For the 1.7 million residents of southeastern Pennsylvania, PECO is the company that keeps the lights on. As the largest electric and natural gas utility in the state, PECO owns and maintains the poles, wires, and infrastructure that deliver power to homes and businesses. However, PECO is not the only company you can buy electricity from. Thanks to Pennsylvania's deregulated energy market, you have the power to choose a competitive supplier.
Understanding your PECO energy rates and the choices available to you is the first step to taking control of your utility costs. Whether you are looking at your latest peco bill and wondering why it is higher than usual, or you are trying to log into the peco energy login portal to set up a payment plan, knowing how the system works can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about pennsylvania electric rates, from the default price to compare to the hidden fees you must watch out for before you switch suppliers.
Understanding PECO's Price to Compare
If you have never switched suppliers, you are paying PECO's default supply rate. This is known as the Price to Compare (PTC). The PTC resets twice a year, on June 1 and December 1. As of October 2026, the PECO Price to Compare for residential customers is 11.76 cents per kilowatt hour. This is your baseline. Any competitive offer must be lower than this rate to actually save you money.
Your electricity bill is split into two parts: supply and delivery. The supply portion is what you can shop for. The delivery portion is set by PECO and covers the cost of maintaining the grid, repairing storm damage, and reading your meter. No matter which supplier you choose, PECO will always be the company handling the physical infrastructure. If a tree falls on a power line, PECO is the one who fixes it.
How to Shop for a Better Rate
The internet is full of websites that promise to find you the lowest pennsylvania electric rates. Some are helpful, but many are just trying to sell you a plan. To avoid getting tricked, you should always use the official state tool run by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. The website is called PAPowerSwitch.com.
When you visit PAPowerSwitch, you enter your zip code and select PECO as your utility. The tool will show you a list of every licensed supplier in the area. You can compare their rates, contract lengths, and any monthly fees. When you find a plan you like, you enroll through the supplier, and they handle the switch with PECO. Your power will not be interrupted during this process.
The Hidden Fees Trap
A supplier might offer a very low rate per kilowatt hour, but they often make their money through hidden fees. Before you sign any contract, read the fine print carefully. Look for monthly customer charges. Some companies charge a flat fee of five or ten dollars every month just to be your provider. This can wipe out the savings of a low rate.
Also, check for early termination fees. If you sign a fixed contract and decide to leave before the term ends, you may be hit with a penalty of fifty to two hundred dollars. Finally, be wary of introductory rates. A plan might start low and then jump to a much higher variable rate after a few months. Many customers who shopped for supply actually ended up paying more than the default PTC because they were moved to a variable rate after the promotional period ended.
Managing Your Account and Paying Your Bill
Once you have chosen a supplier, managing your account is straightforward. You can still use the PECO website to access your peco login portal, where you can view your usage, track your peco bill samples, and check if your supplier has changed your rate. To set up a payment plan or manage your billing details, you simply log in with your account number and zip code.
If you need to make a payment, you have several options. You can enroll in automatic payments or use the peco pay bill feature on the website. You can also pay by phone by calling 1-877-432-9384, though a convenience fee will apply. If you have any issues with your account, or if you need to discuss payment arrangements, you can reach peco customer service at 1-800-494-4000 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What to Do During an Outage
Switching suppliers does not change who you call when the power goes out. PECO is still responsible for the physical grid. If you experience an outage, you can report it on the PECO website or by calling their emergency line. They have an interactive map that shows current outages and estimated restoration times.
If your outage is caused by a problem with your heating system, such as a failed furnace, you should read our guide on why you should hire a professional furnace repair company to ensure your home stays safe and warm. For a comparison of how other states handle deregulation, you can check our article on how to compare Ohio electric rates.
Take Control of Your Energy Costs
Saving money on your PECO energy rates requires a little bit of effort, but the payoff is worth it. By understanding how deregulation works, checking for hidden fees, and using the official PAPowerSwitch tool, you can easily find a competitive offer. Do not be afraid to switch suppliers. The process is simple, and PECO is legally required to ensure a smooth transition. Take control of your energy costs today and keep more money in your pocket.
