If you’re a Pennsylvania resident, chances are you have the benefit of Energy Choice, sometimes known as PA Electric Choice. This means that you can compare Pennsylvania electricity rates, switch providers and realize potential savings on your bill.
As of June 2020, over 1.48 million residential customers and over 300,000 businesses have switched to a retail electricity provider in Pennsylvania. This makes up over 30% of all customers in the state. Keep reading to learn why so many are comparing rates and making the switch!
Shop Pennsylvania Electricity Rates
Choose your Pennsylvania utility provide to compare featured offers from leading electricity providers.
| Plan | Rate Per kWh |
|---|---|
| Tomorrow Energy 12 Month Fixed 12 Months | 7.08¢ Select |
| Public Power Public Power Saver's Edge 12 12 Months | 7.29¢ Select |
| Starion Energy Starion Secure 12 Months | 7.39¢ Select |
| Verde Clean Power 24 24 Months | 7.69¢ Select |
| Constellation 18 Month Electricity Plan PowerPlug 18 Months | 8.09¢ Select |
- 100% Renewable Sources
- Smart Home System Included
Pennsylvania Utility Providers
Click below to learn more about Pennsylvania utilities offering Energy Choice.
- Duquesne Light
- Met-Ed
- Pike County Light & Power
- PECO
- PPL Electric
- Penelec
- Penn Power
- West Penn Power
Average Pennsylvania Electricity Costs
Pennsylvania’s average residential electricity rate was 13.80¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2019, which is the 14th highest average residential electricity rate in the US. Pennsylvania residents are in the top half for energy efficiency averaging 837 kWh of usage per month. Still, Pennsylvania residents have the 25th highest average electricity bill in the US at $115.47/month.
13.80¢
Average Rate per/kWh
837 kWh
Average Usage per month
$115.47
Average Cost per month
HOW DOES THIS COMPARE NATIONALLY?
14th Highest
Average Rate
32nd Highest
Average Usage
25th Highest
Average Cost
Source: Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Pennsylvania Electricity Rates Trend
Here is the average retail price for residential electricity in Pennsylvania over time
How to Compare Electricity Rates in Pennsylvania
ElectricityRates.com offers a free Rate Comparison Tool to help Pennsylvanians compare the best electricity rates available in your area. Shopping for electricity on ElectricityRates.com is a simple three-step process.
- Enter your ZIP Code – Enter your ZIP Code to see providers available in your area.
- Compare electricity providers and plans – Pay attention to each plan’s terms and conditions, rate, and length.
- Switch electricity providers – After you find the right plan for you, select it, fill out the necessary information, and switch.
Your new energy provider will take over within one to two billing cycles. To get started, find the free Rate Comparison Tool at the top of the page and enter your ZIP Code.
About Energy Choice in Pennsylvania
Energy Choice became an option for Pennsylvania residents in the late 1990s. It all started when Pennsylvania passed HB 1509 in late 1996. This “deregulated” the Pennsylvania electricity market. Energy Choice (aka “energy deregulation”) allowed customers to pick their own energy provider.
Before 1996, Pennsylvania had what is often called a “traditional” electricity market. With a traditional market, residents didn’t have a say in their energy supply. Your local utility provider determined your energy supply and your rate was set by the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
With a deregulated market, Pennsylvania residents can now choose their electricity supplier. This forces electricity providers to compete on price and gives customers more energy options. The Pennsylvania PUC still regulates the electricity market and still sets the price for the state’s utility providers.
The Official PA Power Switch Website
The Pennsylvania PUC also has its own switching site called PA Power Switch. It gives you a large list of options to choose from. However, any provider can put their plans on the site and some have hidden fees.
That is why choosing an alternative switching platform like ElectricityRates.com can be better. ElectricityRates.com ensures reputable providers and upfront pricing you can trust.
Types of Pennsylvania Electricity Rates
There are many different types of electricity plans available in Pennsylvania. Here is an overview of some of your options.
Fixed-Rate Electricity Plans
A fixed-rate plan locks in your rate at the advertised price. It will not change for the length of the plan. Fixed-rate plans often save you more money than variable-rate plans. Variable-rate plans are subject to unexpected rate hikes and don’t guarantee a maximum rate. To save you the most money possible, ElectricityRates.com only offers fixed-rate plans.
