Get the best commercial electricity rate for your business in Ohio.
Ohio businesses have access to one of the most competitive electricity markets in the country. With energy deregulation, you’re no longer tied to a single provider—you have the power to shop for the best business electricity rates to save on costs and find a plan that fits your unique needs.
There are dozens of energy suppliers plus you have the utility default rate to consider. So if you want to get the lowest electricity bill possible you should follow these simple steps when looking at Ohio electric suppliers.
Just like most things in business, the more you use, the cheaper it gets. Electricity rates work the same way. When you shop for business energy plans you should have at least a good idea of what your average electric bill looks like. Is it $500 or less, $500-1,000, $2,000 or more?
If your business typically has an electricity bill under $1,000 a month you will likely get the lowest rate using "instant pricing" That is, you will be able to switch providers without waiting for a quote.
If your business typically has an electricity bill over $1,000 you’ll likely get the best business electricity rate by getting a custom quote. We will collect your information and send it to all of our providers. Then, they will analyze things like your load, demand, energy usage, and other factors to offer you a custom price.
There are a few ways to do this. The easiest way is to use a marketplace like EnergyBot which allows you to quickly and easily see Ohio energy rates from dozens of electric companies in one place. But, if you prefer the more painful and time-consuming route you can call providers directly and keep a spreadsheet of their rates.
Assuming you are using EnergyBot you will get a shortlist of the cheapest electricity rates in Ohio. But you may want to consider things outside of just price.
Some folks prefer renewable energy plans or plans with low early termination fees, while others may want to use a specific energy provider. Whatever the case, before you just select a rate, think about what is important to you.
You've already done the hard part. Once you have your options laid out and you know what you are looking for, switching is easy. Simply select the provider and rate that you want and EnergyBot handles all the paperwork on your behalf. You won't lose power and your new low rate will appear on your next bill.
If you have questions, our U.S.-based, non-commissioned support team is here to help.
Deregulation of Ohio’s electricity market offers significant benefits to businesses by fostering competition among energy suppliers and giving companies the power to choose plans that best fit their needs. Here’s how deregulation can positively impact your business:
In a regulated market, businesses are stuck with a single utility company and its fixed pricing. Deregulation changes the game by allowing multiple energy suppliers to compete for your business. This competition drives prices down and lets you shop for the most cost-effective plan. For businesses with high energy consumption, even small reductions in rates can result in substantial savings over time.
Deregulated markets offer a variety of energy plans tailored to different usage patterns and priorities. Businesses can choose from fixed-rate plans for price stability, variable-rate plans for flexibility, or even renewable energy plans for sustainability goals. This flexibility ensures businesses pay for what they need—not for services that don’t align with their operations.
With deregulation, businesses gain better visibility into their energy costs. Suppliers often provide detailed contract terms, allowing you to compare plans based on price, contract length, and additional fees. This level of transparency empowers businesses to make informed decisions and avoid surprises.
For businesses prioritizing sustainability, deregulation opens doors to green energy plans. Many suppliers now offer renewable energy options, allowing businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and align with environmental goals without compromising on cost.
Switching energy suppliers does not impact reliability. Your local utility company continues to deliver electricity and handle outages, ensuring uninterrupted service while you enjoy the benefits of competitive pricing.
Ohio’s deregulated market puts businesses in control, enabling them to save money, achieve sustainability goals, and gain greater flexibility in managing their energy costs.
For most businesses, the best electricity rates in Ohio will be simple fixed-rate plans. These plans have a set rate structure that will not change during the term of the contract. In many cases, a fixed-rate plan can include energy supply from renewable energy sources - an added bonus if you are interested in sustainable energy.
One thing to note is that just because a plan has a fixed-rate, doesn't necessarily mean that it’s a flat rate for all energy usage. Your fixed rate plan may have a rate structure that is dependent on how much electricity you use. For example, you may pay 7¢ for the first 1,000 kWh used, then 6¢ for all usage after 1,000 kWh.
Make sure you check your energy rates on your new contract to make sure it makes sense for you. EnergyBot helps with this by using your business's past energy usage to show you what your future bills will look like for the fixed-rate plan you are looking at.
With variable-rate plans, electricity rates fluctuate monthly based on market prices. While these plans can provide savings during periods of low demand, they also carry the risk of higher costs during peak times. They’re best suited for businesses with flexible budgets or the ability to adjust energy usage.
We typically advise businesses to avoid variable-rate plans unless they are very energy-savvy and are able to adjust their energy usage on the fly.
