PAPowerSwitch Complete Guide to Pennsylvania's Electric Rate Comparison Tool

What is PAPowerSwitch?

PAPowerSwitch is the official electricity and natural gas comparison website created and maintained by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC). Key facts:

Launched in 1999 when Pennsylvania deregulated its electricity market
Displays offers from all Electric Generation Suppliers (EGS) licensed in Pennsylvania
PA PUC requires all licensed suppliers to post their residential rates
Government resource – no commercial bias

Utilities covered:

PECO
PPL Electric
Duquesne Light
Met-Ed
Penelec
Penn Power
West Penn Power

Find it at: papowerswitch.com

How to Use PAPowerSwitch Step by Step

Using PAPowerSwitch to compare electricity rates takes just a few minutes. Step-by-step guide:

Visit papowerswitch.com
Enter your ZIP code in the search box
The site identifies your utility and displays available offers
Filter results by rate type (fixed, variable, or renewable)
Sort by price to see lowest rates first
Click on offers to see complete terms and conditions

Each listing shows:

Supplier name
Rate per kWh
Contract length
Any monthly fees

How to evaluate offers:

Have your current electric bill handy
Find your "Price to Compare" on your bill (your utility's default generation charge)
Any supplier rate lower than your PTC could save you money

Understanding Pennsylvania's Price to Compare

The Price to Compare (PTC) is the benchmark rate for evaluating supplier offers in Pennsylvania. What is the PTC?

The generation charge your utility would apply if you don't choose a competitive supplier
Appears on your electric bill and utility's website
Changes periodically (typically quarterly or monthly) through regulated auctions

How to calculate potential savings:

Compare a supplier's offered rate against your current PTC
Example: If your PTC is 8¢/kWh and a supplier offers 6¢/kWh, you save 2¢ per kWh

Real-world savings example:

Average PA household usage: 800–1,000 kWh/month
2¢ savings = $16–$20/month or $192–$240/year

⚠️ Important: Always compare against your current PTC, not rates from previous months.

Understanding Different Rate Types on PAPowerSwitch

PAPowerSwitch displays three main rate types that consumers should understand. 1. Fixed-rate plans:

Lock in a specific price per kWh for the entire contract (typically 6–36 months)
Rate stays constant regardless of market fluctuations
Provides budget predictability

2. Variable-rate plans:

Can change monthly based on wholesale electricity costs and supplier decisions
May start lower than fixed rates
⚠️ Warning: Can spike dramatically during high-demand periods

3. Renewable energy plans:

Source electricity from wind, solar, or other clean sources
Often at rates competitive with conventional electricity

PA PUC requirement: Suppliers must clearly label each offer's rate type. Recommendation: Fixed-rate plans are generally recommended for most consumers because they protect against unexpected rate increases. ⚠️ Watch for: Plans with unusually low introductory rates that may increase significantly after a few months.

Identifying Hidden Costs and Pitfalls

PAPowerSwitch requires suppliers to disclose key terms, but some costs may not be immediately obvious. Hidden costs to watch for:

Monthly service fees: Fixed charges regardless of usage – can negate savings from a low rate
Early termination fees: Penalties for canceling before contract end (sometimes $100+)
Introductory rates: Low rates that increase dramatically after 1–2 months
Renewable energy fees: Separate fees for renewable energy certificates
Buy-back plans: Complex pricing tied to market rates

Before enrolling:

Click through to read complete terms and conditions
Verify whether the rate is ongoing or promotional
Calculate total estimated cost: (Rate × average monthly usage) + monthly fees
Check for suppliers with poor service records or PA PUC violations

Pennsylvania Utility Service Areas

Pennsylvania has multiple electric distribution companies, each serving different regions. Major Pennsylvania utilities:

PECO: Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs (~1.6 million customers – largest in PA)
Duquesne Light: Greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area
PPL Electric: Central and eastern PA (Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster)
Met-Ed: Southern and eastern PA including Reading
Penelec: Rural northern and western Pennsylvania
Penn Power & West Penn Power: Western PA (both FirstEnergy companies)

Why your utility matters:

Your utility determines which supplier offers appear on PAPowerSwitch
Each utility has a different Price to Compare rate
Savings potential varies by region

💡 Tip: Enter your specific ZIP code on PAPowerSwitch to see offers available in your utility territory.

