Need the basics on how to shop for electric rates in PA? You’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll learn the 101 on deregulation, how to compare PA electric rates and how to select an electricity supplier.
Steps to compare electricity rates in PA are simple. Enter your zip code on a rate comparison shopping site, compare electricity plans and select your provider. You’ll still get a single bill from the electric utility, but it will list your new provider and fixed rate instead of the utility price to comapare.
Electricity Deregulation in Pennsylvania – The Basics
Pennsylvania deregulated electricity and natural gas in 1999. Deregulation in Pennsylvania separated the delivery of electricity from the generation and sale of electricity.
Because of that, consumers and businesses can choose to purchase their electricity from the local utility company, called an Electric Delivery Company (EDC). Or you can purchase power from an Electric Generation Supplier (EGS). Electric rates in PA are very competitive, with over 100 licensed suppliers to pick from.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC) oversees licensing and approval of all suppliers.
Regardless of who you buy electricity from, your local EDC still delivers power to your home, reads your meter, responds in the case of a power emergency and sends your bill.
Benefits of Shopping for Electricity in Pennsylvania
If you stay with the local EDC, you pay their default rate, also called the Price to Compare. This rate changes 2-4 times per year depending on your utility. You have no control over what you pay.
By choosing an EGS, you can get a fixed rate electricity plan. That protects you against rising electricity prices and gives you price certainty. Or you can choose to go green with a 100% renewable energy plan.
Benefits of choosing an electricity supplier in Pennsylvania include price certainty, savings vs. the price to compare and renewable options that your utility doesn’t offer.
How to Compare PA Electric Suppliers & Get the Best Rate
The best way to find the best PA electric supplier and get the best rate? Check electric rates by zip code and compare electric supplier rates head to head.
ElectricityPlans.com is a comparison shopping site that works with a select number of high quality suppliers.
There are three steps to picking your electricity supplier and rate in Pennsylvania.
1. Pick Your Type of Electricity Plan
There are three types of electricity plans in PA. Based on our 20+ years in the electricity business, we recommend fixed rate electricity plans for price certainty and security.
Fixed Rate. A fixed rate plan gives you the same electric rate per kWh for the term of your contract. No matter how much or how little you use, your rate won’t change. You can get a fixed rate plan as traditional energy mix or 100% renewable energy.
Variable Rate. A variable rate plan usually offers a low and very appealing introductory rate for the first month or so. But watch out. After that your rate can change with no restriction on how high you can go. You will have the benefit of no early termination fee on this month to month rate. But you’ll also deal with rate changes and risk.
Flat Bill Plan / Unlimited. Unlimited electricity for the same dollar amount every month sounds great. This gimmicky plan relies on you only remembering your highest bill amount. When presented with a monthly flat bill with unlimited usage, you forget that most months your bill is substantially lower than that. You’ll likely end up overpaying for power.
2. Compare Electricity Rates
Once you’ve picked the type of plan (pssst – pick a fixed rate plan), it’s time to compare electricity rates.
Simply follow these steps to compare electricity rates in PA:
- Visit the ElectricityPlans.com/Pennsylvania site
- Enter your zip code
- Select fixed rate electricity plans and sort by price low to high
- Compare rates and pick the cheapest fixed rate plan
- Enter your service address and utility account information on the supplier’s web site
In addition to rate, other things to consider when shopping include: contract term, monthly service fee, early termination fee and percentage renewable energy.
3. Switch to Your New Supplier
Once you select your plan and complete enrollment, that’s it!
Your new supplier will handle the switching process and will notify your utility company.
Once the utility gets notification of switch, it only takes three business days for that supplier to become your electricity supplier of record.
All that changes is a line item on your bill. You’ll know your new rate is in effect when your supplier name shows on your bill with along with your new fixed rate.
Shop PA Electric Rates by Zip Code
PA Electric Rates per kWh – PECO
| Provider | Plan Name | Term | Rate/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Power | Public Power 12 Month Fixed with Monthly Fee | 12 | 6.19 ¢ |
| Energy Harbor | Energy Harbor Safe Harbor 8 | 8 | 8.09 ¢ |
| Direct Energy | Direct Energy Live Brighter 8 | 8 | 8.59 ¢ |
| Public Power | Public Power 10 Month Fixed | 10 | 8.59 ¢ |
| Energy Harbor | Energy Harbor Safe Harbor 12 | 12 | 8.79 ¢ |
| Public Power | Public Power 12 Month Fixed | 12 | 8.89 ¢ |
| Direct Energy | Direct Energy Live Brighter 12 | 12 | 9.09 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy | XOOM Energy Sure Lock 12 | 12 | 9.29 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy | XOOM Energy Simple Clean 12 | 12 | 9.59 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy | XOOM Energy Rescue Lock 12 | 12 | 9.69 ¢ |
| Constellation | Constellation 12 Month Home Power Plan | 12 | 9.89 ¢ |
| Direct Energy | Direct Energy Live Brighter 18 | 18 | 9.99 ¢ |
| Constellation | Constellation 12 Month Green Home Power Plan | 12 | 10.29 ¢ |
PA Electric Rates per kWh – PPL Electric Utility
| Provider | Plan Name | Term | Rate/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Power | Public Power 12 Month Fixed with Monthly Fee | 12 | 9.09 ¢ |
| Direct Energy | Direct Energy Live Brighter 8 | 8 | 10.09 ¢ |
