FirstEnergy Ohio Electric Bill Explained

FirstEnergy is the parent company of three Ohio electric utilities: Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison. Together they deliver electricity to homes and businesses across northern Ohio, from Toledo and the northwest corner of the state to Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown. While each utility has its own rates, all three use the same bill layout, so once you know how to read one FirstEnergy bill, you can read them all.

Understanding your bill does more than help you spot mistakes. It shows you exactly which charges are fixed and which ones you can shop for, which is the key to lowering your monthly costs under Ohio's Energy Choice program.

Delivery Charges vs. Supply Charges

Every FirstEnergy Ohio bill is split into two main parts. Delivery charges come from your utility and cover the poles, wires and meters that bring electricity to your home or business. These charges are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and every customer pays them regardless of who supplies their electricity.

Supply charges cover the electricity itself, including generation and transmission. This is the competitive part of your bill. If you haven't chosen a provider, you pay your utility's Price to Compare, the default supply rate listed in the Messages section of your bill. Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison each set their own Price to Compare, so the rate on your bill depends on which utility serves your address.

Shopping for a Lower Electricity Rate

Because the supply portion of your bill is open to competition, you can compare your Price to Compare with offers from licensed providers and switch if you find a better fit. Switching doesn't change who delivers your electricity or handles outages. Your FirstEnergy utility still does that, and you'll still get one bill.

To get started, have your account number and service address ready from your most recent bill, then compare plans for Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company or Toledo Edison. Unlike PUCO's Apples to Apples chart, which lists offers on their own, Ohio Energy Ratings pairs each plan with provider ratings and customer reviews, so you can weigh price and service together. Learn more in our Ohio apples to apples comparison.

Shopping for your company? Request a free quote for business electricity rates for your Toledo Edison, Ohio Edison or Illuminating Company location.

What is the average gas rate from Ohio Edison?

The EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) states the typical rate for electricity in the Ohio Edison region is presently 1.32 cents per kWh. Based on this price, you could see savings as large as 36% based upon a typical home using 1,000 kWh/month.

Also: The EIA averages include all the taxes, transmission and supply fees, and is an 'all in rate'. We provide the same 'all in rate' so you get the true apples to apples price comparison when you're shopping for OH energy rates.

How is Ohio Energy Ratings different from the apples to apples site?

We're a whole lot different! First, you can read our in-depth analysis of Ohio's "Apples to Apples Comparison Site", but the quick answer is that we very thoroughly review the companies and providers that appear on our website, and we give you recommended plans, ratings, and customer reviews so you can make a better decision.

How do I lower my Ohio Edison bill?

It's really easy to get a better rate on your Ohio Edison bill.

Find your most recent bill, because you'll need two specific pieces of information from the bill - your 'Account Number' and your 'Service Address'. You can find these on the sample bill below.
Check out electricity plans available to Ohio Edison customers
Pick a supplier based on our ratings and customer reviews.
Click the orange 'Sign Up Now' button to place your order in our secure cart!

How to Read Your Toledo Edison, Ohio Edison or Illuminating Company Bill

Toledo Edison, Ohio Edison and The Illuminating Company are all FirstEnergy utilities, and their bills use the same layout, so this guide applies to any of the three. The sample below is an Ohio Edison bill.

Ohio Edison sample bill with sections labeled A through L

A. Your Billing Period

The time period your current charges cover.

B. Customer Name and Address

The name and address on your Toledo Edison, Ohio Edison or Illuminating Company account.

C. Account Number, Amount Due and Due Date

Your account number, total amount due and payment due date. You'll need your account number when contacting your utility or signing up with a new electricity provider.

D. Messages

Important information about your account. Your Price to Compare is also listed here.

E. Your Price to Compare

Your utility's Price to Compare is its price per kWh for generation and transmission, the portion of your bill you can shop for. Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison each have their own Price to Compare. Compare yours to a provider's rate to see whether switching could lower your bill.

F. Your Account Summary

Your previous balance, payments received and current charges.

