You don’t need to decode your whole bill to understand this number. Start with the utility benchmark, then check an offer’s price, fees and dates.[2,4]
Where can you find your price to compare?
Look on your utility bill for the price to compare, sometimes shortened to PTC.[2,4] Pennsylvania defines it as the utility’s price per kilowatt-hour (kWh), the unit that measures electricity use.[4] AES Ohio puts it in the bill message.[2]
If you can’t find the number, ask your utility for its current supply benchmark.
The benchmark doesn’t represent your whole bill. In Pennsylvania, delivery service stays with your local utility when you change suppliers.[6] Our guide explains supply and delivery charges.
How do you use your price to compare?
For a simple per-kWh price, multiply it by usage during the period that price covers.[2,4,7] Use matching units and compare the same period for both prices.[2,4] AES Ohio uses annual usage for its annual comparison.[2]
Usage
- Utility benchmark
- Usage during the comparison period
- Supplier offer
- Usage during the comparison period
Price per kWh
- Utility benchmark
- Utility price to compare
- Supplier offer
- Offered supply price
Supply cost before fees
- Utility benchmark
- Usage × utility price
- Supplier offer
- Usage × offer price
Suppliers may charge other fees, so include those before deciding.[2]
What should you check before comparing an offer?
Check the price’s dates, the offer’s fees and your existing contract’s exit costs.[4,2,8] Use this list while you read an offer.
Checklist
Before you compare an offer
0 of 3 done
With JavaScript enabled, your ticks are saved on this device.
For actual Pennsylvania numbers, see Pennsylvania utility benchmarks and comparison steps. For related terms, explore how electricity works and how power reaches your home.
How Public Grid helps
We compare supplier rates in your area with your current rate to look for a lower fixed price.[10] You can read how we compare electricity supply options.
Common questions
In New Jersey, changes can reflect costs for moving power over long distances, cost adjustments and other approved changes.[1] Check how long your quoted benchmark applies, as Pennsylvania’s commission advises.[4] Also check your utility’s explanation for adjustments excluded from its headline price.[7] ComEd’s benchmark leaves out its Purchased Electricity Adjustment, a supply-charge adjustment.[7]
Supplier choice isn’t available through every utility.[3] The utility that delivers your power or your state utility commission can tell you whether you can choose your supplier.[3] If you receive help paying your bill, ask your program or utility whether supplier choice applies to your account.[5] As of November 2026, Ohio excludes people in its Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) from its choice program.[5]
Sources · 11
- 1The Price to Compare · New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
- 2Comparing energy prices · AES Ohio
- 3Can customers choose their electricity supplier? · U.S. Energy Information Administration
- 4Frequently Asked Questions · Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission / PAPowerSwitch
- 5Frequently Asked Questions — Electric Choice · Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Show all 11Show fewer
- 6Understanding Your Electricity Bill · Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission / PAPowerSwitch
- 7Price to Compare — ComEd · Illinois Commerce Commission / Plug In Illinois
- 8Understanding Contracts · Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission / PAPowerSwitch
- 9What to Ask Suppliers — Electric · Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
- 10Lower Your Electricity Rate · Public Grid
- 11Rates and Shopping · PPL Electric Utilities
