Electricity costs are skyrocketing in the US and make up a large fraction of household expenses. The electric bills depend on multiple variables like household size, electricity consumption, and location. Every state has different electricity prices and taxes that are usually agreed upon by state governments and power providers.
Pennsylvania state has relatively higher electricity prices. The residents pay 7% higher electric bills per month than the national average. It implies that electricity plans are expensive compared to other US locations. One of the reasons is the high dependence on fuel-based energy production. Many power plants in Pennsylvania state run on natural gas (55%) and nuclear fuels (31%) which are expensive.
Most households are adapting to solar energy to save energy bills. The Pennsylvania state has adequate sunlight hours to power households and reserve energy for night use. Around 150,000 households in the state run on solar power. You can also install a solar system to power your home and reduce electricity bills. This blog covers everything about Pennsylvania’s energy billing landscape. Let’s explore more!
Average Household Electric Bill Per Month in PA
This year Pennsylvania state residents paid $190 per month on average in electricity bills. The total electricity bill per year for a household was around $2,280. When compared to the national average of $2,122 per year, the electric bills in Pennsylvania were 7% higher. It's because of higher electricity rates than other states in the US. Currently, the average electric rates in Pennsylvania are 18 ¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh). Here's a comparison of the electric rates of different states.
|
State |
Avg. Bill |
Avg. Rate |
Monthly Usage |
|
Pennsylvania |
$148.51 |
17.39 ¢/kWh |
854 kWh |
|
New York |
$138.76 |
23.44 ¢/kWh |
592 kWh |
|
Texas |
$167.87 |
14.25 ¢/kWh |
1178 kWh |
|
Florida |
$164.32 |
14.79 ¢/kWh |
1111 kWh |
|
Utah |
$84.96 |
10.85 ¢/kWh |
783 kWh |
The electric bills depend on household consumption and electric rates. An average house in Pennsylvania consumes 1,060 kWh per month. However, the final electric bill also constitutes additional charges. These may include but are not limited to distribution charges, customer charges, state adjustment surcharges, transmission charges, and generation charges. All these charges add up to make your final electric bill. You can save these charges and reduce your electric bill to zero by installing a solar system.
Electricity expenses in Pennsylvania are high considering the average household income levels. For instance, the cost of living for an average US adult in the state is estimated to be $49,040 per year, and electric expenses represent a major portion of this figure. It’s the reason Pennsylvania residents are adopting solar power as a cheap energy alternative. The state government also runs multiple energy conservation programs to promote energy-saving measures.
What are the Electricity Rates & Plans in Pennsylvania?
The power sector is deregulated in Pennsylvania, there are numerous power providers which offer electric plans at different electricity rates to consumers. Although the difference in rates is not significant, you can still save a fair amount of money by choosing a cheaper electricity provider. As of 2024, there are over 100 power providers across the Pennsylvania state with coverage in various counties.
Here’s a list of a few power providers operating in the state and their current electricity rates:
|
Plan Name |
Term (in months) |
Price to Compare |
|
AEP Energy |
36 |
10.99 ¢/kWh |
|
Agway Energy Services LLC |
N/A (variable) |
16.90 ¢/kWh |
|
CleanSky Energy |
6 |
11.99 ¢/kWh |
|
Green Choice Energy |
12 |
19.22 ¢/kWh |
|
Green Mountain Energy Company |
12 |
15.70 ¢/kWh |
|
IDT Energy Inc |
12 |
15.23 ¢/kWh |
|
IGS Energy |
12 |
11.39 ¢/kWh |
|
WGL Energy Services |
12 |
12.40 ¢/kWh |
The consumers subscribe to a plan with a fixed term and rate. For instance, Clean Sky Energy offers a 6-month plan at an 11.99 ¢/kWh rate. If you subscribe to their plan, your connection will be charged 11.99 ¢/kWh for 6 months which will renew upon expiration. The electric companies offer good rates to consumers with higher average household power consumption. In case your consumption is low, you can negotiate better rates for a long-term contract.
Some plans also offer variable rates that depend on market fluctuations. The rate can be lower in one month and higher in the other. You will save money if the market electric rate drops, but when the rate increases you’ll be charged higher. Although the rates are set by electric companies, they have to abide by government regulations that ensure fair competition in the sector and public benefit.
Choose the Best Electricity Plan in Pennsylvania.
There are a few things you must consider to choose the best electricity plan in Pennsylvania. When you have too many options, selecting one can be troublesome. Here are some criteria that you can use to make a selection.
