Pennsylvania energy choice allows residents to shop for electricity rates from 3rd party providers instead of their local utility company. Local utility companies still maintain power lines and address energy delivery issues like outages. They also continue to deliver and bill for Standard Offer Service, which is the default option if a customer does not choose a supplier. However, customers can take advantage of deregulation to get competitive Pennsylvania electricity rates by selecting their own supplier. There are more than 100 electric suppliers registered to do business in Pennsylvania. These include large power producers like Consolidated Edison, Constellation Energy and Direct Energy as well as a number of smaller independent suppliers. The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission regulates both energy suppliers and utility companies. Its website pa power switch offers a one-stop shop for shoppers to compare hundreds of offers. The PUC also operates a similar website for shopping for gas rates called PA Gas Switch.
Before Pennsylvania energy deregulation, utility companies controlled all aspects of a residential or commercial energy bill including pricing, generation and delivery. The Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1996 began deregulation by breaking up existing energy monopolies. Residents in Pennsylvania can now compare cheap Pennsylvania electric rates by provider and plan type. They can even find green options and renewable energy plans.
The process of finding the best Pennsylvania energy rates is simple. Consumers can use an online marketplace to browse offers based on their zip code and energy usage. These websites also provide resources to help calculate their energy consumption and estimated bills so they can make informed decisions about their rate plan. Using an online market place, consumers can shop for the lowest rates on pa energy by entering their home information and electricity usage. This will give them a list of available plans in their area with a breakdown of rates and fees for each plan.
When choosing a Pennsylvania electricity plan, consumers can look for a fixed-rate plan, which offers stability and predictability in their rates. Or, they can opt for a variable price plan, which will fluctuate with the cost of generating electricity on the grid. Depending on their risk tolerance, some may save more with a variable rate plan while others may pay less in certain months with a fixed-rate plan.
Once they’ve chosen a plan, consumers can sign up with the supplier of their choice by visiting the PUC’s PA Power Switch website or using an online marketplace that provides more comprehensive data than the official site. These tools can also help consumers identify hidden charges, escalating rates and other details that should be taken into consideration when considering any plan. Once they’ve signed up, it takes about 10 minutes for the utility to transfer their account to the new provider and begin billing them for energy supplies. If the supplier doesn’t perform to expectations, the consumer can change providers within 30 days for a refund of any pre-paid fees.
