Pennsylvania Power & Light (PPL) is a local utility company, servicing 1.5 million customers across 29 counties in Pennsylvania. The company is more than a hundred years old and is based out of Allentown, although its more than 50,000 miles of power lines keeps the lights on in several other major areas including Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Scranton.
Pennsylvania has a deregulated electricity market, meaning customers can shop around for the best energy plan or electricity rate to meet their needs. As a result, electricity companies and utility providers play distinct roles: electricity companies sell energy and handle billing while utility companies transmit energy to your home and maintain grid infrastructure. However, Pennsylvania residents can also choose not to shop and settle for the “default rate” or price to compare (PTC).
The price to compare (PTC) is the electricity rate set by PPL Electric Utilities and regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission. While electricity rates for energy plans from retail electricity providers may fluctuate daily, the price to compare changes twice a year on June 1 and December 1.
Pro Tip: The price to compare is determined by costs associated with generation and transmission, as well as any necessary maintenance or upgrades to the grid.
The Price to Compare might seem like the safe option, but it’s not always the best deal. It’s typically higher than what you could find by shopping around. Many third-party providers in Pennsylvania are currently offering rates below the PTC. Pennsylvania residents have the option to choose from competitive retail electricity suppliers, which can offer better rates. For you, that means there’s a great opportunity to save. Alternative suppliers shop deals on the wholesale market to provide attractive pricing options.
For instance, if PPL’s current PTC is 10.00 cents per kWh, and another supplier is offering 7.85 cents per kWh, you could cut your bill by a significant margin. Over the course of a year, that difference adds up fast.
If you decide not to switch, you’ll remain on PPL’s default Price to Compare rate, which changes biannually. While it’s convenient to stick with the PTC, you could end up paying significantly more over time in electric bills, especially if market prices drop and PPL’s default rate remains high. PPL electric rates can change quarterly, and it's important to stay informed.
Several retail electricity providers (REPs) operate within the PPL service area, offering you plenty of options for comparing rates to the PTC. Some of our most top-rated PPL Electric Utilities suppliers include:
To find the cheapest energy plan for your home or business, enter your zip code to get started comparing electricity rates on EnergyBot’s marketplace.
If PPL Electric Utilities services your home or business for electric utilities or as an energy provider, you'll need to know how to contact customer service if a problem ever arises.
As a customer in Pennsylvania's deregulated electricity market you do not have to enroll with the Price to Compare. In fact, many Pennsylvanians shop around for the most competitive rates and energy plans to find what works best for them.
To get started comparing electricity rates on EnergyBot’s marketplace in minutes, enter your zipcode.
No, PPL is a utility company that serves customers across much of eastern Pennsylvania. Customers in other regions or cities, like Pittsburgh, have different utilities, including PECO, Met-Ed, and PenElec. You can also purchase energy from a third-party retail electricity provider to get the cheapest electricity rate available in your area.
