Pennsylvania Fixed Electricity Rates Pricing and Comparison Guide 2026

How Pennsylvania Electricity Choice Works
Pennsylvania deregulated its electricity market in 1996 through the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act — making it one of the first US states to give residents the power to choose their electricity supplier. Today, over 42 licensed Electric Generation Suppliers (EGS) compete across seven utility territories, all overseen by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC).
Here is how the system works for every Pennsylvania household:
Your utility company (EDC) — PECO, PPL Electric, Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, or West Penn Power — owns the poles, wires, and meters. They deliver electricity and handle outages. You cannot choose your utility; it is assigned by your address.
Your electricity supplier (EGS) — companies like Direct Energy, Constellation, Energy Harbor, Public Power, and XOOM Energy — generates or purchases the electricity that flows through those wires. This is the portion you can shop for.
The Price to Compare (PTC) is the default rate per kWh your utility charges if you do not pick a competitive supplier. It resets quarterly (January, April, July, October). Any supplier offering a rate below your PTC saves you money on the supply portion of your bill.
Switching takes 5 minutes on PAPowerSwitch.com. Your power never blinks. You keep the same bill from your utility — only the generation charge line changes.
The average Pennsylvania household uses 880 to 1,000 kWh per month. A 2-cent-per-kWh difference between your PTC and a competitive fixed rate translates to roughly $192 to $240 in annual savings — money that stays in your pocket simply by shopping.
Current Pennsylvania Price to Compare by Utility (2026)
Your PTC is your benchmark. Every quarter, Pennsylvania’s seven major electric distribution companies publish updated PTCs based on wholesale market auctions conducted through the PJM Interconnection — the regional grid operator serving 13 states and Washington, D.C. Below are the current residential PTCs as of 2026:
Utility (EDC) PTC (cents/kWh) Service Territory Key Cities
PECO Energy 11.572 Southeastern PA Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware County
PPL Electric Utilities 13.08 Central & Eastern PA Allentown, Harrisburg, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre
Duquesne Light 14.14 Southwestern PA Pittsburgh, McKeesport, Allegheny County
Met-Ed (FirstEnergy) 13.95 Southcentral & Eastern PA Reading, York, Gettysburg
Penelec (FirstEnergy) 13.14 Northwestern PA Erie, Altoona, Johnstown, Indiana
Penn Power (FirstEnergy) 13.48 Western PA Hermitage, Sharon, New Castle
West Penn Power (FirstEnergy) 12.08 Southwestern & Central PA Greensburg, Altoona, Johnstown

As the table shows, Duquesne Light customers in Pittsburgh face the highest PTC at 14.14 cents per kWh, while PECO customers in Philadelphia enjoy the lowest at 11.572 cents. If you are a Duquesne Light customer and a competitive supplier offers 10.59 cents per kWh (as several currently do), you save 3.55 cents per kWh — roughly $350 per year at average usage.
Cheapest Fixed-Rate Electricity Plans in Pennsylvania (2026)
Below are real competitive supplier offers available across Pennsylvania’s major utility territories. Rates shown are for residential customers at 1,000 kWh monthly usage. All plans listed are fixed-rate, meaning the price per kWh stays locked for the entire contract term.
Supplier Plan Name Term (Months) Rate (cents/kWh) Utility Area
Public Power 12 Month Fixed with Monthly Fee 12 9.19 PECO
Clearview Energy Clear Guarantee 6 Plus 6 9.59 PECO
Energy Harbor Safe Harbor Value 9 9 10.89 PECO
Public Power 12 Month Fixed 12 11.69 PECO
Direct Energy Live Brighter 12 12 11.59 PECO
XOOM Energy Sure Lock 12 12 11.79 PECO
Energy Harbor Safe Harbor Value 12 12 11.59 PPL Electric
Public Power 12 Month Fixed 12 12.99 PPL Electric
APG&E True Classic 12 12 13.70 PPL Electric
Direct Energy Live Brighter 12 12 13.99 PPL Electric
Energy Harbor Safe Harbor Value 12 12 12.49 Duquesne Light
Public Power 12 Month Fixed 12 12.99 Duquesne Light
APG&E True Classic 12 12 13.20 Met-Ed
Think Energy Think Clean 12 12 13.00 Penelec

