HARTFORD, Conn. -- While many blame electric deregulation for our skyrocketing electricity prices in Connecticut, only 10 percent of homeowners in the state have taken advantage of the retail choice deregulation brings. Choosing a different power supplier can bring savings, but residents have to weigh a number of options.

Most people Channel 3 Eyewitness News I-Team reporter Len Besthoff spoke with didn’t know they could chose someone other than Connecticut Light and Power or United Illuminating to supply their power. Many who know about the electric choice didn’t know how to switch, or were not sure how safe it is.

New Britain resident Paul Danielwicz said, “You really have to be sure of the competition that you’re going to. It’s going to be a good deal, it’s going to lock in, and they’re not going to go out of business, that kind of thing.”

Mary Healey of the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel follows electricity issues and said switching to another electric supplier is very easy to do.

Healey said, “The information is better and there’s a very good Web site that the Department of Utility Control has put together.”

Healey explained that power suppliers were screened by the DPUC before they were put on the Web site but it’s still up to consumers to read the fine print about if the electric rates are locked in or variable, if a contract needs to be signed and if there are cancellation fees.

Healey said, “Buyer beware, we’ve heard that growing up and like any product you buy, especially electricity, you really need to be keen on knowing what the details are.”

Another risk, according to Healey, is that power suppliers often buy electricity on the spot market. So when prices are low, like during the recession, they get good deals. However, when the economy moves back in an upward direction, so does the power bill.

Healey also pointed out if you’re not under a contract with the alternative power suppliers, you can switch back to CL&P or UI without any sort of penalty.

An important thing to remember is no matter who you go to in order to supply your electricity, it will still be delivers on CL&P or UI power lines and you will still receive a power bill from those companies. Healey also pointed out that if there is a power outage, those are the companies to call.

For more information about Connecticut’s Energy Information, visit the Web site.