The Illuminating Company Standard Service Offer
Current rate + quarterly history
By John Spencer • Updated June 2026
The Illuminating Company's Standard Service Offer (SSO) is the default supply rate for customers who haven't chosen a competitive electricity supplier. It's also the benchmark for shopping — any supplier rate below the SSO saves you money.
Current Standard Service Offer
7.456¢/kWh
Effective June 1, 2026
Previous SSO (March-May 2026): 7.089¢/kWh
How The Illuminating Company sets its Standard Service Offer
The Illuminating Company doesn't set the SSO arbitrarily. The rate reflects actual costs of procuring electricity for default service customers through a process overseen by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
The Illuminating Company runs competitive auctions to buy wholesale electricity. These auctions secure supply from generators at market prices. The utility then passes these costs directly to customers — no markup, no profit on the supply side.
The SSO includes generation costs, transmission charges, and regulatory compliance costs. When wholesale electricity prices rise — as they have with recent capacity market increases — the SSO rises accordingly.
Rate changes occur periodically. The PUCO publishes upcoming rates before they take effect.
The Illuminating Company SSO history
Residential Standard Service Offer rates over the past two years
| Period | Rate (¢/kWh) |
|---|---|
| June 2026(Current) | 7.456¢ |
| December 2025 | 7.089¢ |
| June 2025 | 6.82¢ |
| December 2024 | 6.45¢ |
| June 2024 | 6.18¢ |
| December 2023 | 6.32¢ |
Source: PUCO rate filings. Rates shown are residential class averages.
How The Illuminating Company SSO compares to competitive suppliers
The current The Illuminating Company SSO of 7.456¢/kWh is the rate for customers who haven't shopped. But competitive suppliers often offer lower rates.
PUCO-licensed suppliers in The Illuminating Companyterritory frequently offer fixed rates below the current SSO.
Savings math
At typical The Illuminating Company household usage of approximately 885 kWh/month:
The Illuminating Company default (7.456¢): $65.99/month supply
Competitive rate (est.): Lower supply cost available
Potential savings: $100-200/year
How to switch from The Illuminating Company SSO to a competitive supplier
Find your The Illuminating Company account number
Look at the top of your The Illuminating Companybill. Your account number is typically 10 digits. You'll need this to complete enrollment with any supplier.
Compare available rates
Use Apples to Apples (the state's official tool) or Volt Butler to compare supplier rates. Look for fixed rates below the current 7.456¢ SSO.
Enroll online
Select your plan and complete enrollment on the supplier's website. You'll enter your The Illuminating Company account number to authorize the switch.
Wait 1-2 billing cycles
The switch processes automatically through The Illuminating Company. No phone calls required, no service interruption. Your new rate appears on your bill once the switch completes.
Frequently asked questions about The Illuminating Company SSO
- What is The Illuminating Company's current Standard Service Offer?
- The Illuminating Company's current residential Standard Service Offer is 7.456 cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh). This rate took effect June 1, 2026, and represents a 5.2% increase from the previous quarter's rate of 7.089¢/kWh.
- Why does The Illuminating Company's SSO change?
- The Illuminating Company's Standard Service Offer changes because the utility procures electricity through periodic auctions. These auctions reflect current wholesale electricity costs, capacity market results, and regulatory requirements. When wholesale costs rise, the SSO rises accordingly. The PUCOreviews and approves all rate changes.
- Is The Illuminating Company's SSO the cheapest option in their territory?
- Usually not. The Illuminating Company's SSOis the default rate for customers who haven't chosen a competitive supplier. Licensed competitive suppliers often offer rates below the SSO.
- Will switching from The Illuminating Company change my utility service?
- No. Switching suppliers only changes who generates your electricity. The Illuminating Company remains your utility for all delivery and service purposes. They still own the poles and wires, respond to outages, read your meter, and send your bill. There is no service interruption during the switch.
Related resources
The Illuminating Company Utility Overview
Complete guide to The Illuminating Company rates, service area, and supplier options
View pageOhio Electricity Guide
How to shop for electricity in Ohio
Read guideSSO rates for other OH utilities
Find rates below the The Illuminating Company SSO
Current SSO: 7.456¢/kWh. Many suppliers offer lower rates.
Free comparison • PUCO-licensed suppliers only • No paid placements