Written By: David Cosseboom | Updated On: December 18th, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Lock in Stability: With utility rates rising (PECO up 6%, PPL up 4%), switching to a 12-24 month fixed rate now can protect you from potential spikes in 2026.
- Watch the “Monthly Fees”: Providers like Public Power and Frontier often show the lowest rates on search engines, but they include high monthly fees ($9.95 – $14.95) that make them expensive for apartments or efficient homes.
- Trust Matters: Our top-ranked providers, Constellation and Energy Harbor, are backed by massive generation assets (nuclear/wind), ensuring they have the financial stability to honor their contracts unlike “paper” retailers that may fold or hike rates.
With PPL, PECO, and Duquesne Light raising their Price to Compare (PTC) rates for the winter of 2025-2026, shopping for an electric supplier in Pennsylvania has never been more critical. However, the market is crowded with over 100 providers, ranging from reputable industry giants to marketing firms with questionable fee structures.
We have analyzed the market using a strict 6-point methodology, weighing price value, contract transparency, and verified customer sentiment, to curate this list of the best electric suppliers in Pennsylvania.
Top 10 Electric Suppliers in Pennsylvania
#1 Constellation Energy
4.8/5
Best Overall Reliability & Consumer Trust
- Rates from: 13.59¢ /kWh
- Monthly Charge: $0.00
- Lock in Rate For: 3-36 Months
Constellation Energy is a Fortune 200 company and the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy. In Pennsylvania, they distinguish themselves through stability. Unlike marketing-heavy firms that act as middlemen, Constellation owns a massive fleet of nuclear, wind, and solar generation assets. This financial strength allows them to offer a “90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee,” a unique feature that lets new customers break their contract within the first three months without penalty if they are unsatisfied. Their digital experience is polished, with a highly rated app that integrates seamlessly with smart home devices.
What People in Pennsylvania Are Saying: Sentiment on local forums like r/Pittsburgh and r/Philly is overwhelmingly positive, with users frequently describing Constellation as a “set it and forget it” provider. Residents distinguish them from “door-to-door scammers,” noting that while their rates might be a penny higher than the rock-bottom teasers, the billing is predictable. One Reddit user noted, “Constellation is one of the biggest suppliers and is very reputable… over the contract term you’d be better off.”
Best For: Homeowners who prioritize peace of mind and want a “set it and forget it” fixed rate for 12 to 36 months.
Detailed Scoring Analysis
| Criterion | Score | Analysis |
| Price (35%) | 4.7 | Competitive “all-in” rates with no hidden fees. Not the absolute cheapest, but the most honest price. |
| Fees (15%) | 5.0 | The 90-day guarantee effectively removes the risk of the $150 ETF. No monthly recurring charges. |
| Reliability (20%) | 5.0 | Lowest complaint ratio among major suppliers. Backed by Exelon-spinoff assets. |
| Plan Breadth (10%) | 4.5 | Strong mix of 12-36 month terms and HVAC/Home Services bundles. |
| Trust (10%) | 5.0 | A+ BBB rating and top-tier J.D. Power rankings for retail satisfaction. |
| Sentiment (10%) | 4.8 | “Set it and forget it” reputation on Reddit. Users cite zero billing surprises. |
#2 Energy Harbor
4.6/5
Best for Fixed-Rate Transparency
- Rates from: 11.19¢ /kWh
- Monthly Charge: $0.00
- Lock in Rate For: 9-20 Months
Energy Harbor (formerly FirstEnergy Solutions) is a powerhouse in the PA market, particularly because they operate the nuclear plants that power much of the grid. They rank just behind Constellation because they offer exceptional value for low-to-medium usage homes. Unlike competitors that tack on monthly fees, Energy Harbor’s “Safe Harbor” plans almost always feature $0.00 in monthly fees. This means the rate you see is the rate you pay, regardless of whether you live in a small apartment or a large house.
