How to Switch Electricity Providers Step-by-Step Guide for 2025

Why Switch Electricity Providers?

Switching electricity providers can save you money, support renewable energy, or provide better contract terms. In deregulated states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, you have the power to choose your electricity supplier. Many consumers stay on their utility's default rate without realizing they could save hundreds annually. What competitive suppliers offer:

Rates below the utility's Standard Service Offer
Fixed-rate plans that protect against market fluctuations
100% renewable energy options

Key benefits of switching:

Free to switch — no cost
No service interruption
Takes about five minutes to complete

Your utility continues delivering your electricity through the same wires — regardless of which supplier generates your power.

Benefits of Switching

Why Switch

Save money on generation costs
Lock in fixed rates
Support renewable energy
Better contract terms

What Stays the Same

Service reliability
Outage response
Billing process
Delivery infrastructure

Step 1 - Gather Your Account Information

Before comparing suppliers, locate your most recent electricity bill. Information you'll need from your bill:

Utility account number — Required for enrollment with any new supplier
Current electricity rate — Per kWh in the supply/generation section
Average monthly usage — In kWh (check the 12-month history graph)
Utility company name — AEP Ohio, Duke Energy, PECO, PPL Electric, Eversource, National Grid, etc.

Keep this information handy while shopping for rates. Having accurate data ensures you can make meaningful comparisons and complete enrollment smoothly.

What You'll Need

Your utility account number • Current rate per kWh • Average monthly usage • Service address and ZIP code. Find all of this on your most recent electric bill.

Step 2 - Compare Available Rates

Use official comparison tools to review supplier offers in your area. Comparison resources by state:

All states — ElectricRates.org (OH, PA, MA — calculates savings automatically)
Ohio — PUCO's Apples to Apples at energychoice.ohio.gov
Pennsylvania — PAPowerSwitch.com

What to compare (beyond just rate per kWh):

Contract length — How long are you locked in?
Early termination fees — Cost to leave early
Rate type — Fixed versus variable
Monthly service fees — Additional charges
Renewable energy content — Green options

ElectricRates.org displays all fees transparently so you can compare true total costs. Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts customers using the service save an average of $521* per year.

Step 3 - Understand Contract Terms

Read the complete contract terms before enrolling with any supplier. Contract types:

Fixed-rate contracts — Lock your per-kWh rate for 6-36 months
Variable-rate plans — Change monthly based on market conditions (may start low but increase significantly)

Key terms to check:

Early termination fees (ETF) — Can range from $50 to $200+ if you leave early
Contract expiration — Some suppliers auto-renew at higher variable rates
Monthly service fees — Additional charges beyond the rate
Communication methods — How will they notify you of changes?

Taking time to understand terms prevents surprises later.

Step 4 - Enroll with Your New Supplier

Once you've selected a plan, enroll using one of these methods:

Directly through the supplier's website
By phone
Through ElectricRates.org (handles paperwork for you)

Information needed for enrollment:

Utility account number
Service address including ZIP code
Personal identification (date of birth or last 4 of SSN)

Enrollment tips:

Double-check your account number and rate selection
Complete the form carefully
Submit and receive immediate confirmation

Good news: The supplier handles notifying your utility about the switch. You don't need to contact your utility or take any additional action.

Complete Switching Timeline

Compare rates

5 min

Enroll with supplier

3 min

Receive confirmation

2-3 days

Cooling-off period

3-7 days

Switch completes

30-60 days

Step 5 - Review Your Confirmation

Within a few days of enrollment, you'll receive written confirmation from your new supplier. Your confirmation document includes:

Your locked-in rate
Contract length
Start date
Important terms

Review carefully to ensure everything matches what you selected. Cooling-off periods by state:

Ohio — 7 days to cancel without penalty
Pennsylvania — 3 business days
Massachusetts — 3 business days

If anything looks wrong or you change your mind, contact the supplier immediately to cancel. Important: Keep this confirmation document for your records throughout your contract term. It serves as proof of agreed-upon terms if disputes arise.

