Frequently Asked Questions

A: Spark Energy is a nationally-recognized retail electricity provider serving a number of areas in Illinois, including:

A: No, once you sign up with us online, we’ll handle contacting your utility and notifying them of your switch.

A: Your current provider will know when your contract expires and whether or not there’s an early termination fee. We recommend you contact them to verify these details.

A: The switch usually takes 18-45 days.

A: You will continue to receive one bill from your utility company as you always have. That bill will include your supply charges from Spark Energy along with the delivery charges from the utility.

A: Because your exact switch date is determined by your utility, we can’t tell you what that date will be, but you can call ComEd to find out.

A: Yes! Keep an eye out for your welcome packet- you should receive it within 7-10 federal business days of signing up.

A: No. Since ComEd handles billing for all customers in their service area, there is no way for us to stop ComEd from disconnecting you, even if you try to sign up with us.

A: No, we don’t require a deposit to switch.

A: To get electricity service at a new address, you’ll need to contact ComEd so they can process your move in. Once you do that, you can sign up with Spark Energy online or by phone at 800.684.1696.

A: Our current fixed rate contract for your area is for a 12 month term. We may offer more plans in the future. Please view the products page for plans available in your area.

A: When your contract expires, you can renew by calling us at 800.684.1696 and then selecting the plan you want. Or you can do nothing and you’ll automatically be switched over to a competitive variable rate.

A: Yes. You must be up to date with your payments to ComEd before you can switch to another electric provider.

A: ComEd will continue to handle emergencies, outages and downed power lines just like they always have.

A: No, there is no fee to switch suppliers.

A: We recommend you contact ComEd to confirm whether this option will still be available after you switch.

A: Alternative electricity providers like Spark Energy buy electricity from the people who generate it, then sell that electricity to people like you. Your utility’s job includes managing power lines, poles and other infrastructure to get the electricity safely and reliably to homes and businesses. If you don’t choose an alternative electricity provider to buy your electricity from, you can buy your electricity from the utility, but you may not be able to get as low a rate as you would if you switched.

A: We use our buying power and expert knowledge of energy markets to purchase electricity at very competitive prices, and then pass the savings on to you.

A: No. ComEd is required to handle all customers equally and has no incentive to treat you differently, even if you’ve selected an alternative energy provider.

A: We actually purchase electricity from companies in or near your area and sell it to people and businesses like you, often at a lower price than the utility can offer.

A: As a pioneer in the deregulated energy industry, we have lots of experience buying and selling energy. Our expertise and size allow us to negotiate better prices on energy, which we can then pass on to you.

A: Spark Energy is a nationally-recognized retail electricity and gas provider serving a number of areas in Illinois, including:

A: The switch usually takes 15-45 days.

A: We recommend contacting Nicor to confirm whether this option will remain available after you switch.

A: No. You will continue to receive one bill from your utility company as you always have. That bill will include your supply charges from Spark Energy along with the delivery charges from the utility.

A: We don’t offer budget billing on your supply charges, which is the portion of your bill that we’re responsible for. However, Nicor does offer budget billing on the delivery portion of your bill.

A: No, Nicor’s bill payment assistance programs are not available to customers that switch to Spark Energy.

A: No, we don’t require a deposit to switch.

A: Nicor will continue to handle leaks and gas-related emergencies just like they always have.

A: To get natural gas service at a new address, you’ll need to contact Nicor so they can process your move in. Once you do that, you can sign up with Spark Energy online or by phone at 877.228.9427.

A: Our rate for your area includes supply charges and transmission charges.

A: Yes. You must be up to date with your payments to Nicor before you can switch to another natural gas provider.

A: We actually purchase natural gas from many sources and arrange to have it transported to your area.

A: As a pioneer in the deregulated energy industry, we have lots of experience buying and selling energy. Our expertise and size allow us to negotiate better prices on energy, which we can then pass on to you.

A: When your contract expires, you can renew by calling us at 877.228.9427 and then selecting the plan you want. Or you can do nothing and you’ll automatically be switched over to a competitive variable rate.

A: The early termination fee is $50.

A: Yes, the Illinois Public Utility Commission regulates Spark Energy’s operations in Illinois.

A: Yes, we serve type A and B small commercial customers in the Nicor service area.

A: Alternative energy providers like Spark Energy buy natural gas from the people who process it, then sell that gas to people like you. Your utility’s job includes managing pipes, lines and other infrastructure to get the gas safely and reliably to homes and businesses. If you don’t choose an alternative energy provider to buy your natural gas from, you can buy your gas from the utility, but you may not be able to get as good a rate as you would if you switched.

A: We use our buying power and expert knowledge of energy markets to purchase natural gas at very competitive prices, and then pass the savings on to you.

A: No. Nicor is required to handle all customers equally and has no incentive to treat you differently, even if you’ve selected an alternative energy provider.

A: You will continue to receive one bill from your utility company as you always have. That bill will include your supply charges from Spark Energy along with the delivery charges from the utility.

A: Because your exact switch date is determined by your utility, we can’t tell you what that date will be, but you can call Nicor to find out.

A: Yes! Keep an eye out for your welcome packet- you should receive it within 7-10 federal business days of signing up.

A: No. Since Nicor handles billing for all customers in their service area, there is no way for us to stop Nicor from disconnecting you, even if you try to sign up with us.

