Enter your zip code to instantly compare Pennsylvania electricity rates and energy plans.
By Thad Warren
This section highlights the average Pennsylvania electricity rates for residential and commercial customers.
For businesses of all sizes – from small businesses to enterprise-level, the deregulated market has enabled competition. Today, every business has the ability to compare energy plans from top energy suppliers and shop for the best rate available.
In most cases, businesses will be able to effectively manage and/or reduce their monthly electricity costs by switching energy plans and providers every year.
In 2021, the average electric bill in Pennsylvania included a rate of 8.96 cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh) for commercial customers — a rate 22% lower than the national average — and the national average of 13.89 ¢/kWh for residential customers.
With EnergyBot, you can see the average Pennsylvania electric rates per kWh and compare them to find the best deals. We update our listings daily, so you can always be sure you're seeing the most current electric prices in Pennsylvania when you shop to save.
In 1994, the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission investigated the state's energy market and published their findings in a report called "The Report and Recommendation on Electric Competiton." With this report, the Commission persuaded the state assembly to deregulate the state's energy market, creating a free market with greater competition.
The Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1996 set this plan in motion, beginning deregulation and splitting up existing energy monopolies. This bill included a schedule for a slow transition into deregulation, which gave one-third of the state's electrical consumers energy choice in 1999, with the rest following in 2000 and 2001.
Energy deregulation separated public utilities from energy providers. In this new market, customers have the power to choose their energy provider based on rates and service plans. Energy providers compete to attract consumers by offering the lowest rates and the most customer-centric services.
Pennsylvania's market deregulation rolled out slowly over almost 15 years but has been one of the most successful deregulations in the country.
Energy deregulation is beneficial to residents and business owners across Pennsylvania, but many don't understand or even know about it. At EnergyBot, we're dedicated to ensuring you see the power of energy choice and use it to save money on your monthly electric bills.
One crucial step in understanding energy deregulation is knowing the difference between public utilities and energy providers. In a deregulated energy market, each entity has different responsibilities.
Public utility companies are responsible for maintaining and operating power infrastructures like wires and towers, and these organizations deliver your energy to your home or business through your power lines each month. Pennsylvania's local utilities include Penn Power, Penelec, Duquesne Light Company, PPL Electric Utilities, West Penn Power and Met-Ed.
Energy providers purchase electricity wholesale from generators and resell the energy to consumers like you. They are competitive companies that offer different rates and services to attract customers. While you're usually assigned a utility company based on your location, you can select whichever energy provider you'd like. Top energy providers in Pennsylvania include Direct Energy, Entrust and Public Power.
Renewable energy sources provided about 4% of Pennsylvania's total energy generation in 2020. This energy was mainly generated by wind, hydropower and biomass production. Wind energy was the state's largest source of renewable energy, generating about two-fifths of the renewable energy produced that year.
As of mid-2021, Pennsylvania had 26 operating wind farms across the state with almost 1,500 megawatts of generating capacity. These farms are typically found along the state's Appalachian Mountain crests or along the shores of Lake Erie. Pennsylvania also has extensive opportunities for hydroelectric generation with more than 83,000 miles of rivers, streams and non-powered dams.
Pennsylvania ranks among the top 12 states in the amount of energy generated by biomass resources, fueled by municipal solid waste and landfill gas. Biomass energy production accounted for one-fifth of the state's energy production from renewable resources in 2020.
If sustainability and clean energy production are essential aspects of your energy plan, EnergyBot can help you find options that meet your needs. Our comparison tool will compile a list of options with information about how much of the energy sold by each provider is generated using renewable resources.
When you browse energy plans from the top providers on EnergyBot, you're likely to see fixed-and variable-rate options. Each type of plan has its advantages, and it's up to you to determine which will work best for your home or business.
As you begin your search for a new energy plan, do a quick audit of your energy usage and look over your monthly budget. This information will help you decide which type of plan will most closely meet your needs and save you money each month.
When you sign up for a fixed-rate plan, your contract guarantees a fixed rate for the duration of your agreement, which usually lasts six, 12, 24 or 36 months. Your rate will remain unchanged regardless of external factors like weather, natural events or market volatility that would otherwise drive higher rates.
