Columbus electricity rates
Compare electricity suppliers and rates in Columbus, Ohio. AEP Ohio is the distribution utility for this area.
See what you could pay in Columbus
Quick answer: The cheapest electricity rate in Columbus right now is 6.45¢/kWh, available from 39 licensed OH suppliers. Compare plans below or enter your ZIP code for personalized results.
Top 5 electricity rates in Columbus
Lowest available rates from Apples to Apples, updated weekly.
| Supplier | Rate | Term | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Power & Gas of Ohio | 6.45¢/kWh | 1 months | Variable | View plan |
| American Power & Gas of Ohio | 7.45¢/kWh | 3 months | Fixed | View plan |
| American Power & Gas of Ohio100% Green | 7.95¢/kWh | 3 months | Fixed | View plan |
| American Power & Gas of Ohio100% Green | 7.95¢/kWh | 1 months | Variable | View plan |
| SFE Energy Ohio | 7.99¢/kWh | 6 months | Fixed | View plan |
Best plan by usage level
Your monthly bill depends on how much electricity you use.
Low usage (500 kWh)
500 kWh/month
Best available rate
6.45¢/kWh
Est. $32/month for generation
Average usage (850 kWh)
850 kWh/month
Best available rate
6.45¢/kWh
Est. $55/month for generation
High usage (1,200 kWh)
1200 kWh/month
Best available rate
6.45¢/kWh
Est. $77/month for generation
Columbus at a glance
906k
Population
Local utility
Primary utility
N/A
Avg rate per kWh (recent)
Your utility vs. your supplier
Ohio deregulated electricity generation in 1999. Your utility handles delivery; you choose who generates your power.
Distribution Utility
AEP Ohio
- Maintains power lines and infrastructure
- Handles outages and emergencies
- Sends your monthly bill
You can't change your utility
Your Supplier
You choose
- Generates your electricity
- Sets your generation rate
- Offers fixed or variable pricing
39 suppliers available in Columbus
Rates from 6.45¢/kWh
41%
of OH households have chosen a competitive supplier
100+
PUCO-licensed residential electricity suppliers
1-2
billing cycles to complete a supplier switch
Active suppliers in this area
Clearview Electric
24 plans
Public Power
11 plans
Ohio Gas & Electric
11 plans
APG&E
8 plans
Santanna Energy Services
8 plans
Dynegy Energy Services (east)
7 plans
CleanSky Energy
7 plans
American Power & Gas of Ohio
6 plans
Better Buy Energy
6 plans
Energy Harbor
6 plans
Brighten Energy
6 plans
Direct Energy Services
5 plans
How electricity choice works
Lower rates
Shop for rates below your utility's Standard Service Offer
Same service
Your utility still delivers power and handles outages
Price protection
Fixed-rate plans lock in your rate for 6-24 months
Green options
100% renewable plans often cost the same or less
How to switch suppliers
Find your SSO
Check your utility bill for your current Standard Service Offer. This is the benchmark rate to beat.
Compare rates
Use Apples to Apples or compare suppliers here. Look at rate, term, and fees.
Enroll online
Sign up with your chosen supplier. Your utility handles the switch automatically.
Frequently asked questions
- How does electricity deregulation work in Columbus?
- Columbus is served by AEP Ohio, which delivers electricity to homes and businesses. Ohio deregulated electricity generation in 1999, meaning you can choose a different company to generate your power while AEP Ohio continues to deliver it.
- What is the cheapest electricity rate in Columbus right now?
- The lowest available rate in Columbus is currently 6.45¢/kWh, from 39 licensed suppliers with active offers. Rates change frequently — we update this data weekly from Apples to Apples.
- Who delivers electricity in Columbus?
- AEP Ohio is the distribution utility for Columbus and Franklin County. They own and maintain the power lines, handle outages, and send your bill. Regardless of which supplier you choose, AEP Ohio delivers your electricity.
- How do I switch electricity suppliers in Columbus?
- Three steps: Compare rates, enroll directly with your chosen supplier online, and wait 1-2 billing cycles for the switch to complete. There's no service interruption, no new equipment, and no fee from AEP Ohio to switch.
- What is the Standard Service Offer for AEP Ohio customers?
- The Standard Service Offer (SSO) is AEP Ohio's default generation rate for customers who don't choose a supplier. It changes periodically based on wholesale market prices. The SSO is the benchmark suppliers need to beat.
Related guides
How Energy Choice Works in Ohio
Understanding Ohio's deregulated electricity market
How to Switch Providers in Ohio
Step-by-step guide to switching suppliers
Shopping for Electricity in Ohio
Tips for comparing plans on Apples to Apples
Fixed vs Variable Rate Plans
Which plan type makes sense for your household
How we collect this data
Rate data is sourced from Apples to Apples, the official OH PUC marketplace, and refreshed weekly. Volt Butler is an independent comparison site — we don't accept payments from suppliers to rank them higher. The AEP Ohio Standard Service Offer is sourced from AEP Ohio's most recent published rate schedule.
Ready to compare Columbus electricity rates?
Enter your ZIP code to see available suppliers and rates.
Free comparison · 39+ PUCO-licensed suppliers · EIA-cited data