How to Compare Electricity Rates in PA

What is the Price to Compare (PTC) in Pennsylvania?

The price to compare (PTC) is the per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) your local utility company charges for electric supply, acting as a benchmark for comparing third-party supplier offers. It represents the generation and transmission portion of your bill, which can be replaced by a competitive supplier to save money.

Differences Between a Utility vs. Energy Supplier

In Pennsylvania, the power to choose your energy provider is a result of the state’s Energy Choice program. While the roles of the utility and the supplier are distinct, they work together to keep your lights on.

Utility Company

Your local utility is determined by where you live. You cannot switch your utility because they own and maintain the physical “grid.”

• Responsibilities: They own the poles, wires, and transformers. They are responsible for delivering electricity to your home, fixing downed power lines, and responding to outages.
• The Bill: Even if you switch suppliers, the utility still sends your bill and handles customer service.

Energy Supplier

In Pennsylvania’s deregulated market, the energy supplier generates or purchases electricity from wholesale markets and competes to sell power to customers.

• Responsibilities: You can choose your energy supplier for the “supply” portion of your bill, but your local utility remains responsible for delivery, infrastructure, and customer service.
• Your Options: You can shop for suppliers based on fixed or variable rates, contract lengths, or “green” plans that use 100% renewable energy like wind or solar.

Pennsylvania Utility Companies

In Pennsylvania, utility companies are responsible for delivering electricity to homes and businesses and maintaining the grid infrastructure. In contrast, energy suppliers compete to provide the actual electricity you consume. Suppliers set their rates and offer various plans, such as fixed-rate, variable-rate, or renewable energy options. Choosing the right supplier can result in substantial savings, whereas your utility remains constant and continues managing billing and service reliability. Major utilities in Pennsylvania include:

• Duquesne Light: Serving the Pittsburgh area and surrounding counties.
• Met-Ed: A subsidiary of FirstEnergy, serving eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania.
• Pike County Light & Power: The states smallest utility, serving a portion of residents in Pike County, PA.
• PECO: The largest electric and natural gas utility in Pennsylvania, serving the Philadelphia region.
• PPL Electric: Provides electricity to central and eastern Pennsylvania.
• Penelec: Serves the majority of rural northern and central PA.
• Penn Power: Provides electricity to western parts of the state.
• West Penn Power: This utility serves southwest and north central Pennsylvania counties.

How to Switch Electricity Providers in Pennsylvania?

1. 1. Grab Your Latest Bill: To switch, you’ll need your account number and your Electric Distribution Company (EDC) account number (or service reference number), all found on your bill. Having your bill also helps you see your current “Standard Service” rate, so you can accurately compare it to new offers.
   2. Compare Rates on electricityrates.com: Head to our electricity marketplace and enter your ZIP Code to be shown rates from top suppliers serving your area.

Pro Tip: Look for “Fixed” rates to avoid price spikes, and check the “Term” (length of the contract).

1. 1. Enroll Online: Once you find a plan that fits your needs, click the “Select Plan” button. From there, you will enter your account details and confirm the switch. There will be no service interruption to your electricity, and the switch typically takes effect on your next scheduled meter reading date (usually within 1–2 billing cycles).

What to Look for When Selecting an Electricity Plan in PA

There are dozens of electricity providers in Pennsylvania, but not all are created equal. The best combine great rates, fantastic service, and more to deliver a customer-first experience.

ElectricityRates.com created the Provider Score rating system to assess providers based on these important criteria. To see how providers stack up against each other, check out our Best Pennsylvania Electricity Providers report.

Tips for Choosing a Provider

1. 1. • Evaluate Your Needs: Consider your energy usage patterns, budget, and preferences for renewable energy.
      • Check Reviews and Ratings: Look for customer reviews and ratings to gauge provider reliability and customer service.
      • Understand Contract Terms: Pay attention to contract length, cancellation fees, and other terms

Types of Electricity Plans in PA

When it comes to electricity plans in Pennsylvania, one size doesn’t fit all. The restructured market offers a variety of electricity plan options to suit different needs and preferences:

1. 1. • Fixed-Rate Plans: These plans lock in your electricity supply rate for the duration of your contract, typically ranging from 6 to 36 months. They’re ideal for consumers who prefer predictable bills and protection from market fluctuations.
      • Variable-Rate Plans: With these plans, your rate can change month-to-month based on market conditions. They offer the potential for savings during periods of low demand but may lead to higher bills during peak times.
      • 100% Renewable Plans: Choose plans that exclusively source energy from renewable resources, supporting environmental sustainability. These plans are perfect for environmentally conscious consumers looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

When selecting a plan, consider factors like your risk tolerance, budget, and long-term energy goals. Shorter plans offer more flexibility, while longer-term contracts often provide more stable rates.

What is PA Power Switch?

