Frequently Asked Questions

If there’s anything we can do to help you, please contact our Customer Care Team on (800) 448-0995 between 8 am and 5 pm EST, or email us at customer-services-us@smartestenergy.com.  

SmartestEnergy currently services Commercial and Industrial Companies.

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As an energy supplier, SmartestEnergy provides the actual electricity you use. We handle the pricing, supply, and customer service related to the energy you consume. Our focus is on offering competitive rates, flexible plans, and sometimes additional services or products. 

Your local utility company is responsible for the delivery of electricity  to your home. They manage the infrastructure, such as power lines and pipelines, and handle the maintenance and repair of these systems. Utilities also typically handle meter readings, billing, and any issues related to the physical delivery of energy. 

Your supply will continue as before – it’s a straightforward and stress-free process.

Once you’ve signed a contract with us, you will receive a letter from your utility provider confirming the change.

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 A few months before your contract expires, your broker will contact you to discuss renewal options for continuing service with SmartestEnergy. 

Not getting a bill is typically due to one of three reasons:  

- Your service may not have started with SmartestEnergy in time for this billing cycle 
- There may have been a delay in the utility reading your meter 
- There may have been a delay in the utility sending us your most recent meter read  

For more information, please contact our Customer Care Team on (800) 448-0995 or email us at customer-services-us@smartestenergy.com.  

With consolidated billing, you pay your utility for their charges and our charges.  You will get one invoice and pay one invoice.

You need to make sure that we’re listed on the invoice as your supplier.  If we are not listed as your supplier, please contact us.

With dual billing, you pay us for our charges and your utility for their charges, so you’ll have two invoices to pay.  

If you have any questions regarding your bill, please contact our Customer Care Team on (800) 448-0995 or email us at customer-services-us@smartestenergy.com 

Please contact our Customer Care team to learn about the various components of you bill.

Our preferred payment method is ACH. Our payment details are located on the bottom of your invoice.

You can also pay by check or with a credit card (fees apply).

Please contact our Customer Care team, and we will assist you in creating a payment plan. If your bill remains unpaid after ten days, late fees will apply.

If you are moving, you will need to arrange for your current supply to be disconnected and establish a new contract for your new location. Please contact your broker to coordinate these arrangements or you can reach our Customer Care Team on (800) 448-0995 or email us at customer-services-us@smartestenergy.com.

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Only the primary contact listed on your account can access information regarding your account.

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Our dedicated team of customer analysts is here to assist you with all your needs. Through our pod structure, you'll regularly interact with the same team members, ensuring familiarity and a deeper understanding of your account.

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1. What is capacity, and why am I being charged for it?

Capacity refers to the cost of ensuring that enough electricity is available to meet demand, even during peak usage periods. This charge helps maintain grid reliability by supporting power plants and infrastructure.

2. Who determines my capacity prices?

Capacity prices are set through a Base Residual Auction, or BRA auctions managed by PJM (, in conjunction with utilities and regulatory agencies. Power plants, demand response providers, and energy storage companies bid into the auction, offering their ability to supply electricity or reduce demand. PJM picks the lowest-cost resources to meet expected demand and pays them a capacity price to be available when needed.

3. What is PJM, and what role does its capacity market play?

PJM Interconnection is a regional transmission organization (RTO) that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity across multiple states. Its capacity market, known as the Reliability Pricing Model (RPM), is designed to ensure that sufficient power generation resources are available to meet future electricity demand.

4. Why are capacity prices increasing for the 2025/2026 delivery year?

The Base Residual Auction (BRA) for the 2025/2026 delivery year resulted in a significant increase in capacity prices, approximately nine times higher than previous levels. This surge is attributed to a decrease in available supply, including the retirement of fossil-fuel-based plants, and an increase in regional load growth. Additionally, regulatory changes and evolving market conditions have contributed to supply constraints, as stricter environmental policies and economic factors have made it more challenging for certain generators to remain operational. Furthermore, rising electricity demand due to economic recovery, increased electrification, and extreme weather conditions have placed additional pressure on capacity resources, driving prices higher. 

5. Where can I find more information about PJM's capacity market and recent auction results?

For further details, you can refer to PJM's official fact sheet on the capacity market: PJM

6. How will the capacity price increase affect my electricity bill?

The increase in capacity prices is expected to lead to an average 11% rise in total electricity costs for customers in the PJM region. The exact impact will depend on factors such as your location, rate class, and the specifics of your retail energy contract.

7. How are capacity costs calculated?

Your capacity charge is determined using the following formula:

Capacity Cost = PLC (kW) × Capacity Price ($/MW-day) × Days in the Billing Period

• Peak Load Contribution (PLC): Your highest electricity usage during PJM’s peak demand period, measured in kilowatts (kW). This value is reassessed annually.
• Capacity Price: The rate set by PJM’s capacity auction, expressed in dollars per megawatt per day ($/MW-day).
• Billing Period Days: The number of days in your billing cycle that the capacity charge applies to.

8. When will these capacity price changes take effect?

The new capacity prices established by the 2025/2026 BRA will be in effect from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026.

9. What strategies can I employ to mitigate the impact of rising capacity costs?

To help offset increased capacity charges, consider the following approaches:

• Demand Response Programs: Participate in programs that compensate you for reducing electricity usage during peak periods. ​
• Energy Efficiency Measures: Implement energy-saving initiatives to lower overall consumption and peak demand.​
• Peak Load Management: Adjust operations to minimize electricity use during peak demand times, thereby reducing your peak load contribution.​
• Consultation:  Work with your consulting or broker partner to evaluate additional options.

10. How can I get help understanding my bill? 

Our Customer Care team is here to help! If you have any questions about your PJM capacity charges or your bill, please reach out to us at 1 (800)448-0995 or email us at customer-services-US@smartestenergy.com.