Will I still receive a bill from Penelec?

Yes. Penelec remains your utility and continues to bill you for delivery charges and your supplier's generation charge. You won't receive a separate bill from your supplier in most cases.

What happens if there's a power outage?

Penelec handles all outage response and restoration regardless of your electricity supplier. Report outages directly to Penelec.

What's the current Price to Compare for Penelec?

The Price to Compare (PTC) changes periodically and varies by rate class. Check your most recent Penelec bill or visit the Pennsylvania PUC's PAPowerSwitch website for current rates.

Can I switch back to Penelec's default rate?

Yes, you can return to Penelec's default service at any time. Check your supplier contract for any early termination fees that may apply.

Is there a fee to switch suppliers?

Penelec does not charge a fee to switch suppliers. However, if you're currently under contract with a supplier, they may charge an early termination fee. Always review your contract terms.

Penelec electricity rates

A FirstEnergy Pennsylvania company

Reviewed by the Volt Butler editorial team • Updated June 2026 • EIA Form 861 data (2024)

Northern and western Pennsylvania, including Erie, State College, and the Johnstown area

Or browse all Penelec suppliers →

EIA-cited dataPA PUC-sourced102 PA suppliersUpdated June 2026Independent comparison

17.37¢/kWh

Average residential rate

Investor-owned1.46M customers2024 data

Rate data aggregated from FirstEnergy Pennsylvania reporting to the EIA.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Form EIA-861

Rate breakdown by sector

2024 EIA-861 data for Penelec

Residential

17.37¢/kWh

1.46M customers

15.1M MWh

Commercial

15.17¢/kWh

170K customers

2.9M MWh

Industrial

8.93¢/kWh

629 customers

708K MWh

All sectors

16.70¢/kWh

1.63M total

18.7M MWh

41%

of PA households have shopped for a competitive supplier

Source: PA PUC Office of Consumer Advocate

100+

PUC-licensed residential suppliers in PA

Active suppliers accepting new customers

1-2

billing cycles to switch suppliers

No service interruption during switch

How Penelec compares to PA average

Penelec residential customers pay 17.37¢/kWh. That's 2.6% lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 17.83¢/kWh.

PA state average and utility rate are both 2024 annual data from the EIA.

How Penelec compares to other PA utilities

2024 residential rates for major Pennsylvania utilities

Source: EIA Form 861 2024 data. Rates shown are annual averages.

Rate history

How Penelec residential rates have changed over time

17.37¢/kWh

2024

Only one year of EIA-861 data available. Historical trends will display as more years are ingested.

How electricity choice works in Penelec territory

Pennsylvania is a deregulated electricity state. That means you can choose who generates your electricity while Penelec continues to deliver it through the existing power lines.

If you've never switched suppliers, you're on Penelec's "default service" rate—also called the "Price to Compare." This rate is set through a regulatory process and changes periodically. Licensed suppliers compete for your business and may offer rates below the default.

Penelec remains your utility regardless of which supplier you choose. They maintain the wires, handle outages, and send your bill. The only difference is a line item showing your supplier's generation charge instead of Penelec's default rate.

Penelec service territory

Penelec provides electric distribution service to Northern and western Pennsylvania, including Erie, State College, and the Johnstown area.

Not sure if you're in Penelec territory? Check your current electric bill—your utility name appears at the top. You can also enter your ZIP code on our homepage to see which utility serves your address.

How to switch suppliers

Find your account info

Grab your Penelec bill. You'll need your account number and possibly your meter number to complete the switch.

Compare supplier rates

Review offers from PUC-licensed suppliers. Look at the rate, term length, and any early termination fees before choosing.

Enroll with your new supplier

Sign up online with your chosen supplier. The switch happens automatically within 1-2 billing cycles with no service interruption.

Frequently asked questions

Will I still receive a bill from Penelec?: Yes. Penelec remains your utility and continues to bill you for delivery charges and your supplier's generation charge. You won't receive a separate bill from your supplier in most cases.
What happens if there's a power outage?: Penelec handles all outage response and restoration regardless of your electricity supplier. Report outages directly to Penelec.
What's the current Price to Compare for Penelec?: The Price to Compare (PTC) changes periodically and varies by rate class. Check your most recent Penelec bill or visit the Pennsylvania PUC's PAPowerSwitch website for current rates.
Can I switch back to Penelec's default rate?: Yes, you can return to Penelec's default service at any time. Check your supplier contract for any early termination fees that may apply.
Is there a fee to switch suppliers?: Penelec does not charge a fee to switch suppliers. However, if you're currently under contract with a supplier, they may charge an early termination fee. Always review your contract terms.

Related guides

Pennsylvania Price to Compare Explained

What the PTC is and how to use it when shopping

PA Power Switch Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough of the official PUC tool

PA Electricity Deregulation Explained

How the deregulated market works and what it means for you

How to Switch Suppliers in PA

Complete guide to switching providers in Pennsylvania

Ready to compare rates in Penelec territory?

Enter your ZIP code to see available suppliers and current rates for your area.

Free comparison • PUC-licensed suppliers • EIA-cited data