Evanston, Illinois, Electricity Companies and Plans

Thanks to energy deregulation in Illinois, you can choose your own electricity supplier in Evanston. These companies sell electricity plans to consumers, track customers’ power usage, and manage billing. Here are a few Evanston electricity suppliers you may come across on the Choose Energy marketplace:

• Direct Energy
• Constellation Energy
• Public Power
• Smart Energy

Evanston’s utility companies, on the other hand, deliver electricity and natural gas to properties within their service areas. Electric utilities are also responsible for responding to power outages and maintaining electrical infrastructure, like power lines. Utility companies in Evanston include:

• Commonwealth Edison (ComEd)
• Nicor Gas
• North Shore Gas

If your power goes out in Evanston, make sure to notify ComEd, your electric utility company, rather than your energy supplier. Here’s how to reach ComEd:

• Call 1-800-334-7661
• Use ComEd’s online outage reporting system
• Text OUT to 26633

As an Evanston resident, you can buy power from any energy supplier that serves your area. But if you don’t sign up with one of these alternate suppliers, you’ll be automatically enrolled in an energy plan from your utility company, ComEd, and charged the default rate. This price is known as the price to compare (PTC). ComEd’s current PTC is 6.552 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is valid through May 31, 2025. You can also use this price to see how ComEd’s default rate compares to plans from electricity providers in your area.

Before you start comparing electricity rates in Evanston, it’s helpful to understand the difference between the main energy plan types. Here’s a quick look at four popular kinds of plans:

• Fixed-rate plans: With a fixed-rate plan, you’ll lock in the same electricity rate for the duration of your contract, which will usually last between 12 and 36 months. However, if you cancel the plan before your contract is up, you’ll be charged an early termination fee (ETF). Fixed-rate plans are good for homeowners looking for long-term, predictable rates that can be easily worked into a monthly budget.
• Variable-rate plans: These plans don’t come with fixed rates, contracts, or ETFs. Instead, your electricity rate can change depending on the current wholesale price of energy. Variable-rate plans are month-to-month agreements, so you can cancel or switch energy suppliers at any time without penalty. If you’re a short-term renter or you’re looking for more flexibility, a variable-rate plan may be right for you.
• Prepaid and no-deposit plans: A prepaid plan is a type of no-deposit plan that lets you load money into your account to pay for your monthly electricity in advance. When the funds get low, you’ll receive a notification from your supplier to top up your account. Consider a prepaid plan if you’re looking to avoid an initial deposit before beginning service.
• Renewable energy plans: In Evanston, you can choose from several different green energy plans. In some cases, these plans are powered by energy from renewable sources, like wind and solar. In others, the energy supplier will purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) on your behalf to offset your electricity usage.

With Choose Energy’s online energy marketplace, finding an affordable energy plan is simple. You can easily view rates and plans from Evanston’s top providers and sign up for a new plan all in one place. Here’s how it works:

• Submit your ZIP code. You’ll get a list of the most up-to-date Evanston electricity rates and plans. You can compare plans and providers and narrow down your search using the filters to find the right option for your household.
• Sign up in minutes. Once you’ve chosen a plan, follow the prompts to sign up online in just a few minutes. Or you can call the number on your screen to complete the process with one of our energy experts.
• Enjoy your savings. Sit back and relax as your electricity supplier works with your utility company to set up your new plan with no interruption to your service.

There are many reasons that you might need a new energy provider in Evanston. Maybe you’re moving here from another part of Illinois or from a state with a traditional energy market, or perhaps you’re simply looking for a cheaper rate. Either way, you can use Choose Energy to compare pricing and sign up for a plan that fits your needs.

Is a deposit required for my energy plan?

It depends on your credit score and energy supplier. During the sign-up process, most Evanston energy suppliers will run a credit check. If your credit score falls below their threshold, you’ll be charged a deposit. If you’d like to avoid this, use Choose Energy to search for a no-deposit plan, such as a prepaid plan.

How do I choose my Evanston electric supplier?

First, consider what’s most important to you in an electricity provider. For example, if you want to lock in a fixed rate for as long as possible, you might consider Public Power, which sells 24-month, fixed-rate plans in Evanston. Or, if you’re committed to going green, you could sign up with Smart Energy, which offers 100% renewable plans. Once you’ve decided what you’re looking for, you can enter your ZIP code on Choose Energy to explore what’s available.

How can I lower my utility bill in Evanston?

There are two main ways to lower your bill in Evanston: by reducing your electricity usage and switching to a plan with a cheaper rate. To consume less energy, you can try unplugging appliances when they aren’t in use, keeping your HVAC system well-maintained, taking shorter showers, and switching to LED lightbulbs. You can also use your ZIP code on Choose Energy to compare plans and providers with cheaper rates.