Here's the short version of this week: if you run a natural gas account in Pennsylvania on Peoples Natural Gas, a licensed supplier was posting a fixed price 33.7¢ per therm under the utility's default, the widest gap in our records, which start in July 2023. Electricity gaps are real too, 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
- Pennsylvania gas on Peoples Natural Gas: the best posted 12-month fixed price was 33.7¢ per therm under the default (35.739¢ against 69.400¢), the widest gap we've recorded for these customers.
- Pennsylvania businesses on PPL: the gap widened to 1.82¢ per kWh, the widest for PPL business customers since April.
- Ohio homes: Ohio's new October default prices are now posted, and the best fixed prices this week were up to 3.27¢ per kWh below them (Toledo Edison).
- Rhode Island businesses on the variable default: it climbs every month, from 13.896¢ in October to 14.702¢ in November and 19.654¢ in January. This week's best 12-month fixed price was 12.081¢.
- Illinois homes: Ameren's default is 10.441¢ for the first 800 kWh, and no posted fixed price beat it this week. If you're an Illinois household, stay put for now, and ask us about a price that starts after the default period ends.
- Custom quotes beat posted prices again, by as much as 2.52¢ per kWh for real business accounts, and by up to 12.77¢ per therm for gas.
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 PPL (Pennsylvania) business using 5,000 kWh a month would pay about $91 a month less at this week's best posted 12-month price than at the default. That's roughly $1,094 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 $337 less that month at this week's best posted fixed price than at the default. A fixed price also means your treasurer isn't guessing all winter.
- Schools and local governments: an Eversource New Hampshire account using 40,000 kWh a month would pay about $998 a month less at this week's best posted 12-month price than at the default, 2.50¢ per kWh. 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 Pepco account in Washington, DC, priced at this week's custom quote instead of the best posted price, would save about $1,262 a month.
- Households: a Toledo Edison (Ohio) home using 800 kWh a month would save about $26 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: business fixed prices at the same term came down from last week at PPL (0.38¢), Penn Power (0.32¢), Delmarva (0.27¢), Penelec (0.26¢), and Ohio Edison (0.20¢), the same week wholesale natural gas eased (see this week's Market Update). Posted prices change daily, so a drop one week is no promise of another.
What I'd Do This Week
If you run a business or a congregation on a gas default in Pennsylvania, get a quote this week. The gap is the widest we've recorded, and heating season is when a fixed price matters most. The same goes for business electricity on the default in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Hampshire, Maryland, and Rhode Island, where the gaps are real.
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 Ohio household, the new October defaults are posted and the best fixed prices this week are below all of them. Our Ohio guide has the details.
If you're an Illinois household, don't switch just to switch. Stay on the default this winter, and ask us about locking a price that starts after the default period ends. We'll keep watching and tell you when a fixed price beats Ameren's or ComEd's default.
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.
Illinois Homes: Why I'd Stay Put
- The default: since October 1, Ameren Illinois's residential Price to Compare is 10.441¢ per kWh for the first 800 kWh (8.262¢ above 800 kWh) through May 31, 2027. ComEd's is 10.103¢.
- The best posted fixed price for Ameren homes this week: 11.090¢ for a 6-month term, 0.649¢ above the default. For a home using 800 kWh a month, that's about $5.19 a month more, not less.
- ComEd homes: no posted fixed price beat the default this week either.
- What would change my mind: a fixed price that beats the default for a term you can live with, or a default that jumps. We watch both, and we'll tell you the week it happens.
- Plan ahead while you stay put: the default holds through May 31, 2027, and then it resets. If you'd rather know your price beyond that date, ask us now about a fixed price that starts after the default period ends. Asking is free, nothing is locked until you say yes, and if it doesn't beat what you'd pay, we'll tell you.
Switching only makes sense when the number is lower, and this week it isn't. Staying on the default this winter and getting a later-start price in hand is the cautious play. That's what "free, and if nothing beats what you pay now, we'll tell you" looks like in practice. Our Illinois guide has the official figures. 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.
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 October 5, 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.
