How to Shop & Switch Electricity in PA

How to Shop

Learn just how easy it is to shop for electricity on the PAPowerSwitch website in these three simple steps:

1. Enter your ZIP code.

Type your ZIP code into the box, located in the upper right corner of the page, and click “Go.”

If you have a small or large business, click on the appropriate drop-down menu item located next to the ZIP code box.

2. Select your electric distributor.

After entering your ZIP code, you will be asked to select your electric distributor from the given list. 

Depending on where you live, there may only be one company from which to choose. In this case, simply click on the company’s name.

3. Find the best deal.

A list of the natural electric suppliers’ names, estimated monthly rates and offer details (price structure, additional fees, term length, etc.) will appear in alternating colored boxes.

You can sign up for an offer by clicking the “Sign up for This Offer” button on the right side of the supplier’s box. You can also customize your search by using the orange “Filter Results” button.

For additional help, visit our FAQ page.

Make sure that any electric supplier from which you purchase services is licensed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC). You will also want to find out the “price to compare" (the price per kWh your electric distribution company will charge), the length and terms of your agreement and whether there are any fees or penalties for switching suppliers.

  1. Calculate how much you currently pay for electricity. Get help understanding your bill.
  2. Contact competitive suppliers for your area. You can do this online or by calling the supplier. Competitive offers may not be available in all areas.
  3. Use the shopping worksheet to find if you will save money by switching to a different supplier. Download the shopping worksheet.

How to Switch Electricity Suppliers

When you choose a supplier, you can switch by calling the electric supplier or by signing up through the supplier's website. Your new supplier will notify your electric utility of the change. The electric utility will then contact you by mail to verify your switch in electric suppliers.

There is no deadline for selecting an electric supplier. While you may begin to receive offers from competitive suppliers for your area, this does not mean that you must choose a different electric supplier. The effective date of your choice depends on your next meter read date, which can take three to eight weeks.

Once you enroll with a supplier, how long it takes for the switch to occur depends on your electric distribution company (EDC). Check with your EDC for more exact information on its switching timeline.

When you choose a new supplier, in most cases you should be able to receive a single monthly bill from your electric utility; however, some suppliers might want to bill you separately. In this case, you would receive two bills — one from your electric utility and one from the supplier.

Canceling an Agreement with Your Electric Supplier

If you already have an agreement with an electric supplier, and you want to switch to a different supplier, carefully review your contract’s disclosure statement to see if there are any penalty/switching or cancellation fees. Call your current supplier if you are unsure.

When You Switch Electric Suppliers

When you choose an electric supplier, your electric utility will be notified of the change by the new supplier. The electric utility will then contact you by mail to verify your change in electric suppliers.

You can shop for an electric supplier at any time. The effective switch date should occur within three business days once the utility receives notification from the new supplier.

Remember: you should still call your local electric utility about service issues and repairs.