Let’s be honest – picking an Energy Provider in Pennsylvania used to confuse you. All these companies, all these plans, all these rates. Where do you even start?
Here’s the thing: Pennsylvania lets you choose who sells you power. That’s different from most places. And yeah, it sounds great in theory, but it also means you have to do some homework.
You’re not alone if this feels tricky. Most people stick with whatever provider they started with because switching seems hard. But what if you could save $20 or $30 each month? That’s real money.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know. No fancy terms, no sales pitch – just what works.
How Pennsylvania’s Energy Market Actually Works
Pennsylvania changed its energy system back in 1996. The state’s power bills were running about 15% higher than the rest of the country. People weren’t happy about it.
So they passed a law – the “Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act.” The idea was simple: let companies compete, and prices should drop.
They rolled this out between 1999 and 2001. Since then? People in Pennsylvania have saved about $3 billion combined. Natural gas followed the same path with a similar law in 1999.
The Two Types of Companies
Utility companies (like PECO, PPL Electric, or Duquesne Light) own the physical stuff. They fix power lines when storms hit. They read your meter. They keep the lights on when something breaks. The state controls what they can charge, and they have to help everyone in their area. You can’t change this company – it’s based on where you live.
Energy suppliers (like City Power & Gas) are the ones who compete for your business. They buy or make the power that goes through those wires. They offer different plans and rates to try to win you over.
This setup gives you options. When companies have to fight for customers, prices stay lower. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.
What You Get From This System
Since the change in 1996, you can:
- Shop around for better rates
- Pick plans that use clean energy
- Lock in your price so it doesn’t jump around
- Find deals that match how you use power
- Choose a company with better help when you need it
Does it always work perfectly? No. But you have more control than in states where one company runs everything.
Figure Out What You Actually Need
Before you start looking at plans, stop and think about your home.
Check your old bills. Look at the last six months. How much power did you use? The number you want is in kilowatt-hours (kWh). When did you use it the most – summer or winter? You might be surprised.
Think about your day. Are you home all day working? Do you run the AC non-stop in July? Got a big family with tons of devices? Your life affects your bill.
Know your limit. What can you really spend each month? Be honest here. Some plans cost less now but more later. Others stay the same but start higher.
What matters to you? Some people want the cheapest rate, period. Others care about clean energy. Some just want a company that answers the phone when there’s a problem. Write down your top three things.
How to Research Your Options
You’re still figuring this out, but here’s what seems to work:
Use the state tools. Go to PAPowerSwitch.com for electricity or PAGasSwitch.com for natural gas. Enter your zip code and see all the plans. It’s like comparing flights – you get the big picture fast.
Visit company sites. Go to places like City Power & Gas – Electric Company in Pennsylvania and read what they offer. Look for the details: How long is the plan? What’s the rate? What happens if you leave early?
Read what others say. Check reviews on sites that aren’t run by the energy companies. People tell the truth there – both good and bad.
Ask questions. If something confuses you, call and ask. A good company will explain things without making you feel dumb.
Three Types of Plans You’ll See
Most energy providers offer these:
Fixed-rate plans keep your rate the same for the whole time. If you sign up at 10 cents per kWh, that’s what you pay for a year or two. Your bill still changes based on how much you use, but the rate stays put. This helps you plan your budget.
Variable plans go up and down with the market. They might start cheap, but then jump when demand goes up. You’re taking a risk here – sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn’t.
Index plans tie your rate to some market number. These get complex fast, and honestly, most people don’t need them.
From what you can tell, fixed plans make the most sense for regular folks. Variable plans are for people who like to gamble or can handle surprise bills.
What to Look For (Besides Just the Rate)
The lowest rate isn’t always the best deal. You learned this the hard way once.
Find your “Price to Compare.” This number shows up on your utility bill. It’s what you’re paying now if you haven’t picked a supplier yet. Any new company needs to beat this number for you to save money.
Contract length matters. A one-year plan gives you flexibility. A two or three-year plan locks you in longer. What if you move? What if a better deal comes along?
Exit fees can hurt. Some companies charge you big money to leave early. Read this part carefully. A slightly higher rate with no exit fee beats a cheap rate you’re stuck with.
Hidden charges add up. Monthly fees, connection fees, “service” fees – they all make your bill higher. Ask what the total cost looks like, not just the rate per kWh.
