Electricity bills in Boardman Township are going up. 

This week, residents have been getting letters in the mail about new supply rates for their homes and small businesses.

Currently, the supply rate is about four cents per kilowatt hour ($0.0487). That rate will last until April 1 and is with Energy Harbor.

The new rate is about eight cents per kilowatt per hour ($0.0804). That is a fixed rate with Dynegy and will continue through April of next year.

However, consumers do have the option to shop around and change their supplier and possibly get a lower rate. 

“Our recommendation to people would be to look for the lowest fixed rate term that they can find and to go ahead and lock in,” Rebecca Bridges, the Chief Marketing Officer for Electricyrates.com said. 

Electricityplans.com is one of several sites that helps people compare different suppliers. Bridges said one thing people should really pay attention to when comparing is the fine print. 

“That low price per kilowatt hour might have a 12 dollar a month or 14 dollar a month fee attached to it …if you factor in that low price comes with a monthly charge you're not getting the low price you thought you were,” Bridges said. 

The eight cent rate provided in the letter to residents is decided through the township's Electricity Aggregation Program. The township negotiates with companies for the rates. Before the increase, the township had the same fixed rate with Energy Harbor for four years but that agreement expired. 

"While the aggregation program has been able to protect participants from rising rates over the past several years, the rate for the new term will be rising to meet current market conditions. The aggregation will continue to provide a competitive price offer. However, it never guarantees to be the lowest available option at all times," a news release from the Township states. 

If Boardman Township residents want to shop around to try and find a lower rate from a different supplier they must opt-out of the aggregation program by March 3. Residents can send a letter to Dynegy or can call 1-833-241-4599 to opt out. 

If residents want to stay in the aggregation program and accept the new rate no action is needed.

Every electricity bill is split into two parts - the delivery rates and the supply rates. Consumers are able to change their energy supplier at any time but are never able to change their delivery provider.

For Boardman Township the delivery provider is Ohio Edison. Delivery rates for Boardman Township are not expected to change.