How Does an Unlimited Energy Plan Work and Is It Worth It?

Key Points of This Article:

• An unlimited energy plan provides a predictable monthly supply charge during normal changes in energy use, but it does not make the entire utility bill flat.
• Utility delivery charges, taxes, fees, and other applicable charges can still change from month to month.
• “Unlimited” does not mean unrestricted energy use; plans may include usage requirements or thresholds that affect eligibility or plan terms.
• The biggest benefit is easier budgeting and less bill shock for households with seasonal or changing energy usage.
• Santanna’s Unlimited Energy Plan offers a predictable supply charge for electricity or natural gas and includes charitable donations tied to eligible enrollments and renewals.

Energy costs can be difficult to predict when your usage changes from month to month. If you're looking for an energy plan that can make your bills more predictable, look no further than an Unlimited Energy Plan. This plan makes the supply portion of your electricity or natural gas bill more predictable, regardless of how much energy you use.*  

But is it worth it and what's in it for you? In this guide, we'll break down how the plan works, what you can expect to see on your bill, and the potential benefits and considerations to help you decide whether it's right for you. 

What is an Unlimited Energy Plan? 

An unlimited energy plan, also known as a flat-fee plan, or a “flat rate” energy plan, gives you a set monthly supply charge that stays the same during normal changes in energy use and throughout the length of your contract.  

This energy plan type is simply an easier way to budget for your energy costs, whether you’re using more electricity to cool your home in the summer, spending more time at home, or simply unsure what your typical energy usage will look like in a new home. 

However, “unlimited” does not mean unrestricted energy use or one flat total utility bill. Usage requirements can apply, and utility delivery charges, taxes, fees, and other applicable charges can still change. 

How Does an Unlimited Energy Plan Work?  

With an unlimited energy plan, you use energy like normal, but changes in your monthly energy use do not automatically change the supply charge on your bill. 

Here’s what that means when your energy bill arrives: 

• You use energy as you normally would: When your bill arrives, your established supply charge does not increase just because you used more energy within the plan’s normal usage requirements. If you use less, that supply charge does not automatically decrease either. 

• Other parts of your bill can still change: The “unlimited” terminology only applies to the supply portion of your bill, not the entire bill. Utility delivery charges, taxes, fees, and other applicable charges can still change from month to month. So even when your supply charge stays the same, your total electricity bill may be different. 

• Unlimited plans still have conditions: “Unlimited” does not mean you can use any amount of energy without limits. Plans can have usage requirements that affect what happens if your energy use increases significantly. For example, with Santanna’s Unlimited Energy Plan, customers who use more than 125% of their Santanna-determined normal monthly usage may be required to switch plans. 

What Are the Benefits of an Unlimited Energy Plan? 

The biggest benefit of an unlimited energy plan is a predictable monthly supply charge even when your household’s normal energy use changes. Instead of wondering how a hotter month, more time at home, or other normal changes in usage will affect your supply charge, you know the established amount you can expect during the plan term, subject to the plan’s terms. 

For homeowners, that can offer several practical benefits: 

• More predictability for a substantial part of your electricity bill: Your supply charge can represent a significant portion of your total electricity costs. In the three utility sample bills reviewed from PECO Electric in Pennsylvania, AES Ohio and ComEd in Illinois, the supply charge accounted for approximately 46%–69% of the total bill and current charges. The percentage on your bill may differ. With an Unlimited Energy plan, your established supply charge stays the same during normal changes in energy use, subject to the plan’s usage requirements. 

• Easier household budgeting: Knowing your supply charge ahead of time gives you one more predictable household expense to plan around.  

• Less bill shock from changing electricity use: A hotter month, more time at home, or other normal changes in your routine can increase how much energy you use. With an unlimited energy plan, those normal changes do not automatically increase your established supply charge, helping reduce unexpected jumps in the supply portion of your bill.* 

What Are the Potential Drawbacks and Limitations of an Unlimited Energy Plan? 

The biggest drawback of an unlimited energy plan is that using less energy does not necessarily mean paying less for supply. These plans can also have usage requirements, and the established monthly amount does not make your entire utility bill predictable. 

Before choosing one, consider these potential limitations: 

• Lower usage may not lower your supply charge: If you use less energy during a mild month, go on vacation, or become more energy-efficient, you may still pay the same established monthly supply charge. On a usage-based plan, using less would generally reduce that portion of your bill. 

