What is Ohio's Apples to Apples?
Apples to Apples is the official electricity and natural gas comparison tool created and maintained by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
What Apples to Apples provides:
- A standardized way to compare prices and contract terms from certified suppliers
- Current offers from all PUCO-certified suppliers actively enrolling customers in your utility's territory
- No commercial bias – it's a government resource
- Only legitimate offers from suppliers who passed PUCO certification
- The name reflects the tool's purpose: making fair comparisons by displaying all offers in the same format
How to Access the Apples to Apples Tool
Access the Apples to Apples comparison charts at energychoice.ohio.gov.
Step-by-step access:
- Go to energychoice.ohio.gov
- Click "Apples to Apples" in the navigation menu
- Select "Electric" for electricity comparisons
- Choose your electric utility from the list
- Select your rate class (Residential or Commercial)
- AEP Ohio
- Duke Energy Ohio
- AES Ohio
- Ohio Edison
- Toledo Edison
- Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
- Residential customers: Simply select "Residential"
- Business owners: You'll need your specific tariff or rate code (found on your utility bill)
Understanding the Comparison Chart
The Apples to Apples comparison chart displays several key pieces of information for each supplier offer.
Key columns explained:
- Price per kWh: The rate you'll pay for electricity generation (the portion competitive suppliers control)
- Contract Length: How long the rate is valid (typically 1 month to 3 years)
- Rate Type: Fixed (same price throughout) or Variable (can change monthly)
- Green Energy Percentage: Portion of electricity from renewable sources
- Monthly Fee: Additional charges beyond the per-kWh rate
- Early Termination Fee: Penalties for canceling before contract ends
- Contact Information: Supplier phone numbers and websites
Understanding Your Price to Compare
The Price to Compare (PTC) is the crucial benchmark for evaluating supplier offers.
What is the Price to Compare?
- The rate you'd pay for electricity generation if you stay with your utility's Standard Service Offer
- Changes quarterly through PUCO-regulated auction processes
- On your monthly electric bill
- Usually on the first page near your usage summary
- Compare the supplier's offered rate against your current PTC
- A supplier rate lower than your PTC = savings
- A supplier rate higher than your PTC = you'll pay more for the same electricity
Step-by-Step Guide to Comparing Rates
Follow this process for effective rate comparison using Apples to Apples.
Step-by-step comparison:
- Gather your electric bill – identify your utility, rate class, and Price to Compare
- Visit energychoice.ohio.gov and navigate to the electric Apples to Apples chart for your utility
- Filter by your rate class (usually Residential)
- Sort by price to see the lowest rates first
- For each interesting offer, note:
- Price per kWh
- Contract length
- Rate type
- Any monthly fees
- Calculate potential monthly savings:
(Your PTC – supplier rate) × your typical monthly kWh usage - Factor in any monthly fees the supplier charges
- Compare at least 3 offers before deciding
- Verify the supplier's PUCO certification status
Fixed vs. Variable Rates on Apples to Apples
Apples to Apples displays both fixed-rate and variable-rate plans. Understanding the difference is essential.
Fixed-rate plans:
- Lock in a specific price per kWh for the entire contract
- Provide budget predictability
- Example: A 12-month fixed contract at 6.5¢/kWh stays at that rate regardless of market conditions
- Can change monthly based on wholesale prices and supplier discretion
- May start lower than fixed rates
- ⚠️ Warning: Can increase dramatically during high-demand periods (summer/winter)
Green Energy Options on Apples to Apples
Many suppliers on Apples to Apples offer plans with renewable energy content.
Understanding the Green Energy Percentage column:
- Shows what portion of electricity comes from renewable sources (wind, solar, hydropower)
- Plans range from 0% green (standard grid mix) to 100% green (fully renewable)
- May cost slightly more than standard plans
- The premium has decreased significantly as renewable costs decline
- Some suppliers offer competitive green plans at rates comparable to or lower than non-green alternatives
- Most use Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset your usage with clean energy
Monthly Fees and Termination Fees
Beyond the per-kWh rate, Apples to Apples displays important fee information that affects your total cost.