One last important thing to note is what happens at the end of a fixed-rate plan. When a fixed-rate contract ends, it usually switches to a variable-rate. If you want to stay on a fixed-rate plan, negotiate another one with your provider or come back to ElectricityRates.com to switch.
100% Renewable Plans
If you’re an advocate for clean energy, you can show your support by choosing a plan that sources 100% of its energy from renewable resources. Look for the “100% Renewable Sources” label to find a renewable energy plan and feel good about the energy you use.
Electricity Plans With Incentives
Some plans have incentives bundled with them. For example, Constellation bundles its Connect Energy Package with certain electricity plans which include smart-home devices that can schedule lights to turn off and on, lock your door and monitor how efficient your appliances are. Available incentives can be found in the plan details section for any electricity plan.
Variable-Rate Electricity Plans
Variable-rate plans will change rates periodically based on market conditions.
Flexibility is the key advantage of variable-rate plans. Usually, there are no cancellation fees with variable-rate plans. If you are not living somewhere for very long, it may be beneficial to have a variable rate, so you don’t have to worry about paying a cancellation fee.
However, with variable-rate plans, you often end up paying more in the long run.
Reading Your Pennsylvania Electricity Bill
When switching energy providers in Pennsylvania, it is important to know the two main types of charges on your bill.
Utility Provider Charges
These include distribution charges, customer charges, and any other charges that go to the utility provider. The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission regulates these charges. These charges do not change when you switch electricity providers.
Energy Supply Charges
This is the charge for the electricity you use. This is the part of the bill that changes when you switch electricity providers. You can locate your current electricity supply rate on your bill.
Price to Compare
If you get your supply through your utility provider, you can use the “Price to Compare” to compare electricity rates. This is the default rate that your utility charges for the electricity that you use.
When you switch electricity providers, your utility provider still bills you. Your new electricity provider is the only thing that changes.
Electricity Rates in Popular Pennsylvania Cities
Check out some of the best electricity rates for some of the most popular areas in Pennsylvania.
- Allentown
- Bensalem
- Bethlehem
- Erie
- Harrisburg
- Lancaster
- Levittown
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Reading
- Scranton
- Delaware County
- York
- Upper Darby
Pennsylvania Electricity Suppliers
There are 100+ electricity suppliers licensed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. These range from smaller municipal-based companies to large national providers such as Constellation, TriEagle, and Direct Energy. Factors that you should consider when choosing an electricity provider include reputation, longevity and customer service.
Learn more about choosing a Pennsylvania Electricity supplier here.
Business and Commercial Electricity Rates in Pennsylvania
Business owners can save big through electricity deregulation. However, the switching process is not as simple as typing in your ZIP Code.
That is because the rates available to you are dependent on your electricity usage. The more you use, the lower your rate can get.
To find the best rates for your business, fill out the form on ElectricityRates.com’s business electricity page. An ElectricityRates.com representative will then get in contact with you to help you find the right plan for your business.
Ready to make the switch? Enter your ZIP Code at the top of the page to compare great rates from leading electricity providers in your area!
Pennsylvania Electricity Rates FAQ's
- Can I switch electricity providers in Pennsylvania?
- Most Pennsylvania residents benefit from Energy Choice. This means that they can compare competing offers from electricity providers and choose the best one for their home. You have Energy Choice If your local utility provider. is Duquesne Light, Met-Ed. Pike County Light & Power, PECO, PPL Electric, Penelec, Penn Power or West Penn Power
- What does a kWh of electricity cost in Pennsylvania?
- According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average cost for electricity in Pennsylvania is 13.89¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This is slightly higher than the national average of 12.87¢ per kWh.
- What is PA Power Switch?
- PA Power Switch is the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission’s official energy shopping site. It showcases many electricity providers and plans. However, some of these plans and providers have hidden fees that can end up costing you more if you don’t understand your electricity contract.
- How does Pennsylvania generate electricity?
- Pennsylvania mainly generates electricity with natural gas, nuclear and coal. Here is an approximate breakdown of sources. Natural Gas: 42.6%, Nuclear: 36%, Coal: 16.8%., Hydroelectric: 1.7%, Wind: 1.5%
- How do I get the cheapest electricity in Pennsylvania?
- Start by entering your ZIP Code at the top of the page to get rates from leading providers in Pennsylvania. If you're willing to lock in a longer-term contract you're usually able to secure a lower rate.