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Commercial energy plan types.

Fixed, variable, block-and-index, time-of-use — the plan structure matters as much as the rate. Here’s how each works, who it fits, and why we default to fixed.

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A few of the 26+ suppliers we make compete for you
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Direct Energy
Freepoint Energy
Gexa Energy
AEP Energy
SFE Energy
NextEra Energy
Homefield Energy
Dynegy
Hudson Energy
Vistra Energy
Nordic Energy
TXU Energy
Champion Energy
Smartest Energy
Constellation
Indra Energy
Engie
Nordic
Sprague
Gas South
Tiger Natural Gas
NRG
Green Mountain Energy
Infinity Energy
Energy Harbor
Washington Gas

The four structures

How commercial energy plans work

Fixed-rate

Best for: Most businesses seeking stability

One locked ¢/kWh (or $/therm) for the whole term — typically 6 to 60 months. Your supply rate can’t move, whatever the market does. Budget certainty and spike protection.

Our default

Variable-rate

Best for: Risk-tolerant, flexible operations

Your rate resets monthly (sometimes hourly) with wholesale prices. You might save in mild months, but a summer peak can drive it 3–5× higher. This is the teaser-rate trap we steer clients away from.

We avoid

Block-and-index

Best for: Large accounts with steady baseload

Hybrid: fix a “block” of expected usage at a set price, and buy anything above it at the floating wholesale index. Balances certainty with market upside — for sophisticated, high-usage accounts.

Large accounts

Time-of-use

Best for: Flexible schedules, off-peak load

Prices vary by time of day — often 30–50% cheaper nights, weekends and holidays. Rewards businesses that can shift heavy loads (manufacturing, EV charging, HVAC pre-cooling) off-peak.

Situational

Why we default to fixed

  • A fixed rate can’t spike — your supply price holds for the whole term.
  • Variable rates and low teaser rates transfer market risk to you; they rarely settle back below a fixed price.
  • Block-and-index and time-of-use can pay off for large, flexible accounts — our Large Accounts team will tell you if that’s you.
  • Our Blend and Extend program locks the longest sensible fixed term, even before your current contract ends.

Common questions

Choosing a plan

Four main structures: fixed-rate (one locked price), variable-rate (floats monthly with the market), block-and-index (fix a block of usage, float the rest), and time-of-use (different prices by hour). Most businesses are best served by a fixed rate.
For the large majority of commercial accounts, a fixed-rate plan wins — it gives budget certainty and protects you from spikes. Block-and-index or time-of-use can suit very large accounts with predictable baseloads or flexible operations, which is where our Large Accounts team advises. USA Energy defaults to fixed unless a custom structure clearly serves you better.
Because variable and teaser rates transfer risk to you. A low introductory rate can climb 3–5× during a summer peak and rarely settles back below a fixed price. We only place businesses on fixed rates for the longest sensible term — no variable-rate games.
It’s our approach of blending your current rate with today’s market to lock a new, longer fixed agreement — securing the longest sensible term and maximizing price protection, even before your current contract ends.

Want the plan that actually fits?

Send us one recent bill. We’ll recommend the right structure and lock the lowest fixed rate across 26+ suppliers — free, no obligation.

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