The Top Power Providers, & Plans in Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburg belongs to the list of areas in the country with deregulated electricity. This means that residential and business consumers have the option to pick their electric company and energy plan. However, choosing among several energy providers with varying electricity rates makes selecting the best electric company challenging. 

Let’s explore and compare Pittsburgh electricity rates, plans, and companies to help you come up with the one that will suit your needs and budget. 

Pittsburgh Electricity Rates

Pittsburgh residents can enjoy savings on their power bill if they buy electricity from suppliers with the most competitive per kilowatt-hour rate. With many providers to choose from, you won’t run out of options. You can compare electricity rates to determine which Pittsburgh electric company will move your goals of saving on your utilities forward. 

Here are some of the best Pittsburgh electricity rates offered by electricity suppliers in the area. 

Average Electric Bill in Pittsburgh, PA

Your monthly electric bill depends on how much electricity you consume and your provider’s electricity rate. So hikes in power rates along with higher consumption will drive up your energy costs.

Pittsburgh electricity rates vary according to the type of consumer. Residential electricity in the area is 11.44 cents per kWh, which is 10.27 percent lower than the Pennsylvania average rate of 12.75 cents per kWh. The city’s residential electricity rate is also 3.7 percent less than the country’s average electricity rate of 11.88 cents per kWh.

When it comes to commercial electricity rates, Pittsburgh’s average commercial power rate stands at 3.72 cents per kWh. This is 60.59 percent lower than Pennsylvania’s average rate of 9.44 cents per kWh and  63.13 percent less than the national average rate of 10.09 cents per kWh.

Factors That Affect Electricity Rates

Electricity bills aim to cover the costs of generating the electricity you consume, maintaining the electrical grid, and in response to several regulations governing electricity production and service. The sum of the various expenses and your power usage will determine how much you’ll pay your utility company. 

In a deregulated setting, you can choose energy providers aside from those under your utility company. This makes it easier for you to get the best electricity rates associated with your usage. 

Let’s dig into how the different factors affect your electricity expenses. 

Fuels

Burning fossil fuels is the most common way of generating electricity. These fuels include natural gas, coal, petroleum, and oil. The deployment of renewable energy has given consumers alternative power sources, but the energy industry has yet to make green energy the dominant electricity source.  

The dwindling supply of fossil fuels is constantly driving up their prices. Their cost also fluctuates. Where the prices of these fuels in the wholesale market go, so does your per kWh rate. 

Power Plant Prices

The electricity that powers homes and businesses is produced in power plants. These plants don’t come cheap. Constructing, maintaining, and operating them costs plenty of dollars. For example, natural gas power plants cost an average of $812 per kW or a total of $5,318,957 for 74 generators. Meanwhile, it will take between $6 billion and $9 billion to construct a 1,100 MW nuclear plant. 

The construction, maintenance, and operation costs are factored into the per kWh rate to recoup the expenses.  

Transmission and Distribution Area System

The electricity produced by the power plants needs to get to the end users. For this to happen, there has to be a transmission and distribution system. Like power plants, the infrastructure that will take the electricity from the plants to the consumers must be built and maintained.  

The facilities include power poles, high-voltage wires, power lines, transformers, and other equipment that carry electricity over long distances. All these require a significant amount that goes into your per kWh rate charges. 

Area Regulations

In areas with regulated electricity, the state has a say on the per kWh electricity rate. However, even in states that have deregulated electricity, regulatory bodies still play a part in controlling the price of electric power.  

The regulatory bodies often impose limits aimed at protecting consumers. These limits include how much and how often a utility company can change electricity prices. The restrictions and other regulations in the area will affect your energy bill.  

Weather Conditions

The weather conditions affect power prices in several ways. For example, during certain seasons, such as summer or winter, extremes in temperature hikes the demand for electricity.  

During winter, heating devices operate for long periods when the thermometer reading drops. When summer comes, people crank up their air conditioning units to combat the heat. Both heating and cooling appliances consume a significant amount of electricity. The higher demand drives up the cost of electricity. 

