Whether it is the change of price, or you have stumbled upon a better electricity plan than what you are currently on, understanding how to cancel the electricity contract, and its potential repercussions are essential details that you need to have in order to make an informed decision. You also need to know your customer rights as well as a detailed understanding of the contract terms you signed and what it states regarding the cancellation of the contract.
So, can you cancel your electric contract?
Well, it depends on many things i.e. the type of electricity contract you signed, at what point in the duration of the contract you want to terminate, the reasons for cancellation, and lastly the state you are from and its policy governing cancellation of the electricity contract. Having said that; however, you can still cancel the contract regardless of the electricity plan/contract you are in, but you might have to pay early termination fees.
Note here that, there are no rules or laws that forbid you from shopping for better electricity plans and rates even when you are already in a long term contract. The challenge comes in when you want to switch the electricity plan, as this is where you will be required to part with the early termination fees mentioned earlier.
In some countries like the U.K., it is even harder to terminate a business electricity contract than it is to cancel a domestic one. You see, in the U.K., business electricity contracts are set for a fixed period – usually not less than 12 months. There are some contracts that are known to last for as long as 3 years. This means that your business is tied to the agreement until the contract expires. Most of these contracts are automatically renewed once it’s original term ends. This demonstrates why it is important that you fully understand your electricity contract and when you can terminate or switch to another plan.
How can I cancel my Think Energy account?
Think Energy, for those who may not know, is a retail electricity provider to both commercial and residential customers in Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Texas, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Newyork, Ohio, Washington DC, Connecticut, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. It is one of those companies that supply green energy at fixed price rates.
For you to cancel your Think Energy account, you will first need to liaise with their customer service either through the phone number provided on their webpage or their email address. You should, however, note that cancellation of your Think Energy fixed-rate account will attract early termination fees.
How do I cancel my Direct Energy contract?
You can cancel your direct energy contract through their online platform. All you have to do is to log in to through their Direct Energy Account Online manager and insert your credentials i.e. your user name and password. The online account should have been created when you made your online purchase. However, if you haven’t registered your online account, you can still create one here. To view your account information, click the account management tab on the top right corner of the screen. After you have clicked it, you will see a “cancel service button” at the bottom end of the screen. This will lead you to a cancellation form that you can fill to request termination of the service.
Alternatively, you can call them using the number provided on their website or communicate with them through their online customer care channel. Just like the Think Energy account, if you terminate the contract before the expiry date, you might be required to pay the direct energy termination fee. Therefore, before you cancel the contract, it is wise for you to first compare their prices with the other companies’ electricity rates and only switch providers when you are certain of your choices.
When should you turn off electricity when moving?
Turning off the electricity before moving is essential if you want to avoid paying unnecessary bills or even paying electricity bills in both your old and new house.
Even though many public utility companies can easily turn off and on the electricity within short notice i.e. at least 48 hours, you should plan to terminate your electricity at least 2 weeks beforehand. This will enable you to make the necessary adjustment should you be required to make unexpected changes.
How to disconnect electricity before moving
When moving house, you need to notify your energy provider about your intentions to move. Your current provider is the one solely responsible for switching electricity off or on when you’re moving house. By informing them in advance, you give them time to organize and plan for the disconnection. This should be done a day after you move out.
It is also advisable that you notify them well in advance – possibly one week early, to ensure that things run out smoothly and avoid a last-minute rush. In some situations, you may need more than one week to inform them, therefore be sure to notify them at the earliest time possible.
How to connect electricity at your new home
Getting your new home connected to electricity is as easy as picking up your phone and calling your new provider. However, just like you did with your previous provider, it is essential that you notify them early (a week or so early) so that it is connected by the time you move in.
For this to be done, you will be required to pay an electricity connection fee for you to be connected to the service. This fee is not constant, it varies from one company to another, so it is important that you carry out due diligence and compare the rates before choosing your preferred energy provider.
Also, note that you don’t necessarily need to retain your previous electricity provider. Moving house gives you the opportunity to reconsider your choices and if you are not satisfied with the previous provider, you can choose a new provider. It gives you the chance for a fresh start.
