Best Electricity Rates in Ohio 2026: Compare AEP, Duke, and FirstEnergy Suppliers
Ohio has a fully deregulated electricity market, and customers of all major utilities — AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, FirstEnergy (Ohio Edison, CEI, Toledo Edison), and Dayton Power & Light — can shop for competitive electricity rates. Here’s how to find the best deal in 2026.
Ohio Electricity Deregulation Overview
Ohio deregulated its electricity market in 1999 under Senate Bill 3. Today, all major Ohio utilities operate in deregulated territory, and customers can choose a Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES) provider.
Your utility still owns and operates the delivery infrastructure and handles outages — switching only changes your electricity supply.
Ohio Utilities and Service Territories
| Utility | Service Area |
|---|---|
| AEP Ohio | Columbus, central/western OH |
| Duke Energy Ohio | Cincinnati area |
| Ohio Edison (FirstEnergy) | Northeast Ohio |
| Cleveland Electric Illuminating (CEI) | Cleveland area |
| Toledo Edison | Toledo area |
| Dayton Power & Light (AES Ohio) | Dayton area |
Ohio Default Electricity Rates (Standard Service Offer)
Each Ohio utility has a Standard Service Offer (SSO) — the rate you pay if you don’t shop for a CRES provider.
| Utility | 2026 Average SSO Rate |
|---|---|
| AEP Ohio | ~8.5¢/kWh |
| Duke Energy Ohio | ~9.1¢/kWh |
| Ohio Edison | ~7.8¢/kWh |
| CEI | ~7.9¢/kWh |
| Toledo Edison | ~7.9¢/kWh |
| DP&L (AES Ohio) | ~8.0¢/kWh |
Best Electricity Suppliers in Ohio 2026
1. IGS Energy
Columbus-based IGS is one of the largest and most respected CRES providers in Ohio. Home-state advantage means strong customer service and local presence. Competitive rates across all Ohio territories.
Best for: Columbus (AEP) and central Ohio customers who want to support a local company.
2. Constellation Energy
Top-tier CRES provider with consistent pricing across all Ohio utilities. Known for billing transparency and strong fixed-rate offerings.
Best for: Long-term fixed-rate contracts, especially for Cincinnati (Duke) customers.
3. Discount Power
Aggressively priced provider with strong Ohio presence. Discount Power often offers rates 1–2¢/kWh below the SSO on 12-month fixed contracts.
Best for: Budget-focused households in AEP and FirstEnergy territories.
4. NRG/Stream Energy
NRG brands (including Stream) offer competitive rates in Ohio with national backing. Good option for households who want name-brand reliability at competitive prices.
Best for: Northeast Ohio (FirstEnergy territory) customers.
5. Verde Energy
Ohio’s green energy option at near-market prices. Verde’s renewable plans run slightly above their cheapest conventional offerings but are competitive with most mid-tier suppliers.
Best for: Households in Columbus or Cleveland who want clean energy.
Columbus Electricity Rates (AEP Ohio) 2026
AEP Ohio serves the Columbus metro and central/western Ohio. CRES offers for AEP territory:
- Budget fixed (12-month): 7.2–8.0¢/kWh
- Mid-tier fixed: 7.8–8.5¢/kWh
- Green energy: 8.0–9.0¢/kWh
Cleveland Electricity Rates (CEI/FirstEnergy) 2026
Competitive CRES offers in Cleveland:
- Fixed 12-month: 6.8–7.8¢/kWh
- Fixed 24-month: 7.2–8.2¢/kWh
Cincinnati (Duke Energy Ohio) Rates 2026
Duke’s SSO rate is slightly higher than other Ohio utilities. CRES competition is strong in Cincinnati:
- Fixed 12-month: 7.9–8.8¢/kWh
Ohio Rate Shopping Tips
Use the PUCO Apples to Apples chart. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) maintains a free comparison tool at apples.puco.ohio.gov where you can see all licensed CRES offers for your utility.
Watch for “PIPP Plus” eligibility. Ohio’s Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) caps electricity costs at a percentage of income for qualifying low-income households. If you’re enrolled in PIPP Plus, consult with your utility before switching to a CRES provider, as it could affect your program participation.
Community aggregation programs. Many Ohio cities and counties run municipal aggregation programs — negotiated group rates for residents who haven’t opted out. These are often competitive with individual CRES offers. Check with your city or county to see if you’re enrolled in one.
How to Switch Electricity in Ohio
- Find your current SSO rate on your bill (look for “generation” or “supply” charge in ¢/kWh)
- Visit apples.puco.ohio.gov or use a comparison site
- Choose a CRES provider offering a competitive fixed rate
- Enroll online with your utility account number
- Switch takes effect within 1–2 billing cycles — no outages, no service calls
Enter your Ohio ZIP code above to compare current CRES offers in your area.