Compare each rate against your utility’s PTC from the table above. For example, a PECO customer paying the 11.572 cent PTC who switches to Public Power’s 12 Month Fixed plan at 9.19 cents saves 2.38 cents per kWh — about $23 per month or $285 per year. A Duquesne Light customer paying 14.14 cents who switches to Energy Harbor’s 12-month plan at 12.49 cents saves 1.65 cents per kWh — about $16 per month or $198 per year.
Fixed vs Variable Rates: Which Makes Sense in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania suppliers offer three primary rate structures. Understanding the difference is the single most important decision you will make when choosing an electricity plan.
Fixed-rate plans lock in a specific price per kWh for the entire contract term — typically 6, 12, 18, 24, or 36 months. Your supply charge stays the same whether wholesale prices spike in January or drop in April. For most Pennsylvania households, this is the safer pick and the focus of this guide.
Variable-rate plans can change monthly based on wholesale costs. They often start lower than fixed rates to attract customers, then spike during high-demand periods. The PA PUC has documented numerous cases of variable-rate customers paying 30 cents or more per kWh during winter polar vortex events.
Renewable energy plans source power from wind, solar, or other clean sources. In Pennsylvania, many fixed-rate renewable plans cost only 0.5 to 1.5 cents more per kWh than conventional plans — a small premium for environmental impact.
Why lock in a fixed rate in 2026? Pennsylvania electricity prices have been volatile. The state average rose from 17.2 cents per kWh in 2022 to over 21 cents in 2026, driven by natural gas price fluctuations (natural gas fuels roughly 60% of Pennsylvania’s electricity generation). A fixed-rate plan protects you from the next spike.
Pennsylvania Electricity Rates by City
Rates vary significantly by city because each utility territory has different PTCs and different competitive supplier offerings. Below are the lowest available rates and average rates in Pennsylvania’s major cities:
City Utility (EDC) Lowest Rate (cents/kWh) Average Rate (cents/kWh) Plans Available
Philadelphia PECO Energy 6.89 12.01 132
Pittsburgh Duquesne Light 8.79 14.20 127
Allentown PPL Electric 8.50 14.21 136
Scranton PPL Electric 8.50 14.21 136
Wilkes-Barre PPL Electric 8.50 14.21 136
Erie Penelec 8.19 13.88 118
Altoona Penelec 8.19 13.88 118
Reading Met-Ed 8.69 13.85 108+
Hermitage Penn Power 8.69 13.85 108
Harrisburg PPL Electric 8.50 14.21 136

Philadelphia residents served by PECO have the most competitive market in the state — 132 plans available with rates as low as 6.89 cents per kWh. Pittsburgh’s Duquesne Light territory offers 127 plans, while PPL Electric’s central Pennsylvania coverage (Allentown, Harrisburg, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre) has the most options at 136 plans. No matter where you live in Pennsylvania, there is almost certainly a fixed-rate plan below your PTC.
Hidden Fees and Pitfalls to Watch For
The lowest rate per kWh is not always the best deal. Pennsylvania suppliers are required by the PA PUC to disclose all fees, but you need to read the fine print. Here are the most common cost traps:
Monthly recurring charges (MRC): Some plans advertise 8 cents per kWh but add a $12 to $15 monthly fee. At 880 kWh usage, a 9.59-cent plan with no fee beats an 8-cent plan with a $12 fee.
Early termination fees (ETF): Most fixed-rate plans charge $50 to $150 if you cancel before the contract ends. Check the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) before signing.
Introductory rate spikes: Some variable-rate plans start low for the first 1 to 2 months, then jump to 20+ cents. Always confirm whether the rate is fixed for the full term.
Auto-renewal at variable rates: Many suppliers automatically renew expired fixed-rate plans into variable-rate plans at the end of the term — often at higher rates. Set a calendar reminder 30 days before your contract expires.
Pennsylvania law gives you a 3-business-day cooling-off period to cancel any new electricity supply contract without penalty. If you sign up and discover a hidden fee, call your supplier within 3 days to cancel.
How to Switch Electricity Suppliers in Pennsylvania
Switching takes about 5 minutes and your power never interrupts. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Grab your current electric bill. Find your utility account number and your current Price to Compare (PTC) — it is printed on the first or second page.
Step 2: Go to PAPowerSwitch.com, the official PA PUC comparison site. Enter your ZIP code. The site automatically identifies your utility and shows every licensed supplier plan in your area.
Step 3: Filter by ‘Fixed Rate’ and sort by price. Compare each plan’s rate against your PTC. Any rate below your PTC saves you money.
Step 4: Read the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for your top 2 to 3 picks. Check for monthly fees, contract length, early termination fees, and renewable energy percentage.
Step 5: Enroll online or by phone. Your new supplier notifies your utility. The switch takes effect within 1 to 2 billing cycles. You continue receiving one bill from your utility — only the generation charge line changes.
You can switch suppliers as often as you want. The only catch: if you are currently under a fixed-rate contract, check whether the early termination fee ($50 to $150 typical) is less than what you would save by switching. In many cases, the savings from a lower rate more than offset the ETF.
Pennsylvania Consumer Protections
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission enforces strict rules to protect electricity customers:
Every electricity supplier must be licensed by the PA PUC. No license, no legal sales. Verify any supplier at puc.state.pa.us before enrolling.
Suppliers must provide clear, standardized contract terms including rate type, contract length, fees, and renewable content percentage.
You have 3 business days to cancel any new supply contract without penalty — no questions asked.
If you have a problem with your supplier, file a complaint with the PA PUC at 1-800-692-7380 or puc.state.pa.us. The PUC investigates complaints and has ordered refunds to customers burned by misleading contracts.
Your utility (PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light, etc.) always handles power delivery, outages, and meter reading — regardless of which supplier you choose. Call your utility, not your supplier, for outages.
Ready to Lock In Your Fixed Rate?
If you are paying your utility’s default Price to Compare, you are leaving money on the table every month. Here is your action plan:
Today: Pull out your electric bill. Find your PTC and your utility account number.
Today: Go to PAPowerSwitch.com, enter your ZIP code, and filter for fixed-rate plans below your PTC.
This week: Compare your top 3 plans. Read the EFL for monthly fees, contract length, and ETF.
This week: Enroll in the plan that offers the lowest total cost — not just the lowest rate per kWh.
Before your contract expires: Set a calendar reminder 30 days before the end date. Research new plans and switch before auto-renewal kicks in at a variable rate.
The average Pennsylvania household saves $150 to $300 per year by switching from the default PTC to a competitive fixed-rate plan. That is real money — and it takes less than 10 minutes to claim. Your PTC is a starting price, not a final price. Beat it today.