Time-of-Use plans charge different rates depending on the time of day and the demand on the grid. These plans offer energy choice with lower rates during off-peak hours and higher rates during peak periods, incentivizing businesses to adjust their energy use to save money.
These types of plans have been very popular for residential customers but recently several energy companies have started to offer these types of plans up to businesses. These can be a great deal for some businesses or a total money pit for others.
Before you enroll your business in a time-of-use plan make sure you thoroughly understand the details of the plan and your business's energy usage patterns.
These plans reward businesses for reducing their electricity consumption during peak demand times. By participating in demand response programs, businesses not only save money but also contribute to grid reliability and sustainability.
These programs are typically reserved for large consumers of electricity like manufacturing facilities or cryptocurrency miners.
Green energy plans source part or all of their electricity from renewable resources such as wind or solar power. These green electricity plans are perfect for environmentally conscious businesses aiming to reduce their carbon footprint.
Green energy plans are usually fixed-rate plans that help fund renewable energy sources like wind and solar farms. Generally, they are the same price as plans generated from fossil fuels.
Indexed rate plans tie the cost of electricity to a market index, such as natural gas prices or another energy benchmark. While this approach offers potential savings when market prices are low, it also comes with risks during price spikes.
These types of contracts can be complicated and are reserved for businesses using a large amount of electricity.
Your utility delivers power and maintains the grid. Suppliers, on the other hand, sell electricity at competitive rates. Here’s a look at Ohio’s major utilities:
If your power goes out because of downed lines, blown transformers, etc, it's up to your utility company to fix the issue.
In Ohio's deregulated electricity market, understanding the difference between utility companies and energy suppliers is crucial for businesses seeking to optimize their energy costs.
Utility companies, like AEP Ohio, Duke Energy, or Ohio Edison, are responsible for the delivery of electricity. They maintain the infrastructure such as power lines, transformers, and meters that physically supplies electricity to homes and businesses. Regardless of your choice of energy supplier, your local utility ensures the reliability of your service. They also handle outages and emergencies, meaning that if the power goes out, the utility, not your supplier, is the one to fix the problem.
Importantly, you cannot choose your utility company; it’s determined by your location. Utility companies are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to ensure fair pricing for delivery and maintenance services.
Energy suppliers, often referred to as Retail Electric Providers (REPs), compete to sell electricity to consumers. They purchase electricity on the wholesale market and package it into different plans for customers. This competition allows Ohio businesses to shop for plans that suit their specific needs, such as fixed-rate contracts for price stability or variable-rate plans for flexibility.
Choosing a supplier gives businesses the opportunity to save money by securing competitive rates, accessing renewable energy options, or finding plans tailored to their usage patterns. Unlike utilities, energy suppliers are not responsible for delivering electricity; they simply provide the electricity that utilities deliver.
While utility companies ensure the delivery and maintenance of power, energy suppliers allow you to shop for the best rates and terms. This system empowers Ohio businesses to lower energy costs without compromising reliability, as the utility remains responsible for distribution, regardless of the chosen supplier.
To find the right supplier for your business, consider using a tool like EnergyBot to compare plans.
We help businesses in cities like Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Akron. Wherever you’re located in Ohio’s deregulated energy market, we’ve got you covered.
No. Your utility still handles delivery and maintenance, ensuring uninterrupted service.
Fixed rates remain constant, while variable rates fluctuate with market conditions.
Yes! Many Ohio suppliers offer affordable green energy options for businesses and homes.
The cheapest energy supplier for your business in Ohio depends on factors like your usage, contract terms, and the type of rate plan (e.g., fixed or variable). To find the best deal, use a comparison tool like EnergyBot, which helps you compare rates from various suppliers tailored to your business's needs.
Yes, Ohio is a deregulated energy market, allowing businesses to choose their electricity supplier. While you can select a different energy supplier for your business, your local utility (such as AEP Ohio or Duke Energy) will continue to manage the delivery of electricity and maintain the infrastructure.
To choose a supplier in Ohio:
The Ohio State Energy Program (SEP) supports energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. It funds initiatives that promote energy conservation and innovation in energy technologies for businesses, government agencies, and non-profits. For details on funding opportunities or resources, you can find information from Ohio’s Department of Development or the state’s energy office.
Yes, Ohio Power is part of AEP Ohio, which is a subsidiary of American Electric Power. AEP Ohio provides electricity distribution services to its customers. While AEP Ohio manages the infrastructure and delivery, customers in deregulated areas can choose their energy supplier while still relying on AEP Ohio for service reliability.