Help when you need it. You’ll have questions. You might have problems. Pick a company that actually helps customers instead of hiding behind voice mail.
Clean energy options. If you care about this (and more people do now), check for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). These plans add clean energy to the grid to match what you use.
Check If the Company is Any Good
A cheap rate means nothing if the company treats you badly.
Look at reviews. The Better Business Bureau shows you patterns. Do lots of people complain about the same thing? That’s a red flag.
Check the state records. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission tracks complaints. See if your potential company has problems.
See how long they’ve been around. A company that’s survived for years probably does something right. Brand new companies might be fine, but they’re more of a risk.
Check if they’re clear about everything. Do they hide important stuff in tiny print? Or do they explain things up front? You want the second one.
Test their help desk. Call with a simple question before you sign up. See how they treat you. If they’re rude or clueless now, it won’t get better later.
Making Your Choice
You’ve done the research. Now what?
Match the plan to your life. If you hate surprises, get a fixed rate. If you want clean energy, find that option. If you’re broke, pick the plan that fits your wallet right now.
Think ahead. Where will you be in a year? Two years? If you might move, don’t sign a long contract with big exit fees.
Read everything. Yeah, it’s boring. Do it anyway. Know what you’re signing. Pennsylvania law requires companies to give you a standard contract summary. It lists the price, plan type, contract length, and any fees.
Trust your gut. Something feels off about a deal? There’s probably a reason. Go with a company that feels right.
How Switching Works
Good news: switching is easier than you think.
The process is simple. You pick a new provider like City Power & Gas – Natural Gas Company in Pennsylvania. They do the paperwork. Your utility company keeps bringing power to your house – they just bill you differently now. The whole thing takes about one to two billing cycles.
Your power never goes out. The same wires still work. The same people fix problems. You’re just paying a different company for the actual energy.
When to switch:
- Your current plan ends soon and the rate jumps
- You found a way better deal somewhere else
- Your company’s help desk is useless
- You want clean energy and they don’t offer it
What you might save. Some people save $10 a month. Others save $30 or more. It depends on your current rate and what you find. But that adds up over a year.
Why People Pick City Power & Gas
Look, you’re reading this on our site, so let’s be upfront about something. We want your business. But here’s what we actually offer:
Our rates compete. We’re not always the cheapest (nobody is), but we’re in the mix. Our plans fit different types of homes and budgets.
Real people answer the phone. Call us and you’ll talk to someone who can help. Not a robot, not a script-reader – a person.
Clean energy if you want it. We offer 100% green power for people who care about that. It costs a bit more, but it’s there.
No tricks. Our plans say what they mean. If there’s a fee, we tell you. If the rate changes, we explain when and why.
We know Pennsylvania. We work here. We live here. We get how the market works and what you need.
Ways to Use Less Power (And Save More Money)
The right provider helps, but using less power helps more.
Turn your heat down a bit. Even two or three degrees makes a difference in winter. Same with AC in summer – go a bit warmer and your bill drops.
Fix leaks around windows and doors. That cold air coming in? It’s costing you money. Tape or caulk is cheap.
Buy smart when stuff breaks. When your fridge or washer dies, replace it with one that uses less power. Yeah, it costs more up front, but it pays you back over time.
Switch to LED bulbs. They use way less power than old bulbs and last forever. You’ll forget when you last bought a bulb.
Time when you use power. Some plans charge less at night or early morning. Run your dishwasher or do laundry then if you can.
What Your Bill Actually Shows
Your energy bill lists a bunch of stuff. Here’s what it means:
Supply charges – This goes to your energy provider (like us) for the actual power you used.
Delivery charges – This goes to the utility company for bringing power to your house and keeping the wires working.
Taxes and fees – The government takes its cut. Nothing you can do about this part.
Usage info – How much power you used this month. Compare it to last month or last year to spot patterns.
The supply charge is what changes when you switch providers. The rest stays the same no matter who you pick.
Don’t Miss Your Contract End Date
This is huge. When your contract ends, that’s when you’re most likely to overpay.
You’ll get two notices by mail. The first comes 45 to 60 days before your contract ends. The second hits 30 days before. Don’t toss these.
If you ignore them, the company can switch you to a month-to-month plan. These usually cost way more than what you had. Some people end up paying double because they forgot to check.
Set a reminder now. Mark your calendar for 60 days before your contract ends. That gives you time to shop around again before you get stuck with a bad rate.
