Here's the short version of this week: in almost every market below, a licensed supplier was posting a fixed price lower than the utility's default price, and in New Hampshire the gap for small businesses got wider. But October 1 changes some defaults, and in one market this week the honest answer is "stay put." I'll show you both.
I pull these numbers every week so you don't have to. Here's what they mean for you, and what I'd do about it.
This Week in 30 Seconds
- New Hampshire businesses on Liberty: the best posted 12-month fixed price was 3.98¢ per kWh under the default, the widest gap in our records for Liberty business customers since April.
- Pennsylvania businesses on PECO: the gap grew to 1.84¢, the widest we've recorded for PECO business customers since January 2025.
- Rhode Island businesses on the variable default: it climbs every month from 13.896¢ in October to 19.654¢ in January. This week's best 12-month fixed price was 12.225¢.
- Illinois homes: Ameren's default drops to 10.441¢ on October 1, and no posted fixed price beat it this week. If you're an Illinois household, stay put for now.
- Custom quotes beat posted prices again, by as much as 2.95¢ per kWh for real business accounts.
What This Means for You
Here's what those gaps look like in dollars. These are illustrations using this week's posted prices, not quotes. All pricing is subject to supplier approval, and every account is priced independently based on its own usage, location, start date, and term. The examples on this page are for reference only and are not an offer.
- Small businesses: a Liberty (New Hampshire) business using 5,000 kWh a month would pay about $199 a month less at this week's best posted 12-month price than at the default. That's roughly $2,389 over the year.
- Churches and nonprofits: heating season is when gas bills hurt. A Peoples Natural Gas (Pennsylvania) congregation using 1,000 therms in a cold month would pay about $325 less that month at this week's best posted fixed price than at the default, 32.5¢ less per therm. A fixed price also means your treasurer isn't guessing all winter.
- Schools and local governments: long terms are still priced below the default. Eversource New Hampshire business customers could lock 60 months at 2.24¢ under today's default, and that 60-month price came down 0.31¢ from last week. If your board has to approve it, here's how to get that done in time.
- Larger accounts: don't settle for posted prices. A 50,000 kWh-a-month BGE account in Maryland, priced at this week's custom quote instead of the best posted price, would save about $1,121 a month.
- Households: a Met-Ed (Pennsylvania) home using 800 kWh a month would save about $23 a month versus the default. In Illinois, the default is the better deal for now, and we'd tell you that.
What moved this week: same-term fixed prices for businesses rose between 0.12¢ and 0.23¢ per kWh at PPL, Penn Power, Penelec, AEP Ohio, and Ohio Edison, the same week wholesale natural gas rose (see this week's Market Update). PECO went the other way, down 0.33¢. Small moves, but they're a reminder that posted prices change daily.
What I'd Do This Week
If you run a business on the default price in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, or Maryland, get a quote this week. The gaps are real, and several prices in Pennsylvania and Ohio ticked up since last week. A fixed price locked before winter takes the next move off the table.
If you're in Rhode Island on the variable default, this is the clearest case on the board. The approved monthly prices rise from October through January. Our Rhode Island guide shows the full pattern.
If you're an Illinois household, don't switch just to switch. Ameren's and ComEd's defaults both drop on October 1. We'll keep watching and tell you when a fixed price beats them.
If you're under contract, find your end date. If it's within six months, now is the time to shop: suppliers will quote a contract that starts the day your current one ends. Our free Energy Contract Checkup finds your end date, your renewal price, and your cost to leave in 10 minutes.
How to Read These Tables
Best fixed is the lowest fixed supply price licensed suppliers posted through our supplier network for a new contract of the length shown, as of September 28, 2026. Utility default is the utility's default supply price for that customer class as of the same date. Prices cover the supply part of the bill only, not delivery or taxes, and they change daily. Electricity is in cents per kWh; natural gas is in cents per therm.
Default prices change October 1 in several markets. We left out Ameren Illinois, because the default it was compared against ended September 30. Ohio's defaults shown were set through September 30, and the state had not posted October figures when we published; check the Price to Compare on your next bill. Rhode Island's business default shown is the approved October variable price.
Please note: All pricing is subject to supplier approval, and every account is priced independently based on its own usage, location, start date, and term. The examples on this page are for reference only and are not an offer.
