Pittsburgh electricity rates are deregulated. That means you can pick your electric generation supplier. But how should you compare offers to find the best rates for you?
When you’re shopping for electricity in Pittsburgh, it’s easy to compare prices online to see what your options are.
Pittsburgh Electricity Company
Pittsburgh’s electricity utility is Duquesne Light Company.
Duquesne maintains the poles and wires, responds in an emergency and issues your bill. Duquesne’s regulated electricity rates is called the Price to Compare or default rate. The PA Public Utility Commission must review and approve this pricing, which is based on how much Duquesne pays for power.
The price to compare changes twice a year, in June and December. (You can find a Duquesne price to compare rate history on this page.)
But you don’t have to buy your power at the Price to Compare. You can buy electricity from any of the list of electricity generation suppliers approved by the PA Public Utility Commission.
And choosing a fixed rate electricity plan from a supplier gives you price stability. Below are available rates in your area.
Compare Pittsburgh Electricity Rates
| Plan Name | Term | Rate/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Public Power Electric 7 Month Fixed | 7 | 9.99 ¢ |
| Public Power Electric 12 Month Fixed | 12 | 10.39 ¢ |
| Direct Energy Live Brighter 12 | 12 | 10.49 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy Sure Lock 12 | 12 | 10.49 ¢ |
| Public Power Electric 15 Month Fixed | 15 | 10.69 ¢ |
| Energy Harbor Safe Harbor 10 | 10 | 10.80 ¢ |
| Constellation 12 Month Home Power Plan | 12 | 10.89 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy Simple Clean 12 | 12 | 10.99 ¢ |
| XOOM Energy Rescue Lock 12 | 12 | 10.99 ¢ |
| Direct Energy Live Brighter 9 | 9 | 11.19 ¢ |
| Energy Harbor Safe Harbor 20 | 20 | 11.20 ¢ |
| Energy Harbor Safe Harbor 32 | 32 | 11.80 ¢ |
| Constellation 24 Month Home Power Plan | 24 | 11.89 ¢ |
| Constellation 24 Month Green Home Power Plan | 24 | 12.39 ¢ |
| Direct Energy Go Green Lights 24 | 24 | 13.19 ¢ |
Pittsburgh Electricity Rates by Zip
Types of Electricity Plans in Pittsburgh
Suppliers in the Duquesne market offer four types of electricity plans.
- Fixed Rate. Your rate per kilowatt hour (kWh) is fixed for the term of your contract agreement. This gives you price stability.
- Variable Rate. Your rate per kWh will be a low introductory rate. Then each month your rate changes, usually going up every month.
- Green Energy. Fixed rate plan backed by carbon-free electricity or renewable energy certificates. This is a great affordable option if you want to support a cleaner Pennsylvania.
- Unlimited/Flat Bill. You’ll pay the same amount of money each month regardless of how you use. Your supplier will base this on your historical usage. Unfortunately what looks like a great deal usually isn’t. Why? Because people compare it to their highest bill, forgetting how much lower it is in other months.
When shopping, compare electricity supplier rates to the current Duquesne price to compare. But remember that you are not only looking for a lower rate. You are also looking to avoid 2X annual utility rate changes.
What is the Best Electric Supplier in Pittsburgh?
It’s tough to say what the best electric supplier is in Pittsburgh.
That’s because it depends on what you are looking for. Are you looking for the cheapest price right now? Or a long term rate that will give you price certainty?
The reality is, you won’t even interact with your electricity supplier once you select them. They are just going to be a line item on your utility bill. You’ll only hear from them when it’s time to renew your contract. So customer service isn’t really a factor to consider.
Instead, to find the best electricity supplier for your home, consider these items.
- Rate per kWh. This is what most people focus on. They look for the cheapest rate. But there are other items to consider.
- Early Termination Fee. You are entering into a contract with the electricity supplier. So if you change your mind or find a better deal, what will it cost you to cancel the contract?
- Monthly Fee. Read the plan summary to see if there’s a monthly fee from your supplier.
- Contract Term. Contract terms can vary from 12 to 36 months. If prices are low and you think the utility rate will continue to increase, look for a longer term plan with a low or no early termination fee. That way you get a low rate and can switch away at if rates drop.
Each of these factors matter when you are picking the best electricity company for your Pittsburgh home.
But for most people? Best means the plan with the cheapest electricity rate. We cover that below.
How to Find the Cheapest Electricity Rate in Pittsburgh
The best electricity rate usually means the cheapest. Here’s our guide to how to shop the cheapest electricity rates in Pittsburgh.
Time needed: 10 minutes
How to find cheapest electricity rates in Pittsburgh
- Search electricity rates by zip code.
Electricity prices vary by utility. In some area, a zip code may even be split between utility companies. In the Pittsburgh area, your utility is Duquesne Light Company.
- Select type of electricity plan.
You can choose from fixed or variable rate, traditional energy or renewable energy. We recommend always choosing a fixed rate plan.
- Sort by price, low to high.
Sort fixed rate and renewable energy plans by price, low to high, to put the cheapest electricity plans on top.
- Review the fine print.
Use our easy plan summary to review details, like the price per kWh, the term, monthly charge and early termination fee.
- Enroll with your new electricity supplier.
Once you’ve selected an electricity plan, enroll with your new supplier. The utility will take care of switching your service. Your new electricity rate will take effect in one to two billing cycles.
Pittsburgh Electricity Shopping FAQs
According to EIA.gov, the average monthly electricity usage in Pittsburgh is 866 kWh, and annual usage is 10,402 kWh annually. Your electricity usage will vary by the size and age of your home, your personal usage habits and the number of people living in your home.
The average monthly electric bill in Pittsburgh PA is $159.17 This is based on the typical monthly consumption of 866 kWh and the average kWh price of 18.38 cents. (Source: EIA.gov June 2023)
Electricity in Pittsburgh costs 18.38 cents per kWh on average, based on June 2023 data from the Energy Information Administration. That includes the cost of supply, delivery and local assessments. This data includes the price to compare at utilities across the state, so it’s not a fair estimate of what you’ll pay. The better bet? Check rates using an rate comparison shopping site like ElectricityPlans.com.
Business Electricity in Pittsburgh – Commercial Electricity Rates
You can compare electricity rates for your business too. Commercial electricity rates are more complicated than residential rates, especially if you spend over $2,000 a month on electricity. Contract terms, especially early termination penalties, can be complex.
Shop with an energy expert with this quote request form. Or call us at 844-214-5559 Monday-Friday
