Pennsylvania Electricity Rates and Providers 2024)

Here’s a quick overview of Pennsylvania electricity rates:

  • Current average rate of retail electricity: 14.37 cents/kWh
  • Current range of electricity prices: 5.99 to 14.9 cents/kWh
  • Average monthly electric bill: $121.57
  • Average monthly energy usage in Pennsylvania: 846 kWh/month
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In 1997, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) passed the Electricity Generation Choice and Competition Act, which deregulated the state’s energy market and gave residents an energy choice.

The goal of this legislation was to lower the cost of energy, which was costing homeowners over $10 billion a year. The state estimated that deregulation would save consumers approximately $800 million per year.1

While a deregulated energy market in PA is generally a positive thing for homeowners like you, it can be a difficult industry to navigate and understand. In this guide, we’ll explain what energy deregulation is, what the best rates are in your specific area and why it matters to you.

Get Connected to a Power Supplier in Pennsylvania

Our team at EcoWatch has explored all of the clean energy suppliers in the state and has narrowed down which are the best for your purposes. You can use this tool to find the right plan for you, or click the links below to get connected with local energy companies that have the lowest prices in Pennsylvania.

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City Power & Gas

Outstanding Tri-State Provider

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • 90-day no-risk guarantee
  • Affordable rates
  • Many years of experience

Cons

  • Charges contract cancellation fees
  • No prepaid or no-deposit plans
  • Slightly high number of complaints versus competitors
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CleanSky Energy

Great Regional Provider

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Wide variety of contract term options
  • Low number of customer complaints
  • Values transparency
  • All plans use clean energy

Cons

  • Charges contract cancellation fees
  • No prepaid or no-deposit plans
  • Expensive
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Verde Energy

Best Value for Renewable Energy

Regional Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • No early termination fees
  • Many years of experience
  • Low rates

Cons

  • History of issues with misleading marketing
  • No prepaid plans

Pennsylvania Energy Rates

There are over 100 retail electricity providers (REPs) in Pennsylvania. Similar to purchasing home internet, each electricity supplier offers its own plans, and those plans can vary in price, terms, quality and environmental impact.

A deregulated energy market means that there are supply companies and distribution companies to consider. Your distribution company — the public utility — cannot be chosen. Instead, it’s based on where you live. Your utility bill will always include unavoidable charges from your distribution company, which include charges for maintaining power lines.

You also have your electricity supply company. This company gets electricity from the distribution company and delivers it to you using the distribution company’s electrical system. Your potential savings comes from the supply company you choose.

Current Pennsylvania utilities include

  • Duquesne Light, Met-Ed
  • Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO)
  • Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL Electric Utilities)
  • Penelec, Penn Power
  • Pike County Light
  • Power and West Penn Power
  • Energy choice is currently open to all residential customers served by these utilities

Below, we’ll list all of the supply companies available to customers in Pennsylvania, along with their prices per kWh, to help you find the best and most affordable option for you. If you’re in a rush, you can use this tool or click the buttons below to find the most affordable rates instantly.

How Do Pennsylvania Electricity Prices Compare Based on Company?

In the chart below, we’ll include a list of the energy supply companies available for you to choose from as a Pennsylvania resident.

Keep in mind that, as an environmental media site, we strive to have a positive impact on the environment. Keeping in line with this goal, we’re only including companies that have a 100% renewable energy plan. There are plenty of these in the state, so you’ll still have numerous choices. You can read more about these plans in later sections.