What People in Pennsylvania Are Saying: In discussions on r/LehighValley and r/Pennsylvania, Energy Harbor is frequently the most recommended alternative to PPL or Met-Ed default service. Users appreciate the lack of billing surprises. A user on a local thread explicitly mentioned, “Energy Harbor gets mentioned because they have the longest terms, fixed rate and no cancellation fees” (though always check current terms). The only recurring complaint involves the speed of switching, which can take 1-2 billing cycles.
Best For: Apartment renters and efficient households (using <800 kWh/month) who would be hurt by the flat monthly fees charged by other suppliers.
Detailed Scoring Analysis
| Criterion | Score | Analysis |
| Price (35%) | 4.5 | Excellent value. Consistently beats the utility without using “teaser” rates. |
| Fees (15%) | 5.0 | Best in class. $0 monthly fees and often $0 cancellation fees. |
| Reliability (20%) | 4.8 | Very low complaint volume. Nuclear generation ensures supply reliability. |
| Plan Breadth (10%) | 3.5 | Basic plan structure. Fewer “smart home” bundles than Direct/Constellation. |
| Trust (10%) | 4.5 | High trust due to legacy infrastructure ownership. |
| Sentiment (10%) | 4.8 | Highly praised on r/LehighValley for transparent billing. |
#3 APG&E
4.2/5
Best for Aggressive Introductory Rates
- Rates from: 11.04¢ /kWh
- Monthly Charge: $0-$14.00
- Lock in Rate For: 8-36 Months
APG&E is a top-tier choice for the “active shopper.” They consistently fight for the top spot on rate comparison tables, offering some of the lowest 12-month fixed rates available in the PECO and PPL territories. They rank lower than the top two simply because their renewal offers can sometimes revert to higher variable rates if the customer isn’t vigilant. However, for a consumer willing to manage their account, the mathematical savings here are often the highest in the state.
What People in Pennsylvania Are Saying Reviews highlight the savings potential, with many customers confirming they cut their bills significantly after switching from the utility default rate. “Best price by far! I would highly recommend this company,” is a typical review from verified platforms. On Reddit, the sentiment is cautious but acknowledging of the value: users remind each other to “set a calendar reminder” for the contract end date to avoid variable rate rollovers.
Best For: Diligent rate shoppers who are organized enough to shop again when their contract expires to maximize savings.
Detailed Scoring Analysis
| Criterion | Score | Analysis |
| Price (35%) | 4.8 | Often the lowest kWh rate available for 12-month terms. |
| Fees (15%) | 3.5 | Watch for the monthly fees on their lowest advertised rates. High ETFs. |
| Reliability (20%) | 4.0 | Solid track record, though customer service is smaller than the giants. |
| Plan Breadth (10%) | 4.0 | Good variety of terms (3, 6, 9, 12, 24 months). |
| Trust (10%) | 3.8 | A+ BBB rating, but some history of variable rate rollovers. |
| Sentiment (10%) | 4.0 | Positive among savvy shoppers; negative among those who forgot to renew. |
#4 Direct Energy
4.0/5
Best for EV Owners & Smart Home Bundles
- Rates from: 11.09¢ /kWh
- Monthly Charge: $0.00
- Lock in Rate For: 12-36 Months
Direct Energy is a massive retailer that focuses on “lifestyle” energy plans rather than just raw price. They offer unique products like “Free Nights” (usually 9 PM to 9 AM) and plans bundled with smart thermostats or Amazon Prime memberships. While their daytime rates are often higher than the competition, their specialized plans can offer unbeatable value for specific types of customers—specifically those who can shift their heavy electricity usage to off-peak hours.
What People in Pennsylvania Are Saying Sentiment is polarized. Tech-savvy users on r/Solar and r/TexasSolar (discussing the same plans available in PA) rave about “Free Nights” plans, with some users with batteries or EVs achieving near-zero generation bills. However, average consumers often complain about the higher daytime rates or aggressive sales tactics, with some Reddit users warning about door-to-door reps “banging on the door at seven in the evening.”
