READ THE FINE PRINT!

It has been reported by a resident who last year switched from getting electricity direct through ComEd to a firm by the name of “CleanChoice Energy”. An electricity provider purporting to provide 100% renewable energy from wind and solar farms. A year later, now paying almost DOUBLE the ComEd rate, this resident made the switch back.

We’ve posted about this provider in the past, warning that their solicitations came with a somewhat official looking labeling and presentation – they asked you to fill out, sign and return the form in order to start getting your electricity from all renewable sources. They shared very few specific or actual terms and conditions and there was almost no way to get an accurate price comparison. It may indeed be renewable energy they are providing the grid, but there was no reasonably verifiable proof and no way to determine what your monthly bill would look like down the road.

Just one consumer (and your property manager’s) opinion, usually when you get unsolicited invitations like this, they are worth ignoring.

In the case of the resident who reported his high electric bills, it seemed like a good idea. However, at double the rate you would be charged if you were getting your power directly from ComEd, it can really hit your wallet. Your money may very well go to fund and support wind and solar energy, but even those facts can be suspect, only supported by the information on a website.

CleanChoice (formally “Ethical Electric”) was involved in a suit with Illinois a couple years back, and settled over potentially misleading marketing efforts. However, they do now have a positive rating with the Better Business Bureau:  Read More Here

This provider may have cleaned up there act (no pun intended), at least some would say from outward appearances, https://cleanchoiceenergy.com/, but we feel residents should proceed with caution when making such changes. Lessons learned teach us to be wary of random mailed solicitations. You may think you’re doing a good thing, but you may ending up paying a whole lot more for it than you anticipated.

As with anything, buyer be aware and beware. If you think it is worth it, to pay double the electric for all renewable energy, then for you it may be worth researching further. Always do some research before making any decision like this. AND, if they can not tell you what your new monthly bill will look like, I recommend moving on! Clean energy or not.

Feel free to share any questions or any experiences you may have had. If you receive any solicitations to switch your electric provider, let me know and I will look into it! Send me an e-mail at timothy.patricio@draperandkramer.com.