Plan Name Term (Months) Price to Compare (¢/kWh)
AEP Energy 36-Month Fixed Plan 36 10.99
Agway Energy Services LLC 100% Renewable Energy Plan N/A (variable) 16.90
Alpha Gas & Electric LLC Green-e Certified Electric Plan 24 19.90
City Power & Gas PA 100% Renewable Energy Plan 24 10.32
CleanChoice Energy Choose 100% Clean Plan 12 14.20
CleanSky Energy 100% 6-Month Plan 6 11.99
CleanSky Energy 100% 12-Month Plan 12 10.39
CleanSky Energy 100% 24-Month Plan 24 10.35
Energy Co-Op Variable Renewable Plan N/A (variable) 17.99
Energy Co-Op Variable Renewable Plan N/A (variable) 23.99
Green Choice Energy Fixed Renewable Plan 12 19.22
Green Choice Energy Variable Renewable Plan N/A (variable) 22.10
Green Mountain Energy Company 100% Renewable Plan 12 15.70
IDT Energy Inc 12-Month Fixed Plan 12 15.23
IGS Energy 12-Month Clean Energy Plan 12 11.39
IGS Energy 36-Month Clean Energy Plan 36 12.99
Inspire 100% Renewable 6-Month Plan 6 13.49
Inspire 100% Renewable 12-Month Plan 12 11.99
Inspire 100% Renewable 36-Month Plan 36 11.29
MPower Energy NJ LLC 100% Renewable Plan 12 14.50
Residents Energy LLC ResiSURE Renewable Plan 12 15.17
Santanna Energy Services 12 10.39
Shipley Energy Green Electricity 12 12 12.70
Shipley Energy Green Electricity 18 18 13.30
SmartEnergy 12-Month Fixed Rate Plan 12 12.90
Spring Power & Gas Spring Green 100 36 13.99
Think Energy Clean Energy 12 12 12.90
Think Energy Clean Energy 18 18 12.70
Think Energy Clean Energy 24 24 11.80
Tomorrow Energy 12-Month Fixed Clean Plan 12 12.19
Verde Energy USA 6-Month Clean Plan 6 12.19
Verde Energy USA 12-Month Clean Plan 12 11.19
WGL Energy Services 12-Month 100% Renewable Plan 12 12.40

*All energy rates are accurate as of November 2022 for residents in the 19120 zip code. Rates may have changed since the last update. For the most recent daily energy rates in your area, please enter zip code above to get connected with a local power supplier

How Do You Find the Best Electricity Rates in Pennsylvania?

A lot of time and energy goes into finding the cheapest energy rates in Pennsylvania, especially because the price per kWh depends on several factors. Two homes with similar plans can see drastically different energy bills. Below, we’ll discuss some of the things you need to consider in order to estimate your electric charges accurately.

Your Energy Usage in PA

The first thing to consider when getting an estimate for your utility bills is the amount of electricity you consume on a monthly basis. Many residential energy providers (REPs) in Pennsylvania use tiered rates — also called V-shaped plans — to charge customers.

These plans seek to balance out what all homes get charged by implementing higher rates for customers who use less energy and lower rates for those with average consumption. That means that your utility bill on a per-kWh basis could be lower than your neighbor’s if you use more electricity.

For example, in a typical tiered plan, customers who use around 500 kWh or 2,000 kWh per month will pay more than those who use around 1,000 kWh per month. According to the EIA, the average Pennsylvania home uses around 846 kWh per month.2

Your Contract Length

As you might have gleaned from the chart above, the length of the contract you sign will also make a difference in the price you pay for energy.

Most electric companies in Pennsylvania reward loyalty and will offer lower per-kWh prices to customers who enter into longer contracts. You’ll be locked into a specific rate for longer, which could be either beneficial or harmful in the long run, depending on the direction you expect electricity prices to head.

Before you sign any contract, make sure you fully understand the terms and don’t be afraid to ask questions before agreeing to service.

Some companies charge initiation fees to new customers and use cancellation fees to dissuade customers from switching to a new provider before the contract term ends. These fees can range from $0 for early termination to around $10 per month left on the contract. The latter is sometimes advertised as a $10 termination fee, so be careful!

If you’re ready to find a utility company right away, you can use this tool to let our research and expertise go to work for you.

What Types of Electricity Plans are Offered in Pennsylvania?

Even once you narrow down your energy plan options based on pricing, you’ll still have a few choices to make. Pennsylvania energy distribution companies can provide

  • Fixed-rate
  • Variable-rate plans
  • No-deposit plans
  • Prepaid energy plans
  • Green energy plans
  • Commercial energy plans

We’ll explain all of these options below to help you decide which is the best for your needs.

Pennsylvania Fixed-Rate Plans

A fixed-rate energy plan is exactly what it sounds like: it gives you a single rate you pay per kWh for energy for the entire contract length. This is the type of energy plan we recommend for most homeowners because it means no surprises: you’ll always know what your energy rate will be.

Keep in mind that fixed-rate plans don’t mean your bill amount each month is fixed. The total you pay will still vary based on your energy consumption. We’d also be remiss if we didn’t point out that fixed-rate plans often turn into variable-rate plans automatically at the end of the contract term, so keep that in mind as you get close to that term.

Pros and Cons of Fixed-Rate Plans

Pros of a Fixed-Rate Energy Plan in Pennsylvania Cons of a Fixed-Rate Energy Plan in Pennsylvania
You’ll have a better idea of what to expect when it comes to budgeting. If you cancel early, you could be subject to an early termination fee (ETF), unless you’re moving to an address outside of your provider’s service area.
Your rates remain locked in if energy costs rise. Some fixed-rate plans will turn into variable-rate plans upon contract expiration. Be sure to read the fine print and ask your energy provider specific questions about length and price to compare.