Best For: EV owners and “night owls” who can shift laundry, dishwashing, and charging to the hours of 9 PM – 9 AM.
Detailed Scoring Analysis
| Criterion | Score | Analysis |
| Price (35%) | 3.5 | Higher base rates. Value depends entirely on shifting usage to nights. |
| Fees (15%) | 4.0 | No ETF on many plans is a huge plus. |
| Reliability (20%) | 4.5 | Huge corporate backing ensures stability. |
| Plan Breadth (10%) | 5.0 | Best variety of time-of-use and bundled plans. |
| Trust (10%) | 3.5 | Aggressive door-to-door sales tactics hurt their reputation. |
| Sentiment (10%) | 3.0 | Polarized. EV owners love them; regular users complain about high bills. |
#5 Public Power
3.6/5
Best for High-Usage Strategic Shoppers
- Rates from: 9.39¢ /kWh
- Monthly Charge: $0-$14.95
- Lock in Rate For: 12-20 Months
Public Power is a niche provider that utilizes a “buy-down” pricing structure. They often advertise the lowest rate per kWh on the market, but this rate comes with a substantial monthly fee (often $14.95 or more). We rank them here because while this is a bad deal for apartments, it can be a great deal for very large homes. If you use 2,000+ kWh a month (e.g., electric heat in a large house), the low unit rate saves you more money than the monthly fee costs you.
What People in Pennsylvania Are Saying The reviews are a mixed bag of confusion and satisfaction. Customers who didn’t read the fine print about the monthly fee often feel misled, posting reviews like, “Had I seen this listing, I wouldn’t have chosen your company since the fee added… exceeded most.” Conversely, high-usage customers in areas like Ridley Park report that the company “lived up to everything it advertised,” likely because the math worked in their favor.
Best For: Large homes (2,500+ sq ft) with electric heat or high consistent usage (over 1,200 kWh/month).
Detailed Scoring Analysis
| Criterion | Score | Analysis |
| Price (35%) | 4.5 | Excellent for high usage (>1500 kWh), poor for low usage. |
| Fees (15%) | 2.0 | The $14.95 monthly fee is a “gotcha” for apartments. |
| Reliability (20%) | 4.0 | Reliable Vistra backend. |
| Plan Breadth (10%) | 3.0 | Standard fixed options. |
| Trust (10%) | 3.5 | Fee structure confuses many consumers. |
| Sentiment (10%) | 3.0 | Complaints focus on the monthly fee not being noticed at signup. |
#6 Xoom Energy
3.5/5
Best for Rewards Programs
- Rates from: 12.8¢ /kWh
- Lock in Rate For: 6-24 Months
XOOM Energy (owned by NRG) focuses on affinity marketing, offering airline miles (American Airlines, United) or charitable donations (PetSmart Charities) tied to energy usage. Their rates are generally higher than the market average, essentially asking customers to pay a premium for these rewards.
What People in Pennsylvania Are Saying: Generally viewed as expensive but reliable. Savvy users point out that it’s cheaper to pick a low-rate plan and donate the savings yourself.
Best For: Consumers who prioritize miles/points or charitable giving over absolute lowest cost.
#7 WGL Energy
WGL Energy is a legacy player with strong roots in the Mid-Atlantic (Washington Gas Light). They position themselves as a premium, reliable incumbent. They are heavily involved in wind and carbon offset products but often struggle to compete on pure price against the agile Texas-based retailers.
What People in Pennsylvania Are Saying: Consumers trust the WGL name but often leave due to non-competitive renewal offers.
Best For: Conservative shoppers who value brand longevity over the lowest price.
#8 Frontier Utilities
3.2/5
Best for Very High Usage
- Rates from: 11.89¢ /kWh
- Monthly Charge: $0-$9.95
- Lock in Rate For: 8-24 Months
Owned by NextEra Energy, Frontier Utilities is a “value” brand that uses complex plan structures. They often feature the lowest “headline” rate on comparison sites, but this requires strict adherence to usage tiers or involves high monthly fees.
