Electricity in Boston, MA
Guide to the City of Boston's deregulated energy market, the local utility's electricity rates, and alternative electricity buying options for Boston residents and business owners.
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About Perch
Perch was part of the team that pioneered community solar in Massachusetts in 2013. Now serving customers on over 110 solar projects across the country and growing, we're helping lower electricity costs for residents and businesses, one community at a time.
Boston's energy market
Boston is the capital of Massachusetts with a population of around 670,000 people. It comprises many charming, bustling neighborhoods from Back Bay to Fenway to the North End, and includes the surrounding areas of Allston, Brighton, Charlestown, Roxbury, West Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, South Boston, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and Hyde Park. As the state's most urban area and a mecca for living, working, and playing, Boston requires a significant amount of energy—and a reliable grid.
Boston utility companies
Boston's main utility companies delivering electricity, gas and water are:
- Electricity: Eversource East
- Gas: National Grid
- Water: Boston Water and Sewer Commission
Boston's utility electricity rates
Utility Company | Basic Service Rate | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Eversource East | 15.764 ¢/kWh | 1/1/2022 to 6/30/2022 |
For many Boston residents, you're on the local utility's basic service offering and receiving their basic service rate supply rate—or you may be receiving the Community Choice rate if available. But these offerings may not be the cheapest electricity rates out there, nor is the energy you're getting backed by the greenest sources available.
Electricity deregulation in Boston
As an energy customer in Boston, you're not forced to pay your utility's basic service rate for electricity. Deregulation introduced a competitive electricity supplier marketplace where you can shop for a lower-priced plan or an eco-friendlier plan.
Community Choice Electricity in Boston
Community Choice Electricity is when city, town, or community officials negotiate a plan with an electric supplier on behalf of all their residents and businesses.
Utility company vs. electricity supplier
It's a common misconception that utility companies are handling every aspect of your electricity. In fact, third-party suppliers, as well as the part of the utility company responsible for default basic service, are both buying up electricity supply. Then the utility is the one delivering your electricity and billing you for it.
Shopping Boston's electricity supplier marketplace
Thanks to energy deregulation, Boston residents aren't forced to pay the utility's basic service electricity rate. Shopping the electricity supplier marketplace is the best way to find savings or upgrade to cleaner energy. But the process can be time-consuming and confusing.
- Supply rates go up and down and need your constant attention.
- You have to compare tons of contracts and analyze fine print.
- You have to watch out for misleading introductory rates and price hikes.
- Switching your plan can be a headache: possibly waiting on hold or hustling with customer service.
Perch handles all of that for you. We're always looking out for you, your wallet and the environment.
Save money on electricity, support renewable energy in Boston with Perch
Perch can help you find a cleaner electricity plan for your home or business, for less
- We analyze your electric bill to understand your current costs.
- You tell us your preferred energy preference; either a 100% clean plan backed by renewable sources, or a mixed plan backed by part renewables, part fossil fuels.
- We monitor the supply marketplace to find you a lower rate than similar options in your area, based on your preference.
- We regularly switch you to better plans when they become available in accordance with your agreement.
- You won't notice any interruptions to your service—our automated matching technology seamlessly works behind the scenes.
- You still just get one bill from your utility.
Perch can connect you with a local community solar project to support clean energy generation and lower your annual electricity costs
- Perch will help you subscribe to a solar farm in your area (subject to eligibility and availability).
- While you won't be receiving solar electricity directly to your home, you'll be supporting the addition of more solar power to the overall energy mix on the grid—fighting climate change by lessening the reliance on dirty, harmful fossil fuels.
- In exchange for supporting operations of that solar farm, you'll receive a discount on your electricity bill in the form of credits.
- You're guaranteed to see annual savings on your electricity cost thanks to the credits.