Variable-Rate Plans in Pennsylvania

Variable-rate energy plans are another common option in Pennsylvania. These don’t lock you into a single rate, and you’ll see fluctuations in the price you pay per kWh. The cost is instead based on the market price of energy for that time period. The market price, of course, changes over time, which means your price per kWh will vary from bill to bill.

Variable-rate plans can sometimes save you money if the market price dips, but you can also end up spending more if the cost goes up. Many homeowners across America recall the incident in Texas in 2021, where an unusual snowstorm knocked out the electric grid and caused wide-scale outages. This led to incredibly high energy rate hikes for variable-rate customers due to a surge in demand.

Pennsylvanians see some extreme weather as well, which means this same series of events could play out in your area. This is one major reason why we don’t recommend variable-rate plans in Pennsylvania.

Pros and Cons of Variable-Rate Plans

Pros of a Variable-Rate Energy Plan in Pennsylvania Cons of a Variable-Rate Energy Plan in Pennsylvania
If the price of energy drops, there may be some months where a variable-rate electric customer will be paying less per kWh than someone on a fixed-rate plan. Variable rates can be very risky if the price of electricity changes suddenly — and drastically — due to extreme weather or other factors.
Contracts usually don’t come with cancellation fees.

No-Deposit and Prepaid Energy Plans in Pennsylvania

Many energy plans in Pennsylvania require deposits, which are one-time, upfront fees for initiating service. Deposits help energy distributors offset losses from non-paying customers. Some providers will waive deposits with no-deposit plans if you have good credit and are less likely to miss payments. You can sometimes avoid deposits by choosing prepaid plans as well.

A prepaid plan requires you to fund an account from which your energy bills will be paid. This is a great way to ensure you never spend more than you can afford on electricity. However, it also means that you can lose power if you forget to top up your account before each billing period.

Pros and Cons of Prepaid Energy Plans

Pros of a Prepaid Energy Plan in Pennsylvania Cons of a Prepaid Energy Plan in Pennsylvania
The obvious — no deposit. Startup costs are lower, and the power company isn’t holding any of your money. You’ll have to pay for your electricity upfront and will need to remember when to top up your meter (if not enrolled in an auto-pay plan).
You have full control over how much you spend on your electricity. Your power will be automatically shut off if you hit the threshold of electricity you paid for.
You don’t have to sign a contract that may come with cancellation fees. You’ll often pay a higher rate per kWh compared to other plans.

Green Energy Plans in Pennsylvania

A green energy plan is one that guarantees that all of the electricity you consume in your household comes from clean energy sources, like solar and wind power. In Pennsylvania, wind energy is the most widely used clean source, followed by hydroelectric power.3 Solar accounts for just 8% of the state’s renewable energy portfolio.

Green energy plans let you do your part to improve the environment by reducing your contribution to pollution and by limiting your carbon footprint. These plans are a bit more expensive per kWh, on average, but they let you support the clean energy movement without installing any expensive equipment.

Pros and Cons of Green Energy Plans

Pros of a Green Energy Plan in Pennsylvania Cons of a Green Energy Plan in Pennsylvania
You can feel good about where your electricity is coming from. On average, renewable plans cost around 1 cent per kWh more than non-renewable plans. (If you use 1,000 kWh per month, that will be about an $8 to $15 difference.)
You can support clean energy without the high startup costs of solar or wind. Green plans are not offered by all REPs, so you’ll have more limited options when choosing a Pennsylvania electric supplier.

Business Energy Plans

As the name implies, business energy plans are electric payment plans for companies. These sometimes provide lower energy rates than residential plans because of the higher energy needs.

Not all REPs provide access to these plans, but those that do often have variable-rate and fixed-rate options.

What Should You Look for When Choosing an Electricity Provider in Pennsylvania?

Since there are so many distribution companies in Pennsylvania, you’ll have your work cut out for you if you want to find the best one for your needs that suits your budget. In many cases, homeowners who have just moved to the area will have different needs than those who already live in Pennsylvania and are just looking for a new provider.

In the sections below, we’ll discuss some of the most important things you’ll want to consider when choosing a local utility company in Pennsylvania.

Picking Energy Companies as a New Pennsylvania Resident

If you’re just moving into the Keystone State, one of the first things you’ll want to do is set up electric service. There are a handful of things to look for in your new provider.

