Is Indra Energy Legit?

Energy scams targeting consumers are becoming increasingly widespread. You can protect yourself by researching your energy options and choosing a trusted, established provider like Indra Energy.

Indra Energy is a legitimate, independent energy supplier licensed to provide 100% renewable electricity and 100% carbon-offset natural gas. We currently serve 8 markets across 34 utilities, including Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. More than 120,000 customers in total with Indra Energy last year, choosing climate-positive energy for a sustainable future. Read on to learn more about:

• How energy suppliers work
• How Indra Energy operates
• Why consumers can benefit by changing suppliers
• Steps to switching energy providers

Understanding Energy Deregulation

If you’re a homeowner or renter, it’s important to understand the basics of U.S. consumer energy regulation, which can help you avoid energy scams and potentially lower your monthly bills. As of 2025, the United States has three main types of consumer energy markets:

1. Regulated Markets — In regulated markets, the state has full control over electricity and natural gas providers, which means power is sold and supplied to residents directly by utility companies. Examples of regulated markets include Washington, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Nevada.

2. Deregulated Markets — In deregulated markets, businesses called “energy suppliers” can purchase and resell electricity and natural gas to consumers. That means consumers can choose their own preferred energy supplier instead of being required to use the local utility company. Examples of deregulated energy states include Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and California.

3. Partially Regulated Markets — Some states have adopted a mix of regulation and deregulation, which means they regulate electricity but not natural gas, or vice versa. States in this category include Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Montana.

Energy deregulation empowers consumers by providing more freedom of choice, rather than forcing residents to use a specific utility company. In addition to giving consumers more options, deregulation also promotes competition between energy suppliers, which results in lower prices for gas and electricity. In short, energy deregulation provides consumers with more flexibility with added benefits.

The Legitimacy of Energy Suppliers

If you’ve thought about switching from your current utility company to a different gas or electric provider, you’ve probably wondered to yourself, “Are energy brokers and suppliers legitimate businesses?”

The short answer is yes. Energy providers are monitored by state and federal agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Local Utility Commission, depending on where they operate. Energy suppliers are also required to comply with various state and federal laws, including obtaining the proper permits and licenses, as well as obeying consumer protection regulations.

While energy suppliers and brokers are legitimate businesses, scammers and bad actors can take advantage of consumers by using tactics like door-to-door impersonation, email phishing, or “energy slamming,” which involves switching consumers’ energy suppliers without their knowledge or consent. That’s why it’s crucial to research energy providers and learn how to recognize warning signs of potential scams, such as:

• Aggressive sales tactics
• Demands for prepayment or immediate payment
• Insistence on payments being made with cash, cryptocurrency, or prepaid cards
• Lack of transparency and clarity in contracts
• Requests for sensitive information like your Social Security Number (SSN)

How Do Energy Suppliers Work?

What do energy suppliers do, how are they different from utility companies, and how do they work together to supply consumers with power?

A utility company is a public or privately owned service that generates, transmits, and distributes power, such as electricity or gas, to residential and commercial properties within a specific geographic region. In states with regulated energy markets, consumers are restricted to using the local utility companies, which also handle issues related to billing, repairs, and maintenance. 

An energy supplier is different from a utility company. In states with deregulated markets, energy suppliers like Indra Energy can purchase energy wholesale, making it possible to offer consumers a wider variety of choices—including 100% renewable electricity*—. If you live in a state with a deregulated energy market and decide to switch providers, you’ll continue to receive undisrupted power from your regular utility company. However, your billing will be managed by the energy supplier, and your power costs may drop significantly.

Can You Switch Energy Providers?

In regulated energy states, consumers are typically locked into using specific utilities. Fortunately, that isn’t the case in states with deregulated energy markets. If you live in a deregulated state, you’re free to switch suppliers and choose the best fit for your energy needs. However, since each state follows its own energy regulations, it’s important to understand what laws apply where you live. 

So where in the U.S. can you switch energy suppliers? Here are a few examples of fully deregulated energy markets:

• Delaware
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• Washington, D.C.

Some states allow consumers to switch electricity providers, but not natural gas, while others follow the opposite rule. To find out what laws apply in your state, check this energy regulation map.

Is It Safe to Switch Energy Providers?

When it comes to choosing an energy provider, one of the most frequently asked questions is, “Is it safe to switch energy suppliers?” Put simply, yes. There are numerous consumer protections in place at both the state and federal levels, which bans harmful and misleading business practices like “passing off goods or services as those of another.”

With that in mind, it’s important to verify that the energy supplier is a legitimate business before you sign up or share any payment information. Here are some red flags to watch out for when you’re navigating energy providers: 

• Inability to clearly explain and break down all fees, rates, and charges
• Refusal or hesitancy to provide documentation, such as full copies of contracts

It’s also a good idea to check online reviews and ratings, such as Birdeye or Google reviews, to see whether other customers have had positive experiences. Word of mouth, such as if your neighbors have made the switch to an energy provider, can also help you make an informed decision.

How to Switch Energy Providers

What happens when switching energy suppliers, how do you get the process started, and what factors should you consider? Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to choose—and change—energy providers.

1. Determine what you currently pay for electricity and gas. Sometimes, a provider will offer special deals and rewards to customers, as well as green benefits and incentives.

2. Look up energy providers that serve your zip code and verify that each is legitimate. Take the time to explore and compare their websites, which should include detailed, transparent information about billing and customer service policies. It’s also helpful to check recent consumer reviews and ratings, such as reviews on Google, Birdeye, or Yelp.

3. Determine whether you need to pay any fees to switch energy providers. For example, if you’re currently on a fixed-rate plan, your utility company may require you to pay an Early Termination Fee (ETF).

4. Once you’ve chosen a new supplier, enroll on their website. For instance, Indra Energy offers a rewards account, giving you access to special offers and perks. 

If you have any questions, you should contact your utility company or new energy supplier, who will be able to provide you with personalized guidance and detailed plan information. 

Making Informed Energy Choices

Indra Energy is a licensed, trusted supplier of 100% renewable electricity and carbon-offset natural gas*. If you’re a resident of DE, MA, MI, NJ, PA, VA, or Washington, D.C., Indra Energy offers fixed-rate plans, variable rate plans, and a reward programs, in addition to green energy plans. Explore energy plans to find the right fit for your needs, or contact our friendly customer support team to learn more about the services we provide.