PECO History
In 1881, the Brush Electric Light Company of Philadelphia competed for energy customers against roughly 20 other companies. With no standardization, a web of wires ensnared Philly, each line carrying any combination of voltages and frequencies. In 1899, Brush, Edison, and 16 other companies consolidated into the Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO), and began standardized operations.
To comply with Pennsylvania deregulation in 1996, PECO sold off its generation and retail divisions to focus on delivering energy to approximately 1.6 million electric customers and more than 511,000 natural gas customers in in the greater Philadelphia area. Now as part of Exelon and the largest electric and natural gas utility in PA, PECO not only delivers energy but also invests in organizations that support education, the environment, arts and culture, and neighborhood development programs.
PECO Service Territory
PECO serves approximately 1.6 million electric customers and more than 511,000 natural gas customers in the City of Philadelphia and some or all of these southeast Pennsylvania counties:
| Bucks | Chester | Delaware | Montgomery | York |
PECO serves these cities:
Shop for PECO Electricity Suppliers In Your Area.
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in the PECO service area.
- Enter zip code.
- Select "electricity".
- Choose "residential" or "business".
- Click "Shop for Rates".
In Pennsylvania, electricity utility service territories may overlap in some zip codes. If the tool reports that it has found more than one serving your zip code, don't worry! Just choose your local utility from those listed.
You'll then get to see the listing of all the energy suppliers' plans available in your area, along with rates, term lengths, and links to more detail information.
How to Start New PECO Service
Getting set up with PECO is easy and convenient. Just visit the PECO web site to start, stop, or move electric and/or gas service.
PECO remotely connects and disconnects electric service. All connects and disconnects are processed starting at 8 AM. If you request your electricity shut off you will not have power after 8 AM on the day you choose to stop service.
Customers can also set up service by calling PECO customer serivce (1-800-494-4000).
Be ready to supply:
- Service Address: The address where you want your service turned on or switched.
- The start date for electricity service.
- Personal Information: You will need to provide your Social Security Number or driver's license information.
- PECO will do a soft credit check to determine if a deposit is required.
Will I Need to Pay a Deposit?
Credit Rating -- PECO has the right to check your credit history and level of credit risk to determine whether a security deposit is necessary. Other factors include whether the customer was previously disconnected or has unpaid energy bills.
TIP -- Be sure to unfreeze your credit. If you have frozen your credit with any of the major credit agencies, you will need to have it temporarily unfrozen before you submit a new service request.
Pay a Deposit -- PECO must notify you in writing within 3 business days about the specific reasons why you are required to pay a security deposit. PA law states that deposits cannot be greater than an estimated two months usage.
Customers have 21 days after the utilty sends the deposity request notification to make a payment. However, customers have three months to pay the full deposit. PECO can hold the deposit for 24 months. If the customer pays their bill in full and on time for 12 consecutive months, the deposit will earn interest.
Customers also have the right to use a guarantor who is a credit-worthy customer with PECO and can pay your bills if you fail to do so.
Understand PECO Delivery and Supply Charges
In Pennsylvania, residential customers pay for both the cost to deliver their electricity as well as for the amount of electricity supply that they use.
Understand PECO PTC Charges
When deregulation began in Pennsylvania, all utilities that wanted to participate in consumer choice had to sell off their generators. However, the PAPUC requires these utilities to provide electricity supply at a default rate to customers in their service territory who don't shop for a retail supplier. As a result, these utilities must purchase their electricity supply for the default rate from generator companies.
The PAPUC oversees PECO's default service rates. PECO's supply rate represent generation supply costs that are passed without mark up directly through the utility onto their customers. This default supply rate is also called the "Price to Compare" or PTC.
Price to Compare (PTC)
The PTC default rate represents the actual price (generation + transmission) the utility pays for the electricity. In other words, it not only includes the generator company's price for making the electricity but also the cost to transmit it from power stations over high tension power lines to PECO's local electrical switch yards. From there, the electricity is distributed throughout the PECO local electrical grid for delivery to homes.