First, you should consider looking at introductory rates or perks, which many REPs provide to new customers and new residents. These often include:

  • Lower per-kWh rates for the first year or so
  • Waived sign-up fees
  • Additional perks, like prepaid gift cards

Next, you’ll need to decide between a fixed and variable plan. We suggest choosing a fixed-rate plan, especially as a new resident. This will help you acclimate to your new energy bills before you take any chances with a variable rate.

We recommend looking through customer reviews for the companies you’re considering as well. As a transplant to the state, you’ll be unfamiliar with the general opinion of local companies. Reading through positive and negative customer reviews will help give you a snapshot of what to expect.

Finally, it’s important to review the rate you’ll be paying and to pay attention to any expected changes over the contract term. As a new customer, you may get introductory rates, which are great, but you should understand how your rate will increase once the introductory term is over and the standard offer program kicks in.

Selecting an Energy Provider if You Are Switching Providers in Pennsylvania

If you already live in Pennsylvania and you’re instead switching energy companies to reduce your monthly bill, it’s best to prioritize a bit differently in what you look for.

We recommend starting by checking the contract terms, including the rate, how the rate will change and how long the rate lasts.

Some REPs may offer introductory rates for switching, but you probably won’t have access to new homeowner rates. As such, be careful not to compare the introductory rates that you may not be able to get.

Next, we suggest looking at where your energy is coming from, and we strongly recommend choosing a green energy plan. If a provider doesn’t specify, it’s likely coming from natural gas, as that’s the most readily available and widely used fossil fuel in Pennsylvania.

What Are 100% Green Energy Plans?

When you sign up for a 100% green energy plan, your electric provider is guaranteeing that all of the energy you consume will be offset by clean energy sources. These typically include:

  • Solar power
  • Wind power (the most common in Pennsylvania)
  • Hydroelectric power
  • Biomass

Some REPs offer mixed green energy plans, which usually specify that 25%, 50% or 75% of the energy generation will come from clean sources. 100% plans are of course best for the environment, as they reduce the need for fossil fuels like oil or natural gas to generate energy for your home.

Green energy plans can also be variable-rate or fixed-rate plans, and some REPs also provide no-deposit options for green plans. Prepaid 100% green plans are less common, but they do exist in Pennsylvania.

Who Offers Green Energy Plans?

Thanks in part to Pennsylvania’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals, many electricity distribution companies in the state offer green energy plans.

Below is a list of all of the companies served by PECO in major cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh that offer 100% green energy plans:

  • AEP Energy
  • Agway Energy Services LLC
  • Alpha Gas and Electric LLC
  • City Power & Gas PA
  • CleanChoice Energy
  • CleanSky Energy
  • Energy Co-Op
  • Green Choice Energy (RPA Energy)
  • Green Mountain Energy Company
  • IDT Energy, Inc
  • IGS Energy
  • Inspire
  • MPower Energy NJ LLC
  • Residents Energy LLC
  • RPA Energy (Green Choice Energy)
  • Santanna Energy Services
  • Shipley Energy
  • SmartEnergy
  • Spring Power & Gas
  • Think Energy
  • Tomorrow Energy
  • Verde Energy USA, Inc
  • WGL Energy Services

The companies below provide lower-tier green energy plans, including 25%, 50% or 75% green plans:

  • American Power and Gas of Pennsylvania LLC — 25%
  • NRG Home — 25%
  • Spring Power & Gas — 50%

Additional energy distribution companies — like Constellation and Direct Energy — that distribute electricity for other competitive suppliers will offer green energy plans. You can use this tool to find green providers that operate under your supply company if you aren’t serviced by PECO.

FAQ: Pennsylvania Electricity Plans

Below, we’ll answer some of the most common questions we see from Pennsylvania residents like you about energy choice and local providers and plans.

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Article author
Dan Simms is an experienced writer with a passion for renewable energy. As a solar and EV advocate, much of his work has focused on the potential of solar power and deregulated energy, but he also writes on related topics, like real estate and economics. In his free time — when he's not checking his own home's solar production — he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, skiing and rock climbing.
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Expert reviewer
Karsten is an editor and energy specialist focused on environmental, social and cultural development. His work has been shared by sources including NPR, the World Economic Forum, Marketwatch and the SEIA, and he is certified in ESG with the CFA Institute. Before joining EcoWatch, Karsten worked in the solar energy sector, studying energy policy, climate tech and environmental education. A lover of music and the outdoors, Karsten might be found rock climbing, canoeing or writing songs when away from the workplace.