How To Easily Lower Your Energy Bill & Save Money This Summer & Beyond!

by Chris Jurgens

Let’s be clear: electricity isn’t something most homeowners obsess over—until you get a bill that makes you question if you accidentally left the oven on all month. In Dayton, if you’re still riding on AES’s default rate, you could be paying more than you need to. That’s where Ohio’s deregulated market and Energy Choice Ohio come into play. I’m Chris—a no-BS Realtor in the Dayton metro—and I want to walk you through why shopping around for electricity matters, how to do it, and what pitfalls to avoid. Get a cup of coffee, because by the end of this, you’ll know how to keep more cash in your pocket and avoid nasty surprises.

1. Why Deregulation Matters (and How Energy Choice Works)

In 1999, Ohio opened up its electricity market so homeowners and businesses could choose their supplier, rather than being locked into a single utility’s rate. That means you still get your actual power delivered by AES here in Dayton, but a separate “supplier” sets the price per kWh you pay. This “Energy Choice” framework forces suppliers to compete, which can drive rates down—if you pay attention.

  • Default Utility Rate vs. Supplier Rate: When you move into a home, you’re typically enrolled on AES’s “Price to Compare” (PTC). That PTC is a baseline—the rate AES charges for generation before delivery fees, taxes, and other line items. If you do nothing, you stay at that PTC. Depending on market fluctuations, that rate can climb higher than offers from third-party suppliers.

  • Energy Choice Ohio Portal (Apples-to-Apples): The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) maintains an “Apples-to-Apples” comparison tool at https://energychoice.ohio.gov/ApplesToApplesCategory.aspx?Category=Electric that shows in real time what certified suppliers are offering: price per kWh, contract term, early termination fees, renewable content, and more . Use this as your starting point rather than relying on random sales pitches.

  • Why This Matters Locally: In Dayton, average residential rates have hovered around 9–10¢ per kWh in 2025, but suppliers like Public Power are offering deals as low as 5.99¢ per kWh on some plans (source: EnergyBot, https://www.energybot.com/electricity-rates/ohio/) . That’s nearly a 40% discount if you’re currently on a 9¢ rate—easy math that could save a typical 1,000 kWh/month household $30–$40 a month, or $360–$480 a year. Those are the kind of savings that can cover a month’s mortgage payment over the course of a year.

2. Benefits of Shopping Around

  1. Potential for Lower Rates:

    • Fixed-rate plans lock in your per-kWh price for the contract term (usually 6–36 months). With peak summer demand in Dayton, locking in at 6.5–7.5¢ per kWh for 12–24 months can shield you from market spikes in July or August.

    • Variable-rate plans often start low—sometimes 3–5¢ per kWh below your PTC—but can move up or down monthly. If you’re willing to monitor rates and switch when they spike, you could save more overall.

  2. Access to Renewable Energy Options:

    • Many suppliers offer 100% renewable energy plans (wind, solar). If sustainability matters to you, you can pay a slight premium (often 1–2¢ per kWh) to support green generation. That’s about $10–$20 more per month on a 1,000 kWh usage, but if Indiana and Michigan utilities are inching toward stricter emissions rules, you might be ahead of the curve by locking in a green plan now.

  3. Special Promotions and Bill Credits:

    • Suppliers frequently run promotions—two months free if you sign a 12-month fixed contract, bill credits for referring friends, or discounted rates during off-peak hours. These incentives can translate to $50–$100 in savings in your first billing cycle alone.

  4. Tailored Contract Lengths:

    • Not all homes have the same needs. If you plan to move in 9 months, a 6- or 9-month contract might be best. If you’re settled and want stability, a 36-month fixed rate could outrank a short-term low teaser rate that resets at twice the PTC after three months.

  5. Enhanced Customer Service:

    • Some third-party suppliers have reputations for better customer support than the big utilities when handling billing errors, outages, or switching questions. If talking to a local rep in Columbus or Cincinnati (rather than a national call center) sounds appealing, read online reviews before choosing.

3. Pitfalls to Watch For

  1. Early Termination Fees (ETFs):

    • Many fixed-rate contracts include a fee if you break your contract early. Some fees run $50–$75; others can be $150–$200 if you’re 2–3 months into a 12-month deal. Always look for “Early Termination Fee: $0” if you want the flexibility to move or change your plan without penalty.

    “I signed a 12-month deal at 6.9¢ per kWh in January 2024, but my company relocated me to Cincinnati in June. I paid a $175 cancellation fee—almost enough to cover two months’ worth of electricity on my new apartment plan.”