A few rows are left out on purpose. We left out Ameren Illinois, because the default it was compared against was a summer price that ended September 30. Ohio and Duquesne Light household defaults shown are the official figures from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission as of October 2. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AES Ohio 8-month term | 9.312¢ | 10.970¢ | 1.658¢ |
| AEP Ohio (Columbus Southern) 7-month term | 9.237¢ | 10.130¢ | 0.893¢ |
| AEP Ohio (Ohio Power) 7-month term | 9.237¢ | 10.610¢ | 1.373¢ |
| The Illuminating Company 12-month term | 9.350¢ | 10.476¢ | 1.126¢ |
| Ohio Edison 12-month term | 9.360¢ | 10.271¢ | 0.911¢ |
| Toledo Edison 12-month term | 9.340¢ | 10.340¢ | 1.000¢ |
Illinois
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| ComEd 6-month term | 8.821¢ | 10.229¢ | 1.408¢ |
Pennsylvania
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met-Ed 6-month term | 11.071¢ | 12.860¢ | 1.789¢ |
| PECO 6-month term | 9.480¢ | 11.604¢ | 2.124¢ |
| Penelec 6-month term | 11.700¢ | 12.921¢ | 1.221¢ |
| Penn Power 8-month term | 11.371¢ | 13.730¢ | 2.359¢ |
| PPL 12-month term | 10.925¢ | 12.748¢ | 1.823¢ |
| West Penn Power 6-month term | 10.838¢ | 11.780¢ | 0.942¢ |
Maryland
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delmarva Power 12-month term | 10.171¢ | 11.610¢ | 1.439¢ |
| Potomac Edison 8-month term | 12.154¢ | 15.504¢ | 3.350¢ |
New Hampshire
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource 12-month term | 11.512¢ | 14.008¢ | 2.496¢ |
| Liberty 12-month term | 11.777¢ | 15.835¢ | 4.058¢ |
| NH Electric Co-op 12-month term | 11.923¢ | 13.968¢ | 2.045¢ |
Rhode Island
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Energy (October variable default) 12-month term | 12.081¢ | 13.896¢ | 1.815¢ |
Connecticut
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Illuminating 12-month term | 11.776¢ | 11.863¢ | 0.087¢ |
Massachusetts
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource (NEMA) 12-month term | 12.664¢ | 16.761¢ | 4.097¢ |
| Eversource (SEMA) 12-month term | 12.645¢ | 16.761¢ | 4.116¢ |
| Eversource (WCMA) 12-month term | 12.338¢ | 17.323¢ | 4.985¢ |
| National Grid 12-month term | 13.910¢ | 15.568¢ | 1.658¢ |
| Unitil (WCMA) 12-month term | 14.078¢ | 17.719¢ | 3.641¢ |
New Jersey
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City Electric 12-month term | 12.463¢ | 14.210¢ | 1.747¢ |
| JCP&L 6-month term | 11.927¢ | 14.858¢ | 2.931¢ |
| PSE&G 12-month term | 14.324¢ | 16.661¢ | 2.337¢ |
| Rockland Electric 6-month term | 10.445¢ | 12.502¢ | 2.057¢ |
Maine
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Maine Power 12-month term | 11.714¢ | 12.721¢ | 1.007¢ |
| Versant Power (Bangor Hydro) 12-month term | 11.516¢ | 12.954¢ | 1.438¢ |
Household Electricity
Ohio
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEP Ohio (Columbus Southern) 9-month term | 9.090¢ | 10.190¢ | 1.100¢ |
| AEP Ohio (Ohio Power) 9-month term | 9.290¢ | 10.190¢ | 0.900¢ |
| AES Ohio 12-month term | 9.990¢ | 10.860¢ | 0.870¢ |
| The Illuminating Company 9-month term | 8.390¢ | 11.240¢ | 2.850¢ |
| Duke Energy Ohio 9-month term | 8.190¢ | 10.490¢ | 2.300¢ |
| Ohio Edison 9-month term | 8.590¢ | 11.070¢ | 2.480¢ |