Help If You’re Struggling to Pay
If you’re having trouble with your energy bills, Pennsylvania has programs that can help:
LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) – Gives cash grants to help with heating bills. They also have emergency grants for crisis situations.
Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs) – Your utility company might have these to help manage costs. The payments are based on what you can actually afford.
Emergency Hardship Funds – Some utilities offer emergency money if you hit a rough patch.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission watches over all this and makes sure companies treat customers fairly. If you need help, don’t wait until they shut off your power. Call and ask what’s available.
Natural Gas Works the Same Way
Everything we talked about for electricity? It applies to natural gas too.
The main differences:
- Natural gas is measured in therms or Ccf (hundred cubic feet), not kilowatt-hours
- Each utility has its own “Price to Compare” for gas
- The shopping process is the same – just use PAGasSwitch.com instead
If you use natural gas for heating or cooking, shop for that too. You might save even more money.
What’s Coming for Pennsylvania Energy
Pennsylvania wants cleaner energy. The state is working on using more wind and solar power. You can help by:
- Picking green energy plans
- Using less power overall
- Going with companies that invest in clean energy
At City Power & Gas, we’re working on this stuff. Pennsylvania needs reliable power that doesn’t trash the planet. It’s tricky, but we’re trying to get it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really choose any energy provider in Pennsylvania?
Yes and no. You can pick from any provider that works in your area. But not every company serves every part of Pennsylvania. Enter your zip code on PAPowerSwitch.com to see who covers you. Your utility company (the one that owns the wires) stays the same no matter what.
Will my power get shut off when I switch?
Nope. Your lights stay on the whole time. The utility company keeps doing its job – they just change who they bill you for. The switch happens behind the scenes over one or two billing cycles. You won’t notice anything except your bill looking different.
What happens if my new energy provider goes out of business?
You don’t lose power. The utility company keeps bringing you energy and just switches you to a backup provider for a while. Then you can pick a new one. It’s a bit annoying, but your lights don’t go out.
Are fixed or variable rates better?
For most people? Fixed rates. They’re boring but safe. You know what you’ll pay each month (well, the rate stays fixed – your bill changes based on how much you use). Variable rates are for folks who like risk or can handle their bill jumping around. Unless you watch the energy market closely, stick with fixed.
How much can I really save by switching?
It depends on what you pay now and what deals are out there. Some people save nothing because they already have a good rate. Others save $10 to $40 a month. Check your “Price to Compare” on your current bill, then look at what’s available on PAPowerSwitch.com. The math is simple once you look.
Is green energy more expensive?
Usually, yes. Clean energy plans cost a bit more per kWh. But the gap is shrinking. Some people think it’s worth the extra $5 or $10 a month. Others can’t afford it or don’t care. It’s your call.
What’s the catch with those super low rates I see?
Often it’s a teaser rate that only lasts a few months, then jumps way up. Or it’s a variable rate that starts low but can spike later. Or there’s a long contract with huge exit fees. Read the contract summary before you get excited. If it looks too good, it probably has strings.
Do I need to call my utility company when I switch?
No. Your new provider does that part. You just sign up with them and they handle the paperwork. Your utility company gets told about the change and updates their records. You don’t have to do anything except wait for the switch to finish.
Can I switch if I’m renting?
Most times, yes. As long as the bill is in your name, you can pick your provider. But check your lease first. Some buildings have deals with certain companies. And some landlords include power in the rent, which means you can’t switch because you’re not the customer.
What if I’m not happy with my new provider?
If you’re in a contract, you might have to pay a fee to leave early (check the contract summary before you sign up). If there’s no contract or fee, you can switch anytime. Most switches take one to two billing cycles, so you’re not stuck forever. Just start shopping again and pick someone new.
Conclusion
Picking an energy provider in Pennsylvania doesn’t have to stress you out. You know your needs. You can compare plans. You can make a smart choice.
The state lets you shop around – use that power. Find an energy company that fits your budget and values.
Whether you want the lowest rate possible, clean energy, or just a company that doesn’t drive you crazy when you call them, there’s something out there for you.
We hope you’ll look at City Power & Gas – Electric and Gas Company in Pennsylvania. But even if you don’t pick us, at least take control of your energy bill. Don’t just accept whatever you’ve always had.
Ready to see what’s out there? Check our plans at City Power & Gas or give us a call. We’ll walk you through it without the sales pressure.