Business Electricity
Ohio
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEP Ohio (Columbus Southern) 8-month term | 9.430¢ | 10.970¢ | 1.540¢ |
| Ohio Edison 12-month term | 9.560¢ | 10.271¢ | 0.711¢ |
| Toledo Edison 8-month term | 9.376¢ | 10.340¢ | 0.964¢ |
Illinois
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| ComEd 6-month term | 9.010¢ | 10.229¢ | 1.219¢ |
Pennsylvania
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duquesne Light 23-month term | 11.285¢ | 11.710¢ | 0.425¢ |
| Met-Ed 12-month term | 11.540¢ | 12.860¢ | 1.320¢ |
| PECO 12-month term | 9.760¢ | 11.600¢ | 1.840¢ |
| Penelec 6-month term | 11.957¢ | 12.921¢ | 0.964¢ |
| Penn Power 8-month term | 11.695¢ | 13.730¢ | 2.035¢ |
| PPL 12-month term | 11.301¢ | 12.748¢ | 1.447¢ |
| West Penn Power 36-month term | 11.184¢ | 11.780¢ | 0.596¢ |
Maryland
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delmarva Power 12-month term | 10.442¢ | 11.610¢ | 1.168¢ |
| Potomac Edison 9-month term | 12.294¢ | 15.504¢ | 3.210¢ |
New Hampshire
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource 60-month term | 11.765¢ | 14.009¢ | 2.244¢ |
| Liberty 12-month term | 11.853¢ | 15.835¢ | 3.982¢ |
| NH Electric Co-op 12-month term | 11.997¢ | 13.900¢ | 1.903¢ |
Rhode Island
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Energy (October variable default) 12-month term | 12.225¢ | 13.896¢ | 1.671¢ |
Connecticut
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Illuminating 12-month term | 11.833¢ | 11.863¢ | 0.030¢ |
Massachusetts
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource (NEMA) 12-month term | 12.761¢ | 16.761¢ | 4.000¢ |
| Eversource (SEMA) 12-month term | 12.815¢ | 16.761¢ | 3.946¢ |
| Eversource (WCMA) 12-month term | 12.512¢ | 17.323¢ | 4.811¢ |
| National Grid 12-month term | 14.100¢ | 15.568¢ | 1.468¢ |
| Unitil (WCMA) 12-month term | 14.095¢ | 17.719¢ | 3.624¢ |
New Jersey
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City Electric 12-month term | 12.359¢ | 14.210¢ | 1.851¢ |
| JCP&L 12-month term | 12.225¢ | 14.858¢ | 2.633¢ |
| PSE&G 12-month term | 14.177¢ | 16.144¢ | 1.967¢ |
| Rockland Electric 6-month term | 10.976¢ | 12.502¢ | 1.526¢ |
Maine
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Maine Power 12-month term | 11.793¢ | 12.721¢ | 0.928¢ |
| Versant Power (Bangor Hydro) 12-month term | 11.599¢ | 12.954¢ | 1.355¢ |
Household Electricity
Ohio
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEP Ohio (Columbus Southern) 9-month term | 9.090¢ | 10.970¢ | 1.880¢ |
| AEP Ohio (Ohio Power) 9-month term | 9.290¢ | 10.970¢ | 1.680¢ |
| AES Ohio 12-month term | 9.990¢ | 10.860¢ | 0.870¢ |
| The Illuminating Company 9-month term | 8.390¢ | 11.165¢ | 2.775¢ |
| Duke Energy Ohio 9-month term | 8.190¢ | 10.060¢ | 1.870¢ |
| Ohio Edison 9-month term | 8.590¢ | 10.025¢ | 1.435¢ |
| Toledo Edison 9-month term | 7.990¢ | 11.096¢ | 3.106¢ |
Pennsylvania
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duquesne Light 12-month term | 12.390¢ | 13.750¢ | 1.360¢ |
| Met-Ed 12-month term | 11.090¢ | 13.951¢ | 2.861¢ |
| PECO 12-month term | 11.190¢ | 11.759¢ | 0.569¢ |
| Penelec 9-month term | 10.090¢ | 13.142¢ | 3.052¢ |
| PPL 15-month term | 12.380¢ | 13.079¢ | 0.699¢ |
Maryland and DC
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delmarva Power 10-month term | 12.790¢ | 13.690¢ | 0.900¢ |
| Pepco 9-month term | 17.290¢ | 17.630¢ | 0.340¢ |
New Hampshire
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource 14-month term | 13.890¢ | 14.009¢ | 0.119¢ |
| Liberty 12-month term | 15.490¢ | 15.835¢ | 0.345¢ |
Massachusetts
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource (NEMA, SEMA) 12-month term | 15.690¢ | 17.323¢ | 1.633¢ |
| Eversource (WCMA) 12-month term | 15.190¢ | 17.323¢ | 2.133¢ |
| National Grid 12-month term | 15.990¢ | 17.185¢ | 1.195¢ |
| Unitil (WCMA) 24-month term | 16.590¢ | 18.921¢ | 2.331¢ |
New Jersey
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City Electric 9-month term | 13.490¢ | 17.600¢ | 4.110¢ |
Business Natural Gas (per therm)
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Gas of Ohio 6-month term | 47.860¢ | 51.250¢ | 3.390¢ |
| Peoples Natural Gas (PA) 12-month term | 36.859¢ | 69.400¢ | 32.541¢ |
