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What does price to compare mean?
In some deregulated states, consumers can receive their electricity from either their utility or an independent energy provider. If a customer does not sign up for a specific energy plan through one of the available providers, they will be automatically enrolled in a plan with their utility under a default rate.
The default rate set by a utility company is called the Price to Compare (PTC). Utilities share this rate publicly and may label it the Standard Offer Service (SOS). The Price to Compare lets customers in deregulated areas determine whether they could get a lower energy rate if they sign up for an energy plan with another supplier.
In deregulated areas, energy providers may offer lower rates than the utility’s PTC to attract more customers. While lower rates don’t automatically mean lower bills, you could end up saving on monthly energy costs by comparing the PTC with other rates from providers in your area.
There are 29 states that offer some form of deregulation for electricity, natural gas, or both. In some states, including Texas, customers are not able to purchase energy from their utility and must sign up for a plan through a retail energy provider (REP). Other states, like Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Massachusetts, allow residents to get their electricity service through the utility or a provider.
If you live in an area where you can purchase electricity service through your utility, you should know how to check the current PTC for your service area. Following is a list of deregulated states that offer electricity service through the utility.
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
Where can I check my price to compare?
Your utility will normally provide the PTC on your monthly energy bill. The PTC may be listed in its own section of the bill (for example, in a section labeled “important information”), or your utility may list it as a line item in the section showing the details of your monthly charges.
Check your price to compare for savings
ChooseEnergy.com® monitors current electricity PTC updates from utilities in deregulated states. We will update the prices frequently, so you can use this page as a starting point if you are searching for the Price to Compare in your area. You can also enter your ZIP code to find current rates from top providers in your area.
Your utility will deliver electricity through power lines and electrical infrastructure even if you sign up for service through a provider. Regardless of where you purchase electricity, you will still have a transmission, delivery, or supply charge from your utility listed on your bill.
Following is a list of current PTC rates from utilities in states with a deregulated electricity market. All rates are shown in cents per kilowatt-hour and are accurate at the time of writing.
Connecticut
Utility | Price to Compare | PTC Valid Through | Choose Energy Price | Savings |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Illuminating | 21.94 | June 30, 2023 | Not Currently Offered | Savings currently unavailable |
Eversource (CL&P) | 21.99 | June 30, 2023 | Not Currently Offered | Savings currently unavailable |
Massachusetts
Utility | Price to Compare | PTC Valid Through | Choose Energy Price | Savings |
---|---|---|---|---|
National Grid | 14.4115 | Oct 31, 2023 | 11.59 | 18% savings |
Eversource-NSTAR | 25.78 | June 30, 2023 | 11.19 | 57% savings |
UNITIL | 21.43 | July 31, 2023 | 12.19 | 43% savings |
Eversource-WMECO | 21.99 | June 30, 2023 | 11.59 | 47% savings |
Pennsylvania
Utility | Price to Compare | PTC Valid Through | Choose Energy Price | Savings |
---|---|---|---|---|
Duquesne | 11.45 | Effective June 1, 2023 | 8.99 | 21% savings |
Metropolitan Edison | 10.24 | Effective June 1, 2023 | 8.79 | 14% savings |
PECO | 10.31 | August 31, 2023 | 7.49 | 27% savings |
PENELEC | 9.7 | Effective June 1, 2023 | 8.59 | 11% savings |
PennPower | 10.56 | Effective June 1, 2023 | 9.39 | 11% savings |
PPL Electric Utilities | 12.26 | November 30, 2023 | 9.39 | 23% savings |
WestPennPower | 9.93 | Effective June 1, 2023 | 7.99 | 20% savings |
Ohio
Utility | Price to Compare | PTC Valid Through | Choose Energy Price | Savings |
---|---|---|---|---|
AES/DPl – Standard | 10.81 | June 1, 2022- June 2023 | 6.79 | 37% savings |
Duke – Standard | 10.17 | June 1 – June 30, 2023 | 6.19 | 39% savings |
Columbus Power | 11.84 | Effective June 1, 2023 | 7.89 | 33% savings |
Cleveland Illuminating | 12.4 | Effective June 1, 2023 | 6.19 | 50% savings |
Ohio Edison | 12.39 | June 1 – June 30, 2023 | 6.19 | 50% savings |
Ohio Power | 11.84 | June 1 – June 30, 2023 | 7.89 | 33% savings |
Toledo Edison | 12.41 | June 1 – June 30, 2023 | 6.19 | 50% savings |
Illinois
New Jersey
Utility | Price to Compare | PTC Valid Through | Choose Energy Price | Savings |
---|---|---|---|---|
ORNJ | 10.77 | June 1 – May 31, 2024 | 12.59 | Savings currently unavailable |
Jersey Central Power & Light | 10.13 | Effective June 1, 2023 | 10.49 | Savings currently unavailable |
Atlantic City Electric | 11 | Effective May 1, 2023 | 12.59 | Savings currently unavailable |
Public Service Electric & Gas | 7.40 | Effective May 1, 2023 | 13.79 | Savings currently unavailable |
*The rates on this page are based on the utility’s Price to Compare and the lowest rates on ChooseEnergy.com. These rates may vary by location and do not factor in distribution fees, taxes or other state regulated fees.
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