• It isn’t designed to guarantee savings:  Your Unlimited Energy supply charge is based on the usage tier your household falls into, so homes with lower historical energy usage may qualify for a lower-priced tier. However, the plan’s primary benefit is predictability, not a guarantee that you’ll pay less than you would on another type of energy plan. 

• Solar and net-metering customers may need to check compatibility: If your home produces some of its own electricity, your usage and billing work differently from a home that relies entirely on electricity from the grid. Check the plan’s eligibility and billing terms to understand whether it works with your solar or net-metering arrangement. 

• Not every household may qualify: Unlimited energy plans can have eligibility requirements based on the provider and plan. Even if you prefer this pricing structure, the plan may not be available for your home, so check eligibility and plan requirements before enrolling. 

Who May Benefit Most From an Unlimited Energy Plan? 

An unlimited energy plan may be a good fit for households that value a predictable supply charge even when normal electricity use changes from month to month. It may be worth considering if: 

• Households with normal seasonal usage changes. If your energy use changes with the seasons – like when your AC runs longer during a hot summer, and you use more gas during colder months- An unlimited plan can keep the supply charge more predictable through these normal seasonal changes. 

• People who prioritize predictable expenses. If knowing your supply charge ahead of time helps you budget, an unlimited plan can make that portion of your electricity bill easier to anticipate, even though your total bill can still change. 

• Households with changing routines within the plan’s requirements. Kids being home for summer, family visiting, or working from home more often can temporarily increase energy use. If those changes remain within the plan’s usage requirements, they do not automatically increase your established monthly supply charge. 

• Eligible renters or new homeowners who want easier budgeting. Renters and new homeowners who are responsible for their own electricity supply may also value knowing what to expect from that portion of their bill. Eligibility and available plan options can vary, so check what is available for your account. 

• Remote workers. Working from home can mean computers, monitors, lighting, heating or cooling, and other equipment running for more hours during the day. An unlimited plan can keep your established supply charge predictable through normal changes in that electricity use. 

• Gamers and high energy users. Gaming PCs, consoles, multiple monitors, TVs, and other electronics can add to your household electricity use, especially when they are used for long periods. If your usage remains within the plan’s requirements, those normal changes do not automatically increase your established supply charge. 

Is an Unlimited Energy Plan Worth It? 

An unlimited energy plan may be worth it if you value a predictable monthly supply charge, especially when your electricity use changes throughout the year. But it is not automatically cheaper than a fixed-rate, variable-rate, or other usage-based plan. 

The real question is what you want from your energy plan. If you want more predictability in your energy bill, a consistent supply charge and less bill shock, an Unlimited Energy plan could be right for you. 

When Might an Unlimited Energy Plan Not Be Worth It? 

An unlimited energy plan may not be worth it if you would benefit more from having your supply charge closely follow how much energy you actually use. It can also be a poor fit if your household’s energy needs are likely to change substantially. 

You may want to compare other options if: 

• Your main goal is finding the lowest possible cost: Unlimited plans are designed around predictability, not guaranteed savings. Compare the actual plan terms and available alternatives rather than assuming unlimited pricing will cost less. 

• You want lower usage to reduce your supply costs: If you reduce your usage, an unlimited plan’s established monthly supply charge may remain the same. With a usage-based plan, using fewer kWh generally reduces the usage-based supply portion of your bill. 

• You expect your household’s energy needs to change significantly: Adding an EV, switching heating systems, installing major electric appliances, or having more people move into the home could change your normal usage enough to affect whether the plan remains a good fit. 

Ultimately, an unlimited plan is worth it when its pricing structure matches how you use energy and what you want from your plan. Compare predictability, usage requirements, costs, and contract terms before deciding rather than choosing based on the word “unlimited” alone. 

What Should You Ask Before Enrolling in an Unlimited Energy Plan? 

Before enrolling in an unlimited energy plan, look beyond the monthly price and make sure you understand what stays predictable, what can still change, and what could affect your plan later. The word “unlimited” can mean different things depending on the provider and contract, so knowing the terms upfront can help you avoid surprises. 

Ask these questions before choosing a plan: 

• How is my normal energy usage determined? Ask what information the provider uses to establish normal usage for your home, such as previous usage associated with the account or other factors allowed under the plan. 

• Is there a usage threshold? Unlimited plans may have limits based on normal household usage. Find out how much your usage can change before it affects your plan. 

• What happens if I exceed the usage threshold? Do not stop at finding out that a limit exists. Ask whether exceeding it could change your monthly amount, move you to another plan, or have another effect under the contract. 

