Your Bill is More Complex Than You Think
Your energy bill has multiple components, and understanding each one will help you spot opportunities to save money. Here's a breakdown:
Supply Charges (The Rate)
On an electric bill this is measured in cents per kWh (kilowatt-hour); on a gas bill, in dollars per Ccf or Mcf. This is the cost of the actual electricity or gas. In Ohio's deregulated market, this is what you can negotiate by switching suppliers.
Delivery Charges
This is what the utility (AEP, FirstEnergy, Duke) charges to maintain the poles, wires, and infrastructure that deliver electricity or gas to your home. You cannot negotiate this—it goes to your local utility no matter which supplier you choose.
Monthly Base Charge / Service Charge
A flat fee just for being connected to the grid. This is set by your utility and doesn't change based on your usage.
Demand Charges (mostly for businesses)
This is the peak amount of power you used in a given hour/period. Most residential customers don't see this, but some time-of-use plans do.
Taxes and Surcharges
State and local taxes, plus surcharges for programs like energy efficiency initiatives. These vary by location and can't be negotiated.
How to Find Your Current Rate
Look for the line item that says "Energy Supply Rate" or "Supplier Rate." On an electric bill it's shown as cents per kWh (e.g., 11.2¢/kWh); on a gas bill, as dollars per Ccf or Mcf (e.g., $4.45/Mcf). This is your starting point for comparison shopping.
Pro tip: Use EnergyMonkey's bill scanner to extract this automatically—no manual math required.