Do you wish you could spend less on your monthly gas and electric bills? Because the amount of energy Americans consume doubles approximately every 20 years, the price of electricity is continuing to rise.

Luckily, one of the easiest ways to start significantly cutting the amount of money you pay for your utilities is to switch to one of the cheapest electricity providers in your area.

If you want to know more about comparing different electricity providers, just read these tips.

Here are four things you should always keep in mind when you compare electricity providers:

1. Find out if you are able to switch electricity providers: Currently, only 16 U.S. states along with the District of Columbia allow consumers to choose their own electric service providers and compare the cheapest electricity suppliers’ rates. These states are Maryland, Texas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. If you don’t live in one of these states, you won’t be able to compare and find the cheapest electricity providers.

2. Choose an electricity provider comparison site: There are a few different websites where you can compare providers near you and choose the best electricity option for your budget. Best of all, using these sites is free!

3. Ensure you don’t go without electricity when you switch: To make sure your house continues to receive power, tell your current provider to end your service on the same day that your new service is scheduled to start.

4. Enjoy your cheaper utility bills: The great thing about getting your energy from the cheapest electricity suppliers is that you get the same exact electricity for less. You’ll love having hundreds of extra dollars each year to spend!