Your Guide to Comparing Electricity Rates in Pittsburgh

A rate increase took effect for for Duquesne residents June 1, 2025. Read on for more information about the announcement here.

Pittsburgh is a vibrant city in western Pennsylvania, historically known as “The Steel City” due to its industrial past, but it has successfully transitioned to an economy focused on healthcare, education, technology, and advanced manufacturing. The city boasts a rich cultural scene, including world-class museums, a thriving arts district, and a deep appreciation for its diverse heritage.

Duquesne Light is the local utility serving residents in and around Pittsburgh. Nearly three decades ago, Pittsburgh went to a deregulated market, allowing residents to select their own electricity supplier. This right to choose your electricity supplier is known as Energy Choice. This gives residents the opportunity to compare Pittsburgh electricity rates and realize potential savings on their electricity bills.

Best Electricity Provider in Pittsburgh

With so many options available in Pittsburgh’s deregulated energy market, finding the best electricity provider comes down to more than just the lowest rate. It’s about choosing a company that balances value, service, and stability, especially in a city known for its historic homes and growing sustainability efforts.

ElectricityRates.com simplifies this search by evaluating providers based on real customer experiences, reliability, and plan variety. Whether you’re looking for a fixed-rate plan to get through Pittsburgh’s cold winters or a green energy option that aligns with your eco-friendly goals, our research-backed platform helps you make a confident decision.

While the “best” provider can vary depending on your usage and priorities, our guide to the best electricity providers in Pennsylvania highlights top-rated companies serving the Pittsburgh area. These providers consistently earn high marks for customer satisfaction, billing transparency, and plan flexibility. If you’re ready to take control of your energy costs, start by exploring the trusted providers recommended in our guide and find the one that best fits your home and lifestyle.

Types of Electricity Plans in Pittsburgh

In Pittsburgh, energy choice means more than just picking a provider – it’s about finding the right type of electricity plan to match your household’s habits and goals. From historic homes in Bloomfield to modern condos downtown, different plans offer different advantages.

You’ll typically find a few main plan types:

• Fixed-rate plans offer price stability for the length of your contract. They’re ideal for anyone looking to avoid surprise spikes, especially during Pittsburgh’s colder months when usage often increases.
• Variable-rate plans can change from month to month based on the energy market. These may work well for residents with lower or more flexible usage who want to take advantage of dips in market pricing.
• Renewable energy plans allow you to support clean energy sources like wind or solar. They’re a great fit for residents looking to lower their carbon footprint while still keeping energy costs under control.
• Prepaid or short-term plans are typically more flexible, with no long-term commitment. These can be helpful for students, renters, or anyone not ready to sign a longer contract.

Understanding which structure makes sense for your home is a key part of managing your electricity costs. You can explore each of these options in more detail in our complete guide to electricity plans.

Evaluating Electricity Options for Pittsburgh Residents

Choosing an electricity plan in Pittsburgh requires a thoughtful approach, and ElectricityRates.com helps guide you through the process with the insights you need to make an informed decision. One of the first things to consider is the rate structure specifically, the supply rate per kilowatt-hour. Fixed-rate plans offer predictability and are often a good fit for households looking to avoid seasonal fluctuations, while variable-rate plans may appeal to those who are comfortable with market changes and want the potential for savings during lower-demand months.

Contract length is another important factor. Longer-term contracts can provide stability, which is especially helpful during Pittsburgh’s extended winter season. However, shorter contracts offer more flexibility, so it’s important to check whether early termination fees or other conditions apply. The energy source also plays a role; Pittsburgh’s legacy as an industrial city is evolving, and many residents now choose renewable plans that match their usage with wind or solar power.

Lastly, the quality of service shouldn’t be overlooked. ElectricityRates.com uses a Provider Score to assess each supplier’s reliability, customer service, and overall value so you’re not just comparing prices, but choosing a plan that fits your lifestyle and expectations. With Pittsburgh’s range of neighborhoods and diverse energy needs, our platform simplifies the process and makes it easy to start comparing options

Understanding Retail Electricity Providers

In Pittsburgh, electricity involves two distinct roles: Duquesne Light delivers power to your home as the utility, while retail electricity providers supply the energy itself. Pennsylvania’s deregulation since 1997 allows you to choose your supplier, a system overseen by the PUC to ensure fairness. This separation means your bill includes “delivery” charges (fixed by Duquesne Light) and “supply” charges (set by your provider), offering a clear avenue for savings.

ElectricityRates.com bridges this complexity, presenting Pittsburgh residents with a curated selection of supply options. Over 2.1 million Pennsylvanians have switched since deregulation began, and our platform ensures you can do so confidently.

How to Compare Rates and Secure a Fixed-Rate Plan

Pennsylvania consumers have several avenues available to explore competitive electricity rates and potentially lock in a fixed-rate plan to avoid PECO’s Price to Compare fluctuations:

1. Explore the PA Power Switch Website: The PA Power Switch website operated by the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission offers a comprehensive marketplace with potentially hundreds of competing energy offers. While this provides a wide array of choices, navigating through numerous plans and determining the best supplier for your specific needs can sometimes feel overwhelming.
2. Simplify Your Search with ElectricityRates.com: ElectricityRates.com offers a secure, fast, and simple process designed to streamline your rate comparison experience. We present you with only the best rates from top-rated and trusted electricity suppliers serving Pennsylvania, saving you time and effort in your search for the ideal plan.
3. Shop Directly Through Supplier Websites: You also have the option to visit individual energy suppliers’ websites. However, keep in mind that you will only see the plans offered by that specific supplier, requiring you to visit multiple websites to get a broader view of the competitive landscape.

Pittsburgh Business Electricity Rates

If you are not taking advantage of Energy Choice in Pittsburgh as a business owner, you may be missing out on huge savings. Since businesses use more electricity than households, they can qualify for extremely low electricity rates.

With the help of an ElectricityRates.com energy advisor, you can get an electricity plan designed specifically for your business, with customized rates, energy bill optimization and more! To get started, visit our business electricity page and request a free quote.

Want more information? Visit our page about comparing Pennsylvania electricity rates.