| Philadelphia Gas Works (PA) 6-month term | 48.060¢ | 48.350¢ | 0.290¢ |
| UGI Central (PA) 6-month term | 56.100¢ | 72.624¢ | 16.524¢ |
| UGI North (PA) 6-month term | 56.100¢ | 74.055¢ | 17.955¢ |
| UGI South (PA) 6-month term | 56.100¢ | 74.055¢ | 17.955¢ |
| Washington Gas 12-month term | 50.600¢ | 66.070¢ | 15.470¢ |
| Consumers Energy (MI) 18-month term | 32.210¢ | 35.252¢ | 3.042¢ |
| DTE Energy (MI) 18-month term | 32.680¢ | 39.200¢ | 6.520¢ |
| Michigan Gas Utilities 12-month term | 46.170¢ | 55.036¢ | 8.866¢ |
| NIPSCO (IN) 12-month term | 41.590¢ | 43.280¢ | 1.690¢ |
| Elizabethtown Gas (NJ) 12-month term | 53.205¢ | 61.320¢ | 8.115¢ |
| Florida Public Utilities 12-month term | 50.130¢ | 127.000¢ | 76.870¢ |
| Peoples Gas (FL) 12-month term | 52.350¢ | 80.000¢ | 27.650¢ |
Proof: Custom Quotes Beat Posted Prices
Posted prices are built for a typical account. When suppliers compete for a specific account, they sharpen their pencils. Here's how custom quotes compared with the best posted price for the same utility and rate class this week:
| Market | Custom quote | Best posted price | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey, PSE&G (business, GLP) | 12.813¢ per kWh | 15.764¢ | 2.95¢ |
| New Jersey, PSE&G (business, LPL-S) | 12.813¢ per kWh | 15.601¢ | 2.79¢ |
| Washington, DC, Pepco (business) | 15.679¢ per kWh | 18.320¢ | 2.64¢ |
| Illinois, Ameren (business, DS2) | 9.072¢ per kWh | 11.482¢ | 2.41¢ |
| Maryland, BGE (business) | 13.072¢ per kWh | 15.314¢ | 2.24¢ |
| Maryland, BGE (business) | 13.541¢ per kWh | 15.272¢ | 1.73¢ |
| Washington, DC, Pepco (business) | 16.698¢ per kWh | 18.320¢ | 1.62¢ |
| New Jersey, JCP&L (business, GS3) | 11.150¢ per kWh | 12.738¢ | 1.59¢ |
| Illinois, Ameren (business, DS3) | 9.072¢ per kWh | 10.142¢ | 1.07¢ |
| Massachusetts, National Grid (gas) | 59.950¢ per therm | about $1.04 | 43.95¢ |
| Massachusetts, National Grid (gas) | 73.090¢ per therm | about $1.04 | 31.11¢ |
| New Jersey, South Jersey Gas (gas) | 46.730¢ per therm | 59.798¢ | 13.07¢ |
For reference only. All pricing is subject to supplier approval, and every account is priced independently based on its own usage, location, start date, and term. The examples on this page are for reference only and are not an offer.
That's why we don't stop at the posted price. We put your actual account in front of licensed suppliers and make them compete.
Why Businesses Let Us Do This
- We get suppliers competing for your account, not just the posted price.
- We read the fine print for you: what happens when the contract ends, cancellation fees, and anything passed through on top of the price.
- We watch your end date and reach out months ahead, so a quiet rollover never costs you.
- It's free to you. The supplier you choose pays us. If nothing beats what you pay now, we'll tell you, like we just did for Illinois households.
Here's how to start: click the button below and tell us about your account, or send a photo of your bill. We'll come back with real quotes for your account and a plain-English comparison. In New Hampshire? Our New Hampshire guide and Liberty's default price page cover the details.
Or skip the form: send us a photo of your bill.
FAQ
Where do these prices come from?
They're the lowest fixed supply prices licensed suppliers posted through our supplier network for new contracts, as of September 28, 2026, compared with each utility's default supply price on the same date.
Why is Illinois missing from the household table?
Ameren Illinois's default price for homes drops to 10.441 cents per kWh (for the first 800 kWh) on October 1, 2026, and no posted fixed price beat it this week. When nothing beats what you pay, we say so.
Can I get these exact prices?
Posted prices change daily and depend on your usage, start date, and term. We'll get current quotes for your actual account, which are often lower than posted prices.
Are these prices guaranteed?
No. All pricing is subject to supplier approval, and every account is priced independently. The examples here are for reference only and are not an offer.
Do these prices include delivery?
No. They cover the supply part of your bill only. Your utility still delivers your energy and bills delivery charges separately.