  2. Variable Rates Can Spike:

    • Sure, a variable rate might start at 5.5¢ per kWh, but if PJM (the regional grid operator) surges during a heat wave, your rate could jump to 9¢ or more overnight. If you’re on a 12-month variable plan, you may not even notice until your bill doubles one month. Be ready to switch if variable rates climb too high.

  3. Monthly or Enrollment Fees:

    • Some suppliers charge a flat monthly fee ($4–$8) on top of the per-kWh rate. If your usage is low (600–800 kWh/month), that fee can negate your savings. Always compare “Price per kWh + Monthly Fee” as a blended cost.

  4. Introductory Teaser Rates:

    • Watch for “6.99¢ for 6 months, then 12.9¢”; that second rate could be above your PTC when the teaser ends, leaving you overpaying. Read the fine print—“Your rate resets to the supplier’s variable rate” or “Your rate resets to PTC + 2¢” can sting.

  5. Check Renewable Claims Carefully:

    • A plan might advertise “100% renewable,” but supplement that with Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) rather than direct green generation. If you want local clean power (e.g., wind turbines in western Ohio or solar farms in Shelby County), confirm if the supplier actually purchases local RECs or bundles from out-of-state sources.

  6. Beware of “Auto-Renew” Clauses:

    • Some suppliers automatically roll you onto a variable-monthly plan if you don’t actively opt out before the contract expires. That could be at a rate 2–3¢ higher than PTC. Set calendar reminders to re-shop 60 days before your contract end.

4. How to Shop Effectively

  1. Gather Your Current Utility Bill:

    • Grab last month’s AES bill. You need at least two pieces of info: your current “Price to Compare” (often called “Generation Service Rate”) and your kWh usage for the past 12 months (most comparison sites ask).

  2. Use PUCO’s Apples-to-Apples Tool:

  3. Compare on Independent Marketplaces:

  4. Determine Your Priorities:

    • If you value stability, look only at fixed-rate plans with zero ETFs. A 12–24 month fixed at 7.25¢ per kWh with no ETF is pure peace of mind.

    • If you’re a cost-centric shopper, be ready to jump on a sub–6¢ variable plan, but set a threshold (e.g., “If variable rate exceeds 8.5¢, I switch or go back to PTC”).

    • If green energy matters, filter by “Renewable Content 76–100%” on the Apples-to-Apples page. Expect to pay a slight premium—often +1–2¢ per kWh—but you’ll know your usage is backed by wind and solar RECs.

  5. Check Official Supplier Websites:

    • Once you find a promising plan, click the supplier’s name on Apples-to-Apples to go to their site. Verify details (monthly fees, cancellation policy) and check for any hidden charges.

  6. Use a Secondary Comparison Site:

  7. Enroll During a Stable Price Window:

    • Historically, energy prices in Ohio flatten out during late April through mid-May—after winter demand drops but before summer peaks. That’s often the sweet spot to lock in a fixed rate ahead of July’s heat-induced PJM market spikes.

  8. Monitor Your Usage Patterns:

    • If you run central A/C heavily, your June–August usage might be 1,200–1,500 kWh/month. A fixed rate protects you from spiking wholesale costs in July. If you only run A/C on weekends or have a smart thermostat, a variable plan with real-time rates could still save you money.

  9. Review Your Bill Quarterly:

    • After you enroll, track your bill each quarter. If you see a 15–20% increase compared to last summer, it’s time to revisit Apples-to-Apples. Don’t wait until your contract ends; some suppliers let you switch mid-term with no ETF if you move to a higher-tier contract with the same supplier.

5. Staying on Top of Your Rate Post-Switch

  1. Sign Up for Rate Alerts:

    • Third-party sites like EnergyBot and ElectricityRates.com let you set email or text alerts when rates drop below a certain threshold. This way, even if you’re on a 12-month fixed plan, you’ll know if a 6-month teaser at 6.5¢ appears.

  2. Use Your Utility’s Bill Comparison Tools:

    • AES posts monthly PTC updates on its website so you can see exactly what the default rate is. If your supplier’s variable rate is creeping above PTC + 1¢, time to shop.

  3. Track Seasonal Trends:

    • In Dayton, electricity on-peak prices often bottom out in late April/early May, climb through July (when PJM demand peaks), then ease off into October. Plot your last two years’ usage on Excel or Google Sheets: list your monthly kWh and actual per-kWh cost. Seeing the pattern will clarify when you should be most vigilant.