Another way the weather impacts power prices is when it causes damage to the facilities involved with electricity production or distribution. Fallen lines and a reduced supply of fuels are some of the effects of inclement weather. 

Types of Electricity Plans in Pittsburgh, PA

Due to deregulation, Pittsburgh’s electricity plans often have reasonable rates, as power suppliers have to compete for customers. There are several plan types to choose from, and knowing what these are can help you decide what will suit your usage level and consumption pattern. 

Fixed-Rate Plans

As their name implies, fixed-rate plans have fixed electricity rates. This means that the per kWh rate you get when you sign up for the plan remains the same until your contract ends. A fixed-rate plan lets you enjoy price stability and security because even if the price of electricity in the market drops or goes up, it won’t affect your electricity rates. 

Take note, though, that with this plan type, you can’t easily switch away from your provider. You’ll have to wait for your contract to end; otherwise, you’ll get charged an early termination fee. 

Variable-Rate Plans

Variable-rate plans are the direct opposite of fixed-rate ones. With this plan type, your per kWh rate fluctuates from one month to the next, and it follows the trend in the wholesale electricity market. You can still see some savings with a variable-rate plan if the price of electricity in the market drops. This doesn’t happen often, though. That’s why many consumers opt for fixed-rate plans. 

Variable-rate plans work best for those who move constantly or want the convenience of quickly switching away from their electricity provider. That’s because, unlike fixed-rate plans, variable-rate plans don’t come with long-term contracts. 

Business Energy Plans

Business owners have different energy consumption levels and patterns from residential consumers. Pittsburgh electricity providers take this into consideration. If you own a business in Pittsburgh, you can reach out to any of the power providers in the area. Most offers customized energy services and rates that will let you save on your energy costs. 

Green Energy Plans

Renewable energy is not just friendlier to the environment but it’s also cheaper to produce most of the time. In Pittsburgh, energy companies have a portfolio of green energy plans that offer electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar power. 

With the increasing deployment of renewable energy, you can easily find a green energy plan that will suit your electricity consumption and usage pattern. This will let you save on your energy costs and help nature at the same time. The good news is that Pittsburgh generates around 4 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, so providers can easily offer 100 percent renewable energy plans. 

Pittsburgh Electric Companies

In areas with regulated electricity, consumers can only get their electricity from the utility company in their area. Electricity in Pittsburgh is deregulated, so even if Duquesne Light Company is your utility provider, you can get electricity from other energy companies. 

Duquesne Light currently sells electricity at 7.07 cents per kilowatt hour for residential users, and you can avail of this if you want. Alternatively, you can switch to a new provider if you find better rates and services. Providers dictate the per kWh rate, so comparing the energy rates with that of Duquesne Light will help determine if you’ll save on your energy expenses. 

Aside from Duquesne Light, other electric companies in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offer competitive rates for business and residential customers. These include the following.

1. Constellation Energy 
2. Clearview Energy 
3. Direct Energy 
4. Frontier Utilities 
5. YEP Energy 
6. Public Power 
7. Verde Energy USA 

Energy Deregulation in Pittsburgh 

The concept of deregulating energy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was introduced in 1996. By the year’s end, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed House Bill 1509, which allows consumers to choose their own energy provider. 

Deregulation offers several benefits to electricity consumers. For one, it allows them to switch to other electric companies if they find better rates or want better service. Also, because deregulation allowed the entry of different suppliers into the market, it sparked competition, forcing suppliers to lower their per kWh rates as much as possible and improve their customer service. 

How To Find the Best Energy Plan?

The per kWh rate is one of the factors that help you decide what’s the best energy plan for you. However, there are other considerations worth considering when picking the right company and plan. Answering the following questions can facilitate the selection process. 

1. Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint? Then, a green energy plan can work for you. 
2. Are you looking for price stability and want to avoid the impact of fluctuating electricity prices in the market? Look into the fixed-rate plans offered by most power providers. 
3. Do you move a lot? Fixed-rate plans aren’t advisable if you do as you’ll usually need to pay an early termination fee if you end the contract early. Variable-rate plans or pay-as-you-go electricity might suit you better. 
4. What’s your credit score? If it’s less than ideal, no-deposit plans will allow you to get competitive rates without the hassle of a credit check and putting down a deposit before you get electricity service. 

How To Switch Your Electricity Provider?

Switching to a new provider in Pittsburgh is pretty straightforward. Once you’ve made an inventory of your electricity consumption usage and pattern, you can look into the plans and companies that might work for you. Here are some simple steps to ease the process. 

1. Browse Pittsburgh electric companies and rates: Enter your zip code on our website to view the companies that operate in your area. 
2. Review the details of each plan: Each supplier has a unique set of plans and prices. Review and compare the critical information, such as plan length, rate, fees, and the like.  
3. Choose a plan: When you’ve narrowed down your choices, you can select the plan and supplier that best meets your requirements. Reach out to the supplier and ask for additional details to know precisely what you’ll pay for. 
4. Make the switch: Inform the supplier and sign up for your chosen plan. 

How to Reduce Your Electric Bill with Solar Energy?

You need electricity for almost everything, from heating and cooling your home to charging your electric car. All those kWhs add up, and despite your best efforts, you may experience some challenges in lowering your electric bill. In such instances, you might want to check how solar panels can help your goal.  

Solar panels absorb the sun’s radiant energy and transform it into electricity. By installing a solar power system, you’ll draw less electricity from the grid because you’ll be using the electricity produced by your system.  

The biggest advantage of installing a solar power system is that you’ll get a lower electric bill from your utility. Because solar electricity costs less to produce, the system will help you save on your energy expenses. On top of that, you’ll also reduce your home’s carbon footprint because solar panels generate electricity without the harmful emissions associated with conventional means of producing electric power. 

Solar panels require a significant investment, but you’ll be able to offset their upfront costs through the savings you get on your electricity. Moreover, several incentives offered by the federal government and even your power utility will help reduce your initial expenses. 

About Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh is a city in Pennsylvania, USA. It’s known as the “Steel City” due to over 300 metal-related businesses in the area and as the “City of Bridges” for its 446 bridges.  

One of the most livable cities in the US, Pittsburgh offers several attractions, such as the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Heinz Field, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, the Carnegie Science Center, and the Museum of Natural History.  

The city has an average household income of $66,164, which is higher than the country’s median household income of $62,843.  

Popular ZIP Codes

If you’re moving to Pittsburgh, it will help to know the zip codes of the best neighborhoods in the city. Here are the top ones. 

• 15212: North Side area 
• 15201: Lawrenceville, Stanton Heights 
• 15213: Oakland 
• 15224: Bloomfield, Garfield, Polish Hill 
• 15112: East Pittsburgh 
• 15214: Perry, Summer Hill, Northview Heights 
• 15206: Highland Park, East Liberty, Shadyside 
• 15012: Belle Vernon 
• 15114: Springdale 
• 16205: Chicora 

Living and Moving to Pittsburgh

Affordable housing, prestigious learning institutions, and excellent nightlife make Steel City one of the best places to live in the country. The cost of living in the area is 7 percent lower than the national average, while the median household income is higher. 

Top-notch companies operate in the city, which helps boost employment opportunities. These companies include Kraft Heinz Company, US Steel, and major tech companies like Google, IBM, Apple, and Facebook. 

Pursuing higher education in the area will be a breeze, what with the number of colleges and universities you can choose from. There’s Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, Chatham University, and Duquesne University, among others. 

It offers safe neighborhoods like Squirrel Hill North and Shadyside. These locations have housing that won’t break your budget.    

FAQs

Conclusion

You can choose from several electric companies in Pittsburgh. Because of deregulation, each one of these suppliers can set its own rates. To find the best energy plan, you’ll need to research and compare each company’s offerings. 

To help with the process, you can type your zip code on our website to view the power companies that provide service to your area.

Updated on 01-09-23