Ohio Price to Compare Explained Your Guide to SSO Rates and Savings

What Is the Price to Compare in Ohio

The Price to Compare (PTC) represents the generation portion of your electricity rate when you receive service through your utility's Standard Service Offer. Ohio utilities that publish PTC rates:

⚡ AEP Ohio
⚡ Duke Energy Ohio
⚡ AES Ohio
⚡ FirstEnergy companies

Key facts about the PTC:

📊 Excludes transmission and distribution charges (those stay constant regardless of supplier)
📊 Required to appear on every customer bill
📊 Displayed on Apples to Apples comparison website

💡 Why it matters: Understanding the PTC is essential for determining whether switching suppliers will actually save money — ElectricRates.org automatically compares competitive rates against your PTC.

How the Price to Compare Is Calculated

Ohio utilities determine the Price to Compare through competitive wholesale electricity auctions conducted under PUCO oversight. How the auction process works:

🏛️ AEP Ohio, Duke Energy, and other utilities purchase generation supply through SSO auctions
🏛️ Auctions typically conducted quarterly or semi-annually
🏛️ Winning bid prices establish the generation rate for default service customers

When rates change:

📅 Usually June and December for most Ohio utilities
📅 New auction results take effect periodically

What the PTC includes:

📊 Generation costs
📊 Capacity charges
📊 Certain transmission-related costs (which competitive suppliers also pay)

Where to Find Your Price to Compare

Your current Price to Compare appears in multiple locations. Where to find it:

📄 Your electric bill: Look for designated PTC section near rate information
💻 PUCO Apples to Apples: Enter your ZIP code to see current PTC rates for all utilities
💻 Your utility's website: Published in the electricity choice section

Utility-specific PTC locations:

⚡ AEP Ohio: aepohio.com under "Generation Price to Compare"
⚡ Duke Energy Ohio: duke-energy.com
⚡ FirstEnergy utilities: firstenergycorp.com (Ohio Edison, Cleveland Illuminating, Toledo Edison)

Using Price to Compare When Shopping

Compare competitive supplier offers directly against your Price to Compare to identify genuine savings opportunities. Example savings calculation:

📊 Supplier offer: 5.9¢/kWh
📊 Your utility PTC: 7.2¢/kWh
📊 Savings: 1.3¢ per kWh
💰 On 1,000 kWh monthly = $13/month or $156/year

Comparison best practices:

✅ Compare same rate types: fixed-rate supplier offers against current PTC
✅ Remember: PTC changes periodically while fixed rates remain constant

⚠️ Variable rate caution: Variable rates may start below PTC but fluctuate monthly — potentially exceeding PTC during high-demand periods.

When the Price to Compare Changes

Ohio utilities update PTC rates following new SSO auction results, typically twice annually. Rate change schedules by utility:

📅 AEP Ohio: June 1 and December 1 each year
📅 Duke Energy Ohio: Similar scheduling aligned with auction cycles
📅 FirstEnergy utilities: Based on their specific auction calendars

Rate change impact:

📈📉 PTC can move significantly higher or lower depending on wholesale market conditions
🏠 Default service customers: Experience rate changes automatically
🔒 Competitive supplier customers: Maintain contracted rate regardless of PTC fluctuations

💡 Benefit of competitive contracts: Bill stability when wholesale prices rise.

Price to Compare vs Your Total Bill Rate

The Price to Compare represents only the generation portion of your electricity costs — typically 40-60% of your total bill. Other charges on your bill (NOT affected by supplier choice):

🔌 Distribution charges: Power line maintenance, meter reading, local infrastructure
⚡ Transmission charges: High-voltage electricity transportation
🏛️ Taxes and riders: Regulatory fees and special program costs

⚠️ Important: These charges remain identical whether you use utility default service or a competitive supplier. Correct savings calculation:

📊 Supplier rate: 6¢
📊 Your PTC: 7¢
📊 Actual savings: 1¢ per kWh (on generation only)
📊 NOT 1¢ off your total rate (which might be 12-15¢ including all charges)

Current Ohio Price to Compare Rates

Ohio utility Price to Compare rates (late 2025) vary by utility and service territory. Typical residential PTC ranges:

⚡ AEP Ohio: 6-8¢/kWh for generation
⚡ Duke Energy Ohio: 6-7¢ range
⚡ AES Ohio: Varies based on auction results and customer class

FirstEnergy utilities (separate PTC for each):

⚡ Ohio Edison
⚡ Cleveland Illuminating Company
⚡ Toledo Edison

💡 Always check current rates through PUCO Apples to Apples or your utility website before making switching decisions — rates change periodically following auction results.

Making Informed Switching Decisions

Use the Price to Compare as your baseline but consider additional factors when choosing suppliers. Key considerations:

🔒 Fixed-rate contracts: Protect against PTC increases but lock you in if rates drop
✅ Supplier verification: Confirm PUCO-certification before enrolling
📋 Contract terms to review: ETFs, automatic renewal clauses, introductory rate periods
📊 Savings calculation: Use your actual usage history, not estimates
🌱 Green energy options: Consider if environmental impact matters to you

Get started:

💻 ElectricRates.org compares current offers against your PTC
💻 Real-time rate data from certified suppliers
⏱️ See your savings potential in under 2 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good price compared to Ohio's Price to Compare?

Any supplier rate below your current Price to Compare represents savings. Rates 1-2 cents below PTC offer meaningful savings for most households. On 1,000 kWh monthly usage, each cent saved equals $120 annually. Check current competitive offers on Apples to Apples or <a href="https://electricrates.org">ElectricRates.org</a> to see typical rates below PTC—Ohio customers save an average of $521* per year.

Does switching from the Price to Compare rate have fees?

Switching away from your utility's Standard Service Offer has no fees or penalties. You can leave default service anytime without early termination charges. However, if you switch between competitive suppliers or leave a supplier contract early, that supplier may charge early termination fees specified in your contract.

How often does Ohio's Price to Compare change?

Most Ohio utilities update Price to Compare rates twice yearly, typically June and December, following SSO auction results. AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, and FirstEnergy utilities follow this general schedule. Rates can increase or decrease depending on wholesale electricity market conditions at auction time.

Is the Price to Compare the same for all Ohio customers?

No, the Price to Compare varies by utility company and customer class. AEP Ohio, Duke Energy, AES Ohio, and FirstEnergy utilities each have different PTC rates. Residential, commercial, and industrial customers within the same utility also have different rates based on their rate class and usage characteristics.

Should I switch if rates are only slightly below Price to Compare?

Even small savings add up over contract terms. A 0.5 cent difference on 1,000 kWh monthly usage saves $60 annually. Consider fixed-rate contracts that lock in savings and protect against future PTC increases. Weigh the certainty of fixed rates against potential PTC decreases during your contract period.

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 price-to-compare sso electricity-rates puco rate-comparison

Sources & References

PUCO - Electric Choice (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio): "PUCO provides official guidance on Ohio's Price to Compare (PTC) and Standard Service Offer requirements"Accessed Jan 2025
Energy Choice Ohio - Apples to Apples (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio): "Energy Choice Ohio publishes current Price to Compare rates for all Ohio utilities"Accessed Jan 2025

Last updated: December 10, 2025