​District of Columbia

​You may be able to save money by shopping with a competitive supplier.  Although Pepco does not endorse any individual suppliers, or solicit door to door to promote electric shopping, we are committed to helping every customer understand how they can shop and potentially save money by choosing the right energy supplier for their needs and circumstances.

What is ​Custo​​mer Choice?

When you become a Pepco customer, you initially pay Pepco for all of these services -- generation, transmission, and distribution. If you are purchasing the electricity you use from a competitive third party supplier, you would pay Pepco for distribution.

The restructuring of the electric utility industry allows you to select the certified or licensed electricity provider that best fits your needs. If you don't choose a different provider, we buy electricity for you and charge you according to rates approved by your Public Service Commission. This is called the "Standard Offer Service" (SOS) program and is administered under rules established by the Commission.

The Commission has designated Pepco to purchase electricity for you through power supply contracts in an annual competitive auction that provides customers with generation rates that are reflective of market conditions while at the same time providing protection against extreme conditions.

No matter whom a customer may choose as their electric service provider, as the distribution company, we will continue to deliver electricity to all customers through our network of electric power lines. We will also continue to maintain the electric system and restore service in the event of any disruption due to weather related events, as well as emergency and routine service calls.

Cost savings depend on rates

The “Supply Charges” section in your electricity bill is broken down to indicate charges for: 

• Supply, which is the actual production of electricity at power plants or re-selling of electricity and transporting that electricity to you through transmission lines
  
• Delivery, which is the delivery of electricity through our local distribution lines to your home or business
  
• Charges for Supply are itemized to show the component rates and dollar amounts. The dollar amounts are totaled and listed as “Total Electric Supply Charges”.
  

If you choose a provider other than Pepco, you will pay that provider’s price for electric supply instead of our electric price. Any additional monthly savings that you achieve by "shopping" will depend on the rate charged by the supplier(s) that you choose.  The prices charged by suppliers could be higher or lower than the prices that Pepco charges for the same services.

How t​​​o Choose

Step 1. Start by dow​​nloading the electricity supplier list found below.

List of electricity suppliers licensed by the Public Service Commission (PSC). ​

When you call them, be sure to get answers to the following questions:

• What is my exact price per kilowatt-hour for electricity? 
  
• Are there any other fees I will be charged that are not included in this price? 
  
• What are the terms and conditions of the agreement? 
  
• What information do I have to provide for you to enroll me? 
  
• What are the cancellation terms? 
  
• Are there fees if I cancel my agreement before it is up? 
  
• What is the length of the agreement, and what happens once it is over? 
  
• Are there restrictions on the amount of electricity I can use? If so, what are they and when am I restricted? 
  
• How is the electricity generated (from what sources)? 
  
• What is the environmental impact of the electricity you generate? ​
  

Step 2. Compar​e Pri​ce​s.​

The Price to Compare (“PTC”) is the average cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for generation and transmission service, based on your rate classification. The PTC is a tool for you to use in comparing Pepco's Standard Offer Service (SOS) generation and transmission rates with offers from competing certified or licensed electricity suppliers

Step 3. Calculate Your ​​Savings.

To calculate your potential annual savings, determine the difference between your individual Price to Compare and the similar price of other Electric Generation Suppliers participating in the Energy Choice Program by subtracting one from the other. If the supplier’s price is less than Pepco’s, you’ll save money. Multiply that difference by your average monthly kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage to determine your average monthly and annual savings.

Step 4. Consider Env​​​ironmental Factors.

You may be able to buy cleaner power and possibly help protect the environment. By law, all electricity suppliers must tell you how they generate their electricity (nuclear, natural gas, oil, solar, etc.), what types of air emissions they produce and their energy efficiency.

Step 5. Make​​​​ Your Choice.

If you choose a new supplier, making the change is easy. Contact the supplier of your choice and complete the enrollment paperwork. It is then up to your new supplier and Pepco ​to make the switch.

If you choose to stay with Standard Offer Service, you do not need to do anything.​​