• Can my monthly supply charge change during the plan term? Ask how long the established amount applies and whether specific circumstances can cause it to change. 

• How long is the contract? Check the plan’s start date, length, and any conditions that apply throughout the term so you know how long you are committing to its pricing structure. 

• What happens when the plan ends or renews? Find out whether the plan renews automatically, whether the pricing or terms can change, and what choices you will have when the current term expires. 

• Are there cancellation or other fees? Review what happens if you move, switch plans, change suppliers, or cancel before the contract ends. Any applicable fees and exceptions should be clearly explained in the plan terms. 

You should be able to answer these questions before you enroll, not after your first bill arrives. Comparing the full plan terms instead of the monthly amount alone makes it easier to decide whether an unlimited energy plan truly fits your household’s usage, budget, and expectations. 

Once you understand the questions you should ask, the next step is seeing how a specific plan answers them. 

About Santanna Energy Services’ Unlimited Energy Plan 

At Santanna, we offer an Unlimited Energy plan to give homeowners another way to choose how they pay for the energy supply portion of their bill. Instead of having your supply charge change directly with normal increases and decreases in energy use, your supply charge stays the same each month for the length of your contract.* 

What Makes Santanna’s Unlimited Energy Plan So Unique? 

• Tailored supply charge based on your usage 

• Available for both electricity and natural gas 

• Access to a customer rewards program 

• For each plan enrollment, we donate to local Midwest charities 

How Much Is a Typical Santanna Unlimited Energy Supply Charge? 

A typical Santanna Unlimited Energy supply charge for electricity may be around $80 to $200 per month, but there is no single charge that applies to every household. The amount available to you can depend on factors such as your normal electricity use, season, location, eligibility, and the specific plan offered for your home. 

Remember, this is only for the supply charge, not your total electricity bill. Utility delivery charges, taxes, fees, and other applicable charges can still change. 

FAQs About Unlimited Energy Plans 

What is the supply charge on an electricity bill? 

The supply charge is the part of your electricity bill that pays for the electricity you use, separate from what your utility charges to deliver that electricity to your home. Depending on where you live, your energy supply may come from your utility or a competitive energy supplier. 

If you want to better understand what you’re paying for, learn more about how a supply charge works on your electricity bill here. 

Is unlimited electricity actually unlimited? 

No. Unlimited electricity plans can still have normal-usage requirements, thresholds, and other contract terms, so “unlimited” does not mean unrestricted electricity use for one price. 

Can an unlimited energy plan save money? 

It can in some situations, but savings are not guaranteed. Unlimited energy plans are primarily designed to provide a more predictable supply charge, and their value depends on your usage, plan terms, and available alternatives. 

Is unlimited electricity the same as budget billing? 

No. Budget billing typically spreads estimated utility costs into more even monthly payments and may later reconcile what you paid with actual costs, while an unlimited energy plan uses an established supply charge subject to the plan’s terms. 

Is unlimited electricity the same as a fixed-rate plan? 

No, a fixed-rate plan locks your supply rate, while an unlimited energy plan keeps the monthly supply charge predictable during normal usage, subject to plan terms. 

Why do unlimited energy plans have usage requirements? 

Usage requirements help keep unlimited energy plans designed for households with normal residential electricity use and support the plan’s pricing structure for customers. They also help prevent unusually high or non-residential energy use from being treated as typical household usage. If your electricity use exceeds the plan’s requirements, your plan may be affected according to its terms.

Energy bills can be hard enough to plan for when your household’s needs change from one month to the next. An unlimited energy plan can make one part of that easier by giving you a supply charge you can better anticipate, even as your normal energy use changes throughout the year. 

If having a predictable supply charge would make managing your household energy costs easier, explore Santanna’s Unlimited Energy Plan and see how it can help bring fewer surprises to the supply portion of your bill. 

And here’s something we’re especially proud of: for every Unlimited Energy gas or electricity initial enrollment or renewal, Santanna contributes a corporate donation to a nonprofit organization in the Midwest.** That means your enrollment can help you choose more predictability for your home while also supporting communities across the Midwest. 

When you understand what to expect from your energy plan, it becomes easier to choose what feels right for your home. 

* Restrictions apply. Enrollment based upon program eligibility. Customers using more than 125% of normal monthly usage as determined by Santanna may be required to switch plans. 

** For every Unlimited Energy gas or electricity initial enrollment or renewal, Santanna Energy Services will contribute corporate donations to a nonprofit organization in the Midwest after 60 days of billed usage. Plans may vary. See plan details for eligibility and current charity donation promotions.