In Ohio, the energy market is deregulated, allowing multiple suppliers to provide for consumers in the state. As a consumer, you can choose which company supplies your electricity. Your supplier will determine the rate you pay for your energy supply on your bill. In Dayton, your utility is AES Ohio, formerly Dayton Power and Light. Your utility is a company that distributes the energy your supplier provides, and it depends on your location rather than personal choice.

While AES Ohio handles powerline maintenance, they’ll also provide a Price to Compare (PTC). This price does change throughout the year. It is important to take the average rate over 12 months. You can use the PTC when comparing suppliers to decide which companies are offering you a reasonable rate.

Before you start your supplier comparison, you should find out when your current contract ends to avoid termination fees. When you’re ready to sign a new contract, you’ll choose from a fixed, variable or block and index rate. Fixed contracts charge the same rate every month, and variable prices change with the energy market. The block and index option uses a fixed rate for specific usage and defaults to a variable rate past that point.