TL;DR
Pennsylvania has an open energy market. That means you can pick your own gas or electric supplier – you are not stuck with whoever the utility assigned to you. To find the best deal, check your current rate on your bill, use PA PowerSwitch to compare offers, pick a fixed-rate plan for stability, and watch for hidden fees. City Power and Gas is one option worth looking at if you want clear pricing and no surprises.
The Short Answer to the Big Question
If you want to compare gas and electric providers in Pennsylvania and find the best deals, start at PAPowerSwitch.com, enter your ZIP code, and line up fixed-rate plans against your current utility rate – called the Price to Compare, or PTC. Look for rates below 10-11 cents per kWh, avoid plans with monthly fees that cancel out the savings, and read the renewal terms before you sign anything. That is the whole process in three steps.
How to Compare the Best Deals
Most people in Pennsylvania do not know they have a choice in who supplies their electricity and gas. They pay whatever bill shows up and assume that is just how it works. But since Pennsylvania opened up its energy market back in 1996, residents have been able to shop for their own supplier – just like picking a phone plan or an internet provider. Your local utility still delivers the power through the same wires and pipes. You just decide who sells it to you.
This matters because electricity rates in Pennsylvania can vary a lot from one supplier to the next. A small difference in your rate per kWh adds up fast over a full year, especially if you heat with gas or run central air in summer. Knowing how to compare energy plans – and what to watch for – can save you real money.
What Types of Energy Providers Exist in Pennsylvania?
There are two kinds of players in the Pennsylvania energy market.
The first is your utility company. Think PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light, or Columbia Gas. These are the companies that own the physical lines, pipes, and meters. They handle delivery, respond to outages, and manage billing in most cases. You cannot choose your utility – it is determined by where you live. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or PUC, regulates these companies tightly.
The second type is a retail electricity provider, also called a REP or energy supplier. Companies like City Power and Gas fall into this category. These are competitive suppliers that buy energy wholesale and sell it to you directly. They do not own the wires. They just supply the electricity or natural gas that flows through the infrastructure your utility already manages. Because they compete for your business, they often offer lower rates or unique plan structures that the utility does not.
This distinction is important. Switching to a new energy supplier does not mean trucks show up and reroute cables. The lights stay on. The gas keeps flowing. Only the supply charge on your bill changes.
How to Compare Electricity Rates in Pennsylvania
Here is where people tend to get stuck. There are dozens of electricity providers in Pennsylvania, and sorting through them without a system leads to confusion or a bad decision.
Step 1 – Find your Price to Compare
Pull out a recent electricity bill and look for a line labeled “Price to Compare” or PTC. This is the rate your utility charges for the supply portion of your bill. It is your baseline. Any competitive supplier offering a rate below your PTC is worth a closer look.
Step 2 – Use PA PowerSwitch
PAPowerSwitch.com is run by the Pennsylvania PUC. It lists every licensed electricity supplier in the state along with their current rates and plan details. Enter your ZIP code and your utility name, and you get a full list of what is available in your area. As of early 2026, competitive rates in some areas have come in below 10-11 cents per kWh.
Step 3 – Filter by plan type
Not all energy plans work the same way. More on this below.
Step 4 – Check the fine print
Rate per kWh is not the whole picture. Look at contract length, early cancellation fees, and whether there is a monthly recurring charge layered on top of the rate. A plan showing 8 cents per kWh with a $15 monthly fee can end up costing more than a plan at 10 cents with no fee.
Step 5 – Verify the supplier
Make sure any energy supplier you consider is licensed in Pennsylvania. You can confirm this on the PUC’s website. Licensed suppliers like City Power and Gas are required to follow state rules on pricing, disclosure, and customer service.
Fixed-Rate vs Variable-Rate Plans
This is probably the single most important decision you will make when choosing an energy plan.
Fixed-rate plans
lock in a set price per kWh or therm for the life of your contract – usually anywhere from 6 to 24 months. Your supply charge stays the same whether energy prices spike in January or drop in April. For most households, this is the safer pick. It makes budgeting easy and protects you from market swings.
Variable-rate plans
change from month to month based on wholesale energy prices. They can start out looking very cheap, which is part of why some people choose them. But if the market moves against you – a cold winter, a heat wave, a supply disruption – your rate can jump fast. People who sign up for variable plans without fully reading the terms have seen bills double in a single month.
The general advice from consumer groups in Pennsylvania is to go with a fixed-rate plan, especially if you are new to shopping for energy. Lock in 12 months at a competitive rate, review again at renewal time.
Green Energy Options in Pennsylvania
Renewable energy plans are more common now than they were a few years ago. Many suppliers – including City Power and Gas – offer plans that source some or all of your electricity from clean sources like wind, solar, and hydropower. In 2023, renewables made up about 4% of Pennsylvania’s total energy generation, with wind and hydro leading the way.
If reducing your carbon footprint matters to you, look for plans labeled as 100% renewable or with a green energy certification. These plans are often priced competitively with standard plans. You do not always pay a premium to go green. Ask any supplier you consider what percentage of their energy comes from clean sources and how they verify it.
What to Watch Out For: Hidden Costs and Misleading Offers
Pennsylvania’s energy market has a mixed record. The idea behind opening the market to competition was to lower prices and give consumers more choice. That has happened in some cases. But there are also suppliers who use tactics that are not in your favor.
Door-to-door sales pressure
Some energy suppliers approach people in public places or at the door with gifts – gift cards, free products – in exchange for signing up on the spot. These offers often come with contracts that switch to high variable rates after a short intro period. Do not sign anything on the spot. Take the information home and compare it on PA PowerSwitch first.
