Jul 8, 2026 | Safety and Security
With energy supply prices, summer usage and rates changing, you may see more calls, ads, emails, texts or door-to-door offers about lowering your electric bill.
You have choices when it comes to your electricity supply. Many offers come from licensed suppliers, but others might be a scam. So, it’s important to verify before you switch suppliers, sign a contract or share account information — be sure you understand what you’re being offered and how it could affect your bill.
The best first step is simple: pause, verify who you’re dealing with and read the terms before you decide.
Understand what the offer applies to
Your electric bill includes different types of charges, split between delivery and supply.
- Delivery covers the cost to deliver electricity safely and reliably across our distribution system. This varies based on usage.
- Supply covers the electricity you use, as well as transmission charges. If you do not choose a third-party supplier, we purchase electricity for you and pass on the cost of generation supply without markup or profit. If you do choose a supplier, your supply rate is based on the agreement you make with that supplier.
That distinction matters because supplier offers apply only to the supply portion of your bill, not your entire electric bill.
For more details about the breakdown of charges on your bill, visit our Bill Explainer page.
Know your current rate before you compare
Before reviewing an offer, check your current supply rate. You can find your supplier information and supply rate on your bill or on your online account.
The Price to Compare is the default supply rate you’ll pay if you do not shop for electricity with a third-party supplier. It can be helpful to use the Price to Compare as a reference point when reviewing offers.
You can learn more about shopping at pplelectric.com/shopping.
Questions to ask before you switch
A lower advertised rate may sound good, but the details matter. Before you switch suppliers or agree to a new contract, ask:
- Is the rate fixed or variable?
- Is it an introductory rate?
- How long does the rate last?
- What happens when the introductory period ends?
- Are there any additional charges besides the price per kWh?
- Are there monthly, cancellation or early termination fees?
- Will the contract renew automatically?
- Will I receive written contract terms before I agree?
A clear offer should explain the price, the length of the agreement, fees, renewal terms and what happens when the contract ends.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s official shopping website, PA Power Switch, provides more information about supplier contract terms.
Watch for misleading or high-pressure tactics
Be cautious if someone contacts you unexpectedly and:
- Says they represent PPL Electric or are calling “on behalf of PPL” to sell supplier service.
- Says you must switch suppliers to avoid shutoff.
- Pressures you to act immediately.
- Focuses only on a low introductory price without explaining what happens later.
- Offers a gift card or incentive in exchange for account information.
- Asks for personal, financial or account information before you can verify who they are.
- Claims the offer applies to your whole bill.
We do not market or sell supplier services by phone or door to door. If someone claims to represent PPL Electric and you are unsure, stop the conversation and contact us directly.
You can review scam prevention tips on our Scams & Fraud Prevention page and Fraud & Deceptive Marketing page.
Verify before you share information
Scammers can make caller ID look real, create fake websites, send fake payment links or appear in search results through online ads. That’s why it’s important to use official contact information.
If you receive an unexpected call, email, text, ad or in-person visit:
- Do not feel pressured to act right away.
- Go directly to pplelectric.com.
- Call us directly at 1-800-342-5775.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links.
- Do not provide banking or payment information.
The Federal Trade Commission also recommends contacting your utility directly if someone threatens immediate shutoff or demands payment. You can read more on the FTC’s utility scam guidance page.
The bottom line
Shopping for electricity supply is your choice. Some offers may be legitimate and can help you save, but it’s important to understand the details before you switch, sign or share information.
Before you switch: pause, verify and understand the offer.
For more information, visit PPL Electric’s Rates and Shopping page, Bill Explainer page or Scams & Fraud Prevention page.
Jun 26, 2025 | Customer Service
We understand that your electric bill is a primary part of your monthly expenses and it’s important to us to deliver safe, reliable electricity to your home at a fair price.
We’d like to clear up a few misconceptions about your bill. For starters, each section reflects different aspects of how electricity gets delivered and used. And we only have direct control of about half of these charges.
Check it out:
Myth #1
PPL Electric doesn’t care when customer bills increase.
Fact
Customers are understandably concerned about higher bills, and we’re concerned too. While we can’t control market trends, we can empower you with the tools, resources and information needed to manage energy use and explore cost-saving opportunities. We are committed to operating efficiently and controlling the costs that we can while still ensuring reliable service for you.
Myth #2
PPL Electric controls every part of the electric bill.
Fact
We don’t have direct control over approximately 50% of a residential bill. This portion includes energy supply costs, regulated charges and taxes. If you don’t shop for a third-party electricity supplier, we purchase power for you and pass on the cost of generation supply without markup. We don’t profit from supply costs.
The other half of the bill is within our control, which includes the costs to maintain the poles, wires and equipment that deliver electricity to your home or business via the distribution and transmission grid. These charges are regulated and vary according to how much electricity you use.
Myth #3
PPL Electric benefits from Price to Compare increases.
Fact
We do not profit from these increases. The energy supply costs included in the Price to Compare are passed through, without markup, to customers who do not shop for a third-party supplier. Our Price to Compare is fixed for six months and changes twice per year on June 1 and December 1.
When the Price to Compare increases, it is based on increases in the energy supply market which is outside of our control.
Myth #4
There is nothing I can do about my high bills.
Fact
We offer a wide range of tools and programs designed to help you manage energy costs and keep monthly bills as predictable and reasonable as possible.
- Making bills more predictable and affordable with budget billing, payment plans and due dates to fit your schedule.
- Saving energy used at home or work through no-cost and low-cost energy saving programs and products.
- Providing bill assistance or support programs if you need help paying your bill, regardless of your income.
- Shop for a competitive supplier: Compare offers from third-party suppliers. Visit the PUC’s papowerswitch.com.
Access these resources and more in one convenient place at pplelectric.com/SeasonalSavings.
Nov 25, 2014 | Energy Efficiency
Last winter, many customers on variable-rate plans for their generation supply faced high bills, resulting from a combination of high usage during the prolonged cold weather and volatile market prices.
We suggest a three-step plan to help customers avoid paying more than they have to for electricity:
1. Use energy wisely
We have many low-cost and no-cost tips to help you save energy. They include turning the thermostat down, if you can. Heating accounts for more than 30 percent of an average home’s energy bill. Turning the thermostat down about 1 degree saves about 2 percent on your heating bill, while turning it down 5 degrees saves about 10 percent. Also, seal your house against drafts, and have your ductwork checked for air leaks.
2. Shop for electricity
Shopping for everything from groceries to gasoline is part of almost every family’s routine. So why not shop for electricity, too? The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has a website that makes shopping easy: PAPowerSwitch.com.
3. Shop smart
Customers have two choices when they shop for their electricity: fixed rate and variable rate. If you have a variable rate, it means the price you pay per kilowatt-hour can change anytime, based on factors like weather and market conditions. A fixed-rate plan offers pricing stability for a defined period of time. There are many fixed-rate offers below PPL Electric Utilities’ price to compare — the rate PPL Electric Utilities charges customers who don’t shop.
Even if you’re already on a fixed-rate plan, it’s a good idea to check the terms and expiration date of your supply agreement. Sometimes fixed-rate plans automatically shift to variable-rate plans when they expire.
As with any purchase you make, it’s always good to double-check what you’re buying, and know the terms of your energy contract and the price you’ll pay this winter.
No matter where you buy your electricity, it will still be delivered safely and reliably by PPL Electric Utilities.
