Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL) is one of the largest regulated utility companies in the United States that serves more than 10 million customers both in the U.S. and the U.K. The utility company is responsible for maintaining and managing power lines in the mid-eastern area of Pennsylvania that deliver power to customers within its service area. Pennsylvania is one of many states that has deregulated the electricity market allowing Pennsylvania Power and Light customers to choose an alternate electric supplier. Customers can save 10-25% off the electric bill by switching to a new electric supplier.

Pennsylvania Power and Light

Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL) Power Outages

If you changed electric suppliers and experience a power outage, then you will need to contact the utility company. Pennsylvania Power and Light is responsible for fixing all power outages within its service area.

  • Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL) Customer Contact Number: 1-800-342-5775
Power outage

Pennsylvania Energy Deregulation

Pennsylvania is among a group of states that have deregulated the electricity markets, opening the door to outside energy suppliers to offer supply services to Pennsylvanians. Before energy deregulation, the utility companies had a monopoly over the generation, transmission, and delivery of power to customers within their respective service areas. If a customer was unhappy with the rate charged by their utility company, there was little they could do. Thanks to energy choice, more power is given to the customers to switch energy suppliers and pay less on the electric bills. Deregulating the electricity markets has helped push energy rates down in areas of Pennsylvania by nearly 50%!

Pennsylvania Power and Light Price to Compare

Along with delivering power to customers within its service area, Pennsylvania Power and Light is responsible for providing a default rate for supply services to those that do not switch over to a competing energy supplier. The default rate changes twice per year. This rate is referred to as the price to compare. PPL customers can use the price to compare to determine energy 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.

PPL Electric Sample Bill

Price to Compare

Understanding the Electric Bill

The PPL electric bill is composed of two main sections that include the delivery and supply charges. Most deregulated electricity markets operate under single billing. Single billing means the customer will still receive one electric bill from the utility company that will incorporate 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 from PPL to the customer, whether it’s a business or home. This charge is overseen by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC). A customer cannot switch to another utility company for delivery services.
  • Supply Charges – 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 during a period. PPL customers can choose a lower supply rate from a competing energy supplier.

Pennsylvania Power and Light Renewable Energy

Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004 requires a set percentage of energy sold in the state to be generated from renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower are considered to be more environmentally friendly than conventional sources such as oil and coal. This act helped create an incentive for companies to invest in renewable energy facilities, as power generators must meet the requirements set out by the act. This is good news for PPL residents looking to cut their carbon footprint as now they have more options to choose from.

PPL customers can take advantage of renewable energy by installing a solar system onto their property. The energy created can then be uploaded onto the power grid. Qualified customers will receive credits on the electric bill in compensation for the energy uploaded to the power grid. Customers that do not want solar panels installed on their property may choose to take advantage of community solar farms.

Selecting an Electric Supplier

If you’re moving to a PPL service area, then you should take advantage of energy choice! An average customer can save 10-15% off the electric bill when switching energy suppliers. There are more than a dozen companies that provide services in Pennsylvania. So how do you know which electric supplier to select? Picking the right provider depends on personal preferences. Most people seek out price security and are happy locking in a long-term fixed-rate that will protect them from rising prices. Energy suppliers that have built a reputation on competitive prices and quality service include Direct Energy, Starion Energy, and Constellation.

Electric suppliers must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC) before they can provide supply services in the state. A list of qualified electric suppliers will be listed on PAPUC’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my Price to Compare?

The price to compare can be found on the PPL electric bill. This is the rate a customer should use while comparing energy plans. If an energy supplier is offering a supply rate lower than the price to compare, then the customer will be saving money by switching to the new provider.

Are There Hidden Fees?

If you come across a rate that seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Energy plans can have additional charges such as a monthly meter fee that will be passed onto the electric bill as a separate line item. By the time you add up the additional charges, then you will realize the energy plan is more expensive than you initially thought. The terms and conditions will list all additional fees.

Is There an Early Cancellation Fee?

Most energy plans will include an early cancellation fee if the customer changes electric suppliers before the expiration of the agreement. Early cancellation fees can come in the form of a flat charge or a dollar amount multiplied by how many months are left in the agreement. Early cancellation fees will be listed in the energy plan’s terms and conditions.

What Happens at the End of my Term?

It is common for energy suppliers to switch their customers to a monthly variable rate once the initial plan expires. Once this happens don’t be surprised to have the electric bill double or triple in a single billing period. We recommend shopping for a new energy supplier a month before the plan expires.

Pennsylvania Utilities