Met-Ed Complete Guide to South-Central Pennsylvania Electricity Rates, Service Area, and Energy Choice

Met-Ed (Metropolitan Edison Company) is an electric distribution utility serving nearly 600,000 customers across approximately 3,300 square miles of south-central and southeastern Pennsylvania. Key facts about Met-Ed:

• Originally incorporated in 1894
• Now a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corporation
• Operates alongside Penelec, Penn Power, and West Penn Power

As a distribution utility in Pennsylvania's deregulated electricity market, Met-Ed delivers electricity but does not generate power. Customers can choose their supplier through PA Power Switch while Met-Ed maintains infrastructure, handles meter reading, responds to outages, and manages delivery.

Met-Ed service territory spans south-central and southeastern Pennsylvania, including major population centers in Berks, York, Adams, and Lancaster counties. Major cities and towns served:

• Reading (population 95,000)
• York (population 44,000)
• Hanover, Gettysburg, Carlisle, Chambersburg

The service territory extends from the Maryland border northward into central Pennsylvania, encompassing urban centers, suburban developments, and rural agricultural communities. Verify your utility: Check your electric bill or use the PA Power Switch website to confirm eligibility for electricity shopping.

Met-Ed Price to Compare for residential customers is currently 12.965 cents per kWh effective December 1, 2025—an 8.9% increase from the previous rate of 11.905¢/kWh. What is Price to Compare? The benchmark rate Met-Ed charges customers who haven't selected a competitive supplier. Rate update schedule:

• Updated quarterly: March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1
• Set through auctions conducted by FirstEnergy
• Secured from PJM Interconnection wholesale markets

Business rate: Approximately 11.576 cents per kWh. The December 2025 increase reflects higher PJM capacity costs (833% increase in 2024 capacity auction).

Met-Ed offers several rate schedules based on customer type and usage patterns. Rate schedule options:

• Rate RS (Residential Service): Standard rate for homeowners and renters
• Rate GS-Small: Small commercial customers
• Rate GS-Medium/Large: Larger businesses based on demand levels
• Time-of-use rates: For customers who can shift usage to off-peak hours

Understanding your bill: Met-Ed distribution charges (customer charges, distribution rates, riders) are separate from electricity supply rates. Your total bill combines distribution charges from Met-Ed with supply charges from your chosen supplier. Knowing your rate class helps identify the accurate Price to Compare for evaluating offers.

Switching electricity suppliers in Met-Ed territory is straightforward through Pennsylvania's energy choice program. Step-by-step switching process:

1. Visit PAPowerSwitch.com to compare licensed supplier offers
2. Have your Met-Ed account number ready
3. Select a supplier with rates below the 12.965¢/kWh Price to Compare
4. Enroll directly with your chosen supplier online or by phone

What to expect:

• Switch takes 1-2 billing cycles to complete
• No fees from Met-Ed for switching
• No service interruption during transition
• One consolidated bill showing distribution + supply charges

Met-Ed continues delivering electricity regardless of your supplier choice.

Met-Ed electric bills contain several key components customers should understand. Bill components:

• Supply charges: Cost of electricity from Met-Ed or your competitive supplier
• Distribution charges: Cost of delivering electricity through Met-Ed infrastructure
• Customer charge: Fixed monthly fee for service connection
• Transmission charges: Moving electricity from power plants to local distribution
• Riders/surcharges: Energy efficiency, smart meters, storm recovery programs

Usage information displayed:

• Kilowatt-hour usage for billing period
• Daily average usage
• Year-over-year comparison
• Price to Compare to evaluate supplier offers

Customers with competitive suppliers see the supplier name and rate in supply charges.

Met-Ed handles all power outages regardless of which electricity supplier serves your account. How to report outages:

• Call 1-888-544-4877
• Use the FirstEnergy mobile app
• Check the online outage map for current outages and restoration times

Reliability investments:

• Smart grid technology for faster detection and response
• Tree trimming programs to prevent weather-related outages
• 24/7 emergency crews for downed wires and equipment failures

Most equipment failures resolve within a few hours. Major storms may require longer restoration. Stay informed: Sign up for outage alerts via text, email, or phone.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission provides strong consumer protections for Met-Ed customers participating in electricity choice. Key protections:

• All suppliers must hold PA PUC licenses
• 3-day right to cancel any new supplier contract without penalty
• Contracts must include standardized disclosure statements
• Early termination fees capped at $50 for residential contracts under one year
• No security deposits for customers with good payment history

Dispute resolution:

• File complaints with PA PUC for investigation
• Review supplier complaint statistics before choosing

Met-Ed must provide equal service quality regardless of your supplier choice.

Met-Ed customers can reduce electricity costs through multiple strategies. Shopping strategies:

• Find suppliers with rates below 12.965¢/kWh Price to Compare
• Fixed-rate plans protect against quarterly increases
• Compare offers every 6-12 months as markets change

Energy efficiency:

• Met-Ed rebates on efficient appliances
• Weatherization assistance for qualifying customers
• Smart thermostat programming for heating/cooling savings
• LED lighting replacements over incandescent bulbs

Time-of-use awareness: Shift flexible electricity use to lower-cost periods. Budget billing: Spread annual costs evenly across 12 months for predictable payments.

Met-Ed contact numbers:

• Customer service: 1-800-545-7741 (billing, accounts, questions)
• Power outages: 1-888-544-4877 or FirstEnergy app

Online resources:

• Met-Ed website: firstenergycorp.com/met-ed (account access, bill payment, usage tools)
• PA Power Switch: Compare licensed suppliers for Met-Ed territory
• PA PUC: Consumer guides, complaint statistics, dispute resolution

Energy assistance programs:

• LIHEAP: Help for qualifying low-income customers
• Met-Ed CAP: Reduced rates for income-eligible customers