What People in Pennsylvania Are Saying: Many negative reviews from customers who didn’t read the fine print regarding the monthly fee.
Best For: Large estates or homes with electric heat and poor insulation.
#9 Verde Energy
3.1/5
Best for Rebate Hunters
- Rates from: 12.29¢ /kWh
- Monthly Charge: $0.00
- Lock in Rate For: 12 Months
Verde markets itself exclusively on sustainability. All plans are 100% renewable. However, they rely heavily on “rebate” marketing (e.g., $100 gift cards) to mask rates that are often higher than the utility default.
What People in Pennsylvania Are Saying: Verde faces significant headwinds on Reddit due to aggressive sales tactics and the difficulty of redeeming rebates.
Best For: Short-term shoppers willing to manage rebate paperwork to get a deal.
#10 Inspire Clean Energy
3.0/5
Best for Flat Bill Preference
- Rates from: 13.59¢ /kWh
- Monthly Charge: $0.00
- Lock in Rate For: 3-36 Months
Inspire offers a “subscription” model (Flat Bill) where you pay one price regardless of usage. While innovative, this often results in a massive premium per kWh for average users. They are a Certified B-Corp, which appeals to the ethically minded, but the math rarely works in the consumer’s favor.
What People in Pennsylvania Are Saying: Heavily criticized for door-to-door sales tactics where reps claim to be “from the utility.”
Best For: Eco-conscious consumers with wildly fluctuating usage who prioritize budget certainty over cost savings.
Shopping Tips for Pennsylvania
Navigating the PA Power Switch website can be overwhelming. Follow these tips to ensure you get a genuine deal:
- Check the “Price to Compare” (PTC): This is the rate you are currently paying your utility (PECO, PPL, etc.). You can find it on your bill or the PUC website. If a supplier can’t beat this rate, don’t switch.
- Avoid Variable Rates: Only choose “Fixed Rate” plans. Variable rates can spike instantly with weather changes or market conditions, leading to surprise bills that are double or triple the norm.
- Read the EFL (Electricity Facts Label): This document is required by law. Open it to check for “Monthly Recurring Charges” (MRCs). If you see a fee of $9.95 or more, do the math to ensure your usage justifies it.
- Understand the Cancellation Fee: Many top plans have a $150 Early Termination Fee. This is fine if you plan to stay, but if you move frequently, look for plans with “No ETF.”
Methodology: How We Rate
To determine the “Best” suppliers, we use a weighted scoring system that prioritizes value and trust over marketing fluff. Our score out of 5.0 is calculated as follows:
- Price & Value (35%): We compare the supplier’s fixed rates against the current Utility Price to Compare. We penalize “teaser” rates that balloon after 3 months.
- Reliability & Complaints (20%): We analyze data from the PA Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) Consumer Activities Report and Better Business Bureau ratings to flag companies with high complaint volumes.
- Fees & Fine Print (15%): We deduct points for hidden monthly fees, confusing tiered pricing, or excessive cancellation penalties.
- Plan Breadth (10%): We reward providers offering diverse terms (12/24/36 months), renewable energy options, and EV incentives.
- Independent Trust Signals (10%): We look at financial stability (parent company solvency), years in business, and J.D. Power rankings.
- Customer Sentiment (10%): We scour Reddit (r/Pennsylvania, r/Philly, r/Pittsburgh) and verified review platforms to gauge real customer experiences, specifically looking for patterns of “slamming” or billing disputes.
For a deeper dive into our rating process, visit our full methodology page.
FAQs About Electricity Suppliers in Pennsylvania
Will my power go out if I switch suppliers?
Why is the utility rate (Price to Compare) rising?
Does it cost money to switch?
Can I switch back to the utility?
About the Author
David has been an integral part of some of the biggest utility sites on the internet, including InMyArea.com, HighSpeedInternet.com, BroadbandNow.com, and U.S. News. He brings over 15 years of experience writing about, compiling and analyzing utility data.