Energy suppliers increase rates, FirstEnergy encourages customer to shop around for lower rate supplier

Electricity bills are spiking in the Mahoning Valley. 

Electric bills typically are higher in the summer time because of air conditioning usage but this year consumers are seeing even higher bills because default generation suppliers have increased their rates. 

Electric bills are dictated in two parts. The first is a delivery charge which is a flat rate decided by FirstEnergy for bringing electricity to your home or business. The second charge is a usage charge. The generation supplier that makes the electricity decides a rate per kilowatt of energy you use. 

First Energy has not changed its delivery charges. But, the default generation supplier increased their rates on June 1 which is something FirstEnergy can’t control. 

“When we see the cost and the demand for natural gas as it increases we naturally start to see the increase in electricity cost as well.” Lauren Siburkis of FirstEnergy said. 

If a customer doesn't choose their own generation supplier they get a default one from First energy, but that's not always that lowest rate so they’re encouraging customers to shop around. 

Consumers can visit Energychoice.ohio.gov to compare usage rates to find one they want.

“Make sure that you're getting yourself into a fixed rate versus a variable rate and also just make sure that there are no early termination fees or other types of conditions that you're locking yourself into,” Siburkis said.  

If a customer finds a better rate with a new generation supplier they can register with them. It typically takes a full billing cycle to see the new rates on your FirstEnergy bill. 

Some people in the Mahoning Valley are a part of aggregation groups. That’s when energy customers are put in large buying groups. Customers in those groups may be able to get a better rate with the energy supplier compared to people that are shopping on their own.

Customers can also lower their monthly bill by conserving energy. 

“Turning that air conditioning up a degree or two when you are asleep, away,” Matt Butler of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio suggested to help lower monthly electric bills. “Checking windows, seals, door seals, changing furnace filters, changing AC filters regularly are all going to help you use the energy you’re using more efficiently.”

If customers need help finding options for their electricity or if they have issues with their bill they can call the the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio helpline at 1-800-686-7826.