How Met-Ed Small Business Customers Can Save Big on Electricity in 2025

As the new year begins, small business owners are taking stock of their operations, planning for growth, and, most importantly, reviewing costs that have crept up steadily over the past year. One of the often-overlooked expenses that can quietly eat away at your bottom line is electricity.

If you haven’t evaluated your electricity rates in a while, you may be paying more than you need to. With electricity rates having a tendency to rise gradually, now is the perfect time to explore your options, especially if you’re served by Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed) in Pennsylvania. This article will guide you through understanding Met-Ed’s pricing structure, comparing rates, and locking in savings for your business in 2025.

Who is Met-Ed and What Do They Do?

Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy, is a utility company that delivers electricity to over 560,000 customers across eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Operating within a service area of 3,300 square miles, Met-Ed plays a critical role in distributing electricity to homes and businesses in 13 counties, including Adams, Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Pike, and York.

As a distribution company, Met-Ed is responsible for maintaining over 269,000 miles of distribution lines that deliver electricity from power plants to end-users. Importantly, Met-Ed does not generate electricity; instead, it ensures that electricity purchased by customers through Pennsylvania’s competitive energy market is delivered reliably. The company also provides electricity under default service rates, often referred to as the Price to Compare (PTC) for those who have not selected an alternative energy supplier. The PTC serves as a benchmark for businesses and residential customers to compare competitive electricity rates available in Pennsylvania’s deregulated market.

Met-Ed’s role as a distributor also includes managing infrastructure, addressing outages, and billing customers for the electricity they use, regardless of whether it’s sourced from Met-Ed’s default service or a retail energy supplier.

What Are the Current Met-Ed Price to Compare Rates?

As of January 2025, Met-Ed’s Price to Compare (PTC) rates for small commercial customers are $0.1216 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). For residential customers, the PTC is slightly lower, at $0.1184 per kWh. These rates reflect the cost of generation and transmission and are updated periodically to align with wholesale energy market conditions.

The PTC serves as a default rate for customers who do not shop for electricity from alternative suppliers. While convenient, it often is not the most cost-effective option for businesses. Commercial electricity consumers in Pennsylvania, particularly those in Met-Ed’s service area, can typically find lower rates by shopping for electricity through the state’s deregulated market.

The current Met-Ed PTC rates are a reminder of the importance of exploring competitive electricity rates, as businesses may find significant savings by switching to a supplier offering a more favorable rate.

How Can a Business Located in the Met-Ed Service Area Save Money Through Pennsylvania Electricity Choice?

Pennsylvania’s deregulated electricity market empowers businesses in the Met-Ed service area to take control of their electricity costs. Deregulation means that while Met-Ed continues to handle the distribution and reliability of electricity delivery, businesses have the freedom to choose their electricity supplier. This allows businesses to shop for competitive rates, customized plans, and renewable energy options that may better align with their operational needs and budgets.

Here are the steps businesses can take to maximize savings through electricity choice:

1. Understand Your Current Electricity Usage: Reviewing your electricity usage and patterns helps identify the type of plan that will best suit your needs. For instance, businesses with steady electricity consumption may benefit from fixed-rate plans, while those with fluctuating usage might explore specialized rate structures.
2. Compare Rates: Use a commercial electric rate comparison tool, like the one available at Electricrate.com, to view competitive offers from multiple electricity suppliers. Comparing rates against Met-Ed’s PTC can reveal immediate cost-saving opportunities.
3. Negotiate Custom Rates: Larger commercial entities may have the leverage to negotiate custom rates or request tailored contracts that better fit their consumption levels and energy needs.
4. Consider Renewable Energy Options: Many suppliers offer renewable energy plans, allowing businesses to reduce their carbon footprint while saving money. Green energy plans are increasingly affordable and competitive.
5. Monitor Market Conditions: If your business prefers flexibility, keeping an eye on wholesale electricity market trends can help you lock in a competitive rate at the right time.

By actively shopping for electricity, businesses can reduce operational costs and reinvest those savings into other areas of growth.

How Electricrate.com Can Help a Met-Ed Business (Commercial) Customer

Electricrate.com is an invaluable tool for commercial customers looking to reduce their electricity expenses. The platform simplifies the process of comparing electricity rates from multiple suppliers, ensuring that businesses can easily identify the most cost-effective plan.

Here’s how Electricrate.com can help Met-Ed business customers:

1. User-Friendly Rate Comparison: Electricrate.com provides an intuitive interface that displays rates, contract terms, and supplier details side by side. This transparency empowers businesses to make informed decisions.
2. Tailored Solutions for Businesses: The platform allows businesses to filter results based on specific criteria, such as renewable energy options, fixed or variable rates, and contract lengths.
3. Access to Trusted Suppliers: Electricrate.com partners with reputable energy suppliers, ensuring that customers have access to competitive and reliable options.
4. Expert Support: The platform offers support to help businesses understand their options and navigate the process of switching suppliers.
5. Savings Opportunities: By leveraging the platform’s tools and resources, Met-Ed business customers can often secure rates well below the current PTC, leading to significant monthly and annual savings.

For businesses in Met-Ed’s service area, Electricrate.com is a go-to resource for simplifying energy shopping and maximizing savings.

Why a Small Business Customer Should Keep It Simple and Lock in a Low Fixed Electric Rate

For small business owners, managing electricity costs can feel overwhelming. However, one of the most effective strategies for ensuring long-term savings and peace of mind is to lock in a low fixed electric rate rather than opting for a variable rate plan.

Benefits of Fixed Electric Rates:

1. Budget Certainty: Fixed-rate plans provide consistent electricity costs, allowing small businesses to predict and manage expenses without worrying about market fluctuations.
2. Protection from Price Spikes: The wholesale electricity market can be volatile. A fixed rate protects small businesses from sudden price increases, which can strain budgets and disrupt operations.
3. Simplified Planning: With a fixed rate, small business owners can focus on growing their business instead of monitoring electricity market trends or worrying about unexpected bills.

Risks of Variable Rates:

1. Market Volatility: Variable rates fluctuate based on market conditions. While prices may occasionally drop, they can also spike dramatically during periods of high demand, such as extreme weather conditions.
2. Unpredictable Costs: Variable rates introduce uncertainty into budgeting, making it harder for small businesses to plan ahead.

Real-World Example:

Consider a small bakery in Lancaster County that uses electricity for ovens, refrigerators, and lighting. By locking in a fixed rate of $0.10 per kWh, the bakery can predict its monthly electricity bill with accuracy. On the other hand, if the bakery opts for a variable rate and market prices spike to $0.15 per kWh during peak demand, their costs could increase by 50% without warning.

For small businesses, simplicity and predictability are key. By locking in a low fixed rate, business owners can protect their bottom line and avoid the risks associated with market fluctuations.

Conclusion

Met-Ed’s role as a distributor and its Price to Compare rates provide a baseline for businesses in Pennsylvania’s deregulated electricity market. However, savvy business owners can save significantly by leveraging tools like Electricrate.com to compare competitive rates and lock in a plan that meets their unique needs.

For small businesses, the key to success is keeping things simple. Locking in a low fixed electric rate not only protects against market volatility but also provides the budget stability needed to focus on growth. By making informed decisions about electricity procurement, businesses in Met-Ed’s service area can take control of their energy costs and secure a brighter financial future.

Updated on 01-07-25