Low intro rates that jump
A rate that looks great in month one can triple by month three on a variable plan. Always ask what happens after the intro period ends.
Automatic renewal into variable rates
Some fixed contracts, when they expire, roll you into a variable rate automatically unless you take action. Read the renewal terms before signing. Set a reminder a month before your contract ends.
Monthly recurring charges
Some plans add a flat fee each month on top of the per-kWh rate. Run the full math before comparing. City Power and Gas, for instance, is worth evaluating specifically on whether they charge these fees, so you can line up a true apples-to-apples comparison.
Natural Gas: Same Rules Apply
Everything above applies to natural gas shopping too, not just electricity. Pennsylvania’s natural gas market is also open to competition. You can choose a natural gas company separate from your electricity supplier if you want. Natural gas is generally about three times cheaper than electric heating, so the savings from locking in a good rate can be even more significant over a heating season.
Use the same process – find your current rate, compare licensed natural gas suppliers in your area, favor fixed-rate plans, and check all fees. The PUC oversees natural gas suppliers in Pennsylvania under the same rules that apply to electricity suppliers.
How to Switch Energy Providers in Pennsylvania
Switching is simpler than most people expect. Here is how it works:
First, pick your new supplier and sign up through their website or by phone. You will need your account number from your current utility bill. Second, your new energy supplier contacts your utility to begin the transfer. You do not need to call your utility yourself. Third, within a billing cycle or two – sometimes as fast as three days – the switch is complete. Your lights never go out. There is no gap in service.
After switching, watch your first few bills to make sure the new rate is showing up correctly. Set a calendar reminder for when your contract ends. If you are happy with City Power and Gas or whoever you chose, renew at that time. If not, shop again.
If anything goes wrong – wrong rate on your bill, service issues, disputes – you can file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Services or contact the PUC. Licensed suppliers are required by state law to respond and resolve issues.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania has an open energy market – you can choose your own electricity or natural gas supplier without losing service or changing your utility.
- Your Price to Compare, found on your utility bill, is the baseline rate. Any licensed supplier offering a lower rate with no added fees is worth considering.
- Fixed-rate plans offer price stability and are the safer choice for most households. Variable rates can spike without warning.
- Watch for hidden costs – monthly recurring charges and early cancellation fees can cancel out rate savings.
- PA PowerSwitch is the official, free tool for comparing energy plans in Pennsylvania.
- Renewable and green energy plans are widely available and often priced competitively with standard plans.
- City Power and Gas is a licensed Pennsylvania energy supplier worth comparing at pa.citypowerandgas.com.
- Switching providers takes one to two billing cycles and causes zero interruption to your service.
- Natural gas suppliers can also be compared and switched using the same process as electricity.
- Always read renewal terms – many fixed contracts roll into variable rates automatically when they expire.
FAQs
Q1: How do I compare electric rates in Pennsylvania?
Go to PAPowerSwitch.com, enter your ZIP code and your utility’s name, and compare available fixed-rate plans from licensed suppliers. Look for a rate below your current Price to Compare, check for monthly fees, and review contract length before signing.
Q2: What is the Price to Compare in Pennsylvania?
The Price to Compare, or PTC, is the rate your utility charges for the supply portion of your electricity or gas bill. It is listed on your bill. If a competitive supplier offers a rate below your PTC with no hidden fees, switching may save you money.
Q3: Is City Power and Gas available in Pennsylvania?
City Power and Gas serves Pennsylvania customers as a licensed retail energy supplier. You can check their current rates and plan options at pa.citypowerandgas.com to see if they serve your area and compare their offers against other providers.
Q4: What is the difference between fixed and variable energy rates?
A fixed rate stays the same for the length of your contract, usually 6 to 24 months. A variable rate changes each month based on market prices. Fixed rates are better for most households because they offer predictable bills and protection from price spikes.
Q5: Can I switch gas and electric providers in Pennsylvania without losing service?
Yes. Switching energy suppliers in Pennsylvania does not interrupt your service. Your local utility still delivers electricity and gas through the same infrastructure. Only the supplier name and supply charge on your bill changes.
Q6: What is PA PowerSwitch?
PA PowerSwitch is the official comparison tool run by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. It lists all licensed electricity suppliers in Pennsylvania along with their current rates and plan details. It is free to use and available at PAPowerSwitch.com.
Q7: Are there green energy providers in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Many licensed energy suppliers in Pennsylvania, including some plans from City Power and Gas, offer renewable energy options sourced from wind, solar, and hydropower. Look for plans with a green energy label on PA PowerSwitch or ask the supplier for their renewable percentage.
Q8: How long does it take to switch electric providers in Pennsylvania?
Most switches are completed within one to two billing cycles. In some cases, the change takes effect in as few as three days. You do not need to do anything after enrolling – your new supplier handles the transfer with your utility.
Q9: What should I watch for when comparing energy plans in Pennsylvania?
Beyond the rate per kWh, check for monthly recurring charges, early cancellation fees, how the plan renews at the end of the contract, and whether the supplier is licensed by the Pennsylvania PUC. A low rate with a high monthly fee can cost more than a slightly higher rate with no fee.
Q10: What happens if I have a problem with my energy supplier in Pennsylvania?
If a dispute cannot be resolved directly with your supplier, you can file a complaint with the Pennsylvania PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services. Licensed suppliers like City Power and Gas are required by state regulations to follow consumer protection rules and respond to complaints.