PECO Utility Company
Contents
- 1 PECO Utility Company
- 2 PECO Power Outage
- 3 PECO Price to Compare
- 4 Pennsylvania Energy Choice
- 5 Understanding the Electric Bill
- 6 PECO Sample Electric Bill
- 7 PECO Renewable Energy
- 8 Selecting an Electric Supplier
- 9 What is my Price to Compare?
- 10 Do you Have 100% Renewable Energy Plans?
- 11 Is There an Early Cancellation Fee?
- 12 Are There Hidden Charges?
- 13 What Happens at the End of my Term?
- 14 Pennsylvania Utilities
- 15 Clean Energy
- 16 Electricity Rates
PECO is the largest natural gas and electricity utility in Pennsylvania serving more than 1.6 million customers. PECO, formerly known as Philadelphia Electric Company, operates in the southeastern parts of Pennsylvania including the city of Philadelphia. The main job of the utility company is to maintain and manage the power lines that deliver power to customers within its service area. Thanks to energy deregulation, PECO customers can shop around for a competitive electric supplier and lower the supply rate on the electric bill. Energy deregulation has helped push energy prices down in the state. A customer switching electric suppliers can save 10-25% off the electric bill.
PECO Power Outage
If you live within the PECO service area and experience a power outage, then you will need to contact the utility company. PECO is responsible for fixing all power outages that occur within its service area. Thanks to advancements in the power grid, potential power outages can be detected and diverted before they can occur.
- PECO Power Outage Number: 1-800-841-4141
- PECO Customer Service Number: 1-800-494-4000
PECO Price to Compare
Along with delivering power to its customers, PECO is responsible for providing a default rate for supply services to customers that decide not to switch over to a competing energy supplier. The default rate PECO charges changes every three months. This rate is also referred to as the price to compare. PECO customers shopping around for a lower supply rate can use the price to compare to determine savings. If an energy supplier is offering a supply rate that is lower than the price to compare, then the customer will be saving money by switching to the new provider.
Pennsylvania Energy Choice
In 1996, Pennsylvania introduced the Electricity Generation Choice and Competition Act. This act changed the landscape of the electricity markets and opened the door for competing energy suppliers to offer services in Pennsylvania. Before energy deregulation, the utility companies had a monopoly over the generation, transmission, and delivery of power to customers in their respective service areas. If a customer was unhappy with the rate charged by the utility company there was nothing they could do to change. Thanks to energy choice, customers have the power to select a new electric supplier for the supply section of the electric bill.
Understanding the Electric Bill
The two main charges that make up the electric bill are the delivery and supply charges. Most deregulated electricity markets operate under single billing. This means when a customer changes to a new energy supplier, they will still receive one electric bill from the utility company that incorporates both the delivery and supply charges.
- Delivery Charge – The delivery charge represents the regulated section of the electric bill and is the cost of delivering power to customers. This is charged by the utility companies and is overseen by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC). A customer will not be able to switch to another utility company for delivery services
- Supply Charge – The supply charge represents the deregulated section of the electric bill and is the cost of generating the power the customer is estimated to use for a period. Deregulated electricity markets allow the customer to shop around for a lower supply rate.
PECO Sample Electric Bill
PECO Renewable Energy
If you’re thinking of cutting down on your carbon footprint, then you may want to consider going solar. Solar energy is considered a renewable energy source and is environmentally friendly. A qualified contractor can install your solar system, and upon PECO’s approval, will then be interconnected with PECO’s smart grid. The customer will still receive an electric bill from PECO for the energy used, and credits for the energy generated by the solar system that is uploaded onto the grid. To start the process, you will need to find a qualified contractor.
Selecting an Electric Supplier
Electric suppliers must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC) before they can offer supply services in the state. A list of qualified energy suppliers can be found on PAPUC’s website.
Choosing the right energy supplier depends on individual preferences. Most customers want price security that will protect them against rising prices. It’s not a surprise that fixed rates are the most popular energy plans sought by customers. Fixed rates will not change during the duration of the agreement. However, depending on your risk tolerance, you might consider a variable rate. Variable rates that are tied to a commodity such as natural gas have historically performed better the past 10 years than fixed rates. Below are a few questions to keep in mind while shopping for a new energy supplier.
What is my Price to Compare?
If you are currently with PECO for supply services, then the price to compare can be found on the electric bill. If you can’t find it, then you will need to contact PECO directly. The price to compare is used to compare energy prices.
Do you Have 100% Renewable Energy Plans?
More energy suppliers are offering customers 100% renewable energy plans. Renewable energy is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biofuels. If you choose a 100% renewable energy plan, then the supplier will generate the number of kilowatt-hours you are estimated to use from renewable energy sources This is often done indirectly through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).
Is There an Early Cancellation Fee?
Most electric suppliers will charge their customers an early cancellation fee if they change providers before the expiration of the agreement. Early cancellation fees can come in the form of a flat fee or a fixed price multiplied by the number of months left in the agreement. Early cancellation fees can cost up to $300 so be sure your agreement has expired before changing energy suppliers!
Are There Hidden Charges?
If an energy supplier is advertising a supply rate too good to be true, then it probably is. Low supply rates often have additional charges, such as a monthly meter fee. The additional charges will then be passed onto the electric bill as separate line items. The energy plan’s terms and conditions will detail all additional fees.
What Happens at the End of my Term?
If you don’t take action at the end of your term, then most likely the energy supplier will place you on a monthly variable rate. Once this happens don’t be surprised to have the electric bill double or even triple in a single billing period. We recommend shopping around for a new energy supplier a month before your plan expires.