Step 6 - Wait for the Switch to Complete

After enrollment, the switch typically takes 1-2 billing cycles to complete (usually 30-60 days). The exact timing depends on where you are in your current billing cycle when you enroll. During the waiting period:

You'll continue receiving electricity at your current rate
Nothing changes about your service
No interruption occurs

What happens next:

You'll receive a utility notification confirming your supplier change
The notification includes your effective date
New supplier charges appear on your next bill

The bill format remains the same (separate supply and delivery charges), but the supply portion reflects your new rate.

Step 7 - Verify Your First Bill

After the switch completes, carefully review your first bill with the new supplier. Verification checklist:

✓ Supply rate matches your contract terms
✓ Supplier name on bill is correct
✓ Total supply charges (rate × usage + fees) match expectations

Common billing issues to watch for:

Incorrect rates
Unexpected fees
Wrong meter read date

If you notice discrepancies, contact your supplier immediately. Most billing errors can be resolved quickly when caught early. Ongoing tip: Save your bills for comparison throughout your contract term to ensure your rate remains as agreed.

Switching During an Existing Contract

If you're currently under contract and want to switch, check your contract for early termination fees. Penalty-free switching windows:

Some contracts allow switching without penalty during a window before expiration
Typically 14-30 days before contract ends

If ETF applies:

Calculate your potential savings with the new supplier
Compare against the termination fee
Sometimes paying the fee makes financial sense if the new rate is significantly lower

Remember: You can always switch suppliers at any time — the ETF is simply a cost to factor into your decision. Pro tip: Start comparing rates a month early before contract expiration to avoid automatic renewal at unfavorable terms.

Common Questions About Switching

Many consumers hesitate to switch due to misconceptions. Here are the facts: Will my power be shut off during the switch?

❌ No — Your service continues uninterrupted throughout the process

Do I need new equipment or wiring?

❌ No — Your existing electrical system works with any supplier

Can my landlord prevent me from switching?

❌ No — Not if you have an individual account in your name

Will switching affect my credit?

Some suppliers do a soft credit check — this doesn't affect your credit score

What if I change my mind?

You can always switch again or return to your utility's default rate

Switching suppliers is designed to be simple, risk-free, and beneficial for consumers who take time to compare options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to switch electricity providers?

The enrollment process takes about five minutes. The actual switch to your new supplier takes one to two billing cycles (typically 30-60 days) depending on where you are in your billing cycle when you enroll.

Will switching providers interrupt my electricity service?

No. Your utility continues delivering electricity through the same power lines regardless of your supplier. There is no service interruption, no one visits your home, and nothing physical changes about your service.

Do I need to notify my current utility when switching?

No. Your new supplier handles all communication with your utility. The utility coordinates the switch automatically. You don't need to contact your utility or cancel anything.

Can I switch back to my utility if I don't like my new supplier?

Yes. You can return to your utility's default rate (Standard Service Offer, Price to Compare, or Basic Service) at any time. The switch back follows the same one to two billing cycle timeline.

What happens if my supplier goes out of business?

Your utility automatically returns you to their default rate with no service interruption. You won't lose power. You can then shop for a new competitive supplier whenever you're ready.

Should I switch if I'm moving soon?

Check your contract's early termination provisions. Many suppliers allow penalty-free cancellation when moving. Some even let you transfer your contract to your new address if it's in the same utility territory.

About the author

Brad Gregory

Consumer Advocate

Brad moved from California to Texas in 2009 and got confused by electricity shopping—something that didn't exist where he came from. That confusion led him to build ComparePower.com. At ElectricRates.org, he's applying the same approach to Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

Energy plan comparisonCustomer experienceDeregulated electricity marketsEnergy shopping strategiesResidential rate comparison

Topics covered

switch electricity change electric provider enrollment process supplier comparison energy choice

Sources & References

PUCO - Apples to Apples (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio): "PUCO provides official guidance on switching electricity suppliers in Ohio"Accessed Feb 2025
PA Power Switch (Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission): "PA PUC official switching process for Pennsylvania consumers"Accessed Feb 2025
MA DPU - Competitive Supply (Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities): "Massachusetts DPU guidance on competitive electricity supply"Accessed Feb 2025
U.S. Energy Information Administration - Electricity Data (U.S. Energy Information Administration): "EIA data on residential electricity consumption and rates"Accessed Feb 2025

Last updated: December 10, 2025