Green Mountain Energy in NYC

May 21, 2013 12:00 PM

New York City dwellers: Do you use Green Mountain Energy for your household power? Why or why not?

I see those guys promoting on the street and it seems like a good deal. Have you/do you have it? How does the cost (fixed rate) compare to normal ConEd costs? Do they have good customer service? Are you happy with it? Why or why not? I'm moving into my own place in the city for the first time and I've never been the holder of the electricity account (I paid roommates my portion).

Thanks!

posted by greta simone to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

I can't speak to them specifically, but third-party energy suppliers are usually an obnoxious bunch -- I would be stunned if there were actual significant savings.

But don't take my word for it.
posted by wrok at 3:06 PM on May 21, 2013

It's not a cost savings, it's more of a hippie/green/enviro peace of mind* for me and my roommates when we chose Green Mountain. Looks like we used 103 kWh last month at 13.6450¢ per kWh. Using the ConEd rate calculator for my zone in Brooklyn, regular kWh rate during that time was 8.1559¢. Plus all the standard delivery charges etc. That's a big difference.

You choose them as a supplier through ConEd, so you will only receive a ConEd bill, but with Green Mountain as the supplier. I see those guys all the time too, but when it came time to choose a supplier when setting up with ConEd, I just used the ConEd website. So my only interaction with Green Mountain is telling them "yup, I already use you" when I see the sales guys on the streets.

*Talk to the Green Mountain and ConEd guys at farmers markets, events, etc. for pros and cons for each about the green energy choices. ConEd also offers ConEd Solutions. Also fun to hear them talk smack about each other.
posted by paradeofblimps at 7:52 PM on May 21, 2013

From an anonymous member:

I am a Green Mountain sales agent, though not in the New York City market. I don't what ConEd's going rate is, or how Green Market's New York rates compare. What I can tell you, however, is that you will get a better rate if you sign up on Green Mountain's web site, rather than from an agent on the street. Signing up with an agent is great in that it's the only way we get paid; it's a commission only job. You will make an agent's day if you sign up on the spot on the street, without making them go into the hard sell pitch; this goes double if the agent seems shy or not particularly aggressive in their sales tactics. Heck, you'll make our day at least a little better if you smile and make eye contact and engage politely, rather than treating us like a construction obstacle you need to walk around. Ultimately, though, it's your call whether you want to help one of us stay afloat or save a couple more bucks. If you choose the former, find an agent on a quieter corner and not at a farmers' market. Farmers' market shifts go to top-selling agents who are probably making more money to begin with. Newer agents or ones with worse sales records get the slower storefront sites.

posted by taz at 10:04 PM on June 27, 2013