Evaluate whether this renewable power supplier fits your home with our comprehensive CleanChoice Energy reviews and analysis.
Key Takeaways
- CleanChoice Energy is a retail energy supplier that purchases Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset your household’s grid usage with green power.
- Customers should beware of variable-rate plans, as electricity prices can spike significantly after the initial introductory period ends.
- In the event of a power outage, you must contact your local utility company, as CleanChoice Energy does not maintain the physical power grid.
If you are shopping for a new electricity provider and want to reduce your carbon footprint, you have likely come across CleanChoice Energy. Promising 100% renewable energy without the hassle of installing expensive rooftop solar panels, it sounds like an ideal solution for eco-conscious renters and homeowners alike. However, before you sign a contract or respond to a mailer, it is crucial to understand how retail energy suppliers actually operate. In this guide, we break down CleanChoice Energy rates, investigate authentic customer complaints, and examine whether the environmental benefits justify the potential costs.
What Is CleanChoice Energy?
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., CleanChoice Energy is a clean energy supplier — also known as an Energy Service Company (ESCO). Navigating deregulated energy markets can be confusing, but the distinction between a supplier and a utility is straightforward. Unlike a traditional direct utility company that actually owns the power lines, poles, and infrastructure delivering electricity to your home, CleanChoice acts as a third-party retail supplier.
When you sign up, they purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) on your behalf. Since it is impossible to route specific electrons from a wind turbine directly to your living room outlets, RECs act as a specialized accounting system. This guarantees that an amount of energy equal to your specific household usage is generated from wind and solar sources and fed back into the regional power grid, successfully offsetting fossil fuel reliance.
In addition to purchasing RECs, the company develops and operates CleanChoice Energy community solar projects, allowing customers to tangibly support local clean energy generation without needing to own a home. While your local utility company still handles the physical delivery of your power and sends your monthly bill, CleanChoice takes over the supply side of the equation.
Pros and Cons of CleanChoice Energy
Understanding a provider’s strengths and weaknesses at a glance can save you plenty of headaches down the road. If you are considering a switch to green energy, here is a quick breakdown of the primary benefits and potential drawbacks of using this specific supplier.
| Pros of CleanChoice Energy | Cons of CleanChoice Energy |
|---|---|
| Sourced from 100% renewable energy farms (wind and solar) | Rates can spike heavily after introductory promotional periods |
| No early termination fees or cancellation penalties for residential users | Frequent complaints regarding aggressive direct mail marketing tactics |
| Zero need to install or maintain personal rooftop solar panels | You must manually monitor contract expiration dates to avoid bill shock |
| Certified B-Corporation with a strong focus on environmental impact | Not available nationwide; restricted to deregulated markets |
CleanChoice Energy Plans and Pricing
When evaluating CleanChoice Energy pricing, it is incredibly important to understand the severe difference between their plan structures. The type of contract you choose will heavily dictate your overall monthly energy bill. Your primary decision will revolve around locking in a rate or floating with the market.
- Fixed-Rate Plans: These plans lock in a consistent electricity supply rate for a set period, typically ranging from 6 to 24 months. We highly recommend opting for a fixed rate, as it provides vital price stability and protects your budget against unpredictable energy market fluctuations.
- Variable-Rate Plans: With these contracts, your supply rate changes from month to month based on wholesale energy market conditions. While they offer flexibility without a long-term commitment, variable rates can spike significantly. Countless consumers report severe bill increases once an introductory promotional rate expires and automatically rolls into a variable structure.
Before enrolling in any available CleanChoice Energy plans, always read the terms of service carefully to confirm exactly how and when your rate might change. Staying proactive is the key to maintaining an affordable power bill.
CleanChoice Energy Locations and Coverage Area
If you are wondering whether this provider operates in your specific area, you will be glad to know that CleanChoice Energy locations span widely across several deregulated energy markets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Because they operate solely as a supplier, they partner seamlessly with established local utility companies — such as National Grid, Con Edison (ConEd), and Penelec. This ensures you maintain your highly reliable grid infrastructure while successfully supporting 100% renewable power.
| State | Partner Utilities | Major Cities Covered | Average Intro Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Delmarva Power & Light | Wilmington, Dover, Newark | 6–12 months |
| Illinois | Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) | Chicago, Aurora, Rockford | 6–12 months |
| Maryland | Baltimore Gas & Electric, Delmarva Power & Light, Potomac Edison, SMECO, PEPCO | Baltimore, Silver Spring, Frederick | 6–12 months |
| Massachusetts | Eversource, National Grid | Boston, Worcester, Springfield | 6–12 months |
| New Jersey | Atlantic City Electric, Jersey Central Power & Light, PSE&G | Newark, Jersey City, Paterson | 6–12 months |
| New York | Central Hudson, ConEd, National Grid, NYSEG, Orange & Rockland, Rochester Gas & Electric | New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Yonkers | 6–12 months |
| Ohio | AEP Ohio, AES Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison | Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron | 6–12 months |
| Pennsylvania | Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, PECO Energy, Penelec, Penn Power, PPL, West Penn Power | Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Scranton | 6–12 months |
| Washington, D.C. | PEPCO | Washington, D.C. | 6–12 months |
If you reside in any of these territories, you can easily select them as your designated energy supplier during your standard utility setup process.
