Electricity rates are on the rise again in Ohio ahead of summer, with the price to compare (PTC) up over 30% from last year for consumers in a First Energy company service area. The most recent adjustment came on April 1, 2026 all three First Energy utility companies saw a rate increase for the PTC.
By Jordan Watts
Electricity rates are on the rise again in Ohio ahead of summer, with the price to compare (PTC) up over 30% from last year for consumers in a First Energy company service area. The most recent adjustment came on April 1, 2026 all three First Energy utility companies saw a rate increase for the price to compare (PTC) that solidified a roughly $25 increase in monthly electricity bills year over year.
Harsh weather conditions, surging capacity cost, and volatility in natural gas all point toward a steady climb in your electricity bill– especially considering that utilities owned and operated by First Energy historically have experienced the biggest rate increases.
While the PTC is regulated and approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), it’s still not guaranteed to be the best rate. Many customers serviced by Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, or The Illuminating Company can save by shopping for an alternative Ohio electricity provider. Current market rates can help consumers save an average of
To help you make the best choice for your home or business let’s break down what’s been causing these increases and the real impact on your budget.
First Energy is the parent company of three Ohio utilities: Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, and The Illuminating Company. Residents for any of these three utility companies who purchase power through the Standard Service Offer (SSO) or default rate will see an increased rate on their next electric bill that will remain in effect till May 31, 2026.
While the newest increase to the PTC may seem small, this is just the most recent spike in climbing costs over the last year. All three First Energy companies have seen a more than 30% jump in the price to compare since April 2025– translating to an average of $300 more per year on electricity bills for a typical small home.
| Utility | New PTC (Effective April 1, 2026) | Percent Change | Bill Increase Small Home (1000 kWh) | Bill Increase Large Home (2000 kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Edison | 9.7¢ / kWh | 4% | $3.70 | $7.40 |
| The Illuminating Company | 9.88¢ / kWh | 4% | $3.30 | $6.60 |
| Toledo Edison | 9.99¢ / kWh | 3.10% | $3.00 | $6.00 |
As electricity prices climb higher and higher, it’s never been more important for customers to shop around for alternative electricity suppliers. Customers who are served by a First Energy company can save almost 20%, depending on your specific utility, just by shopping around for the best electricity rate on EnergyBot.
This means hundreds of dollars in savings per year on your electricity bill– money that stays in your wallet, where it belongs. The larger your home, the more opportunity there is for savings.
Experts predict that after PJM’s capacity auction takes place this year electricity prices could climb again starting in June. Last year, the first capacity auction rate added an average of 2.2 cents per kWh to Ohio utility rates overnight and this year is expected to have similar results. This would mean that just as you start cranking the AC for summer, you’ll be paying even more than you already are.
With even greater rate changes expected ahead, it has never been more important to shop around for the best fixed rate electricity plan for your home or business. Ohio residents have a couple of options available to compare fixed-rate options in Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, and The Illuminating Company service areas.
Remember: a fixed rate can help to protect you from increasing fluctuations in the Price to Compare.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio operates an electricity marketplace site, Apples to Apples Ohio, where you can compare competitive energy plans. While this marketplace provides a large variety of choices, it can often feel overwhelming for consumers to navigate and occasionally has tricky plans that really are too good to be true.
If this all sounds like a lot to track and handle, you aren’t alone. EnergyBot Advisor simplifies shopping by monitoring the price to compare and automatically switching you to lower rates when they are available. It’s free and you can cancel any time.
With over a thousand 5-star reviews, EnergyBot is committed to helping you find the most competitive electricity rate for your home or business. Our guided shopping flow easily helps you to narrow down the plans and find one that best fits your energy usage needs.
While minor increases in your monthly bill may seem small now, the rising capacity costs and increasing frequency of extreme weather means that it rates will likely continue to surge. This means that it’s important to lock in a fixed rate while prices are competitive so you can save money for your home in the long run.
