Illuminating Company Rates

 When you live in northeast Ohio, your electric delivery provider is often The Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy. But in many parts of Ohio, electricity supply is deregulated. That means in addition to paying for delivery through the utility, you have the power to shop around for a supplier. Understanding illuminating company rates is key to making smart decisions about your electricity bills.



What Are “Illuminating Company Rates”?

The term illuminating company rates generally refers to the “price to compare” or standard offer generation rate set by The Illuminating Company. If you don’t choose an alternate supplier, this is what you’ll pay for electricity generation (on top of delivery and other fees). For the period October 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, the price to compare is set at 9.16 ¢ per kWh.

This benchmark rate helps consumers decide whether switching to another supplier makes sense. If a competitor offers a lower fixed or variable rate than the illuminating company rates, switching could yield savings.



How Illuminating Company Rates Vary


The utility revises its price to compare quarterly. Past periods have seen significant swings in the rate:

  • June 2025 - 9.11 ¢/kWh

  • April To May 2025 - 7.19 ¢/kWh

  • Earlier periods had rates exceeding 11 ¢/kWh or as low as 5‑6 ¢/kWh during off‑peak or lower demand phases. 


These fluctuations reflect changes in wholesale energy costs, market conditions, and regulatory adjustments.


Comparing Supplier Offers


If you shop around, you’ll discover fixed‑term plans from third‑party suppliers that can beat the illuminating company rates. For example:

  • Some plans may offer 7.09 ¢/kWh for 12 months

  • Others offer rates in the 8‑9 ¢ range across various contract lengths

However, it’s crucial to check for hidden fees, cancellation charges, or rate escalation rules. A low headline rate may not always guarantee savings.

Tips For Evaluating Illuminating Company Rates vs Alternatives

  1. Look At Total Cost - Compare all components—generation, delivery, taxes, and surcharges

  2. Fixed vs Variable - Fixed rates protect you from market swings; variable may drop—but also can increase

  3. Contract Length Matters - Long contracts might lock in a rate, but you lose flexibility

  4. Watch For Fees - Some suppliers may add monthly service fees or penalties for early exit

  5. Review Periodically - Even if you pick a supplier, revisit your rate when your contract ends



Understanding illuminating company rates gives you a baseline to assess whether switching makes sense. While the “price to compare” is your fallback, deregulated markets allow you to shop for plans that may beat that benchmark. Just always read the fine print, compare carefully, and choose with confidence.

If you’d like help comparing specific supplier plans or local numbers, I can pull those up for you too.

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