While PA Power Switch is the official platform of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) designed to help residents compare electricity providers, it might not always be the best site for every shopper. One potential drawback is that it primarily focuses on presenting a wide array of options, which can sometimes feel overwhelming to users unfamiliar with the intricacies of electricity plans.

Shoppers looking for a more streamlined experience with pre-vetted, highly-rated providers or those seeking a platform that actively highlights customer satisfaction and service quality might find third-party comparison sites, like ElectricityRates.com offer a more focused and potentially less overwhelming shopping experience. Ultimately, helping users narrow down their choices to the most reputable and well-regarded suppliers.

Energy Choice Program in Pennsylvania

The history of energy choice in Pennsylvania began in 1996, when the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act took effect. This landmark legislation “unbundled” electric services, allowing consumers to shop for their energy supply while keeping the local utility responsible for delivery and infrastructure.

Today, Pennsylvania is considered one of the most successful deregulated markets in the country, with millions of residents choosing retail energy providers secure lower fixed rate electricity prices than their local utility.

How to Read Your Pennsylvania Electricity Bill

Understanding your Pennsylvania electricity bill can feel like deciphering a secret code, especially when rates are among the highest in the country. Here are the three most common charges you will see when reviewing your electricity bill.

Supply Charges

Supply charges are the fees you pay for the electricity you use. By default, these charges are set by your local utility if you do not participate in Energy Choice, and may fluctuate based on wholesale energy market conditions.

Delivery Charges

Delivery charges are the portion of your bill that covers the costs to deliver electricity and natural gas. These are set by your utility and approved by the Public Utility Commission of Pennsylvania (PA PUC).

Transmission Fees

The cost of moving high-voltage electricity from power plants over long distances to the local grid.

Why Are PA Bills So High?

Based on recent 2026 energy market data, there are four primary drivers behind the rise in Pennsylvania electricity bills:

• Skyrocketing Grid Capacity Costs: A record-breaking 833% surge in PJM Interconnection’s capacity auction prices for 2025–2026 is a major factor, as these “readiness fees” are passed directly to consumers to help fund reliable power generation.
• Infrastructure and Modernization: State utilities are implementing multi-year rate hikes to fund aging grid repairs, storm-resilience upgrades, and the expansion of the delivery network.
• Surging Demand from AI and Data Centers: Rapid growth in energy-intensive data centers has significantly outpaced the addition of new power plants, creating a supply-and-demand crunch that keeps wholesale prices high.
• Natural Gas Volatility: Since natural gas generates roughly 60% of Pennsylvania’s electricity, recent price spikes caused by winter weather events (like Winter Storm Fern) and increased LNG exports have a direct, upward impact on monthly supply rates.

Energy Assistance Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers a robust network of financial assistance programs to help residents manage their electricity and heating costs. These programs range from direct cash grants to long-term bill reduction plans.

Federal Assistance

• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program): Provides federally funded “Cash” and “Crisis” grants. Cash grants help pay your heating bill, while Crisis grants (up to $1,000 in 2026) are for emergencies like a broken furnace or a shut-off notice.
• WAP (Weatherization Assistance Program): Offers free home energy audits and improvements (like insulation and air sealing) to permanently lower your energy bills.

State & Utility-Specific Programs

• CAP (Customer Assistance Program): Most major Pennsylvania utilities (PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light, etc.) offer this for low-income customers. It provides a reduced, fixed monthly bill and often includes debt forgiveness for past-due balances if you stay current on payments.
• CARES (Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Services): A referral service provided by utilities to help customers dealing with temporary hardships (like a medical emergency or job loss) find community resources and create a payment plan.
• Hardship Funds (Dollar Energy Fund): Many Pennsylvania utilities partner with the Dollar Energy Fund to provide one-time emergency grants (typically up to $500–$600) to households that may not qualify for LIHEAP but still face service termination.

Business Electric Rates in PA

Pennsylvania’s energy choice program isn’t just for residential customers – businesses can also benefit significantly from the competitive market. Here’s how:

• • Customized Plans: Energy suppliers offer plans tailored to the unique needs of businesses, from small retail shops to large industrial operations.
  • Potential for Significant Savings: By shopping for competitive rates, businesses can potentially save thousands of dollars annually on their energy costs.
  • Energy Management Tools: Many suppliers offer sophisticated platforms that allow businesses to track their usage, identify inefficiencies, and implement cost-saving measures.
  • Sustainability Options: For businesses looking to meet sustainability goals, suppliers offer renewable energy plans and carbon offset options.
  • Expert Guidance: Many suppliers provide dedicated account managers who can offer expert advice on energy procurement strategies and efficiency measures.

To explore business electricity rates, get started below by entering your ZIP Code to find the best plan for your company, or visit our business page for more information about electricity rates for businesses.

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