| Toledo Edison 9-month term | 7.990¢ | 11.260¢ | 3.270¢ |
Pennsylvania
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duquesne Light 12-month term | 12.390¢ | 14.140¢ | 1.750¢ |
| Met-Ed 12-month term | 11.090¢ | 13.954¢ | 2.864¢ |
| PECO 15-month term | 11.180¢ | 11.759¢ | 0.579¢ |
| Penelec 9-month term | 10.090¢ | 13.143¢ | 3.053¢ |
| 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 | 14.990¢ | 15.835¢ | 0.845¢ |
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¢ | 15.934¢ | 0.744¢ |
| 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¢ | 17.908¢ | 4.418¢ |
| JCP&L 12-month term | 15.690¢ | 16.287¢ | 0.597¢ |
Business Natural Gas (per therm)
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Gas of Ohio 6-month term | 45.690¢ | 51.250¢ | 5.560¢ |
| Peoples Natural Gas (PA) 12-month term | 35.739¢ | 69.400¢ | 33.661¢ |
| Philadelphia Gas Works (PA) 6-month term | 46.040¢ | 48.350¢ | 2.310¢ |
| UGI Central (PA) 6-month term | 55.360¢ | 72.624¢ | 17.264¢ |
| UGI North (PA) 6-month term | 55.360¢ | 74.055¢ | 18.695¢ |
| UGI South (PA) 6-month term | 55.360¢ | 74.055¢ | 18.695¢ |
| Washington Gas 12-month term | 49.550¢ | 66.070¢ | 16.520¢ |
| Consumers Energy (MI) 18-month term | 31.130¢ | 35.252¢ | 4.122¢ |
| DTE Energy (MI) 18-month term | 31.780¢ | 39.200¢ | 7.420¢ |
| Michigan Gas Utilities 12-month term | 45.820¢ | 55.036¢ | 9.216¢ |
| NIPSCO (IN) 12-month term | 40.630¢ | 43.280¢ | 2.650¢ |
| Elizabethtown Gas (NJ) 12-month term | 50.129¢ | 61.320¢ | 11.191¢ |
| Florida City Gas 6-month term | 52.615¢ | 59.360¢ | 6.745¢ |
| Florida Public Utilities 12-month term | 49.240¢ | 127.000¢ | 77.760¢ |
| Peoples Gas (FL) 12-month term | 51.460¢ | 80.000¢ | 28.540¢ |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC, Pepco (business) | 15.679¢ per kWh | 18.203¢ | 2.52¢ |
| Illinois, Ameren (business, DS2) | 8.711¢ per kWh | 11.194¢ | 2.48¢ |
| Illinois, Ameren (business, DS2) | 9.072¢ per kWh | 11.194¢ | 2.12¢ |
| Illinois, Ameren (business, DS2) | 8.711¢ per kWh | 10.767¢ | 2.06¢ |
| Illinois, ComEd (business, 0-100) | 7.230¢ per kWh | 8.951¢ | 1.72¢ |
| Washington, DC, Pepco (business) | 16.698¢ per kWh | 18.203¢ | 1.50¢ |
| Maryland, Delmarva (business, GS) | 10.820¢ per kWh | 12.392¢ | 1.57¢ |
| Ohio, The Illuminating Company (business, GS) | 8.435¢ per kWh | 9.767¢ | 1.33¢ |
| Connecticut, Eversource (business) | 12.046¢ per kWh | 13.260¢ | 1.21¢ |
| Illinois, Ameren (business, DS3) | 9.072¢ per kWh | 9.751¢ | 0.68¢ |
| Ohio, AEP Ohio (business, GS2) | 9.176¢ per kWh | 9.523¢ | 0.35¢ |
| Pennsylvania, National Fuel Gas (gas) | 31.850¢ per therm | 44.620¢ | 12.77¢ |
| New Jersey, South Jersey Gas (gas) | 46.730¢ per therm | 56.675¢ | 9.95¢ |
| Illinois, Peoples Gas (gas) | 32.920¢ per therm | 40.100¢ | 7.18¢ |
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 Pennsylvania? Our Pennsylvania guide covers 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 October 5, 2026, compared with each utility's default supply price. Ohio and Duquesne Light household defaults are the official commission figures as of October 2, 2026.
Why is Illinois missing from the household table?
Ameren Illinois's default price for homes is 10.441 cents per kWh (for the first 800 kWh) since 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.