Molly Ayala
If you have an issue with your energy company, it is recommended that you first contact the company itself. This may provide a faster resolution to your problem, and you may even receive a bonus or bill credit for your troubles. If you are unhappy with the response, you can ask to speak to a senior manager or put your concerns in writing. You should also keep records of any communication. If you are still dissatisfied, you can contact your local public utility commission or a regulatory body such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). These organizations offer various pathways for resolving disputes, including alternative dispute resolution, settlement judges, and formal complaints.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First step | Contact the energy company itself |
| Before contacting | Ensure you are interacting with the real utility |
| In the US | Contact the Public Utility Commission of your state |
| In the UK | File a complaint with your energy supplier |
| In New York | Contact the Department of Public Service |
| For small businesses in the US | Contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Ombudsman |
| For complex cases | Request an Administrative Law Judge Hearing |
| For faster resolution | Request Fast Track processing |
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What You'll Learn
Contact your energy supplier first
If you have an issue with your energy bill or a problem with your energy company, it is recommended that you contact your energy supplier first. This is because your energy supplier will often be able to provide a faster resolution to your problem and may even offer you a bonus or bill credit for your trouble.
Contacting your energy supplier first is also a prerequisite for filing a complaint with an external body. For example, in the UK, you must file a complaint with your energy supplier before contacting an external body such as your state utility consumer advocate or attorney general's office. After you have filed a complaint with your energy supplier, they may contact you to gather more information about the issue or visit your home to take a meter reading. Within about eight weeks, you should receive a decision or deadlock letter outlining how your utility company plans to handle your complaint.
In the state of New York, it is advised that you first seek the assistance of your utility provider and then contact DPS Consumer Services to file a complaint. Similarly, in Texas, the official electric choice website, Texas' Power to Choose, is run by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which can be a resource for consumers experiencing issues with their energy company.
If you are unsure about whether you are interacting with the real utility, it is recommended that you pay close attention to whether you are on the right website. You can do this by typing the URL directly into your browser rather than clicking on a link in an email, which may not be safe.
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Contact your state utility consumer advocate
If you have an issue with your energy company, it is recommended that you first contact the company itself. This may lead to a faster resolution to your problem, and there may even be some form of compensation for your troubles.
However, if you are unable to choose your energy supplier or utility, or you wish to take your complaint further, you can contact your state utility consumer advocate. This could be your state attorney general's office, or a public utility commission, such as Texas' Power to Choose, which is run by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
A utility consumer advocate will advise you about the laws and policies that apply to your situation. They will also help you to file a complaint. After you have filed a complaint, your energy supplier may contact you to get more information about the issue, or they may visit your home to take a meter reading. After about eight weeks, you should receive a decision or deadlock letter outlining how your utility company plans to deal with your complaint.
If you are a small business that believes it has experienced excessive or unfair federal regulatory enforcement actions, such as excessive fines or penalties, or retaliation, you can contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Ombudsman.
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File a formal complaint
If you have an issue with your energy company, it is recommended that you first contact the company itself. This may provide a faster resolution to your problem, and you may even receive a bonus for your trouble. If you are unsatisfied with the response from your energy company, you can then file a formal complaint.
In the UK, you can file a complaint with your energy supplier, who may then contact you to get more information about the issue. They could also visit your home to take a meter reading. After about eight weeks, you should receive a decision or deadlock letter outlining how your utility company plans to deal with your complaint. You can then decide whether their response is reasonable. If you have a fixed-term contract with your utility company, they may charge you an exit fee if you choose to leave before the end of your contract.
In the US, you can contact your state utility consumer advocate or your state attorney general's office. A utility consumer advocate can advise you about the laws and policies that apply to your situation. You can also contact your state's public utility commission, which oversees utility rates and services. If you are in New York, you can file a complaint with the Department of Public Service.
Formal complaints are legal filings that initiate a formal proceeding and require specific documentation. They must follow Formal Complaint Procedures, such as Rule 206. Fast Track processing is available for complaints that require a quicker resolution. This can be requested by including a bolded "COMPLAINT REQUESTING FAST TRACK PROCESSING" caption in the complaint and explaining why expedition is necessary.
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Contact your state attorney general's office
If you have a complaint about electricity, there are a few options for who you can contact. Firstly, you can contact your energy supplier directly, which may result in a faster resolution to your problem. Your energy supplier may also be able to offer you a bonus or bill credit as an incentive to resolve the issue without it escalating further.
If you are unsatisfied with the response from your energy supplier, you can then contact your state utility consumer advocate, or your state attorney general's office. These bodies are responsible for overseeing utility rates and services and will be able to advise you about the laws and policies that apply to your situation. They will also be able to help you file a complaint if necessary.
In some states, there are official electric choice websites, such as Texas' Power to Choose, which is run by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. These sites can provide useful information about energy policy and decision-making.
If you are a small business that believes it has experienced excessive or unfair federal regulatory enforcement actions, you can also seek assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Ombudsman.
It is important to note that if you are in a deregulated energy market, you may have more options for choosing an energy supplier, but this also means there are more opportunities for fraud or other scams. In these cases, it is recommended to focus on your state's official comparison site when shopping around for a new supplier.
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Conduct an energy audit
If you are unhappy with your energy bill, you can either query your energy bill or lodge a formal complaint against your utility provider. You can also perform an energy audit to determine where you can save money by being more energy-efficient.
A professional energy audit can cost between $100 and $1650, with an average of $416. Pricing is based on tiers for different home sizes or a dollar amount per square foot. Many local utility companies offer a rebate for homeowners, and some may even offer a free energy audit to help you save on your utility bills.
If you are considering a professional energy audit, you should inquire about the auditor's qualifications and the tools they will use. A qualified home energy auditor is defined as an individual who is certified by one of the Qualified Certification Programs at the time of the audit or under the supervision of a qualified home energy auditor. Tools that auditors may use include test equipment for air leakage and infrared camera scans.
Before the energy assessor visits your house, make a list of any existing problems, such as condensation and uncomfortable or drafty rooms. Have copies or a summary of the home's yearly energy bills. You can request these from your utility company or obtain them online.
If you are interested in conducting a DIY energy audit, you can perform a simple but diligent walk-through of your home to spot problems. When walking through your home, keep a checklist of the areas you have inspected and the problems you found. This list will help you prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades.
- Check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling.
- Check for leaks on the outside of your home, especially where two different building materials meet.
- Check for leaks around windows, doors, lighting and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets.
- In homes where fuel is burned for heating, ensure the appliance has an adequate air supply. Generally, one square inch of vent opening is required for each 1,000 Btu of appliance input heat.
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Frequently asked questions
You should first seek the assistance of your utility provider or energy company.
You can contact your local public utility commission or a relevant regulatory body, such as the Department of Public Service or the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
When contacting your energy provider about your complaint, ask for a response within a reasonable timeframe, such as 2 weeks or 10 business days. Keep copies of any letters, emails, or documents sent, as well as details of any calls or people you speak with.