Using PAPowerSwitch Sorting and Filtering Options

PAPowerSwitch provides sorting and filtering tools to help find the best offers quickly. Available filters:

Sort by price: See lowest rates first (but cheapest isn't always best value with fees)
Rate type: Fixed-rate only (price stability) or renewable only (environmental impact)
Contract length: Short-term flexibility vs. long-term rate locks
Utility filter: Compare rates across multiple PA locations

How to evaluate offers:

Review the supplier column – identify companies you recognize
Click supplier names for complete offer details, contact info, and terms
Take notes on your top three choices before deciding
Verify rates directly with suppliers before enrolling

⚠️ Note: PAPowerSwitch shows current offers that can change anytime – always confirm current rates before committing.

PAPowerSwitch Limitations to Understand

While PAPowerSwitch provides valuable comparison data, understanding its limitations helps you shop smarter. Key limitations:

No quality screening: Open to all licensed suppliers regardless of customer service reputation, complaints, or BBB ratings
Supplier-controlled listings: May emphasize promotional rates over typical pricing
No direct enrollment: You must contact suppliers separately to sign up
Rates are snapshots: Can change without notice – always confirm current rates
No service ratings: Only shows licensing status, not quality or reliability
Incomplete commercial rates: Business rates aren't always comprehensively displayed
Missing exclusive deals: Some suppliers offer better deals only through their own websites

Best practice: Use PAPowerSwitch as a starting point, then research supplier reputations through the PA PUC complaint database and consumer reviews.

How to Enroll After Finding a Plan

Once you've selected a plan on PAPowerSwitch, enrollment happens directly with the supplier. Before you start:

Click on your chosen offer to find supplier contact info and website
Have your utility account number ready (on your electric bill)

Enrollment options:

By phone
Through supplier's website
Mailed enrollment form

Information you'll need:

Account number
Service address
Personal information

What happens after enrollment:

Supplier notifies your utility of the switch
Transition takes 1–2 billing cycles to complete
Utility continues delivering electricity and sending bills
Only the generation charge changes to your new rate

💡 Important: Keep enrollment confirmation and contract documents. Mark your calendar for contract end dates to compare rates before automatic renewal.

PAPowerSwitch vs. Alternative Comparison Sites

PAPowerSwitch is Pennsylvania's official comparison tool, but alternative sites offer different advantages. ElectricRates.org advantages:

Automatic savings calculation against current Price to Compare
Shows only PA PUC-licensed suppliers
Enrollment in under 2 minutes
Pennsylvania customers save an average of $521*/year

Other alternative sites may offer:

Supplier ratings and customer reviews
Features PAPowerSwitch doesn't include

Recommended approach:

Use PAPowerSwitch to see all available offers
Complete your switch through ElectricRates.org for faster enrollment and automatic savings calculation

⚠️ Important: Regardless of which site you use for research, always verify suppliers are licensed through the PA PUC before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enroll directly through PAPowerSwitch?

No, PAPowerSwitch is a comparison tool only. You must contact suppliers directly through their phone numbers or websites to enroll. The site provides supplier contact information for each offer.

How often are PAPowerSwitch rates updated?

Suppliers can update their offers anytime, and rates shown are snapshots that may change. Always confirm current rates directly with the supplier before committing to a plan.

Does PAPowerSwitch show all Pennsylvania electricity plans?

The site shows offers from suppliers that choose to post on PAPowerSwitch. Most licensed suppliers participate, but some may offer additional or exclusive plans through their own websites.

Is PAPowerSwitch only for residential customers?

PAPowerSwitch serves both residential and commercial customers. Select your customer type when searching to see appropriate rates. Commercial rates may be less comprehensively listed than residential offers.

What happens if I switch suppliers and am not satisfied?

Review your contract's cancellation terms. You can switch again after any cancellation period ends, though early termination fees may apply. File complaints with the PA PUC if suppliers engage in deceptive practices.

Why is my Price to Compare different from other utilities?

Each utility procures electricity through separate regulatory processes at different times. Market conditions when each utility locks in rates determine their Price to Compare. Rates also vary by customer class and usage.

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

PAPowerSwitch Pennsylvania electricity PA PUC rate comparison Price to Compare electric shopping

Sources & References

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission - PAPowerSwitch (Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission): "PA PUC maintains the PAPowerSwitch comparison website at papowerswitch.com"Accessed Jan 2025
PA PUC - Licensed Suppliers (Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission): "PA PUC licenses Electric Generation Suppliers (EGS) to sell electricity in Pennsylvania"Accessed Jan 2025
PA PUC - Default Service Regulations (Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission): "PA PUC regulates utility Price to Compare rates through quarterly procurement processes"Accessed Jan 2025

Last updated: December 10, 2025