must be done with service when the tenancy ends.
- Save the new account or plan confirmation and verify the start date.
These tenancy examples are also covered in UK guidance; local rights and contract requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Rank #2
- Multi-function power monitor: Our electric usage monitor can monitor the power (W), electricity(kWh), voltage(V), frequency(Hz), current(A), power factor(PF), unit price($/kWh), total cost($) of your appliances. By switching 8 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The “electricity” mode can calculate and display how much power your appliance uses. And the “total cost” mode will show how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Overload protection: When the loading power of the appliance is over the default overload threshold 1800W, the whole display with backlight and the word “OVERLOAD” will keep flashing to warn the users. Please turn off the appliance for safety concern
- Premium Material: The whole body of our energy meter is made of high-quality ABS material. It makes our home electricity usage monitor more long lasting, fireproof and anti-drop. The standard US socket and plug is suitable for all US standard appliances
- Backlight Display: With white backlight and black words, the LCD display of our home power monitor can display the data clearer and help you to read the data easier no matter day or night. The backlight will only lights up when the device is connected to AC power. If no button is pressed, the backlight turns off automatically after 10 minutes. You can also press the "UP" button to turn off the backlight manually, and press any button to turn on backlight again
- Easy to reset: No reset tool needed, our appliance power usage meter is easy to reset. You can press the “M” button for 5 seconds directly to reset the device. After reset, all cumulative data (electricity quantity, cost) will be cleared, and all settings will be restored to factory settings
If you can choose, compare the whole plan
Use expected consumption at the new home when possible. EIA publishes electricity sales and price data by state and utility, but the relevant local options and actual plan terms should be checked with the utility, regulator, or official comparison resource. EIA: Does EIA publish electricity sales and price data by state and by utility?
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Compare estimated total cost at your likely usage rather than choosing on a headline rate. A low unit rate can be offset by a fixed monthly charge or depend on conditions such as payment method, meter type, or a usage threshold. Ask how introductory credits or conditional discounts affect bills at different levels of consumption.
Rank #3
- SAFETY YOU CAN TRUST WITH UL CERTIFICATION: With Emporia Energy, your home energy monitoring is safe, reliable, and certified. The Emporia Vue is UL Listed, meaning it has met rigorous safety standards for electrical products in the U.S. and Canada. This certification ensures that every component has been thoroughly tested to prevent hazards, such as overheating, short-circuiting, or fire, offering you peace of mind as you manage your home’s energy consumption.
- INSTALLS IN CIRCUIT PANEL of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports Single phase, Single-split phase, and 2-wire systems. 3-wire systems; 3-phase, 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no-Delta) are supported with an additional 200A sensor (sold separately).
- 24/7 ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING: Automate, manage and control your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. PROTECTED BY A 1-YEAR WARRANTY.
- LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: Configure settings in the Emporia Energy App to automate energy management for time of use, peak demand, excess solar, and rewards programs. You can even see live reporting and invaluable savings opportunities instantly. Gauge real-time spending and get actionable notifications and automated energy management to help you reduce costs.
- REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: REQUIRES 2.4 GHz WIFI WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION to monitor energy use with iPhone / Android / Web app. Vue sensors collect energy data and are accurate from ±2%. The Vue is UL and CE Listed for your safety. 1 second data is only available in the app (when actively open) and retained 3 hours. Minute and hour data are retained in the cloud. 1 minute data is retained 7 days, 1 hour data is retained indefinitely. Export cloud data whenever you want in the app.
| What to compare | What to check |
|---|---|
| Estimated cost | Combine the unit charge with fixed monthly charges and account for any credits or conditional discounts at your expected usage. |
| Rate type | Check whether the rate is fixed or variable, how and when it can change, and what the contract says about renewal. |
| Contract and exit | Review the contract length, renewal terms, and any early-exit charge. |
| Eligibility and payment | Check payment-method rules, deposit requirements, and meter requirements. |
| Energy mix | Read the plan’s terms for renewable-energy claims and what supports them. |
| Service and complaints | Look for customer-service and complaint information from an official or independent source. |
| Move coordination | Confirm the start date and how the supplier or utility will coordinate service and billing. |
Availability, prices, deadlines, and consumer protections change and vary by jurisdiction. Do not assume that a plan comparison guarantees savings: the result depends on the address, actual use, plan terms, and local prices.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.UK households: use UK-specific switching guidance
Ofgem says a household can choose a supplier or tariff after moving in. Its guidance also covers moving-house steps and renter considerations. For UK homes, consult Ofgem for the applicable process, deadlines, cancellation rights, and other protections rather than applying U.S. rules. Ofgem: Switch your home energy supplier
Rank #4
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
Ofgem’s stated five-working-day switching timeline and 14-day cancellation period are UK household guidance; they should not be treated as U.S. rules. Elsewhere, check the local regulator for the rules that apply to your address.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ✓ Backlit LCD Display: The watt meter features an upgraded backlit LCD display with a 160° wide viewing angle, providing clear and distinct data readings from any angle, day or night. (Note: To conserve energy, the backlight will automatically turn off after 15 seconds of continuous use.)
- ✓ 9 Types of Data Display: This energy meter plug accurately monitors a wide range of electrical parameters, including power (W), apparent power (VA), energy consumption (kWh), usage time (hours), power frequency (Hz), power factor (PF), voltage (V), current (A), and electricity cost. The user-friendly interface allows you to easily read and navigate through 9 types of data with a single button.
- ✓ Save Money and Energy: By toggling through the 9 display modes, you can gain insights into various operational parameters of your devices. The home energy monitor also calculates and displays the electricity consumption and cost over time, helping you save on your electricity bills by monitoring and managing energy usage.
- ✓ Data Storage: The plug-in electricity meter stores all non-real-time data, ensuring no information is lost in the event of a sudden power outage. If data exceeds the screen’s maximum display range, the screen will flash as a reminder. Pressing and holding the reset button for 3 seconds will reset the cumulative data to zero.
- ✓ Safe to Use: Rated voltage 125VAC, 60Hz, 15A maximum 1875W resistor and tungsten wire, 1/2HP. Clean and tidy interface, very simple to use.
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