AEP Ohio

Ohio began deregulating its energy market in 1999, allowing private retail suppliers to sell power. Nearly half of Ohio customers had switched to a retail supplier by 2017. Although the term may be confusing, “deregulation” simply means that you have the power to choose from a variety of suppliers rather than having to buy your electricity or natural gas from your utility company.

Since there are numerous suppliers and rate plan options, it’s important to compare AEP energy rates to those offered by other companies to determine what’s best for your home or business. It’s also important to understand that deregulation does not mean no oversight. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is responsible for monitoring and regulating utility companies and retail suppliers. You can contact the Commission at 1-800-686-7826 about any issues with your service or energy pricing.

If you have more questions about deregulation, you’re in the right place. At Choose Energy, we’re committed to offering all the resources you need to understand deregulation and to helping you choose the rate plan and supplier that make the most sense for you. We’ll teach you:

• How the process of switching suppliers works
• How to figure out which energy plan is the best
• Tips for reducing your electric bill
• All about no-deposit energy plans
• Which suppliers and rate plans you can find in your neighborhood

If you live in AEP Ohio’s service area and don’t select a retail energy provider, you will receive your electricity supply from AEP electric. Ohio, like all states with deregulation, makes it easy to compare rates by requiring utility companies to list their basic generation rates as a “price to compare.” As of the first quarter of 2023, the basic AEP cost per kWh was 6.74 cents per kWh.

You may be able to secure a more affordable rate in Ohio by switching to a local supplier. Enter your ZIP code to compare rates and find a plan that works for you.

If you’re new to energy deregulation, you may be surprised to learn the difference between a utility and a supplier. Though you buy your power through your supplier, the utility company physically delivers it to you. In Ohio, you can choose to buy from a range of retail suppliers or directly from your utility company.  

AEP Ohio is a utility company as well as a provider for those who don’t select a retail supplier. As a utility company, AEP Ohio also maintains the infrastructure and power lines, so that’s who you should call in case of an outage.

Regardless of your local utility in Ohio, you can choose from a variety of electric and gas providers. For those in the AEP service area, common suppliers include Direct Energy, Public Power, and Frontier Utilities. Based on where you live, you may have additional options for suppliers and plan types, including green energy and business energy plans. 

Choose Energy makes it easy to find energy suppliers in your area. Our free, independent marketplace shows you plans from providers near you, along with all-inclusive rates, reviews, and monthly bill estimates. You can explore a variety of plan types — or even find plans based on renewable energy — and sign up in minutes.

For a list of retail suppliers in your neighborhood, enter your ZIP code. Explore our energy buying guide for more help with choosing a plan.

To report outages or to ask questions regarding your rates and bill if AEP Ohio is also your supplier, here’s how to contact the company:

• To send an email, click here.
  
• To report an outage, click here.

Call customer service at 1-800-672-2231.