What drives electric bills in Ohio
Residential electricity in Ohio averaged 18.7¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 13.0% from 16.6¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 19.5¢. The typical home here used 846 kWh a month in 2024, close to the U.S. average.
- The standard service offer changes several times a year. Each utility buys power through auctions, and the new price takes effect on your bill on a set schedule.
- Government aggregation. Many Ohio communities buy power for residents in bulk. If your town has a program, you may be enrolled automatically; compare its price with the standard offer.
- Supplier contracts that expire. Introductory rates often turn into monthly variable rates. Check the end date of your contract on your bill.
Who supplies your power
AEP Ohio, FirstEnergy (Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison), Duke Energy Ohio and AES Ohio deliver power in most of the state. Rural co-ops and municipal utilities, such as Cleveland Public Power, serve the rest.
Ways to pay less in Ohio
- Compare offers on Energy Choice Ohio, run by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Look at the price per kWh, the contract length and early termination fees.
- Your utility offers rebates and free or low-cost energy kits. AEP Ohio and FirstEnergy both have appliance recycling programs that pay you to remove an old fridge.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $68 a month at Ohio prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Ohio.
Shopping for a cheaper plan in Ohio
Ohio lets many homes choose who supplies their electricity. Before you switch, compare offers at your own usage, not just the advertised price: at the 846 kWh a typical home here uses, every 1¢ per kWh is worth about $102 a year. Prefer fixed-rate plans of 12 months or more, check the early cancellation fee, and note when the contract ends.
Compare plans on Energy Choice OhioHelp paying your bill in Ohio
- PIPP Plus: income-eligible households pay a fixed share of their income each month and earn credits toward overdue balances when they pay on time.
- HEAP and Winter Crisis Program: Ohio’s LIHEAP program helps with heating bills, and the Winter Crisis Program helps if you have a shutoff notice.
Statewide help is in addition to the federal programs, such as LIHEAP and weatherization, that the bill checker above lists. Call 211 to find the agency that handles them near you.
Is solar worth it in Ohio?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Ohio produces roughly 8,050 kWh a year, about 79% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 18.7¢, that power is worth about $1,505 a year. What you actually save depends on your roof, the price you pay for the system, the 30% federal tax credit rules in effect when you buy, and how your utility credits the power you send to the grid. Get at least three quotes before you decide.
How Ohio compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 18.7¢ | 846 | $158 |
| Kentucky | 14.3¢ | 1,047 | $149 |
| West Virginia | 15.5¢ | 1,027 | $159 |
| Indiana | 17.0¢ | 901 | $154 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.0¢ | 817 | $172 |
| Michigan | 21.5¢ | 618 | $133 |
| U.S. average | 18.2¢ | 863 | $157 |
Price: average residential price, January–July 2026, U.S. Energy Information Administration (Electric Power Monthly, tables 5.6.A and 5.6.B). Usage: average monthly consumption per home, 2024, EIA form EIA-861. Typical bill = typical usage × current average price. Solar output is a rough estimate for a south-facing roof.