Philadelphia Electric Rates – Compare Providers & Plans

Philadelphia Electric Companies

Compare rates from electric companies in Philadelhia

Philadelphians are likely familar with PECO. PECO is the utility company that mantains the power lines and delivery of electricity in Philly.

When most people thinks about their electric company in Philadelphia, they think of PECO. But many people don’t realize that there is another layer. There is a free market of energy providers who buy and sell energy.

As a consumer this means you have the potential to save money on your electric bill by selecting a plan from a third party provider.

Philadelphia Energy Providers and Utilities

Since Pennsylvania electric deregulation began in 1996, businesses have the power to choose their specific electricity provider or to continue to purchase from their utility company. For businesses of all sizes in Philadelphia, the deregulated market allows business owners to compare energy plans from top energy suppliers and shop for the best rate.

Energy Deregulation in Pennsylvania

In 1994 the Public Utilities Commission began investigating the energy market and published their findings in “The Report and Recommendation on Electric Competition”. Their research convinced the state assembly to pass the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act in 1996. Over the next 15 years, Pennsylvania removed market rate caps by region gradually forming a free market.

What is the difference between a Utility and an Energy Provider?

Utilities are the entities in charge of the operation and maintenance of the energy infrastructure, like wires and towers. The local utility in Philadelphia is PECO. Each utility is responsible for transporting electricity from the generators to residential homes and businesses in Philadelphia.

Energy providers in Philadelphia, like Direct Energy, Entrust, and Public Power, are the competitive energy retailers. Each energy provider buys energy from the wholesale market (the generators) and then re-sells it to consumers (homeowners, renters, and businesses).

In most cases, the consumer (the homeowner, renter, or business) signs a contract with an energy provider for a specific energy plan. The basic energy plan details the rate class, the energy rate per kWh, the contract term length (6, 12, 24, 36 months), and other contract terms like the cancellation fee policy.