The primary advantage of signing up for a fixed-rate plan is the predictability it offers. You'll know how much you can expect to pay each month and ensure that amount is factored into your budget.
To receive electricity at a variable rate, you sign a contract that allows your energy rate to change throughout your service term. Your rate will vary based on several market factors, including weather and market volatility. You may have some months where your price is much lower than the quoted rate and others where you pay more.
The thing consumers like best about variable-rate plans is the flexibility they provide. Since you may pay less for some months, you can use that money to invest in other aspects of your business.
Thanks to the deregulation of the energy market, businesses and residents have the power to compare electric rates in Pennsylvania and select the provider with the lowest rates or best services. This competitive market gives consumers ample options to choose from, ensuring their plans and providers meet their needs.
At the end of each energy contract, consumers in Pennsylvania have the opportunity to shop again and switch plans and providers if they find a lower rate. Keep your contract's end date in mind, and begin searching before it expires so that you have plenty of time to find a new plan. Here are five easy steps to help you find the best plan.
When you begin your search for a new energy plan, the best place to start is online. A quick online comparison tool like EnergyBot makes it easy to browse available plans and rates to see if better deals are available.
Searching for rates with EnergyBot is simple — enter your zip code and answer a few questions about your energy usage. We'll instantly compile a list of Pennsylvania's top energy providers with plans that meet your needs. You can browse and directly compare your options to find the perfect plan and save on your monthly bills.
Switching energy providers is a big commitment, and it pays — literally — to take your time and carefully consider your options before signing a contract. EnergyBot will give you an instant list of options from local energy providers, but we urge you to read through the plan details, contract terms and legal copy.
Pennsylvania's deregulated market is very competitive, and sometimes providers try to entice customers with promotional rate offers that mislead some consumers. These offers may be attached to variable-rate plans or may only apply to energy usage within a specific range.
It's crucial to take the time to research so that you know what your new energy plan entails before you sign your contract.
As you search for a new energy plan online, you may need to upload your most recent energy bill. This step provides crucial information about your home or business, including your typical energy usage and current rates. This information helps us create a customized list of providers with rates and plans that meet your needs.
Additionally, some energy providers will require you to upload proof of your previous energy usage before you can sign a contract and confirm a new plan. Your most recent energy bill is the easiest way to fulfill this requirement and move ahead with your switch to a new program.
Larger businesses in Pennsylvania may have unique needs when it comes to energy. Whether you use more electricity than the average consumer or use power inconsistently, the rates offered to general consumers may not be what you need. In these instances, you can request a custom price quote for energy through EnergyBot.
When you request a custom price quote, your selected provider will complete a comprehensive review of how you use energy. They'll use this information to create a plan and rate explicitly designed for your business with rates that meet your needs. You can request multiple quotes from top providers to compare their offers, shopping for the lowest rates and best services.
Once you've decided on a new plan, you can sign your contract to make the switch official. You should receive an email confirming your new plan with details like your start date. Review this information carefully to ensure it's correct and that you know when your new contract begins.
Unlike switching cable or internet providers, switching electricity providers does not disrupt your service in any way. You likely won't notice the switch has occurred until you receive your first bill from your new provider.
Founded by William Penn as a home to the Quakers, Pennsylvania is now home to over 12.8 million people making it the 5th largest state in the U.S.
Rooted in U.S. history as one of the original 12 colonies, Pennsylvania is also a major tourist draw with Philadelphia serving as the nation’s first capital as well as home to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address as well as the Liberty Bell.
Pennsylvania’s second leading city, Pittsburgh, served as the epicenter of the U.S. manufacturing and steel industry for the better part of the 20th center – with its most famous export being the city’s professional football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It is estimated that Pennsylvania is home to over 1 million small businesses in a wide variety of industries and categories. Small businesses in Pennsylvania make up 98.2% of the total businesses in the state with the remaining 1.8% being large or enterprise level companies.
As of the latest SBA data, Pennsylvania small businesses employed 2.5 million people in the state which represent 46.9% of the total employees in Pennsylvania. With a growing economy, the state of Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dipped below 5% to 4.8% just slightly above the national average.
The leading industries for Small Business growth in Pennsylvania, Retail Trade, Accommodation and Food Service, and Manufacturing have remained consistent for the past 5 years.
