Here's the short version of this week: if you run a business in Rhode Island on the utility's variable default, a licensed supplier was posting a 12-month fixed price 1.6¢ per kWh under it, and the default is approved to climb to 14.702¢ in November, which would widen that gap to 2.4¢. Elsewhere, Pennsylvania gas customers on Peoples can still lock a price 32.9¢ per therm under the default. One thing to know before you shop: posted fixed prices rose this week, by about 0.0¢ to 0.4¢ per kWh. And in one market the honest answer is still "stay put."
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
- Rhode Island businesses on the variable default: the best posted 12-month fixed price was 1.62¢ per kWh under October's default (12.274¢ against 13.896¢). The approved default rises to 14.702¢ in November, 17.502¢ in December, and 19.654¢ in January.
- Pennsylvania gas on Peoples Natural Gas: the best posted 12-month fixed price was 32.9¢ per therm under the default (36.473¢ against 69.400¢), still one of the widest gaps in our records, though 0.73¢ narrower than last week.
- Massachusetts and New Hampshire businesses: the biggest electricity gaps on the board, up to 4.82¢ per kWh (Eversource, western Massachusetts) and 4.01¢ (Liberty, New Hampshire).
- Posted prices moved up this week: at the same term, business fixed prices were higher than last week at PPL, Penn Power, Penelec, PECO, Delmarva, Ohio Edison, ComEd, and Liberty. Gaps to the utility default are still real, but the entry point moved the wrong way.
- Ohio homes: the best fixed prices were up to 3.27¢ per kWh below the October defaults (Toledo Edison).
- Illinois homes: Ameren's default is 10.441¢ for the first 800 kWh, and the best posted fixed price was 11.190¢. If you're an Illinois household, stay put for now.
- Custom quotes beat posted prices again, by as much as 3.41¢ per kWh for a real Ohio business account, and by up to 23.34¢ 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 $80 a month less at this week's best posted 12-month price than at the default. That's roughly $964 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 $329 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: a Rhode Island Energy account using 20,000 kWh a month would pay about $324 a month less at this week's best posted 12-month price than at October's default, and about $486 a month less measured against November's approved default. 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 Toledo Edison (Ohio) account priced at this week's custom quote instead of the best posted price would save about $1,705 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: at the same term, business fixed prices were higher than last week at Penn Power (+0.41¢), Penelec (+0.31¢), PECO (+0.24¢), Delmarva (+0.22¢), Ohio Edison (+0.22¢), PPL (+0.22¢), ComEd (+0.21¢), and Liberty (+0.04¢). Peoples gas rose 0.73¢ per therm. That happened in a week when Henry Hub spot gas was lower than the week before (see this week's Market Update), a reminder that supplier fixed prices don't track daily spot gas one for one. Posted prices change daily, so a rise this week is no promise of another, and a dip is no promise either.
What I'd Do This Week
If you run a business in Rhode Island on the variable default, get a quote this week. The approved default climbs every month through January, and this week's posted fixed price already sits 1.6¢ under October's price. Our Rhode Island guide shows the full pattern, and we'll price your account for a start date that suits you.
If you run a business or a congregation on a gas default in Pennsylvania, the gap is still very wide and heating season is when a fixed price matters most. The same goes for business electricity on the default in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, where the gaps are real.
If you're an Ohio household, the 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: 11.190¢ for a 7-month term, 0.749¢ above the default. For a home using 800 kWh a month, that's about $5.99 a month more, not less.
- ComEd homes: no posted fixed price was listed for ComEd homes this week, so nothing beat the default.