Monthly fees:
- Fixed charges some suppliers add to your bill regardless of usage
- Example: A plan with a $10 monthly fee and 5.5¢/kWh may cost more than a plan with no monthly fee at 6.0¢/kWh (depending on usage)
- (Usage in kWh × rate per kWh) + monthly fee
- Apply if you cancel before your contract ends
- Typically range from $50 to $200 or a per-month-remaining penalty
- You might move
- You want flexibility to switch suppliers
Apples to Apples Limitations and Considerations
While Apples to Apples provides valuable comparison data, understand its limitations.
Limitations to be aware of:
- Shows a snapshot of current offers that can change at any time without notice
- Suppliers are responsible for accuracy – some may post promotional rates that don't reflect typical pricing
- Doesn't account for introductory rates that increase after an initial period
- Doesn't show rates that vary by season
- Commercial rates aren't consistently posted (business comparisons more difficult)
- Some suppliers may offer better deals through their websites than what appears on Apples to Apples
- Verify current rates directly with suppliers before enrolling
- Read the complete terms and conditions, not just the chart summary
How to Enroll After Comparing Rates
Once you've found a supplier offer that beats your Price to Compare, enrolling is straightforward.
How to enroll:
- Contact the supplier – click their name or phone number on the Apples to Apples chart
- Have your utility account number ready (found on your electric bill)
- Choose your enrollment method:
- By phone
- Online through the supplier's website
- By mail (some suppliers)
- Provide your account number, service address, and personal information
- Your new supplier notifies your utility
- Switch typically takes 1–2 billing cycles to complete
- Your utility continues delivering electricity and sending bills
- Only the supply portion changes
- You'll see your new supplier's rate in the generation charges on your utility bill
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apples to Apples the only way to compare Ohio electricity rates?
No, but it's the official PUCO tool showing only certified suppliers. <a href="https://electricrates.org">ElectricRates.org</a> compares rates from all PUCO-certified suppliers in Ohio, automatically calculates your potential savings, and enables enrollment in under 2 minutes—Ohio customers save an average of $521* per year.
How often is Apples to Apples updated?
Suppliers can update their offers at any time, and the site refreshes regularly. However, offers shown are snapshots that may change. Always confirm current rates with the supplier before enrolling.
Does Apples to Apples show all available Ohio electricity plans?
It shows offers from suppliers actively posting to the PUCO system. Some certified suppliers may offer additional plans through their websites that don't appear on Apples to Apples.
Can I switch suppliers multiple times using Apples to Apples?
Yes, you can switch suppliers whenever your contract allows. If you're on a month-to-month plan or your contract has ended, you can switch immediately. Check for early termination fees on existing contracts.
Why do rates on Apples to Apples vary so much?
Suppliers set their own rates based on wholesale costs, business model, contract terms, and profit margins. Longer contracts often have lower rates because suppliers can plan energy purchases ahead. Always compare total costs, not just rates.
What if I can't find my utility on Apples to Apples?
Electric choice is available only for customers of AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, AES Ohio, and FirstEnergy utilities (Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, Cleveland Illuminating). Municipal utility customers cannot switch suppliers.
About the author
EZ
Consumer Advocate
Enri has spent years helping Texans navigate the deregulated electricity market at ComparePower. He knows what confuses people about energy shopping and what actually helps them save. At ElectricRates.org, he brings that same expertise to Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
Electricity deregulationOhio Energy ChoicePennsylvania Power SwitchMassachusetts competitive suppliersPUCO regulations
Topics covered
Apples to Apples Ohio electricity PUCO rate comparison Price to Compare energy choice
Sources & References
- Public Utilities Commission of Ohio - Energy Choice Ohio (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio): "PUCO maintains the Apples to Apples comparison tool at energychoice.ohio.gov"Accessed Jan 2025
- PUCO - Supplier Certification Requirements (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio): "PUCO certifies all Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES) providers"Accessed Jan 2025
- PUCO - Standard Service Offer Information (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio): "Ohio utilities procure default electricity through Standard Service Offer auctions"Accessed Jan 2025
Last updated: December 10, 2025
