Short answer: One number decides this contest. PECOâs default supply rate is 11.572¢ per kWh through November 30, 2026, according to ElectricityRates.com. An NRG-family plan saves you money only if its rate beats that figure after fees.
Are NRG and PECO Really Rivals?
Not quite. PECO is your local utility, and NRG is a power company that sells electricity through retail brands. Think of PECO as the road crew and NRG as one of several delivery companies using the road.
NRG says it sells under the names NRG, Reliant, Green Mountain Energy, Stream, and XOOM Energy, per its SEC filing. It also bought Direct Energy from Centrica on January 5, 2021, NRGâs press release confirms.
So the real question is simple. Does an NRG-family supply plan beat PECOâs default supply price at your address?
| Task | PECO | NRG-family supplier |
|---|---|---|
| Delivers power and fixes outages | Yes | No |
| Sends your monthly bill | Yes, even if you switch | No |
| Offers fixed-rate plans | No, its default rate changes | Yes |
| Sets the supply price | Passes costs through, no markup | Sets its own price |
PECOâs Number to Beat: The Price to Compare
The Price to Compare (PTC) is PECOâs default price for electricity supply. You pay it automatically if you never choose a supplier. It also serves as the yardstick for every competing offer.
Here is what the sources say about it:
- It runs 11.572¢/kWh from June 1 to November 30, 2026, ElectricityRates.com reports.
- Another site lists 11.759¢/kWh for the same period, ElectricityPlans.com shows. The gap likely reflects what each site counts, so use the figure on your bill.
- The PTC covers generation, transmission, Pennsylvaniaâs Gross Receipts Tax, and alternative energy costs, ElectricityPlans.com explains.
- PECO files its adjustments with the state regulator. Its April 2026 filing covers rates effective June 1, 2026.
Your PTC has climbed fast. ElectricityRates.com tracked these default rates:
Cents per kWh. Source: ElectricityRates.com. Bar lengths are scaled for illustration.
That is a rise of nearly 19% in one year, plus another 5% in June. Your bill did not get the memo about âinflation is cooling.â
A new PTC takes effect after November 30. Check your bill before you compare anything.
What Could an NRG-Family Plan Save You?
Letâs run the math with a real usage figure. The EIA says the average Philadelphia home uses 866 kWh per month, as ElectricityPlans.com reports.
The table below uses made-up supplier rates against PECOâs 11.572¢ PTC. These are not NRG offers. They only show how the arithmetic works.
| Sample plan rate | Gap vs. 11.572¢ | Monthly effect | Yearly effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5¢ | 2.072¢ lower | Save about $17.94 | Save about $215 |
| 10.5¢ | 1.072¢ lower | Save about $9.28 | Save about $111 |
| 11.5¢ | 0.072¢ lower | Save about $0.62 | Save about $7 |
| 12.5¢ | 0.928¢ higher | Pay about $8.04 more | Pay about $96 more |
Rates also move around. Two ElectricityPlans.com pages list Direct Energyâs 12-month PECO plan at 8.59¢ and 12.69¢. Neither snapshot shows a date in the text we reviewed.
That gap proves one thing. Old rate tables age like milk, so check live offers.
Statewide, savings vary widely. A 2023 PUC survey found typical savings of $2 to $49 a month at 700 kWh.
What Matters Besides the Rate?
A low headline price can hide a sneaky contract. The PUC tells shoppers to check the questions below before signing.
- Fixed or variable? A variable rate can change, so read the conditions, the PUC advises.
- How long is the term? A 12-month plan and a 24-month plan carry different risks.
- Is the rate introductory? Some plans start low, then jump.
- Are there fees? ElectricityPlans.com says Direct Energyâs fixed plans carry no monthly fee or early termination charge. Confirm that in the contract.
- Does a green option matter? Renewable plans often cost more per kWh.
How to Compare in 10 Minutes
- Find the Price to Compare on your latest PECO bill.
- Note your average monthly kWh from the same bill.
- Open the PUCâs shopping site, PAPowerSwitch, and enter your zip code.
- Filter for NRG-family brands, such as Reliant and Direct Energy, if you want them.
- Subtract each planâs rate from your PTC, then multiply by your kWh.
- Read the contract terms before you enroll.
