Ohio Energy Choice Complete Guide to Switching Suppliers

What is Ohio Energy Choice?

Ohio Energy Choice is the state program that allows Ohio residents to choose their electricity supplier instead of defaulting to their local utility. Enacted in 1999 through Senate Bill 3, Ohio became one of the first states to deregulate its electricity market. How it works:

Your utility company (AEP Ohio, Duke Energy, or FirstEnergy) still delivers your electricity
They maintain power lines and handle outages
You choose a competitive supplier for the generation portion of your bill

This separation of supply and delivery creates a competitive marketplace where suppliers compete for your business—often resulting in lower rates than the utility's Standard Service Offer (SSO).

Key Point

Ohio Energy Choice lets you pick your electricity supplier
Your utility still delivers power and handles outages
Only the generation portion of your bill changes

How Ohio Electricity Deregulation Works

Ohio's deregulated electricity market separates your electric bill into two main components: 1. Delivery (Distribution)

Handled by your local electric distribution utility (EDU)
Includes maintaining power lines, reading meters, responding to outages
Regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)

2. Supply (Generation)

This is where competition exists
Stay with your utility's Standard Service Offer (default rate)
Or choose a Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES) provider

When you switch suppliers, nothing physical changes at your home. The only difference is who generates your electricity and at what rate you pay.

PUCO's Role in Consumer Protection

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) regulates Ohio's electricity market and protects consumers. What PUCO does:

Certifies suppliers — All competitive electric suppliers must meet financial and operational requirements
Handles complaints — Can revoke certification for companies violating regulations
Maintains Apples to Apples — The official comparison tool for Ohio electricity rates
Enforces marketing rules — Suppliers must follow strict consumer protection guidelines

Need to file a complaint? Contact PUCO directly at 800-686-7826 or through their online portal.

PUCO

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

Ohio's regulatory authority for electric, natural gas, telephone, and water utilities.

1-800-686-7826

Official Website

Consumer Resources

File a Complaint Compare Rates

Using PUCO's Apples to Apples Tool

Apples to Apples is PUCO's official electricity comparison website listing all certified supplier offers in Ohio. How to use the tool:

Visit energychoice.ohio.gov
Select your utility (AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, AES Ohio, or FirstEnergy)
View available plans with prices per kWh, contract terms, and fees
Sort by price or filter by green energy options

What you'll see for each plan:

Price per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
Contract terms and length
Cancellation fees
Renewable energy percentages

Important: Prices update monthly and may not reflect real-time offers. Compare against your current Standard Service Offer rate on your bill to calculate savings.

How to Switch Electric Suppliers in Ohio

Switching electric suppliers in Ohio takes about five minutes and won't cause any interruption to your service. Step-by-step process:

Gather your bill — Find your utility account number and current rate
Compare offers — Use Apples to Apples or ElectricRates.org to see all licensed suppliers
Select a plan — Choose the rate and terms that work for you
Enroll online or by phone — You'll need your account number, service address, and ID

What happens next:

Your new supplier notifies your utility
The transition takes 1-2 billing cycles
No service interruption occurs

Ohio customers save an average of $521* per year by switching through ElectricRates.org.

How to Switch in Ohio

Gather your bill

Find your account number and current rate

2 min

Compare offers

Use Apples to Apples or comparison services

5 min

Enroll online

3 min

Wait for switch

Takes 1-2 billing cycles

30-60 days

1.5M+

AEP Ohio Customers

Major Ohio Utilities

1999

Deregulation Year

Ohio Electric Utility Service Areas

Ohio has several electric distribution utilities serving different regions: Major Ohio Utilities:

AEP Ohio — Central and southern Ohio including Columbus (~1.5 million customers)
Duke Energy Ohio — Cincinnati metro and southwest Ohio
AES Ohio — Dayton region (formerly Dayton Power & Light)

FirstEnergy Utilities:

Ohio Edison — Northeast Ohio including Akron
Cleveland Electric Illuminating — Greater Cleveland area
Toledo Edison — Northwest Ohio

Important: Each utility has different Standard Service Offer rates that change periodically through PUCO auction processes. Your utility determines which suppliers serve your area.

Understanding Ohio Electricity Rates

Ohio electricity rates consist of supply charges and delivery charges. Supply (what you can shop for):

Measured in cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
Standard Service Offer rates: 5-8 cents/kWh (varies by utility)
Competitive suppliers may offer rates above or below the SSO

Plan types available:

Fixed-rate plans — Lock in your rate for 6-36 months (protection from market fluctuations)
Variable-rate plans — Change monthly based on market conditions

How to compare correctly: Always compare the total supply rate including any monthly fees against your current SSO rate. Divide monthly fees by your average usage to get the true per-kWh cost.

Your Rights as an Ohio Energy Consumer

Ohio law provides strong protections for electricity consumers. Before you enroll, suppliers must disclose:

Rate (cents per kWh)
Contract length
Early termination fees

Your key rights:

7-day rescission period — Cancel any new contract without penalty
Protection from slamming — No switching without your consent
Protection from cramming — No unauthorized charges
Right to switch — Change suppliers anytime (early termination fees may apply)

If problems arise: PUCO accepts formal complaints and can order refunds or penalties. Your utility cannot disconnect service due to supplier disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I experience a power outage when I switch suppliers?

No, switching electric suppliers in Ohio does not cause any service interruption. Your local utility continues delivering electricity through the same power lines. The only change is which company generates your electricity and at what rate you pay.

What happens if my supplier goes out of business?

If your competitive supplier goes out of business, your local utility automatically returns you to their Standard Service Offer rate. You won't lose power, and you can shop for a new supplier at any time. PUCO requires suppliers to notify customers before ceasing operations.

Can I switch suppliers if I have a smart meter?

Yes, smart meters work with any certified electric supplier in Ohio. Your meter measures usage the same way regardless of supplier. Smart meters may actually help you save more by enabling time-of-use plans if your supplier offers them.

How do I find my current electricity rate?

Your current rate appears on your monthly utility bill under the generation or supply charges section. Look for the price per kWh. You can also call your utility or log into your online account to find your current rate and compare it against competitive offers.

Are green energy plans more expensive?

Not always. Some renewable energy plans in Ohio are competitively priced with or even below standard rates. PUCO's Apples to Apples tool lets you filter for green options to compare prices. Many suppliers now offer 100% renewable plans at reasonable rates.

Can landlords prevent tenants from switching suppliers?

If you have an individual electric account in your name, you can switch suppliers regardless of your landlord's preferences. However, if the landlord pays the electric bill or has a master meter, they control the supplier choice. Check your lease and account details.

About the author

Enri Zhulati

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

Ohio Energy Choice PUCO Apples to Apples electricity suppliers AEP Ohio Duke Energy

Sources & References

Ohio Revised Code - Public Utilities (Ohio Legislature): "Ohio became one of the first states to deregulate its electricity market through Senate Bill 3 in 1999"Accessed Jan 2025
PUCO - Apples to Apples Program (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio): "PUCO certifies all competitive electric suppliers operating in Ohio"Accessed Jan 2025
AEP Ohio - About Us (AEP Ohio): "AEP Ohio serves approximately 1.5 million customers in central and southern Ohio"Accessed Jan 2025
Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-21-06 (Ohio Legislature): "Ohio law provides a seven-day rescission period to cancel any new supplier contract without penalty"Accessed Jan 2025
U.S. Energy Information Administration - State Electricity Profiles (U.S. Energy Information Administration): "Ohio Standard Service Offer rates typically range from 5 to 8 cents per kWh"Accessed Jan 2025

Last updated: December 10, 2025