| Energy Harbor | Energy Harbor Safe Harbor 8 | 8 | 10.09 ¢ |
| Public Power | Public Power 10 Month Fixed | 10 | 10.39 ¢ |
| Direct Energy | Direct Energy Live Brighter 12 | 12 | 10.59 ¢ |
| Energy Harbor | Energy Harbor Safe Harbor 12 | 12 | 10.69 ¢ |
| Public Power | Public Power 12 Month Fixed | 12 | 10.79 ¢ |
| Constellation | Constellation 12 Month Home Power Plan | 12 | 11.19 ¢ |
| Direct Energy | Direct Energy Live Brighter 18 | 18 | 11.49 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy | XOOM Energy Sure Lock 12 | 12 | 11.79 ¢ |
| Constellation | Constellation 12 Month Green Home Power Plan | 12 | 11.89 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy | XOOM Energy Simple Clean 12 | 12 | 12.09 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy | XOOM Energy Rescue Lock 12 | 12 | 12.39 ¢ |
PA Electric Rates per kWh – Met-Ed
| Provider | Plan Name | Term | Rate/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Power | Public Power 12 Month Fixed with Monthly Fee | 12 | 8.59 ¢ |
| Energy Harbor | Energy Harbor Safe Harbor 8 | 8 | 9.49 ¢ |
| Direct Energy | Direct Energy Live Brighter 8 | 8 | 9.59 ¢ |
| Energy Harbor | Energy Harbor Safe Harbor 10 | 10 | 9.99 ¢ |
| Public Power | Public Power 10 Month Fixed | 10 | 10.09 ¢ |
| Direct Energy | Direct Energy Live Brighter 12 | 12 | 10.19 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy | XOOM Energy Sure Lock 12 | 12 | 10.29 ¢ |
| Energy Harbor | Energy Harbor Safe Harbor 12 | 12 | 10.38 ¢ |
| Public Power | Public Power 12 Month Fixed | 12 | 10.49 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy | XOOM Energy Simple Clean 12 | 12 | 10.49 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy | XOOM Energy Rescue Lock 12 | 12 | 10.79 ¢ |
| Direct Energy | Direct Energy Live Brighter 18 | 18 | 11.09 ¢ |
| Constellation | Constellation 12 Month Home Power Plan | 12 | 11.29 ¢ |
| Constellation | Constellation 12 Month Green Home Power Plan | 12 | 11.89 ¢ |
What is Slamming? Slamming means that someone has switched your electricity supply without your consent. This typically happens via a door to door or telemarketing vendor. If you receive a utility notice about a switch you did not authorize, call them right away. And if you see a new supplier on your bill and you didn’t authorize the switch, contact the PA PUC at 1-800-692-7380.
Electric Distribution Companies in Pennsylvania
Your Electric Distribution Company depends on where you live. And your utility price to compare or default rate can change 2 or 4 times per year depending on your EDC.
EDCs set their rates on how much they paid for power in the past, at supply auctions they conduct.
Suppliers set their rates based on the forward market. This is why suppliers can often offer a price that’s lower than the utility rate.
Here are the electric utilities in Pennsylvania.
List of Electric Distribution Companies in PA
PECO – electric utility for Philadelphia and the surrounding area. Default rates change quarterly.
PPL Electric Utilities– electric utility for areas west and north of Philadelphia. Default rates change twice a year.
Met-Ed – electric utility for southeastern Pennsylvania. Default rates change quarterly.
PenElec (formerly Pennsylvania Electric Co.) – electric utility for central and northern Pennsylvania. Default rates change quarterly.
PennPower (formerly Pennsylvania Power) – electric utility for central and northern Pennsylvania. Default rates change quarterly.
West Penn Power – electric utility for central and western Pennsylvania. Default rates change quarterly.
Duquesne Light Company – electric utility for Pittsburg and surrounding area. Default rates change twice a year.
This map below shows the general areas of each utility.
Electric Suppliers in PA
ElectricityPlans doesn’t represent every EGS supplier in PA. Just those that consistently score well with consumers and that offer great electricity rates. Here are some of the suppliers you will find on our site.
Pennsylvania Cities & Towns Where Electricity is Deregulated
Most cities and towns in Pennsylvania have deregulated electricity and natural gas. The only exception is if your area is served by a municipal utility or co-op electric company.
Some of the town where you can shop for electricity include:
Enter your zip code to shop electricity rates in your area.
Shop PA Electricity Rates By Zip Code
Pennsylvania Electricity FAQs
The average monthly energy usage in Pennsylvania is 866 kWh and the typical price for electricity is 18 cents/kWh including delivery. That makes the average PA electricity bill $156. (Source: EIA.gov)
There are over 50 electricity suppliers in PA. Which one is the best depends on what you are looking for in a supplier. Keep in mind that your interaction with your supplier is minimal. Your local EDC utility will still handle billing and customer service. That’s why the best electricity supplier in PA is the one with the cheapest electricity rate.
The average cost of electricity per kWh in Pennsylvania is 18 cents per kWh according to the US Energy Information Administration. That price includes both energy and delivery. Your supply accounts for between 40% and 60% of your electricity cost. That means that your energy supply cost for electricity is between 7 and 10 cents per kWh.
(Reference: EIA.gov March 2023 pricing data; PA PUC percent energy cost.)
If you are moving to PA, you will contact your local Electric Distribution Company (EDC) to start your electricity service. You will be given the choice of paying the default rate from the utility or a standard offer service rate where you are assigned to an Electric Generation Supplier. Once you have your account number and your service has started, use an electricity comparison shopping site like ElectricityPlans to find the cheapest fixed rate plan from an EGS. Sign up for service and you’ll switch to that new rate within 3 to 7 days.
Can businesses shop for electricity in Pennsylvania? Yes! Businesses of all sizes can shop for commercial electricity prices. Learn more about the benefits of shopping for business electricity rates in Pennsylvania.
