PA Electricity: 14 Tips for Saving Money

Here are some free tips for making a selection on service provider for your electricity (now that you have a choice beyond PECO). Keep these in mind while making this important, and potentially money-saving choice:

1. PECO no longer has a monopoly. PECO customers cannot get special treatment when the power goes out. They're still responsible for billing and service even if you pick another company.
2. Switching is usually smart. PECO's rates will go up 5%, and you may want to switch often (unless you get a special discount for staying... or have a contract). 
3. Do your best to avoid anything you'll regret: especially a binding contract.
4. You can find better deals and save potentially hundreds of dollars annually making this one decision. Electricity is measured by kWh, or kilowatts per hour. If you pay 10 cents a kWh instead of 14 cents, your monthly electric bill could be $100 or more lower! 
5. It's not as hard to switch as you probably think. 
6. Check your next PECO bill and look for the kWh rate. That should be listed on your electric bill, and it may be higher than what’s available now. In Texas, where my provider (Stream) is based, it ranges from 8 cents to as high as 20 to even 25 cents. 
7. Call your provider and ask for the date when your contract expires (if you have one). Determine whether your rate is fixed or variable. Plan your switch a couple months before your contract expires.
8. Decide whether you want to gamble or "play it safe." Some providers offer a higher "fixed rate," and others offer a variable rate that fluctuates up or down. 
9. Conduct a thorough search. Go to this Web site: www.papowerswitch.com. Click on “Shop for Providers,”and then enter your zip code. Also, check your provider company’s own Web site. 
10. I prefer a fixed rate, but I don't like to be bound by contract and I wanted the least expensive option currently available. Stream met that criteria. 
11. Each service plan comes with links to “Terms of Service,” “Facts Label,” “Signup” and “Special Terms.” When you click on these, you learn the nitty-gritty details.
12. Check out other sources like this and other blogs. Be aware of hidden motives. For instance I'm not completely unbiased because I represent Stream as an Ignite representative. But I'm trying to keep this blog neutral, honest and objective. 
13. Ask your friends, and research the service reputation of companies. In general we don't have frequent communication with our electrical provider... so I value low price more than service (and remember that PECO is ultimately responsible for fixing power outages... so don't pay a premium for a service department that ultimately will defer to PECO.
14. Check out providers in the “Better Business Bureau.” You’ll be able to pull up the company’s report in the BBB region of its headquarters.

Fox Philly on PA Electricity Choice

Fox Philly reports on PA residents now being able to show for their electricity provider. Fox 29’s Chris O’Connell reports (video below)

• If you have PECO, your bill will be going up about 5%, on average, unless you act now. 
• 15 new suppliers are now servicing PECO’s 1.6 million customers (I picked Stream). 
• Some of the new companies are offering discounts or fixed pricing for service.
• If you want to make a switch, you should not notice many changes, meaning, you will still get a PECO bill. 
• You will still call PECO for repairs or power outages.

I think many will be timid to change because they fail to understand the last two points. PECO can't deny you a repair if you choose another provider.

My Sources So Far

In my efforts to shine light on deregulation, I'm mostly sourcing PA Power Switch because it's by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). I'm not PA Power Switch. Just a woman who isn't a big fan of monopolies, and would like to leave the planet better than she found it.

If you have other credible, objective sources... please comment. Again- I'm not without bias because I've picked Stream. But this isn't a covert Stream energy blog, and I don't plan to shill it here! Keep me honest. :)

Welcome to Penn Power Switch

Hello. This blog is for those of us learning about Pennsylvania energy deregulation, and want to understand our options. I will keep it as objective and informative as I can, but a disclaimer: I'm working part time with Ignite to introduce Stream Energy. I'm also a Stream customer.

We Pennsylvanians now have an option to pick our own electricity company. Just like we can choose our own cell provider, cable provider or Internet search engine. I like choices because it companies honest.

Fewer than 700,000 of us (as of this writing) have switched. That's because it's kinda freaky.

Our rates are going up (see details from state website), so that's kinda lit my bulb. Here are the details on who to choose and the questions you'll want to ask suppliers or providers. Because none of us wants to be freezing in the middle of the winter, or have to worry about getting "shocked" by rates. Do we!?