Both Reliant Energy Northeast and Direct Energy Services appear on one Pennsylvania supplier list. Availability depends on your address, so PAPowerSwitch gives the final word.
Who Should Pick Which?
Stay with PECO if you:
- Want zero paperwork and accept a rate that changes on a schedule.
- Cannot find a plan below your current PTC.
- Plan to move within a few months.
Look at an NRG-family plan if you:
- Find a fixed rate clearly below your PTC.
- Value price certainty for a year or more.
- Read contracts without falling asleep.
Remember that PECO still delivers your power either way. A supplier cannot make your outages shorter.
Why You Can Trust These Numbers
- Every figure above links to its source.
- We labeled the sample rates as hypothetical.
- We flagged conflicting numbers instead of picking a favorite.
- We left out current NRG plan prices because we could not verify them.
This article gives general information, not financial advice. Rates and contract terms change often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NRG cheaper than PECO?
It depends on the plan. NRG-family brands only save money when their rate beats PECOâs Price to Compare after fees.
Will PECO stop serving me if I switch?
No. PECO still delivers your electricity and sends your monthly bill. Only the supply provider changes.
Does the PUC set my supply price?
No. The PUC says it does not control the generation portion of your bill.
Where can I check live rates?
Use PAPowerSwitch, the PUCâs official shopping site. Always confirm the final rate on the supplierâs contract.
Keep Reading
- Cooling costs drive summer bills. Our guide on fixing an overheated conservatory covers cutting solar heat and glare.
- Need quick discount math? See what 20 percent of 1300 is.
Sources
- ElectricityRates.com: PECO June 2026 rate increase
- ElectricityRates.com: A guide to PECO electricity rates
- ElectricityPlans.com: Philadelphia electric rates (EIA usage data)
- ElectricityPlans.com: Upper Darby electricity plans
- ElectricityPlans.com: Direct Energy plans
- PECO tariff filing, Pennsylvania PUC (April 2026)
- Pennsylvania PUC: #SaveInPA press release (2023)
- NRG Energy: Direct Energy acquisition release
- NRG Energy Form 10-Q, 2021 (SEC)
Short answer: One number decides this contest. PECOâs default supply rate is 11.572¢ per kWh through November 30, 2026, according to ElectricityRates.com. An NRG-family plan saves you money only if its rate beats that figure after fees.
Are NRG and PECO Really Rivals?
Not quite. PECO is your local utility, and NRG is a power company that sells electricity through retail brands. Think of PECO as the road crew and NRG as one of several delivery companies using the road.
NRG says it sells under the names NRG, Reliant, Green Mountain Energy, Stream, and XOOM Energy, per its SEC filing. It also bought Direct Energy from Centrica on January 5, 2021, NRGâs press release confirms.
So the real question is simple. Does an NRG-family supply plan beat PECOâs default supply price at your address?
| Task | PECO | NRG-family supplier |
|---|---|---|
| Delivers power and fixes outages | Yes | No |
| Sends your monthly bill | Yes, even if you switch | No |
| Offers fixed-rate plans | No, its default rate changes | Yes |
| Sets the supply price | Passes costs through, no markup | Sets its own price |
PECOâs Number to Beat: The Price to Compare
The Price to Compare (PTC) is PECOâs default price for electricity supply. You pay it automatically if you never choose a supplier. It also serves as the yardstick for every competing offer.
Here is what the sources say about it:
- It runs 11.572¢/kWh from June 1 to November 30, 2026, ElectricityRates.com reports.
- Another site lists 11.759¢/kWh for the same period, ElectricityPlans.com shows. The gap likely reflects what each site counts, so use the figure on your bill.
- The PTC covers generation, transmission, Pennsylvaniaâs Gross Receipts Tax, and alternative energy costs, ElectricityPlans.com explains.
- PECO files its adjustments with the state regulator. Its April 2026 filing covers rates effective June 1, 2026.
Your PTC has climbed fast. ElectricityRates.com tracked these default rates:
Cents per kWh. Source: ElectricityRates.com. Bar lengths are scaled for illustration.
That is a rise of nearly 19% in one year, plus another 5% in June. Your bill did not get the memo about âinflation is cooling.â
A new PTC takes effect after November 30. Check your bill before you compare anything.
