Side by side (CT, EIA-861)
| Metric | Eversource (Connecticut Light & Power) | United Illuminating Co |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 28.51 | 34.04 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 31.63 | 33.16 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $3,079 | $3,677 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 924,132 | 256,302 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Investor-owned |
| Fixed monthly charge (URDB) | $9.62/mo | $13.02/mo |
| Energy rate range, $/kWh (URDB) | 0.186 | 0.200 |
| Counties served in CT | 8 | 2 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Eversource (Connecticut Light & Power) · United Illuminating Co · Connecticut overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Fairfield · New Haven counties (CT, 2024).
Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.
Can you actually choose between them?
No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Eversource (Connecticut Light & Power) and United Illuminating Co do not compete for the same meters. Connecticut does have retail supply choice: customers of either utility may buy the supply portion from a licensed third-party supplier, or stay on the utility's default supply rate. An offer only saves money if it beats your utility's price to compare (printed on the bill); compare offers at energizect.com/rate-board. The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is Eversource (Connecticut Light & Power) cheaper than United Illuminating Co?
- Yes — in 2024 Eversource (Connecticut Light & Power) customers averaged 28.51 cents/kWh versus 34.04 for United Illuminating Co (EIA-861). Eversource (Connecticut Light & Power) was cheaper by 5.54 cents, about $598 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from United Illuminating Co to Eversource (Connecticut Light & Power)?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Connecticut does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at energizect.com/rate-board if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.
- Why is United Illuminating Co more expensive than Eversource (Connecticut Light & Power)?
- EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between United Illuminating and Eversource territory all feed the 5.54-cent gap.