How Consumers View Energy Providers

Energy providers or electric utilities are electric power companies that engage in the sale of electricity including its generation, transmission, and distribution.  They can either be public or privately owned.  Some are owned by cooperatives and nationalized groups but are always subject to regulation of local and national authorities.  Some entities simply act as brokers and merely buy and sell electricity.  In the eyes however of consumers, they all represent a certain sector which they have to deal with – the energy provider.

How do consumers see energy providers as an entity.  First and foremost, no consumer will be able to avoid transacting with one.  Electricity is a basic need whether it is in the home or work environment and such is a fact of life.

It would be interesting to know therefore how consumers really see energy providers. Based on studies, the attitude of consumers pertaining to their relation with energy providers fall under three categories - Trust, Indifference, and Suspicion.  How this came to be can be further discussed.

Consumers expect energy providers to provide them the electricity they need in a consistent and continuous manner.  Depending on who is looking, more trust is bestowed on a public utility or a private entity represented by an Independent Power Producer. Public utilities gain trust because they have the solid backing of the government.  However, since public utilities usually monopolize electric supply in a specific region or sector, there are suspicions among consumers that they are not given the best price that they should have access to. In this case, trust then goes to independent power producers such as that seen at www.albertaenergyproviders.com, who are widely believed to be more inclined to give a competitive price for electricity.

Indifference is a general attitude adopted by most consumers who fail to see the advantage of one option over the other.  The important thing for them is to have the electricity when and where it is needed.  With the continuing rise of electricity cost however, very few can remain indifferent for long.

Consumers who wish to find the best option can make a quick comparison online to help them decide on which energy provider to deal with.   Assistance can also be obtained to facilitate easy switch of service.  Energy providers are expected to be able to provide consumers with the detailed information they would need to make an informed decision.

Consumers need to find the energy provider they can trust  that will give them the most suitable service.

About the Author

Gracia is a consumer watch volunteer who sees the advantage of energy deregulation.

Image: zdnet.com