Compare Ohio electricity rates

Ohio, along with several other states across the country including New Jersey, Texas, and Washington, D.C., is a place with deregulated energy. With the power to choose both a gas and electric company, Ohio residents can shop for the energy that meets their personal needs.

Consumers may select from a variety of energy plans including fixed-rate (also known as flat-rate), which offers a consistent supply rate throughout the year, and variable plans that fluctuate based on season and energy demand. Another factor of Ohio energy is the energy contract length. Customers can choose from short-term month-to-month contracts or longer periods up to three years.

As of 2019, renewable energy resources delivered almost 3% of Ohio’s in-state generation of electricity. The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) oversees the state’s renewable energy program to give customers the power to make positive choices to better our environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

The United States approved the Energy Policy Act in 1992 in an effort to ensure consumers had energy options through deregulation. In 2001, Ohio enacted energy deregulation to eliminate energy monopolies and widen the selection of competitive energy options for residents and businesses.

Ohio’s Public Utilities Commission (PUCT) is responsible for monitoring the regulations and rates to ensure utility services are offered at fair rates to Ohio residents. Before deregulation, the supply and delivery of energy were combined into one cost. After deregulation in Ohio, the state’s electric and gas were separated into two different entities.

Before selecting from a gas or electric company in Ohio, it’s important to fully understand your power to choose. Our must-read resources will help you confidently review and select the right energy plan and supplier that meets your personal energy needs. Here at Choose Energy, our goal is simple: to empower energy consumers by providing educational guides, easy-to-use tools, and uncomplicated information.

• Which Ohio electricity plan is right for me? It’s important to know all of the energy plan lingo including the Ohio electric rates, types of plans, contract length, and green energy options to fully understand and evaluate plans.
• Is the process to switch energy providers complicated? Switching energy providers in a deregulated area can be completed in just a few easy steps. Simply enter your ZIP code, filter the results based on your energy needs, and sign up online or via phone.
• Do all energy suppliers require a contract deposit? Not all energy plans require a deposit. If you have a credit score that needs improvement, there may be no-deposit plans available in your region. These prepaid plans do usually come at a higher rate.
• I’m paying too much for energy. Are there ways I can reduce it? There are many ways to lower your Ohio natural gas rates and Ohio electric rates including switching plans or providers, choosing a prepaid energy plan, and investing in updated energy-efficient appliances.
• Are there renewable energy plans in Ohio? Ohio offers a range of renewable energy options to help customers minimize their environmental impact. Green energy plans include renewable energy credits, carbon offsets, 100% renewable energy, and buyback programs.
• Do I have to buy from a supplier? You are not required to purchase an energy plan from a third-party supplier. You may opt to remain with one of Ohio’s main electricity or natural gas companies and be billed at the default monthly rate.
• What does a fixed-plan offer? A fixed-rate plan offers Ohio energy customers the most stability. Within this plan type, customers pay a constant rate for an electricity or natural gas supply every month, no matter how the energy market’s default rate fluctuates. Fixed-rate plans come in various term lengths, ranging from six months to three years.
• What is a variable-rate plan? A variable-rate plan can fluctuate month to month based on the current market value of electricity. Energy demand and seasonal changes can affect the plan. In comparison, due to potential fluctuations, variable-rate plans are less stable than fixed-rate plans. Risk-tolerant energy customers may turn to variable-rate plans to avoid paying premium costs during billing cycles with lower energy usage.
• How does a prepaid plan work? Customers obtain energy by prepaying for a specific amount of electricity and natural gas. This pay-as-you-go plan requires a hands-on approach to monitoring your energy usage — the lights won’t stay on if you exceed your limit. Customers with credit scores that need improvement can benefit from a no deposit prepaid plan. However, prepaid plans aren’t feasible for all customers such as those using electronic medical equipment in their homes.

Among Ohio’s electric distribution companies – also known as utilities – are subsidiaries of four larger national energy companies: AES Corporation, American Electric Power (AEP), Dayton Power & Light, and First Energy.

There are multiple Ohio electric companies accessible due to deregulation across the state. Third-party suppliers include Direct Energy, Constellation, and Clearview Energy. All third-party Ohio electric company suppliers are certified and approved by the Public Utilities Commission Ohio (PUCT).

Due to deregulation, the Ohio utility and supplier are separate. A utility company is responsible for delivering electricity to your home or business by maintaining power lines, meters, poles, and energy infrastructure. For example, power outages would be reported to your utility company.

Energy suppliers are independent businesses that purchase or generate energy to sell to consumers. They are responsible for setting the rate of energy plans. This includes the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electric or therms for gas.

Choose Energy has worked to make energy choice straightforward and simple for everyone. We work with reliable gas and electric company Ohio providers to bring you trustworthy energy plans at competitive rates.

Signing up for your new Ohio energy plan is easy:

1. Enter your Zip code for a list of providers, plans, and rates in your service area with our no-cost marketplace tool.
2. Filter and compare results to find the right provider to meet your energy needs and budget.
3. Select a plan by signing up online or via phone.

After you have signed up for your new energy plan, your previous utility or supplier will be alerted of your plan move. The switch with your utility company will be coordinated by your new energy supplier.