In Pennsylvania, PECO sets its PTC rates by holding auctions to line up their electricity supplies. Currently, auctions are held twice a year to cover four delivery periods. Consequently, PECO's PTC rates change every March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. When the auctions are completed, the PAPUC must approve the prices for both the generation supply and transmission.
For customers, it means these electricity rates can vary seasonally; low some months, higher the next.
PECO Current PTC Residential Rate: 6.600 cents per kWh, expires 12/31/2021
NOTE: There are approximately thirty-five borough-owned public power systems in Pennsylvania. These purchase energy for their local residents. Many prohibit residents from shopping for their own provider. If you live in one of these communities, check with your local government to learn more.
How Much Do PECO PTC Charges Cost?
The DOE EIA estimates that the average Pennsylvania residence uses an average of 864 kWh each month. Therefore, an average PTC bill roughly breaks down like this:
| Rate per 864 kWh Used | Monthly Customer Charge | Total | |
| PTC Supply Rate | 6.600 cents | 0 | $57.02 |
| Monthly Distribution Charges (excluding riders) | $0.06609 per kWh | $9.98 | $67.08 |
| Total Bill | $124.10 |
Understand Pennsylvania Energy Choice
Pennsylvania electric consumers are free to choose their own competitive retail electricity supplier. These alternative suppliers shop deals with different producers on the wholesale market to offer competitive rates. As such, their rates are not controlled by PAPUC the same way that utilities are. This way, retail suppliers are able to offer competitively priced fixed rate plans for a variety of term lengths.
Though it can seem confusing, shopping electricity plans is an easy process. The trick is finding the one that meets your needs. That's why retail energy suppliers in Pennsylvania offer two types of plans:
Your Energy Usage and Understanding Your PECO Bill
While your energy usage habits are unique to you, any Pennsylvania native will tell you that winters can be bitterly cold and summers can be hazy, hot, and humid. While most PA homes rely on natural gas for heating, roughly 1.6 million (29%) of homes in the state use electricity.
Want to learn more about your home energy usage? PECO customers can track 12 months of their electric usage plus other relevant information on each monthly bill or by logging on to their PECO account.
The most effective way to cut your energy bills is to reduce your usage by sealing your doors and windows against winter and summer drafts. Adding insulation to your attic, sealing and insulating your basement, and purchasing a programmable or smart thermostat can also improve your home's energy efficiency and help cut your electric bills. Your utility company can provide a wealth of resources and may offer programs to help you improve your home's energy performance.
Understand Your PECO Bill
Your PECO bill contains many details that can be confusing to customers. But there's lots of useful information to help you better understand your usage and rate. Below, we break down the most important items on a sample PECO Electric bill.
PECO Sample Bill
- A: Billing Information. This includes your name, 10 digit PECO account number, service address, and phone number.
- B: Billing Summary. This details the bill's date, the billing period, the amount paid in your last bill, and the current charges due. The General Information line shows the date of the next meter read.
- C: Billing Payment Stub. This includes your 10 digit PECO account number, the amount due, the due date, service address, and the Customer Service phone number. The stub comes pre-addressed for your convenience if you mail your payment.
- D: The top of Page 2 begins with your 10 digit PECO account number.
- E: Meter Information: This shows the usage information measured by the electric meter at your address and includes the read date, meter number, the acutal metering numbers, and the total usage.
- F: Message Center: Here you can find important notifications from PECO.
- G: Shows PECO's monthly customer charges, the delivery charges and rate, and then the total PECO charges due.
- H: This shows the charges due from your Electric Generation Supplier. PECO breaks down its PTC rate the show both generation supply charges and transmission charges. Retail suppliers only show their supply charges because transmission is already included in their pricing.
- I: Shows your usage history per bill over the course of the past year to help you compare your energy use over time and understand your usage habits.
- J: In order to switch to a new retail electricity provider, you'll need to provide them with your 10 digit supplier agreement ID number and your service type (ie. residential). This is different from your PECO account number.
- K: This shows a breakdown of your current month's usage, usuage from the previous month, and from the same time last year. It also shows the average daily temperature so you can gauge how well your home heats and cools.
