ElectricChoice.com is not affiliated with AEP Ohio. ElectricChoice.com is a website that informs and educates consumers about issues relating to energy deregulation.
State: Ohio
Number of Customers: 1.5 million
Main Service Areas: South Eastern and North Western Ohio
Contact Information: 1-800-672-2231
AEP Ohio, which is a subsidiary of the larger company American Electric Power, is one of the largest utilities in the deregulated state of Ohio. The utility provides power to more than 1.5 million customers, living in 920 communities across the state. While the company is officially headquartered in Gahanna, they have regulatory and external affairs offices in the heart of Columbus, Ohio.
The company?s service area stretches 10,352 square miles and includes 61 of the state?s 88 different counties. These counties are split up into the following districts:
Athens District (includes: Athens, Fairfield, Gallia, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Vinton and Washington counties)
Canton District (Includes: Ashland, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coschocton, Harrison, Holmes, Jerfferson, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties)
Chillicothe District (includes: Adams, Brown, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton counties)
Columbus District (includes: Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway and Union counties)
Newark District (includes: Belmont, Coschocton, Fairfield, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Monroe, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Richland and Tuscarawas counties)
Western Ohio District (includes: Allen, Ashland, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Logan, Marion, Morrow, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Union, Van Wert, Wood and Wyandot counties.
The utility provides, residential, commercial and industrial services to customers throughout their expansive Ohio service territory. According to the utility, the average customer in their service area uses 7,998.81 kWh and the average cost her kWh is 17.03 cents per kWh.
AEP Ohio Facilities and Equipment
AEP Ohio has one of the largest service areas in the entire region. In 2014 alone, the utility sold 15,593,920 megawatt-hours of electricity. The utility?s expansive service area includes 45,637 miles of distribution miles and 8,258 circuit miles within their transmission system.
Customers who fall under AEP Ohio?s service area should be aware that the utility is in charge of the metal towers, poles and transmission lines that carry electricity. They are responsible for maintaining this area, providing annual services, taking care of tree trimming and handling any damage to this equipment following a storm. Any issues with the poles or service lines within the area should be reported directly to AEP Ohio as they are in charge of restoring power after power line damage.
AEP Ohio Appliance Recycling Program
AEP Ohio offers rebates, incentives and programs, designed to help their customers save money and use less energy. As part of the utility?s larger effort to improve efficiency, they offer a number of energy saving bonuses as well as their Appliance Recycling Program. Any customer in the area who recycles their old refrigerator or freezer will get $50 from their utility. AEP Ohio will even come and pick up the appliance.
AEP Ohio Community Energy Savers and Efficient Lighting Discounts
AEP Ohio has its own energy saving programs designed to help reward their consumers for being more energy efficient. Those who wish to enroll in the utility?s optional Community Energy Savers program will be eligible for special incentives if they work together to lessen their own energy use and expand different efficiency efforts in their community.
The utility has also partnered with several of their area retailers to offer special in-store discounts for those who buy LEDs and other energy-efficient lighting. They also have their own online SMART Lighting Store where customers can purchase discounted energy efficient bulbs.
Comparing AEP Ohio Electricity Rates
Ohio has a completely deregulated energy market and has operated in this type of market since the late 1990s. This means that while consumers can receive their energy from AEP Ohio, they also have the power to choose a separate retail energy provider. The deregulation laws in Ohio allow customers to shop for different energy plans from independent providers and either sign a contract with one of these companies, or keep their energy service with their utility, such as AEP Ohio.
Customers who choose not to shop for a new energy supplier can continue to purchase their electricity directly from AEP Ohio if they choose. The utility still has their rates managed by the state to ensure that they are fair to consumers and in-line with the prices being offered by other utilities.
For customers who desire to switch their energy service from AEP Ohio to an independent retail energy supplier, the utility offers assistance for those who want to learn more about how deregulation works and how to find reliable retail energy suppliers.
