Ohio Apples to Apples: PUCO Electricity Comparison Guide

Apples to Apples is Ohio's official electricity comparison tool, run by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Think of it as the government's answer to rate shopping chaos.

What you get: every CRES (Competitive Retail Electric Service) provider certified by PUCO shows up in the same format, making real comparisons possible instead of guessing what marketing language means. You won't find scammy offers here because suppliers have to pass PUCO certification just to appear on the site.

The name? Pretty literal. They wanted you to compare apples to apples instead of trying to figure out if "green savings bundle" means the same thing as "eco value plan." Everything shows up the same way so you can tell which deal is better.

You'll find it at energychoice.ohio.gov. It covers both electricity and natural gas, though most people use it for electricity rates since that's where the real money gets saved (or lost, if you pick wrong).

Getting into the Apples to Apples tool takes about 30 seconds once you know where to click. Head to energychoice.ohio.gov, find "Apples to Apples" in the navigation, and click "Electric" (unless you're shopping for gas, but we're talking electricity here).

Next, pick your utility from the list. You've got six options: AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, AES Ohio, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, or Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company. If you don't see your utility listed, you're probably with a municipal provider that doesn't allow switching. Sorry.

Then pick your rate class. If you're a regular homeowner, that's "Residential." Easy. Business owners need their tariff code from their bill, which is usually some combination of letters and numbers that makes sense to exactly nobody.

One more thing: bookmark that page. You'll want to check back every few months because rates change and better deals pop up. I know, I know, nobody bookmarks anything anymore. But trust me on this one.

Once you're looking at the Apples to Apples chart, you'll see a bunch of columns. Most people look at price and call it a day. Don't be most people.

Price per kWh is what you're paying for the electricity itself, the part suppliers control. This is different from delivery charges, which your utility handles regardless of who supplies your power.

Contract Length tells you how long that rate stays locked in. Could be one month, could be three years. Longer isn't always better, and we'll get into why in a minute.

Rate Type is where things get interesting. Fixed means that price stays put for your whole contract. Variable means it can jump around month to month, and yes, it usually jumps up when you least want it to.

Green Energy Percentage shows how much comes from renewable sources. Zero percent is standard grid mix, 100% is fully renewable. Some people care about this, some don't.

Monthly Fee is the sneaky one. A supplier might advertise a great per-kWh rate but tack on a $15 monthly fee that wipes out your savings. Always factor this in.

Early Termination Fee is what you'll pay if you bail before your contract ends. Can be $50, can be $200, can be calculated per month remaining. Matters if you might move or find a better deal.

Don't just sort by price and pick the cheapest. You'll probably regret it.

Your Price to Compare (PTC) is the number that matters most. It's what you're paying right now if you haven't switched to a competitive supplier, the rate your utility charges through their Standard Service Offer.

You'll find it on your monthly bill, usually on the first page near your usage summary. For example, Ohio Edison's residential Price to Compare for October through December 2025 is 9.11 cents per kWh. That number changes every quarter based on PUCO-regulated auctions.

The math: if a supplier offers a rate lower than your PTC, you save money. Higher than your PTC? You're paying more for the exact same electrons. Pretty straightforward.

The PTC is your baseline. Any offer you're considering should beat it, or what's the point of switching? And remember, this is just the generation rate, not your total bill. Delivery charges and other fees stay the same no matter who supplies your power.

Grab your electric bill first. You need three things from it: your utility name, your rate class (probably Residential unless you own a business), and your Price to Compare.

Head to energychoice.ohio.gov and navigate to the Apples to Apples electric chart for your utility. Filter by Residential (or whatever your rate class is). Then sort by price to see the lowest rates first.

Now here's where people mess up: they stop at price. Don't. For each offer that looks interesting, write down the price per kWh, contract length, rate type (fixed or variable), and any monthly fees.

Do the math. Take your PTC minus the supplier's rate, then multiply by your typical monthly kWh usage. That's your potential monthly savings. Then subtract any monthly fees the supplier charges. If the number is still positive, you might have a winner.

Compare at least three offers. Not two, not just picking the cheapest. Three minimum. And yes, verify the supplier is PUCO-certified, even though they shouldn't be on the site if they aren't. Better safe than sorry.