G. Your Usage Information

How much electricity you used during the billing period, and whether the bill is based on an actual or estimated meter reading.

H. Utility Charges

Detailed charges from Toledo Edison, Ohio Edison or The Illuminating Company for your home or business. If you haven't chosen a provider, this section also includes your generation charges.

I. Competitive Supplier Charges

The cost of the electricity itself for your home or business. This portion of your bill is competitive, so you can choose who provides it. If you've chosen a provider, their charges appear in this section.

J. Payment and Adjustment Information

Payments applied and any adjustments made since your last bill.

K. Usage History

A 13-month bar graph of your electricity use, plus your average daily and monthly use, average daily temperature and number of days in the billing period. Knowing your typical usage helps you estimate costs when comparing plans.

L. Return Bill Payment Stub

Detach and return this portion with your payment. It includes your account number, amount paid, amount due and due date.

FirstEnergy Ohio FAQs

Which FirstEnergy utility serves my area?

FirstEnergy is the parent company of three Ohio utilities. Ohio Edison serves Akron, Youngstown, Elyria, Mansfield, Ashland and surrounding areas. The Illuminating Company serves Cleveland and northeast Ohio. Toledo Edison serves Toledo and northwest Ohio. Your utility's name appears on your bill. Toledo Edison customers can also see our Toledo Edison bill guide.

Can businesses choose an electricity supplier in FirstEnergy's Ohio service areas?

Yes. Ohio's Energy Choice program is open to business customers of Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison. Your utility continues to deliver your electricity, while the supply portion of your bill can come from a competitive supplier. Request a free quote for business electricity rates for your location.

Is the Price to Compare the same for all FirstEnergy Ohio utilities?

No. Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison each have their own delivery charges and their own Price to Compare. The Price to Compare is your utility's price per kWh for generation and transmission, the part of your bill you can shop for. Find yours on your bill, then compare it with supplier offers using an Ohio apples to apples comparison.

Do businesses pay the same Price to Compare as homes?

Not necessarily. The Price to Compare can vary by customer rate class as well as by utility, so a business account may have a different Price to Compare than a residential account. Check your FirstEnergy bill for the rate that applies to your business before comparing supplier offers.

How do I report a FirstEnergy power outage?

Report outages online through FirstEnergy, by texting OUT to 544487, or by calling 1-888-544-4877. For downed power lines, call 911 first. Switching suppliers doesn't change who restores your power. Your FirstEnergy utility still maintains the lines and handles outages.

Where do supplier charges appear on a FirstEnergy business bill?

If you choose a supplier, its charges usually appear in a separate supplier section of your FirstEnergy bill, alongside your utility's delivery charges, so you still get one bill. Some suppliers bill separately instead, so check your contract to see how you'll be billed.

Can I cancel a new electricity plan after I sign up?

Yes. After you enroll, your FirstEnergy utility sends a confirmation notice. Residential customers have seven calendar days from the postmark date of that notice to cancel without penalty. To cancel, contact your utility, not the supplier.

What do I need to get a business electricity quote?

Have a recent FirstEnergy bill on hand. It shows your account number, service address and recent electricity usage, which suppliers use to price an offer for your business. If you have multiple locations, gather a bill for each one. Then request a free quote for Ohio commercial electricity plans.

How do I switch my Toledo Edison, Ohio Edison or Illuminating Company electricity supplier?

Find your account number and service address on your FirstEnergy bill, then enter your zip code on Ohio Energy Ratings to compare supplier plans in your utility's service area. You can compare offers for Toledo Edison, Ohio Edison and The Illuminating Company side by side. There's no change to your service when you switch, and your utility still delivers your electricity.

Can Toledo-area businesses join an electricity aggregation program?

Some can. The Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition (NOAC) buys electricity on behalf of residential and small business customers in member communities in the Toledo Edison service area, including Toledo, Maumee, Oregon, Perrysburg and Sylvania. Check with your city or village to see whether your business is eligible, and compare the aggregation rate with business electricity offers before deciding.