- 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. 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 12, 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. Most posted prices are for contracts starting in November 2026; a few start in December 2026 or January 2027. 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 and Pepco household rows because no posted price beat the official default, or the default's jurisdiction couldn't be confirmed, and Duquesne Light because the posted default conflicts with the utility's own published figure. Ohio household defaults shown are the official figures from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio as of October 2, and Delmarva Power's household default is the Maryland Office of People's Counsel figure for October. 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 | 9.574¢ | 10.970¢ | 1.396¢ |
| AEP Ohio (Columbus Southern) 7-month term | 9.552¢ | 10.130¢ | 0.578¢ |
| AEP Ohio (Ohio Power) 7-month term | 9.552¢ | 10.610¢ | 1.058¢ |
| The Illuminating Company 12-month term | 9.570¢ | 10.476¢ | 0.906¢ |
| Ohio Edison 12-month term | 9.580¢ | 10.271¢ | 0.691¢ |
| Toledo Edison 12-month term | 9.560¢ | 10.340¢ | 0.780¢ |
Illinois
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| ComEd 6-month term | 9.036¢ | 10.229¢ | 1.193¢ |
Pennsylvania
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met-Ed 12-month term | 11.443¢ | 12.860¢ | 1.417¢ |
| PECO 6-month term | 9.724¢ | 11.604¢ | 1.880¢ |
| Penelec 6-month term | 12.009¢ | 12.921¢ | 0.912¢ |
| Penn Power 8-month term | 11.785¢ | 13.730¢ | 1.945¢ |
| PPL 12-month term | 11.141¢ | 12.748¢ | 1.607¢ |
| West Penn Power 6-month term | 11.152¢ | 11.780¢ | 0.628¢ |
Maryland
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delmarva Power 12-month term | 10.392¢ | 11.610¢ | 1.218¢ |
| Potomac Edison 8-month term | 12.507¢ | 15.504¢ | 2.997¢ |
New Hampshire
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource 12-month term | 11.754¢ | 14.008¢ | 2.254¢ |
| Liberty 12-month term | 11.821¢ | 15.835¢ | 4.014¢ |
| NH Electric Co-op 12-month term | 11.966¢ | 13.968¢ | 2.002¢ |
Rhode Island
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Energy (October variable default) 12-month term | 12.274¢ | 13.896¢ | 1.622¢ |
Connecticut
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Illuminating 12-month term | 11.823¢ | 11.863¢ | 0.040¢ |
Massachusetts
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource (NEMA) 12-month term | 12.951¢ | 16.761¢ | 3.810¢ |
| Eversource (SEMA) 12-month term | 12.882¢ | 16.761¢ | 3.879¢ |
| Eversource (WCMA) 12-month term | 12.500¢ | 17.323¢ | 4.823¢ |
| National Grid 12-month term | 13.860¢ | 15.568¢ | 1.708¢ |
| Unitil (WCMA) 12-month term | 14.209¢ | 17.719¢ | 3.510¢ |
New Jersey
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City Electric 12-month term | 12.700¢ | 14.210¢ | 1.510¢ |
| JCP&L 6-month term | 12.203¢ | 14.858¢ | 2.655¢ |
| PSE&G 12-month term | 14.965¢ | 16.661¢ | 1.696¢ |
| Rockland Electric 6-month term | 10.677¢ | 12.502¢ | 1.825¢ |
Maine
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Maine Power 12-month term | 11.915¢ | 12.721¢ | 0.806¢ |
| Versant Power (Bangor Hydro) 12-month term | 11.713¢ | 12.954¢ | 1.241¢ |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met-Ed 12-month term | 11.090¢ | 13.954¢ | 2.864¢ |