Compare PECO Rates
PECO Coupons, Energy Promotions, Discounts, Rebates and Promo Codes
As your local electric utility, PECO offers several rebate and energy efficiency programs to help customers save money off their monthly bill by upgrading their home's energy performance. Some programs also offer money-saving incentives while others could make paying your monthly bills much easier during those expensive winter months.
| Program Name | Program Type | Benefit |
| Appliance and HVAC Rebates Program | Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | PECO customers can take advantage of rebates on the purchase of ENERGY STAR certified appliances and HVAC systems.
|
| LED Instant Rebate Program | Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Look for the PECO Instant Discount sticker in the lighting aisle at Philadelphia area stores. PECO residential customers can also get instant rebates on LEDs by shopping the online PECO Marketplace. |
| Energy Efficient New Homes | Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | PECO is working closely with area builders who are constructing energy-efficient homes that deliver more than just energy savings. Homes built through this program are 15% to 50% more energy efficient than new homes built to Pennsylvania's standard building code. Homes qualified through the PECO New Homes Program can qualify for special Energy Efficient Mortgages. |
| Residential In-Home Energy Assessment | Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | PECO customers can sign up for the low-cost Home Energy Assessment Program. A certified energy auditor will:
|
| Low Income Usage Reduction Program | Residential Energy Efficiency | Helps eligible PECO customers using more than 600 kWh per month a free energy audit to find ways to reduce their electric bills through home weatherization and conservation. |
| PECO Payment Arrangements | Bill payment assistance | PECO offers payment arrangements to allow residential customers to pay their account balance in monthly installments. These installments are billed along with your current monthly charges. Both must be paid on time and in full each month.
|
| PECO Gift of Energy | Bill payment assistance | You can make a payment toward a friend or family member's PECO bill. Your gift will appear on a future bill as a credit to the recipient's PECO bill. |
| LIHEAP Cash and Crisis Grants | Bill payment assistance | LIHEAP usually opens in early November and closes in early April. The program is available to eligible customers whose income is 150% of the Federal Poverty Level or below. |
| Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF) | Bill payment assistance | PECO matches customer donations to the MEAF fund to provide help to limited-income households.
|
| Customer Assistance & Referral Evaluation Service (CARES) program | Bill payment assistance | You may qualify for CARES if you:
|
| PECO Customer Assistance Program (CAP) | Bill payment assistance | PECO's Customer Assistance Program (CAP) can give you a monthly credit on your PECO bill. The credit is based on your household's gross income and energy use. To apply, customers will need to supply the following information:
You must use PECO for your electric and natural gas supply to qualify. You cannot be enrolled with a competitive supplier. |
Read PECO Reviews
Since PECO serves a large east coast market segment, southeast Pennsylvania residential customers can get a better picture of how good a job it does by comparing it to similar large-scale utilities. PECO is accredited with the BBB and the utility is in the top five in J.D. Power's 2020 utility residential customer satisfaction study.
| PA Energy Ratings Score | Better Business Bureau | J.D. Power 2020 Electricity Utility Study |
| N/A | Accredited, A + |
757 of 1000 pts |
How Do I Get the Cheapest PECO Rate?
Shopping for a new PECO Customer Choice Plan can seem bewildering at first. Once you understand how it works, though, it's an easy and straightforward process. That said, you should have these three things with you when you shop for electricity.
- Your current bill. Your past usage per billing period can help you estimate a how much a plan might cost you each month.
- The current PECO PTC and expiration date. Knowing the current PECO supply price lets you compare rates offered by retail energy suppliers. This way, you can get a better feel for what suppliers are offering, for how long, and if any of their incentives make their price work for your family's need.
- Your PECO of Pennsylvania customer account number. This 10 digit number is located on your bill. Having it handy lets you sign up with a retail supplier right away.
PECO Shopping Questions
The best way for a PA energy customer to avoid making a bad choice it to ask the right questions. That way, you can learn exactly the information that can save you money. When you shop for electricity service in Pennsylvania, always be sure to ask these important questions:
- Is the rate variable or is it fixed?
