Shop Now Before Pittsburgh PTC Rates Increase
Listen up, Pittsburgh residents! Duquesne Light Company (DLC) will increase its price to compare (PTC) rate on June 1. Specifically, the new PTC rate goes up from the current 7.07 cents per kWh to 7.41 cents per kWh and is effective through November 30, 2021. In addition, DLC wants to add a new distribution surcharge for infrastructure improvements starting January 15, 2022, so more cost increases are on the horizon. But be cool! Even though Pittsburgh PTC rates rise June 1 you can shop now to find a better electricity plan!
Higher Bills with the New PTC Rate
DLC supply customers can expect to pay more for their Pittsburgh PTC rates next month. So, just how big will your monthly bill increase? Assuming an average residential electricity consumption of 864 kWh per month, a typical Duquesne Light Company electricity bill roughly breaks down like this:
| Charge for 864 kWh Used | Monthly Customer Charge | Charge Total | |
| Duquesne Light Company Supply charge:$0.0741 per kWh |
$64.02 | 0 | $64.02 |
| Duquesne Light Company
Monthly Distribution Charges (excluding riders) |
$52.04 | $12.50 | $64.54 |
| Total Bill | $128.56 |
Now you know what Pittsburgh PTC rates could look like after the June increase. As a result, we can compare this amount to the cheapest Pittsburgh plan.
Cheapest Pittsburgh Plan Rivals PTC Rate
While the PTC rate may seem somewhat modest, Frontier Utilities offers a 12-month plan that rivals Duquesne Light Company’s PTC rate. The PA Frontier Secure Power 12 plan has a 6.19 cents per kWh rate with a $9.95 recurring monthly charge. There’s also no early termination fee, so you can cancel early without a fee. So as it turns out, the average monthly Frontier Utilities bill is $127.97, which is less than the DLC monthly bill. Here’s the breakdown:
| Charge for 864 kWh Used | Monthly Customer Charge | Charge Total | |
| Frontier Utilities PA Frontier Secure Power 12 Supply charge:$0.0619 per kWh |
$53.48 | $9.95 | $63.43 |
| Duquesne Light Company
Monthly Distribution Charges (excluding riders) |
$52.04 | $12.50 | $64.54 |
| Total Bill | $127.97 |
How to Cut Duquesne Light 2021 Increase
Though the DLC PTC bill does offer a few pennies worth of savings per month, the PTC rate is only good through November 30. That is to say, there’s no telling what it will be this winter or when summer begins next year. On the other hand, this Frontier Utilities plan is a fixed rate. That means the rate stays locked in no matter what until the end of the contract 12 months from now.
Meanwhile, COVID 19 restrictions are easing and the economy is rebounding. Residential electricity prices are forecasted to increase by 2.3% this year and at least 1.5% next year. As a result, Pittsburgh electric rates will likely increase, too.
Consequently, the last thing you want is uncertainty derailing your budget every 6 months. For that reason, you want to lock in a low electricity rate now. Of course, if you choose to stick with DLC‘s PTC, you might feel burned by your summer and winter electricity bills.
Plus, this plan not only saves you money with a more predictable rate, but also helps you get a $50 bill credit for every friend you refer through the Frontier Utilities Refer-a-Friend program. DLC can’t offer anything like that.
Rate Will Rise So Shop Now
While everyone’s glad for the end of the pandemic, Pittsburgh electricity customers still need to get ready for a recovering economy. In other words, as demand for electricity rises, so will rates. So shop around! Visit https://www.paenergyratings.com. Look at other plans and electric companies and get the best deal for your home.