In most of Ohio you pick your own retail electricity supplier. This guide walks you through how it works, what to compare, and how to switch. Enter your ZIP to see the plans available in your area.
Takes a minute. No account, no obligation. Need help? Call or text us.For decades, one utility owned everything. That changed in 2001 when Ohio opened its electricity market to retail competition.
In 1999, Ohio passed Senate Bill 3, the law that broke up the old utility monopoly. On January 1, 2002, the market opened: for the first time customers could choose a retail supplier.
The law split the business into two roles — the utility that owns poles and wires and delivers power, and the retail suppliers (Certified Retail Electric Suppliers, or CRES) that sell energy.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) regulates utilities and the competitive market, charged with keeping power reliable and ensuring fair competition.
Two different companies touch your power. Knowing which does what is the whole game.
This is the part you control. Picking the right supplier and plan is where the savings come from.
Because the utility is the same no matter who you buy from, your power stays on through a switch and outages are handled the same way.
The pieces that decide what you actually pay, in plain English.
Every supplier asks for your ZIP first because the plans and prices they can offer change from place to place:
Even neighboring cities can land on different rates. That is why a real comparison starts with your exact address and ZIP.
Before you sign up, understand these key details:
Always ask the supplier to show you the plan details before you enroll.
Setting up power in a deregulated part of Ohio is quick. Have these ready:
You can start or switch service online in a few minutes.
Smaller homes do best with plans built for lower usage:
Compare your exact usage level when shopping.
Your utility handles delivery and outages, not your retail supplier.
| Utility | Typical service area | Outage phone |
|---|---|---|
| AEP Ohio (American Electric Power) | Central and Southern Ohio, including Columbus | 1-888-544-4877 |
| Duke Energy Ohio | Southwest Ohio, including Cincinnati | 1-800-543-5599 |
| FirstEnergy (Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Co., Toledo Edison) | Northeast and Northwest Ohio, including Cleveland and Toledo | 1-888-544-4877 |
| Dayton Power & Light (AES Ohio) | Miami Valley region including Dayton | 1-844-233-0123 |
Enter your ZIP to compare real Ohio rates and enroll online.
Most of Ohio has a deregulated market where you can choose your supplier. If you live in areas served by AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, FirstEnergy, or Dayton Power & Light in their competitive territories, you can choose.
No. Switching suppliers in Ohio is designed to be seamless. As long as your account is in good standing, your power stays on while the switch is processed.
No. Your utility is assigned based on your physical location. You choose the retail supplier (CRES), but the utility that maintains the grid stays the same.
Yes. Utility delivery charges are regulated by PUCO and are identical across all suppliers in that service area.
Many Ohio customers choose a 12-month fixed plan for balance and predictability. When rates are favorable, longer terms like 24 or 36 months can lock in protection for a longer period.
Yes. You can switch suppliers at any time if you are not under contract, or you can wait for your contract to end. Switching is free and happens automatically without service interruption.