The Apples to Apples chart shows both fixed and variable rate plans. One locks in your rate. The other doesn't. Guess which one causes more complaints?

Fixed-rate plans give you the same price per kWh for your entire contract. Sign up for 12 months at 6.5 cents, and you'll pay 6.5 cents whether it's January or July, whether wholesale prices spike or crash. Budget predictability is the whole point.

Variable-rate plans change month to month based on wholesale prices and, let's be honest, whatever the supplier feels like charging. They might start lower than fixed rates to rope you in, then jump to double or triple during summer air conditioning season or winter heating months.

Most consumer complaints about electric rates? Variable plans. People get shocked by bills that suddenly triple because their rate went from 6 cents to 18 cents overnight. The supplier isn't required to warn you before raising the rate.

The Apples to Apples chart labels everything as Fixed or Variable in the Rate Type column. For most people, fixed is the smart play. Variable only makes sense if you're watching rates like a hawk and ready to jump ship the moment they spike.

If you care about where your electricity comes from, Apples to Apples shows green energy options. The Green Energy Percentage column tells you what portion comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydropower.

Plans range from 0% (standard grid mix, whatever's cheapest) to 100% (fully renewable). Years ago, going green meant paying a big premium. Not anymore. Renewable costs have dropped so much that some 100% green plans cost less than standard plans.

Most suppliers use Renewable Energy Certificates to make this work. You're not getting solar panels on your roof, but your payment funds renewable energy production somewhere on the grid, offsetting your usage.

Note: if environmental impact matters to you, don't assume green costs more. Compare the green percentage column alongside price. You might find a 100% renewable plan that's cheaper than the fossil fuel option. That's a no-brainer.

The per-kWh rate isn't the whole story. Apples to Apples shows two other fees that can wreck a good deal: monthly fees and early termination fees.

Monthly fees are fixed charges some suppliers tack on regardless of how much electricity you use. A plan advertising 5.5 cents per kWh with a $10 monthly fee might cost more than a 6.0 cent plan with no monthly fee, depending on your usage. Always calculate your total monthly cost: usage in kWh times rate per kWh, plus the monthly fee.

Early termination fees are what you'll pay if you cancel before your contract ends. Usually $50 to $200, though some calculate it per month remaining on your contract. That $150 fee matters if you're thinking about moving or if a better deal shows up six months into your 24-month contract.

Some plans skip the termination fee entirely, giving you freedom to switch whenever you want. If you value flexibility, that's worth paying a slightly higher rate. If you're locked into your house for years, termination fees matter less.

Don't ignore these fees. They're right there on the chart for a reason.

Apples to Apples is helpful, but it's not perfect. Worth knowing the limitations before you make decisions based on it.

The rates you see are snapshots. They can change any time without notice. Suppliers are supposed to keep them accurate, but some post promotional rates that look great until you read the fine print and realize it's an introductory rate that doubles after three months.

The chart doesn't show seasonal pricing or rates that vary by time of day. If a supplier offers different rates for summer versus winter, you won't see that breakdown. Commercial rates aren't consistently posted either, making business comparisons way harder than residential.

Here's something most people don't know: some suppliers offer better deals through their own websites than what shows up on Apples to Apples. The chart is what suppliers choose to post publicly, not necessarily their best offers.

Always verify current rates directly with the supplier before signing up. Read the actual terms and conditions, not just the chart summary. The Ohio Consumers' Counsel says to treat Apples to Apples as a starting point for research, not the final answer. That's smart advice.

Found an offer that beats your Price to Compare? Time to enroll. It's easier than you'd think.

Click the supplier's name or phone number on the Apples to Apples chart. Have your utility account number handy from your electric bill. You can enroll by phone, online through the supplier's website, or by mail if you're into that.

They'll ask for your account number, service address, and some personal information. The supplier then notifies your utility about the switch. Takes one to two billing cycles to happen, so don't expect immediate changes.

Your utility still delivers your electricity and sends your bill. That doesn't change. The only thing different is the supply portion, which you'll see listed under generation charges. Your delivery charges, fees, and everything else stay exactly the same.

Keep your enrollment confirmation and contract terms. Screenshot them, download them, whatever. You'll want proof of what you signed up for if the supplier tries anything funny later. This is your insurance policy against rate disputes.