What Could an NRG-Family Plan Save You?
Letâs run the math with a real usage figure. The EIA says the average Philadelphia home uses 866 kWh per month, as ElectricityPlans.com reports.
The table below uses made-up supplier rates against PECOâs 11.572¢ PTC. These are not NRG offers. They only show how the arithmetic works.
| Sample plan rate | Gap vs. 11.572¢ | Monthly effect | Yearly effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5¢ | 2.072¢ lower | Save about $17.94 | Save about $215 |
| 10.5¢ | 1.072¢ lower | Save about $9.28 | Save about $111 |
| 11.5¢ | 0.072¢ lower | Save about $0.62 | Save about $7 |
| 12.5¢ | 0.928¢ higher | Pay about $8.04 more | Pay about $96 more |
Rates also move around. Two ElectricityPlans.com pages list Direct Energyâs 12-month PECO plan at 8.59¢ and 12.69¢. Neither snapshot shows a date in the text we reviewed.
That gap proves one thing. Old rate tables age like milk, so check live offers.
Statewide, savings vary widely. A 2023 PUC survey found typical savings of $2 to $49 a month at 700 kWh.
What Matters Besides the Rate?
A low headline price can hide a sneaky contract. The PUC tells shoppers to check the questions below before signing.
- Fixed or variable? A variable rate can change, so read the conditions, the PUC advises.
- How long is the term? A 12-month plan and a 24-month plan carry different risks.
- Is the rate introductory? Some plans start low, then jump.
- Are there fees? ElectricityPlans.com says Direct Energyâs fixed plans carry no monthly fee or early termination charge. Confirm that in the contract.
- Does a green option matter? Renewable plans often cost more per kWh.
How to Compare in 10 Minutes
- Find the Price to Compare on your latest PECO bill.
- Note your average monthly kWh from the same bill.
- Open the PUCâs shopping site, PAPowerSwitch, and enter your zip code.
- Filter for NRG-family brands, such as Reliant and Direct Energy, if you want them.
- Subtract each planâs rate from your PTC, then multiply by your kWh.
- Read the contract terms before you enroll.
Both Reliant Energy Northeast and Direct Energy Services appear on one Pennsylvania supplier list. Availability depends on your address, so PAPowerSwitch gives the final word.
Who Should Pick Which?
Stay with PECO if you:
- Want zero paperwork and accept a rate that changes on a schedule.
- Cannot find a plan below your current PTC.
- Plan to move within a few months.
Look at an NRG-family plan if you:
- Find a fixed rate clearly below your PTC.
- Value price certainty for a year or more.
- Read contracts without falling asleep.
Remember that PECO still delivers your power either way. A supplier cannot make your outages shorter.
Why You Can Trust These Numbers
- Every figure above links to its source.
- We labeled the sample rates as hypothetical.
- We flagged conflicting numbers instead of picking a favorite.
- We left out current NRG plan prices because we could not verify them.
This article gives general information, not financial advice. Rates and contract terms change often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NRG cheaper than PECO?
It depends on the plan. NRG-family brands only save money when their rate beats PECOâs Price to Compare after fees.
Will PECO stop serving me if I switch?
No. PECO still delivers your electricity and sends your monthly bill. Only the supply provider changes.
Does the PUC set my supply price?
No. The PUC says it does not control the generation portion of your bill.
Where can I check live rates?
Use PAPowerSwitch, the PUCâs official shopping site. Always confirm the final rate on the supplierâs contract.
Keep Reading
- Cooling costs drive summer bills. Our guide on fixing an overheated conservatory covers cutting solar heat and glare.
- Need quick discount math? See what 20 percent of 1300 is.
Sources
- ElectricityRates.com: PECO June 2026 rate increase
- ElectricityRates.com: A guide to PECO electricity rates
- ElectricityPlans.com: Philadelphia electric rates (EIA usage data)
- ElectricityPlans.com: Upper Darby electricity plans
- ElectricityPlans.com: Direct Energy plans
- PECO tariff filing, Pennsylvania PUC (April 2026)
- Pennsylvania PUC: #SaveInPA press release (2023)
- NRG Energy: Direct Energy acquisition release
- NRG Energy Form 10-Q, 2021 (SEC)
