Frequently Asked Questions
Click on question to view answer or click here to begin viewing questions with answers.
What is Electric Customer Choice?
How will I benefit from the new customer choice law?
Must I select a supplier other than Duke Energy?
How do I sign up for Customer Choice?
Will I experience a decrease in the quality of electric service if I choose another supplier?
If I change suppliers, whom do I call if I have an outage?
Will I receive two electric bills each month if I choose a new supplier?
How do I find out about other suppliers?
Will I need a special meter if I choose a new supplier?
Is there a deadline for enrolling in Ohio Electric Choice?
What happens if the supplier fails to deliver power?
What happens if the supplier discontinues operations?
How will changes affect my enrollment in low-income programs?
How do I get more information?
Q. What is electric customer choice?
A. Electric customer choice allows most electric customers to choose the company that supplies (i.e., generation portion of their electric bill) their electricity. However, Duke Energy will continue to deliver the electricity to customers, maintain power lines, send bills, and respond to emergency situations.
Q. How can I benefit from customer choice?
A. Just as you can shop for other products and services, you can choose your electric supplier. You can choose a supplier based on what is important to you. For example, you may simply want the lowest price, or you may want to make a choice based on how electricity is produced. Competition in other industries has often brought better service, and new products and technologies.
The following charges are avoided: Rider RC (Retail Capacity Rider), Rider RE (Retail Energy Rider), Rider AER-R (Alternative Energy Recovery Rider), Rider RTO (Retail Transmission Organization Rider), Rider SCR (Supplier Cost Reconciliation Rider) and Rider RECON (Fuel and Reserve Capacity Reconciliation Rider).
Q. Must I select a supplier other than Duke Energy?
A. No. You do not have to select another supplier. Because this is a customer choice program, it is voluntary. If you choose not to participate, Duke Energy will continue to supply you with electricity in the same efficient, safe, and reliable manner you've come to expect. There won't be a need to fill out any forms or notify anyone of your decision to remain with Duke Energy.
There is the possibility that your local government could choose to aggregate its residents with a supplier. However, this would have to be approved through the voting process by the community. If aggregation were approved, you would still have the option to opt off the aggregated list.
Q. How do I sign up for Customer Choice?
A. Signing with a supplier is between you and the supplier. The supplier may provide you with a contract by mail. Other ways you may be able to sign up are by telephone or on the Internet. Your new supplier will contact Duke Energy for you. We will then mail you a confirmation.
Click here to view a list of suppliers that are certified by the PUCO and Duke Energy. You may also contact our Call Center for a list of certified suppliers at 800.544.6900.
Q. Will I experience a decrease in the quality of electric service if I choose another supplier?
A. No. The quality of electric service will not decline because no matter which alternative electric supplier is selected, Duke Energy is still responsible for getting the electricity to homes or businesses and maintaining electric lines.
Q. If I change suppliers, whom do I call if I have an outage?
A. You will continue to notify Duke Energy in the event of an outage just as in the past. Duke Energy will continue to maintain all existing power lines regardless of which generation supplier you select.
Q. Will I receive two electric bills each month if I choose a new supplier?
A. The supplier will determine if you receive a separate bill for the generation charges or if these charges will be added onto the Duke Energy bill. If the supplier bills separately, this will be noted on your Duke Energy bill. Ask any supplier you consider how they will bill you.
Q. How do I find out about other suppliers?
A. A list of certified suppliers will be maintained online by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and Duke Energy. Suppliers may also contact you directly to be your generation supplier. Each utility is required to provide a customer list to all suppliers on a quarterly basis, per the PUCO. The list includes name, address, and usage information. You have the opportunity to opt off the list if you desire. However, a reason to keep your name on the list is that the information provided to suppliers will assist in determining if they can provide you savings. This list will be updated quarterly and you will be provided the opportunity to have your name added to or removed from the list each time.
Q. Will I need a special meter if I choose a new supplier?
A. In most cases for residential customers, no. However, the option may be available to have an interval meter that can monitor electric use during specific time periods. If a supplier offers this service, you may benefit from special time-of-day discounts.
Q. Is there a deadline for enrolling in Ohio Electric Choice?
A. No. Once a supplier is certified, a customer may sign with a supplier at any time. To switch to another supplier, contact the supplier directly.
Q. What happens if the supplier fails to deliver power?
A. If a supplier fails to deliver power (default), the customer will return to Duke Energy at the standard service offer rate.
Q. How will changes affect my enrollment in low-income programs?
A. Individual customers on the PIPP plan are not eligible for customer choice. The Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) administers PIPP. Customers on the Residential Low Income Service rate are eligible to participate in the Choice Customer program.
For more information regarding Duke Energy's low-income programs, send an e-mail to: cbgovan@duke-energy.com.
Q. How can I switch suppliers?
A. You can switch suppliers by enrolling with a different supplier by contacting the supplier directly. Later, you can return to Duke Energy by contacting our Call Center at 513.421.9500 or 1.800.544.6900. Before switching, you should be aware of any payment penalties in your supply contract.
A. Duke Energy will continue to offer a budget billing payment plan for customers that switch generation suppliers.
Q. How do I get more information?
A. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, local utilities, and potential alternative suppliers will provide information to customers. Duke Energy also provides quarterly updates in your bill insert.
