Delaware is one of many states where the energy market is deregulated. This prevents utility monopolies and fosters competition among suppliers. Suppliers set their rates in line with the current market, keeping the price of power down. As a consumer, you get to choose your supplier based on their rates and terms.

Suppliers send their power to utility companies for distribution. Utilities operate in set service territories and deliver energy to homes and businesses in these regions. Utilities are also in charge of power line maintenance and outage response. In Middletown, your utility is Delmarva Power. You can contact them when outages or power line issues occur.

When you sign a contract with a new supplier, you’ll agree to a fixed or variable rate. Fixed agreements include a set rate for a set period, while variable rates change from month to month based on changes in the energy market.

The right choice for you might vary based on the market when you sign and how much risk you’re willing to take on. Rarely do variable rate agreements make sense for the end user. The risk is far greater than the reward. We typically advise against a variable product or one with a monthly fee for our small commercial and residential clients. Whichever product you choose, make sure your new service starts after your current contract to avoid any termination fees.