Fees, Guarantees, and Ways to Save
Total transparency around costs is vital when choosing a retail energy provider. CleanChoice Energy leans heavily into its overall accessibility, offering some highly enticing policies alongside a few structural quirks you need to monitor closely so your budget stays intact.
- $0 Cancellation Fees: Residential customers enjoy the absolute freedom to cancel or modify their plans at any time without facing early termination fees. This no-penalty policy provides excellent flexibility if you happen to move or decide the service is simply not the right fit for your home.
- Variable Rate Warnings: While the lack of an upfront deposit or cancellation penalty is fantastic, users must be exceptionally careful at renewal time. If you do not actively renew your fixed-rate contract, your account instantly defaults to a market-driven variable-rate plan, potentially resulting in dramatically higher supply costs based on sudden grid demands.
- CleanChoice Rewards: Customers can actively offset minor monthly expenses by utilizing the CleanChoice Rewards program. While secondary to the benefit of having zero cancellation fees, this portal grants active users access to exclusive shopping and dining discounts at various national retailers.
Sustainability and Green Energy Initiatives
CleanChoice Energy sources electricity exclusively from certified 100% renewable wind and solar farms, keeping carbon-heavy fossil fuels completely out of the equation. To meet its commitment to the environment, the company relies on two primary renewable power categories:
- Wind Power: CleanChoice acquires RECs from large-scale wind farms located right here in the United States, utilizing the natural kinetic energy of regional wind corridors.
- Solar Power: Solar farms capture photovoltaic energy directly from the sun, offering a highly sustainable daytime power source without generating any greenhouse gases.
As a core part of their broader mission, the company has officially transitioned from merely supplying clean power to actively generating it. A prime example is the 168-acre Blairs Valley Solar Farm located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Equipped with over 30,000 bifacial solar panels and flex tracking technology designed to perfectly optimize daily sunlight capture, this 26.15-megawatt facility successfully generates enough clean energy to power approximately 4,500 local homes.
Beyond producing an environmentally mindful choice for energy, this project heavily emphasizes local environmental stewardship. CleanChoice partnered directly with regional seed conservationists to cultivate a robust, pollinator-friendly habitat beneath the solar panels, and they intentionally designed permeable fencing so native wildlife can safely navigate the ecosystem. Direct initiatives like this allow everyday retail customers to tangibly support utility-scale solar projects without needing the capital or roof space to install private arrays.
CleanChoice Energy Reviews and Complaints: What Are Customers Saying?
If you search for CleanChoice Energy reviews online, you will quickly find a highly polarized landscape. Understanding both the positive and negative feedback can help you accurately determine if this specific supplier fits your budget and tolerance for administrative upkeep.
To help summarize the online discourse, here is a quick overview of what consumers highlight most often:
- High BBB Standing: On the Better Business Bureau (BBB), CleanChoice Energy proudly maintains an A+ rating by actively responding to customer disputes and helping resolve account closures swiftly.
- Frustration Over Variable-Rate Spikes: The sheer volume of CleanChoice Energy complaints online centers heavily on pricing. Sentiment across Reddit and localized energy forums frequently calls out the company for unexpected “rate gouging.” This typically happens when a customer’s low introductory fixed rate expires, automatically rolling them into an uncapped variable-rate tier that doubles or triples their monthly supply cost.
- Direct Mail Burnout: Many consumers consistently report deep frustration with aggressive, slightly confusing direct mail marketing tactics. Some customers mistakenly felt they were switched to the service without explicit authorization due to how the mailers were worded.
On the flip side, positive reviews praise the company heavily for its steadfast environmental mission and seamless user experience. Satisfied customers love how easy it is to set up an eco-conscious alternative for their apartments and appreciate the detailed Environmental Impact Reports that track their exact carbon emission offsets and equivalent trees planted. If you diligently manage your contract dates, the service largely delivers exactly what it promises.
CleanChoice Energy Customer Service and Contact Information
If you need to contact the company regarding your contract, a billing dispute, or an account cancellation, you can easily reach their dedicated support staff during normal business operating hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST). For swift assistance, it helps to have your current utility account number handy before making the call.
- Primary Customer Service Line: 1-800-218-0113
- Alternate Support Phone Number: 1-888-444-9452
- Mailing Address: P.O Box 1055 Thomas Jefferson St NW #650, Washington, DC 20007
Please note that CleanChoice Energy does not currently offer a dedicated mobile app for its customers. All account modifications must be handled through their web portal or by speaking directly with a phone representative.