  4. Set a Contract-End Reminder:

    • Calendar alerts at 60 days and 30 days before your fixed contract expires. That gives you time to shop new rates without getting rolled onto a pricey month-to-month plan.

  5. Don’t Fall for “We’ll Contact You When It’s Time to Renew”:

    • Some suppliers promise to remind you—but they’re also incentivized to roll you onto a variable rate once your contract lapses. Treat those reminders as backup, not your primary method.

6. Real-Life Example: The Miamisburg Family That Saved $450

Take the Freemans in Miamisburg. Last year, they were on a default AES PTC of 8.9¢ per kWh. When they heard about energy choice, they checked PUCO’s Apples-to-Apples and saw a 12-month fixed plan at 7.25¢ per kWh with $0 ETF, no monthly fee, and 25% renewable content. They signed up in early April 2024.

  • Their average consumption: 1,100 kWh/month (A/C, pool pump, EV charger).

  • Annual Savings Calculation:

    • On AES PTC: 1,100 kWh × $0.089 × 12 months = $11,748.

    • On 7.25¢ fixed: 1,100 kWh × $0.0725 × 12 months = $9,570.

    • Annual Savings = $2,178. They actually ended up saving $1,850 after a slight rate bump in October 2024 drove the AES PTC to 10.1¢ per kWh.

In spring 2025, a competitor offered a 6.9¢ per kWh 6-month fixed plan. Because the Freemans had $0 ETF, they switched in March 2025. Over the next six months, they’ll net roughly $450 in additional savings versus staying on their initial 12-month plan. All they had to do was log onto Apples-to-Apples, verify “Cancellation Fee: $0,” and enroll online in five minutes.

7. Business and Investor Angle: Why Even Small Savings Matter

If you rent out properties in Beavercreek, Kettering, or Centerville, electricity is often bundled into your rental rate. A 200-unit portfolio where each unit averages 800 kWh/month at 9¢ per kWh translates to $144,000 in annual electricity costs. If you switch to a 7.2¢ plan across all units (with a $0 ETF for flexibility), you’d pay $115,200 annually—clearing $28,800 in savings every year. That’s enough to cover two full-time property manager salaries or to fund large-scale property upgrades (new roofs, HVAC, insulation).

Tip for Investors:

  • Use a single Tax ID to enroll multiple accounts/businesses if possible, or ask each tenant to enroll individually but provide them $50 gift cards as incentives when they lock in a good rate. The monthly savings on an 800 kWh unit at 9¢ vs. 7.2¢ is $14.40—multiplied by 12 months and 200 units, that $34,560 annually in tenant savings can justify a modest rent increase (e.g., $5–$10/month). Tenants stay happy, you boost net operating income, and you add value to your portfolio.

8. Renewable vs. Conventional—What Dayton Homeowners Should Know

  1. 100% Renewable Plans:

    • If you’re looking to minimize your carbon footprint, many suppliers offer 100% REC-backed power. In Dayton, suppliers like Direct Energy or Constellation have “GreenSaver” or “Planet Power” plans at 8.5–9.5¢ per kWh. You pay +1–2¢ above conventional fixed rates, but know that for each kWh you use, an RECs equivalent gets retired, ensuring that wind farms or solar arrays produce energy to match your usage.

  2. Mixed-Source Plans:

    • If a 100% green plan is too pricey, some suppliers offer “25% Renewable” plans at just +0.5¢–1¢ per kWh above their best conventional fixed. That’s an $8–$12 monthly premium on a 1,000 kWh usage, but 250 kWh of your consumption is backed by green energy. For a mid-50s Dayton homeowner who cares about sustainability, that’s often the sweet spot.

  3. ** “Green vs. Brown” Misconception:**

    • In Ohio’s deregulated market, “green” doesn’t always mean your electrons literally come from local turbines. Most green plans rely on RECs generated out of state. If you want local solar, ask if a portion of RECs comes from Ohio facilities. Suppliers must declare their renewable content percentage, but they don’t have to specify location on the “Apples-to-Apples” tool. Call the supplier’s customer service line to clarify if local green energy matters to you.

9. Seasonal Timing and When to Re-Shop

  • Late April–Early May:

    • Winter demand drops. Wholesale prices ease. Suppliers roll out spring promotions with sub-6.5¢ teaser rates. If you can lock in a spring fixed rate before late May, you avoid summer PJM peaks.

