How To Find The Price To Compare On A Pennsylvania Electric Bill
The Price to Compare is the default electric supply benchmark Pennsylvania shoppers use when comparing supplier offers. The exact value depends on utility, customer class, and effective date.
Official-source education; no live rate table. Educational context is not legal advice or live pricing.
Key takeaways
- PTC is a benchmark for the utility default supply price, usually expressed in cents per kWh.
- Use the PTC for the correct utility, rate schedule, customer class, and date.
- Compare supplier offers on total plan terms, not only whether the rate is below the PTC.
What the Price to Compare means
The Price to Compare, often shortened to PTC, is the utility default-service supply benchmark used to compare competitive electric supplier offers. It is usually shown as a cents-per-kWh number.
It is not the whole bill. It is not a guarantee that a supplier offer is better or worse by itself. It is a benchmark to use alongside term, fees, rate type, renewal language, and customer usage.
How to find the right benchmark
- Identify the electric distribution company on the bill.
- Identify the rate schedule or customer class.
- Check the effective date for the utility default-service price.
- Confirm whether the account is residential, small business, or another class.
- Use official utility or PAPowerSwitch sources when comparing.
Why a lower rate is not the whole answer
A supplier rate below the PTC may still include an early termination fee, a shorter term, monthly fee, introductory price, variable renewal, or green-product premium. A supplier rate above the PTC may still be chosen for reasons such as renewable attributes, budget certainty, or contract structure.
The decision should document the assumptions. For EPC, that means source date, usage basis, included and excluded charges, fee review, and a recommendation reason.
Direct answers
Where do I find the Price to Compare?
Start with the supply or generation section of the electric bill and the utility's official shopping or rate information. In Pennsylvania, PAPowerSwitch also helps customers compare offers by electric distribution company and rate schedule.
Is the Price to Compare the whole electric bill?
No. The Price to Compare is a supply benchmark. Delivery charges, taxes, riders, usage changes, demand charges, and other bill components may still affect the total amount due.
Sources checked
Educational context only. Offers should be revalidated before enrollment.
Next step
Start with ZIP, customer type, and electricity to prepare a source-backed review.
Review a PA bill →