Ohioans can now select from a variety of electricity suppliers to power their home or business. Based on their needs consumers could be looking for a low price for electricity, a renewable option or one of the other options that are offered by Ohio electric providers.
In addition to providing an array of electricity provider energy choice ohio, many Ohio electricity providers also offer plans with different lengths of contracts as well as rate types and energy sources, as well as other options. Sorting through the various rates, contract details and credit for bills and the minimum usage levels and cancellation fees as well as cancellation charges is a daunting task. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio offers an application called Apples To Apples which assists residential customers to make their shopping easier.
PUCO’s Apples to Apples compares current electricity and natural gas supplier offers for customers in their respective service areas. The tool displays live feed comparisons in a randomized order that show the most current supply offers for certified electricity and gas suppliers, aggregators and resales who are actively enrolling new customers. However, it’s important to note that Apples to Apples only compares the supplier-set prices for the “price to compare” portion of your energy bill and not other components like distribution and transmission charges, meter readings and ancillary services.
Some energy providers are profiting from PUCO Apples to Apples and are offering false rates. These companies tempt customers with low rates that quickly lead to higher costs, and then they slap them with hidden fees and poor customer service. These shady energy providers frequently make use of the PUCO website to find Ohio residents and convince them to sign up for their service.
The most efficient way to compare Ohio electricity rates is to enter your zip code on PUCO’s Apples to Apples website. It is free to use and allows you to look up a list of electricity providers that are available in your area. Rates vary between regions due to local utility transmission charges, so be sure to search in your exact service area to find the cheapest Ohio energy rates.
The PUCO’s Apples to Apples Ohio electricity shopping website also provides information about general consumer rights, such as how to complain and who to contact in the case of an issue. The Consumer Assistance Section of the PUCO provides detailed information on how to change your Ohio electricity provider, as well as how to report an outage or downed power line your local utility. These tips are vital for Ohio consumers looking to get the most efficient price on their energy bills. For Ohio residents who want to save even more, there are also government-sponsored aggregation programs available that can draw on the buying power of over 240 communities to negotiate lower prices with Ohio energy providers.