- Is the rate competitive with the current PECO supply rate?
- How long does the plan contract term run?
- Does the plan's contract term last longer than PECO's PTC rate?
- Does the plan include any recurring monthly charges?
- Does the plan have an early cancellation fee?
- Does the supplier offer any customer incentives or rewards programs?
- What happens when the contract expires?
Other Commonly Asked Pennsylvania Electricity Questions:
Who bills me? PECO sends a single bill that outlines and adds up your monthly charges.
What are the Terms of Service? In PA, Customer Choice Plans must include Terms of Service that explain and identify specific charges and any fees a customer will face when they sign up for an electricity plan. Not all suppliers have the same terms. That's why all Pennsylvania energy choice customers should read and understand the terms of service and contract summary for any plan they are interested in before they sign on to the plan.
What are early termination fees? Switching retail suppliers before a contract ends can involve paying early termination fees. These can take a big chomp out of your checking account you if choose to switch retail providers before your plan contract ends.
Where can I find more information on my usage? PECO customers can request 12 months of their energy usage free of charge. This is most easily available through your PECO online account.
Read PECO Customer Reviews
Compare PECO Electricity Rates in Your Area
Bill Questions? Electricity Out? Contact PECO!
Having problems or interruptions with your PECO electricity? Here's the proper people to call.
PECO Billing Problems
The PAPUC requires all PA public utilities to offer "budget billing" where annual electricity costs are averaged out over the cost of the year. This ensures that customers aren't presented with unexpectedly high bills at peak times.
- First thing to do is contact PECO. If you are having trouble paying your monthly bill call PECO's Customer Service: 1-800-494-4000. Have your account number ready.
- Need extra time to pay your energy bill? Customers can apply for Due Date Extension to extend their upcoming bill due date by 21 calendar days. Call PECO Customer Service or by apply on-line.
PECO Emergencies and Outages
All power lines are extremely dangerous! Never attempt to move a downed power line by yourself. Call 911 and then notifiy PECO.
- Report safety hazards involving power lines immediately to PECO at 1-800-841-4141.
- You can also report downed lines or outages at PECO's website.
- Check PECO's current electric outages as they are being repaired.
PECO Service Area Providers
| Company | Rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Constellation | (5/5) |
855-798-9075 |
| NextEra Energy Services | (4.3/5) |
855-639-8091 |
| Direct Energy | (4.2/5) |
844-225-3948 |
| Frontier Utilities | (4.1/5) |
877-291-6554 |
| Energy Harbor | (4.1/5) |
855-847-5888 |
| Public Power | (4/5) |
|
| Verde Energy | (3.8/5) |
|
| Tomorrow Energy | (3.5/5) |
888-392-8329 |
| APG&E | (3.2/5) |
|
| Santanna Energy Services | (3/5) |
855-763-2715 |
| CleanSky Energy | (3/5) |
800-581-1016 |
| XOOM Energy | (2.5/5) |
|
| Spark Energy | (2.2/5) |
877-346-1505 |
| Major Energy | (2.1/5) |
|
| AEP Energy | (2/5) |
|
| Sunwave Gas & Power | (2/5) |
|
| NRG Home | (2/5) |
|
| ENGIE | (2/5) |
|
| SFE Energy | (2/5) |
|
| National Gas & Electric | (2/5) |
|
| 20 results | ||
Pennsylvania Zip Codes with the Cheapest Electricity Rates
The Latest PECO News
Dirty air filters are one big common way to get a high electric bill. Find out other easy ways to cut your energy usage as save money on your energy bills all year long! Reasons Your PECO Electric... [read more]
PECO's PTC goes up on September 1! Why pay more than you have to? Don’t miss these low priced electricity rates in Philadelphia! Cheap 12 Month Philadelphia Electricity Plans If you’re ready... [read more]
PA energy customers who owe need to set up utility bill help before the deadline expires! How Bad Are PA Utility Shut Offs Really? When the COVID-19 crisis hit in March, 2020, the PA PUC enacted... [read more]
