Call this a good start. When Delaware Today conceived the idea of a special section dedicated to the state’s utilities, it was intended to help readers avoid the hassles of choosing services. We’d planned a section filled with charts and diagrams—an homage to Consumer Reports, if you will—where readers would scan the information we’d compiled and decipher the best household utilities.

After more than 200 emails were sent and hundreds of phone calls to utility companies statewide were made, fewer than 20 responded to our survey questions by deadline. Another handful sent in late responses.

That concerned us, and it should concern you. Most didn’t respond at all, we suspect, with good reason. Many of these companies didn’t want to publicly reveal their rates, or confusing contract requirements or hidden fees. Others hold monopolies in certain regions of the state, so you’re forced to sign with them anyway. Since they don’t have to work hard for your business, they chose also to ignore our surveys.

We created this guide despite ignored voice and email messages, snubs from unhelpful customer service reps, and being kept on hold only to have the lines go dead.

Below you will find good information, as well as listings. The listings are only listings because the companies declined our requests. Our take away: Do not sign on the bottom line with these companies until you know the hidden costs and contract requirements.

This guide isn’t perfect; however, it serves as an excellent foundation from which you can build.

Editor’s note: The lists included in this guide are not all-inclusive. All information, including rates, was accurate at the time it was gathered.