Here in Pennsylvania, you can shop for your electricity supply. Just like you would shop for a car, you compare different offers and choose what is right for you at the lowest cost. Then, PPL Electric Utilities delivers the electricity to you.
We support shopping for electricity supply, but because we deliver the electricity, we have no vested interest in which supplier you choose. But we do care whether you’re paying a reasonable rate.
We’ve been monitoring the rates shopping customers pay compared to the default rate, which is the rate charged if you do not choose a supplier.
We’ve found many of our residential customers are paying more for electricity through their supplier than they would have on the default rate. Over a one-year period, our residential customers paid about $97 million more than they would have paid on the default rate. Small business customers paid $34 million more.
This is alarming.
The data really made me stop and take a step back. How is this happening? One of the biggest issues I find is that suppliers sometimes use deceptive marketing tactics to attract customers.
I am sure we all know someone — or you yourself — who received a phone call or letter claiming to provide a new and better rate. Often these solicitations are disguised as a PPL-endorsed communication, using our logo or stating that the call is about your PPL bill. You may be told that if you switch now, you can get $300 in gift card rewards.
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Those gift cards they offer you are often short-term discounts to mask higher rates. And the low rates they offer you are often teaser rates. They only last a short while and then they skyrocket.
Suppliers are intentionally vague in hopes you won’t understand the long-term cost increase or aren’t monitoring your electric bill closely. In fact, there are more than 26,000 PPL customers paying double the price of default energy.
I recently appeared in front of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to encourage our representatives to take steps to protect our customers from this type of deceptive marketing.
We’re committed to advocating for our customers. In the meantime, it’s critical you continue to shop smart. Read the fine print, be aware of deceptive marketing tactics and check your electric bill regularly to see how much you are being charged.
The time for change is now or Pennsylvania customers will continue paying the price. I encourage you to speak to your local officials to raise awareness about the consumer protections that are needed and continue to shop smart.
To learn more about how to check your electricity supply rate and make informed decisions, visit pplelectric.com/shopsmart today.
By: Greg Dudkin, Chief Operating Officer, PPL Corporation
This is so refreshing to have a business looking out for its customers. You have cleared my mind of any confusion I had about choosing a supplier.This notice was very helpful. Thank you!
What % of RS customers are paying shopping rates above PPL base rates? What % of RS customers are paying shopping rates above PPL standard rates?
The answer automatic machine when I call to paid is broken do not do the job right and this has been since the new system change the waiting time to paid it is 67 minutes do something about it, it will be easy if I can use the system but it is not working
How do I sign up for the on track program with PP&Ld
Good Morning Ada, Please read about our OnTrack program and apply online under https://www.pplelectric.com/ontrack. Thank you for reaching out to us!
How do I switch from my current supplier (NRG) to PPL’s Default Service?
Good Afternoon Irene, Please contact NRG to cancel and check to make sure you are not under contract that would incur any cancellation fees. Once you cancel your generation supplier, your account will simply default back to PPL. If you choose to shop for a supplier in the future, please read more under https://www.pplelectic.com/shopsmart. Thank you for checking with us!
I am trying to switch to ppl but can’t reach anyonr
Good Morning John, Please review your current bill for the name of the supplier.You will need to contact the generation supplier to make sure your are not currently under a contract that would incur a cancellation charge. Once you cancel your generation supplier, your account will default back to PPL. You can learn more about the shopping safely for a lower price if you choose to under https://www.pplelectric.com/shopsmart. Thank you for reaching out to us!
How do we get switched back to ppl?
Good Morning Daniel, Your account will default back to PPL by contacting the Generation Supplier on your account to cancel. Once you cancel the supplier, they electronically notify PPL of your cancellation. We then mail a letter to your home confirming the supplier is dropped and your account is returned to PPL. If you are interested in shopping in the future, please read more about safely shopping for suppliers under https://www.pplelectric.com/shopsmart. Thanks for reaching out to us!
What percentage of PPL customers are paying a rate lower than the default rate? Do you recommend using https://www.pplelectric.com/shopsmart over papowerswitch.com ? If you think one of those sites is better than the other, why?
Good Afternoon Nick, One site is not better than the other. The State of Pennsylvania provides papowerswitch.com to compare Supplier rates offered to customers for their Distribution Company location. Our website http://www.pplelectric.com/shopsmart educates customers on how to safely shop. We hope this helps!