  • July Heat Wave Monitoring:

    • If you’re on a variable plan and see your per-kWh cost climb above 8.5¢, shop immediately. Many suppliers let you switch mid-term with no ETF if you move to a plan of equal or greater length (e.g., switch a 6-month variable to a new 6-month fixed).

  • Late October–November:

    • Peak winter demand can push PTC up. If you’re nearing contract end, weigh a short-term fixed (3–6 months) until next April rather than getting locked into a 12-month starting in December.

  • Every Contract Renewal:

    • At 60 days before expiration, check Apples-to-Apples and a secondary platform like ElectricityRates.com to confirm you’re still on a competitive plan. Signing up for a 6-month fixed at 7.49¢ in May 2024 might have made sense then; in May 2025, that same supplier may be offering 6.75¢. If so, switch—especially if you have a $0 ETF.

10. Step-By-Step Shopping Checklist

  1. Grab Your Last Utility Bill: Note your AES PTC (generation rate) and average usage (kWh) for the past 12 months.

  2. Visit PUCO’s Apples-to-Apples: Input your zip code (e.g., 45458 for Kettering, 45342 for Springboro) to view active certified suppliers and their plans (https://energychoice.ohio.gov/ApplesToApplesCategory.aspx?Category=Electric) .

  3. Filter for Must-Haves:

    • Early Termination Fee = $0 (if you value flexibility).

    • Rate Type = Fixed (if you want bill stability) or Variable (if you’ll monitor monthly).

    • Renewable Content = 0%–25%/26%–50%/51%–75%/76%–100% (depending on how green you want).

    • Term Length = 6, 12, 24, or 36 months.

  4. Check Official Supplier Websites: Once you find a promising plan, click the supplier’s name on Apple-to-Apples to go to their site. Verify details (monthly fees, cancellation policy) and check for any hidden charges.

  5. Use a Secondary Comparison Site: Go to ElectricityRates.com (https://electricityrates.com/ohio/) or EnergyBot (https://www.energybot.com/electricity-rates/ohio/) to cross-reference the rate and confirm no major differences .

  6. Enroll Online or Over the Phone: Signing up usually takes less than five minutes. Have your AES account number (from your bill) and basic personal info ready.

  7. Watch Your First Bill for Accuracy: After you switch, your next AES bill should list your new supplier and rate. Confirm that the per-kWh charge matches what you agreed to (e.g., 7.25¢). If not, call your supplier within 10 days.

11. Final Thoughts: Stay Proactive, Save Consistently

Reading through the fine print and switching suppliers isn’t glamorous, but the savings add up. Here’s the no-BS bottom line for Dayton homeowners:

  • Average Annual Savings: For a 1,100 kWh/month household, locking in a 7.25¢ fixed plan instead of riding an 9¢ AES PTC can save $1,500–$2,200 per year (EnergyBot, https://www.energybot.com/electricity-rates/ohio/) .

  • Avoid Bill Shock: If you went into July 2024 without checking, some variable plans briefly spiked over 11¢ with record heat. That turned a $280 bill into a $350 bill overnight. Plan and monitor your rates to keep that from happening.

  • Flexibility vs. Stability: If you rent a home or plan to move in 6–9 months, pick a short-term (6–9 month) fixed rate with a $0 ETF. If you’re staying put, lock in 12–24 months at a slightly higher rate to avoid worrying about winter-spring fluctuations.

  • Renew and Re-Shop: Get comfortable with checking your contract 60 days before it ends. Even if you commit to a 36-month fixed, mark your calendar to compare rates at renewal—some suppliers let you switch within the last 30 days of a 36-month contract to another fixed plan with no fee, effectively “stacking” savings.

In Dayton’s suburban neighborhoods—Centerville, Beavercreek, Kettering, Springboro, Miamisburg—small monthly savings quickly become hundreds or thousands of dollars in your pocket. That’s money you can use on a home improvement, lawn care, or maybe a nice dinner at Oakwood Club.

Ready to shop? Bookmark these sites now:

Then, set a reminder: every three months, revisit these pages, compare your rate to PTC, and ensure you’re still on a plan that makes sense. If not, switch. It only takes five minutes—and could mean an extra $300–$400 in your account each year.

No fluff, no AI-speak—just a straightforward path to cutting your electricity bill as a Dayton homeowner. If you need help interpreting your AES bill or want to run numbers for a specific usage profile, shoot me a message at https://cjohio.com. I’m Chris, your no-BS local real estate expert—and I’ll help you keep more of your hard-earned money where it belongs: in your wallet.

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