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PECO

Electric and natural gas provider in Pennsylvania

Luke Daugherty
Editor:Hannah Whatley
Updated:11/28/2023

At Choose Energy, our reporters seek out information that puts you in control of your energy. Our partners do not direct our editorial content, though we may reference their products in our posts. Read about how we make money to learn more.

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What is PECO?

As Pennsylvania’s largest electric and natural gas utility company, PECO delivers energy to almost 1.7 million electric customers and over 545,000 natural gas customers across southeastern Pennsylvania. Based in Philadelphia, PECO began as Brush Electric Light Company of Philadelphia in 1881. It’s now a subsidiary of Exelon Corp, the nation’s largest fully regulated utility. 

PECO delivers natural gas and electric services to residents and businesses in cities like Philadelphia, Lancaster, and West Chester. Read on to learn more and compare PECO electricity rates near you.

What you’ll find on this page

  1. Understanding deregulation in Pennsylvania
  2. Difference between a utility and an energy provider
  3. Providers available in PECO’s service area
  4. Contact PECO

Understanding deregulation in Pennsylvania

In 2000, utility customers in Pennsylvania were given the power to choose their own electric and natural gas providers. Previously, customers could only purchase energy from the utility assigned to their area.

Deregulating the energy industry increases competition among energy providers, giving residents many options to choose from, including lower rates and the ability to sign up for electricity without paying a deposit.

Before you decide to switch to a different energy provider, there is a lot to learn about deregulation. Here are a few resources to help you get started:

Difference between a utility and an energy provider

In deregulated markets, utility companies still deliver electricity or gas to your home. These companies also maintain the electrical equipment and gas and power supply lines. Your utility is always based on where you live. It is also the company you should call in the event of a power outage.

Energy providers, meanwhile, sell energy to customers and manage accounts. A utility may work with several providers in delivering energy to its customers. It often generates its own energy and sells it directly to consumers, as well.

As a utility, PECO delivers energy to your home from the supplier you choose. If you don’t choose a supplier, PECO becomes your energy supplier if you live in its service area.

Providers available in PECO’s service area

There are many electricity and natural gas providers in the PECO service area. Among them are Constellation Energy, Direct Energy, and Frontier Utilities. Some offer specialized plans featuring solar energy or other options. Rates per kWh or CCF vary by supplier and plan, so be sure to research your options and compare them to PECO’s kWh rates before making your choice.

You can use the Choose Energy marketplace to simplify this process. We offer free resources to help you learn more about energy deregulation. You can also compare providers, shop for specific types of rate plans, and sign up quickly and easily online. 

To find out how other providers stack up against PECO electric rates, enter your ZIP code now.

Contact PECO

You may need to contact PECO directly to report a power outage or downed power lines or to inquire about your transmission rates. There are three primary ways to reach the company:

  • Visit the PECO website and log into your account.
  • To report an electrical outage or emergency, call 1-800-841-4141.
  • To report a natural gas problem, call 1-800-841-4141 or 1-844-841-4151.
  • To contact customer service, call 1-800-494-4000.