| PECO 14-month term | 11.180¢ | 11.759¢ | 0.579¢ |
| Penelec 9-month term | 10.090¢ | 13.143¢ | 3.053¢ |
| PPL 14-month term | 12.480¢ | 13.079¢ | 0.599¢ |
Maryland
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delmarva Power 7-month term | 12.690¢ | 13.162¢ | 0.472¢ |
New Hampshire
| Utility | Best fixed | Utility default | Lower by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty 12-month term | 13.990¢ | 15.835¢ | 1.845¢ |
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 | 47.460¢ | 51.250¢ | 3.790¢ |
| Peoples Natural Gas (PA) 12-month term | 36.473¢ | 69.400¢ | 32.927¢ |
| UGI Central (PA) 6-month term | 58.400¢ | 72.624¢ | 14.224¢ |
| UGI North (PA) 6-month term | 58.400¢ | 74.055¢ | 15.655¢ |
| UGI South (PA) 6-month term | 58.400¢ | 74.055¢ | 15.655¢ |
| Washington Gas 12-month term | 50.320¢ | 66.070¢ | 15.750¢ |
| Consumers Energy (MI) 18-month term | 31.910¢ | 35.252¢ | 3.342¢ |
| DTE Energy (MI) 18-month term | 32.480¢ | 39.200¢ | 6.720¢ |
| Michigan Gas Utilities 6-month term | 48.720¢ | 55.036¢ | 6.316¢ |
| NIPSCO (IN) 12-month term | 41.540¢ | 43.280¢ | 1.740¢ |
| Elizabethtown Gas (NJ) 12-month term | 51.836¢ | 61.320¢ | 9.484¢ |
| Florida City Gas 10-month term | 55.080¢ | 59.360¢ | 4.280¢ |
| Florida Public Utilities 12-month term | 50.800¢ | 127.000¢ | 76.200¢ |
| Peoples Gas (FL) 12-month term | 53.530¢ | 80.000¢ | 26.470¢ |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio, Toledo Edison (business, GS) | 6.602¢ per kWh | 10.013¢ | 3.41¢ |
| Washington, DC, Pepco (business) | 14.698¢ per kWh | 18.288¢ | 3.59¢ |
| Washington, DC, Pepco (business) | 14.957¢ per kWh | 18.288¢ | 3.33¢ |
| Illinois, Ameren (business, DS2) | 9.072¢ per kWh | 11.541¢ | 2.47¢ |
| Maryland, Delmarva (business, GS) | 10.681¢ per kWh | 12.553¢ | 1.87¢ |
| Illinois, ComEd (business, WH) | 7.425¢ per kWh | 9.256¢ | 1.83¢ |
| Ohio, Ohio Edison (business, GP) | 8.525¢ per kWh | 10.003¢ | 1.48¢ |
| Maryland, Potomac Edison (business, GS-Type I) | 11.310¢ per kWh | 12.580¢ | 1.27¢ |
| Illinois, Ameren (business, DS3) | 9.072¢ per kWh | 9.916¢ | 0.84¢ |
| Ohio, Duke Energy (business, DS) | 9.164¢ per kWh | 9.896¢ | 0.73¢ |
| Rhode Island, Rhode Island Energy (business, G02) | 11.872¢ per kWh | 12.427¢ | 0.56¢ |
| Maine, Central Maine Power (business, MGS-S) | 11.680¢ per kWh | 11.904¢ | 0.22¢ |
| Massachusetts, National Grid (gas) | 80.160¢ per therm | 103.500¢ | 23.34¢ |
| New Jersey, South Jersey Gas (gas) | 45.360¢ per therm | 61.111¢ | 15.75¢ |
| Ohio, Columbia Gas of Ohio (gas) | 42.580¢ per therm | 55.700¢ | 13.12¢ |
| Massachusetts, Eversource (gas) | 80.160¢ per therm | 92.700¢ | 12.54¢ |
| New Jersey, PSE&G (gas) | 53.820¢ per therm | 63.400¢ | 9.58¢ |
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 12, 2026, compared with each utility's default supply price. Ohio household defaults are the official commission figures as of October 2, 2026.
Why did fixed prices go up this week?
Posted prices move daily with supplier costs, wholesale markets, and demand. This week business fixed prices at the same term were higher than the week before at most utilities we track. A rise one week is no promise of another, and we can't predict where they go next.
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 the best posted fixed price this week was 11.190 cents. 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.