Q: Who is Spark Energy?

A: Alternative energy providers like Spark Energy buy natural gas from the companies that process it, then sell it to businesses like yours. Your utility’s job includes managing pipes, lines and other infrastructure to get the gas safely and reliably to homes and businesses. If you don’t choose an alternative energy provider for your gas supplier, you can buy your natural gas from the utility, but you may not be able to get as low a rate as you would if you switched.

A: We use our buying power and expert knowledge of energy markets to purchase natural gas at very competitive prices, and then pass the savings on to you.

A: No. You will continue to receive one bill from your utility company as you always have. That bill will include your supply charges from Spark Energy along with the delivery charges from the utility.

A: Yes. You must be up to date with your payments to North Shore Gas before you can switch to another natural gas provider.

A: To get natural gas service at a new address, you’ll need to contact North Shore Gas so they can process your move in. Once you do that, you can sign up with Spark Energy online or by phone at 800.411.4391.

A: The switch usually takes 8-38 days. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the welcome letter and terms of service we’ll mail you for your review.

A: No, we don’t require a deposit to switch residential service.

A: Some of our plans may include a small monthly fee which is listed on the products details page. Click here to find out more.

A: We recommend contacting North Shore Gas to confirm whether this option will remain available after you switch.

A: We don’t offer budget billing on your supply charges, which is the portion of your bill that we’re responsible for. However, North Shore Gas does offer budget billing on the delivery portion of your bill.

A: North Shore Gas will continue to handle leaks and gas-related emergencies just like they always have.

A: No. North Shore Gas is required to handle all customers equally and has no incentive to treat you differently, even if you’ve selected an alternative energy provider.

A: Yes, you can speak to one of our Spanish-speaking representatives by dialing 800.411.4389 and selecting Spanish. (Sí, puede hablar con uno de nuestro representantes hispanohablantes por marcar 800.411.4389 y seleccionar español.)

A: We actually purchase electricity and gas from many sources and arrange to have it transported to your area.

A: As a pioneer in the deregulated energy industry, we have lots of experience buying and selling energy. Our expertise and size allow us to negotiate very competitive prices on energy, and we can pass any savings on to you.

A: When your contract expires, you can renew by calling us at 800.411.4391and then selecting the plan you want. Or you can do nothing and you’ll automatically be switched over to a competitive variable rate.

A: Some customers like the flexibility of a month to month variable rate and the savings they can enjoy when rates are low. Others don’t want to worry about whether energy prices are going up or down, and prefer the stability and price protection of a fixed rate.

A: Because North Shore Gas bills all customers, the name on your bill will be the same as the name on your North Shore Gas account.

Q: Who is Spark Energy?

A: Alternative energy providers like Spark Energy buy natural gas from the companies that process it, then sell it to businesses like yours. Your utility’s job includes managing pipes, lines and other infrastructure to get the gas safely and reliably to homes and businesses. If you don’t choose an alternative energy provider to buy your gas from, you can buy your gas from the utility, but you may not be able to get as low a rate as you would if you switched.

A: We use our buying power and expert knowledge of energy markets to purchase natural gas at very competitive prices, and then pass the savings on to you.

A: No. You will continue to receive one bill from your utility company as you always have. That bill will include your supply charges from Spark Energy along with the delivery charges from the utility.

A: Yes. You must be up to date with your payments to Peoples Gas before you can switch to another natural gas provider.

A: To get natural gas service at a new address, you’ll need to contact Peoples Gas so they can process your move in. Once you do that, you can sign up with Spark Energy online or by phone at 800.411.4391.

A: The switch usually takes 8-38 days. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the welcome letter and terms of service we’ll mail you for your review.

A: No, we don’t require a deposit to switch residential service.

A: We may charge a small monthly fee. Please check out the products page for more details.

A: We recommend contacting Peoples Gas to confirm whether this option will remain available after you switch.

A: We don’t offer budget billing on the portion of your bill that we’re responsible for- your supply charges. However, Peoples Gas does offer budget billing on the delivery portion of your bill.

A: Peoples Gas will continue to handle leaks and gas-related emergencies just like they always have.

A: No. Peoples Gas is required to handle all customers equally and has no incentive to treat you differently, even if you’ve selected an alternative energy provider.

A: Yes, you can speak to one of our Spanish-speaking representatives by dialing 800.411.4389 and selecting Spanish. (Sí, puede hablar con uno de nuestro representantes hispanohablantes por marcar 800.411.4389 y seleccionar español.)

A: We actually purchase natural gas from many sources and arrange to have it transported to your area.

A: As a pioneer in the deregulated energy industry, we have lots of experience buying and selling energy. Our expertise and size allow us to negotiate very competitive prices on energy, and we can pass any savings on to you.

A: When your contract expires, you have two options. You can renew by calling us at 800.411.4391 and then selecting the plan you want. Or you can do nothing and you’ll automatically be switched over to a competitive variable rate.

A: Some customers like the flexibility of a month to month variable rate and the savings they can enjoy when rates are low. Others don’t want to worry about whether energy prices are going up or down, and prefer the stability and price protection of a fixed rate.

A: Because Peoples Gas bills all customers, the name on your bill will be the same as the name on your Peoples Gas account.