Apples to Apples Ohio
Ohio's deregulated energy market lets homes and businesses choose their own electricity and natural gas suppliers. The Apples to Apples program, run by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), is the state's official tool for comparing certified supplier offers side-by-side.
Compare Ohio electricity rates now
See live rates from certified suppliers across 19 Ohio cities — by usage level, contract length, and utility territory.
See Ohio Rates →What Is Apples to Apples?
Apples to Apples is PUCO's official comparison platform for Ohio energy consumers. It lists certified electricity and natural gas suppliers along with their current offers, letting you compare:
- Price per kWh (electricity) or per CCF/MCF (natural gas)
- Contract length — month-to-month, 6-month, 12-month, or longer
- Rate type — fixed, variable, or introductory
- Renewable content — percentage of green energy in the plan
- Early termination fees — what you pay if you leave early
The program name comes from its core purpose: giving consumers a standardized format so they can compare supplier offers on equal terms — apples to apples — rather than sorting through inconsistent marketing materials.
How Ohio's Deregulated Market Works
Ohio deregulated electricity in 2001 and natural gas in 1997. Deregulation split the traditional utility monopoly into two roles:
Electric Distribution Utility (EDU)
Owns the wires, poles, and meters. Delivers power to your home. Handles outages and grid maintenance. You don't choose your EDU — it's assigned by location.
Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES)
Generates or procures the electricity itself. Sets the supply rate and contract terms. This is the part you can shop for through Apples to Apples or sites like ElectricChoice.
When you switch suppliers, your EDU still delivers power through the same infrastructure. Service reliability doesn't change — only the supply portion of your bill does.
Ohio's Electric Distribution Utilities
Which suppliers are available depends on your EDU territory. Ohio has six major EDUs:
| Utility | Service Area | Major Cities |
|---|---|---|
| AEP Ohio | Central & Southern Ohio | Columbus, Springfield, Zanesville |
| Duke Energy Ohio | Southwest Ohio | Cincinnati, Hamilton, Middletown |
| Ohio Edison | Northeast Ohio | Akron, Canton, Youngstown |
| Cleveland Illuminating | Greater Cleveland | Cleveland, Parma, Lakewood |
| Toledo Edison | Northwest Ohio | Toledo, Sandusky, Fremont |
| AES Ohio (formerly DP&L) | Miami Valley | Dayton, Springfield |
How to Use Apples to Apples
- Identify your EDU — check your current electric bill or enter your address on the PUCO website
- Visit the Apples to Apples chart — filter by your utility, residential or commercial, and electricity or gas
- Compare offers — sort by price, contract length, or renewable content
- Check the Price to Compare — this is your utility's default rate; any supplier offer below it saves you money immediately
- Contact your chosen supplier — enrollment takes 1–2 billing cycles; your utility continues delivery throughout
Price to Compare
The "Price to Compare" (PTC) is the benchmark rate published quarterly by each Ohio EDU. It represents what you'd pay for electricity supply if you stay with your utility's standard service offer (SSO). Any CRES provider rate below the PTC means immediate savings.
PTCs fluctuate based on wholesale market auctions. In competitive periods, many suppliers beat the PTC by 10–30%. During tight markets, fewer offers may undercut it. The PTC is not a guaranteed rate — it changes every quarter.
Apples to Apples vs. ElectricChoice
Both platforms show Ohio electricity rates from certified suppliers. Here's how they differ:
| PUCO Apples to Apples | ElectricChoice.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | State government (PUCO) | Independent marketplace |
| Rate source | Supplier-submitted | Aggregated from supplier feeds + PUCO data |
| Coverage | Ohio only | All deregulated states |
| City-level rates | By EDU territory | By city (19 Ohio cities) |
| Usage-based comparison | No | Yes — rates at 500, 1000, 2000 kWh |
| Business rates | Listed but not customized | Custom commercial quotes available |
Ready to compare Ohio rates?
See rates from 30+ certified suppliers across AEP Ohio, Duke Energy, Ohio Edison, and more.
Compare Ohio Rates →Natural Gas Choice in Ohio
Ohio's natural gas market has been deregulated since 1997 — even longer than electricity. Apples to Apples covers gas suppliers too, letting you compare rates per CCF or MCF from certified Choice providers. The same principles apply: your local gas utility still delivers, you just choose who supplies it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Apples to Apples Ohio?
Apples to Apples is the official energy comparison program run by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). It provides a standardized list of certified electricity and natural gas suppliers with their rates, contract terms, and plan details so Ohio consumers can compare offers on equal footing.
How do I use Apples to Apples to switch providers?
Visit the PUCO Apples to Apples website, select your utility territory, and browse certified suppliers. Compare rates, contract lengths, and plan types. Once you choose a supplier, contact them directly to enroll. Your utility continues delivering power — only the supply portion of your bill changes. The switch takes 1–2 billing cycles.
Is there a fee to switch electricity suppliers in Ohio?
No. There is no fee from PUCO or your utility to switch suppliers. However, if you're currently under contract with a CRES provider, that provider may charge an early termination fee (typically $25–$150). Month-to-month and variable-rate plans usually have no ETF.
What happens if my supplier goes out of business?
Your electricity service continues uninterrupted. Your utility automatically returns you to its Standard Service Offer (SSO) rate. You can then shop for a new supplier at any time through Apples to Apples or ElectricChoice.
Can businesses use Apples to Apples?
Yes, but it's less useful for commercial accounts. Apples to Apples lists commercial offers, but rates for businesses with higher usage are typically customized based on load profile, peak demand, and contract length. Larger businesses get better results through direct quotes from suppliers or through a commercial energy broker.
Is Apples to Apples the only way to compare Ohio rates?
No. PUCO's Apples to Apples is the official state tool, but independent comparison sites like ElectricChoice.com also aggregate Ohio electricity rates from certified suppliers. We show rates for 19+ Ohio cities with additional context like usage-based comparisons, utility territory data, and provider reviews.