Power Provider
List down the power providers that have coverage areas in your locality. Consider their repair and maintenance schedules, response to customer complaints, and electric plans. You can also select them based on customer reviews on different online platforms.
Electric Plans
Each company would have multiple electric plans for different users. These are broadly classified as fixed-rate and variable-rate plans. The fixed-rate plans have a contract term of about 6 months to 1 year. However, variable rate plans are like monthly subscriptions which may have different rates for every month. You should also explore other promotional and green plans if needed.
Cost Comparison
Now that you know what type of electric plan is the best, you can compare the electric rates of different power companies. The rate should not be your primary decision driver because supply reliability and complaint resolution are critical.
Contract Terms
Before signing the contract make sure that you understand the terms. Power companies usually set heavy cancellation fees in the contract terms that most people don't consider. You should also look for hidden charges and penalties. All these things can cause trouble and increase your electricity expenses.
Reliability
The power provider should have the lowest power outages and an efficient electrical infrastructure. The repair and maintenance should be prompt to ensure continuous power supply. You can evaluate their response rate and fault rate from customer reviews and online resources.
Using Solar to Reduce Electricity Bills in PA
Solar power is the ultimate solution to reduce electricity bills. You can enjoy complete energy independence without needing to rely on grid supply. Solar energy pays for itself, when you invest in a solar system the costs are offset with time. It's an intelligent decision considering the rising electricity expenses in Pennsylvania. With an efficient solar system, you can save up to $2200 yearly.
Currently, the state government is also promoting solar energy and providing rebates and tax benefits to users. The residents are adapting to solar energy, the installed solar capacity in the state has doubled from last year. The government’s energy efficiency and conservation programs promote energy savings and provide tax benefits to households with less energy consumption.
Do you plan to get rid of your electricity bills? It's time to install an efficient solar system at your house. Pennsylvania has enough sunlight hours to power your house throughout the day. You can have battery packs to store energy for later use. Check your daily energy requirements and browse through BLUETTI exclusive solar generators.
BLUETTI Exclusive Solar Generators for Households
BLUETTI is the world's leading manufacturer of advanced solar technology. It offers highly efficient solar generator kits with hi-tech battery packs and solar panels. You can install BLUETTI solar kits and get access to sustainable solar energy. Let's explore BLUETTI products to help you unlock solar energy potential:
BLUETTI AC200MAX + 2*B230 + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit
The BLUETTI AC200MAX + 2*B230 + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit has an expandable capacity of 6144 Wh to power all your appliances. It allows you to save electricity expenses by minimizing your energy consumption. The solar kit comes with efficient LiFePO4 battery packs to store energy for use during the night. You can fast recharge the battery packs in dual charging mode using solar power and grid supply. The system supports 1400W max input to enable blazing-fast charging speed.
The overall solar generator kit's design is compact and easy to carry. You can use it outdoors and store it indoors very conveniently. The system has smart connectivity via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, you can use the BLUETTI app for easy control and monitoring. The solar generator kit comes with three BLUETTI PV200 Solar Panels with a total capacity of 600W. The BLUETTI solar panels have 23% efficiency and ETFE coating for protection against harsh weather.
BLUETTI AC300+B300+2*PV200 Solar Generator Kit
The BLUETTI AC300+B300+2*PV200 Solar Generator Kit can help you save on electricity bills. It comes with a 12288 Wh expandable capacity to power your entire house. The solar kit has a BLUETTI B300 battery backup to offer a 3072 Wh capacity. The battery packs have advanced LiFePO4 technology that ensures durability and longevity. The fast recharge option is enabled with dual recharging AC+Solar that provides about 5400W max input.
You can control and monitor the solar generator kit via a user-friendly BLUETTI mobile app. The EPS option ensures an uninterruptible power supply for 24/7 home backup. For added convenience, you can use the multi-recharge facility to keep the battery packs charged. The solar generator kit includes two highly efficient BLUETTI solar panels with a capacity of about 400W. The panels have a foldable design for easy storage and ETFE coating to ensure weather protection.
Final Thoughts
The monthly electricity bill in Pennsylvania varies from household to household. Your electric bill depends on your total energy consumption during the month and the electric rate of your plan. The electric expenses will continue to grow in the coming years. If you're worried about rising electricity costs, it's high time to invest in solar generators. You can reduce your electric bills to zero and enjoy energy independence.