How to Report an Outage With CleanChoice Energy
If the lights go out in your home, it is essential to know that CleanChoice Energy does not handle power outages or grid maintenance. Because they operate strictly as a retail energy supplier, they have absolutely no control over the physical power lines, utility poles, or street transformers in your neighborhood.
In the event of an emergency, severe weather incident, or local blackout, you must contact your local utility company directly to report the outage. To find the correct emergency number, simply check the top corner of your recent electricity bill to identify your designated utility (such as ConEd, ComEd, or National Grid) and call their dedicated 24/7 emergency hotline.
Determining Who CleanChoice Energy Is Best For
Choosing an energy provider depends entirely on your household budget, environmental goals, and willingness to manage your utility accounts. Here is a quick breakdown to guide your decision:
Best For:
- Renters and apartment dwellers who want to actively support renewable energy but cannot install physical rooftop solar panels on their building.
- Eco-conscious consumers who are financially comfortable paying a slight premium for 100% certified green energy.
- Proactive managers who consistently track their utility contracts and will not forget to renew a fixed-rate plan before it expires.
Who Should Avoid It:
- Budget-conscious consumers looking for the absolute cheapest electricity supply rate currently available on the local market.
- Set-it-and-forget-it customers who do not want to actively monitor their contract renewal dates to avoid expensive variable rate traps.
Deciding to Switch to CleanChoice Energy
Yes, CleanChoice Energy is a legitimate business and a certified B-Corporation firmly dedicated to expanding access to clean, renewable power across the United States. If you are deeply passionate about lowering your carbon footprint and want an easy entry point into green energy, they provide an excellent service. Their lack of residential cancellation fees also makes testing their platform incredibly low-risk for new movers or curious apartment renters.
However, we do not recommend this provider if you struggle with calendar reminders or tend to ignore your utility bills. Their reliance on auto-renewing variable rate structures makes them a somewhat controversial choice for everyday homeowners who prefer a set-it-and-forget-it approach to their finances. If you do decide to sign up, we strongly advise you to strictly opt for their fixed-rate plans. Keep a close eye on your mail and email to ensure you renew your contract before any promotional pricing expires, effectively shielding yourself from those highly criticized unexpected bill hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions About CleanChoice Energy
Is CleanChoice Energy a scam?
No, it is not a scam. CleanChoice Energy is a fully legitimate retail energy supplier and a certified B-Corporation. However, they frequently receive scam accusations online due to their aggressive marketing mailers and variable-rate plans that can drastically increase your supply costs once your introductory promotional period ends.
How do I cancel CleanChoice Energy?
You can cancel CleanChoice Energy at any time by calling the CleanChoice Energy customer service team directly. For residential customers, there are no early termination fees or cancellation penalties, making it incredibly easy to switch back to your default utility provider or choose a different green energy supplier if you decide to change directions.
Why did my CleanChoice Energy bill go up so much?
If your monthly bill suddenly spiked, your initial fixed-rate contract likely expired, causing your account to automatically default to a variable-rate plan. Variable rates fluctuate directly with the wholesale energy market and are consistently higher than promotional introductory rates. Always track your contract terms to avoid this common issue.
What happens when my CleanChoice Energy contract expires?
When your initial fixed-rate contract expires, CleanChoice Energy will automatically roll your account onto a month-to-month variable-rate plan unless you proactively contact them to sign a new fixed-rate agreement or cancel your service entirely.
How does switching to CleanChoice work?
After signing up with your existing utility account number, CleanChoice handles the seamless transition on the back end. Your local utility company remains exactly the same — meaning they still handle power delivery, maintain the grid, and send your monthly bill — but CleanChoice is listed as your newly designated energy supplier.
Is clean energy from CleanChoice Energy more expensive?
In many markets, 100% renewable energy plans do carry a slight premium compared to standard fossil fuel-heavy utility rates. While introductory promotions may look incredibly cheap initially, it is common to pay a few extra cents per kilowatt-hour over the long term to support verified green infrastructure.
Does CleanChoice Energy have a mobile app?
No, CleanChoice Energy does not offer a dedicated mobile app for smartphones. To review your account, check your environmental impact, or manage your contract terms, you must log in through their standard website portal using a desktop or mobile browser.
Will my bill look different?
Your local utility will still send your standard monthly statement just like they always have. The only difference is that CleanChoice Energy will now be clearly listed as your third-party supplier in the supply charge section of the document, replacing your default utility’s supply rate.
About the Author
LaLeesha has a Masters degree in English and enjoys writing whenever she has the chance. She is passionate about gardening, reducing her carbon footprint, and protecting the environment. She also recently served as President of the Board for City Sprouts (a community garden).