If you’re a customer in Northeast Ohio, chances are you’re familiar with The Illuminating Company, one of the main utility providers in the region. As part of FirstEnergy Corp,this company delivers electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the Cleveland area and surrounding suburbs. But whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, one question is always worth asking: Are you paying the best possible rate for electricity?
In this blog, we’ll break down how The Illuminating Company’s electricity rates work, compare your options, and help you make smarter decisions when it comes to powering your home.
Who Is The Illuminating Company?
The Illuminating Company serves over 700,000 customers in the Greater Cleveland area, providing electricity delivery, infrastructure maintenance, and billing services. While they are responsible for delivering your electricity, customers in Ohio’s deregulated market can choose their electricity supplier, and that’s where understanding rates becomes essential.
Understanding Your Electricity Bill
Before diving into the rates themselves, it’s important to understand how your electricity bill is structured. Typically, your bill will split into two main parts:
Delivery Charges –
These are set by The Illuminating Company and approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. They cover the cost of maintaining power lines, responding to outages, and ensuring reliable delivery.
- Supply Charges – These are the rates you pay for the actual electricity you use. Here’s where you can shop around and choose a supplier based on competitive pricing.
Current Standard Service Offer
If you haven’t selected an alternate electricity supplier, you’re like on the Standard Service Offer provided by The Illuminating Company. As of early 2025, the SSO rate is hovering around 12.4 cents per kWh, a significant increase from previous years due to rising energy deregulation costs, inflation and market volatility.
This default rate can be unpredictable as it changes based on wholesale energy auctions held by the PUCO. While it offers the convenience of no long-term contracts, it may not always be the most cost-effective choice.
Comparing Plans: Fixed vs Variable Rates
When choosing a competitive supplier, you’ll typically encounter two types of plans:
- Fixed Rate Plans – You lock in a rate for a set term, usually 12, 24, or 36 months. This offers price stability, protecting you from market spikes.
- Variable Rate Plans – The rate fluctuates month-to-month based on market conditions. These plans can start lower but carry the risk of rate hikes.
Hidden Fees And Terms To Watch Out For
While shopping around for lower rates, always read the fine print. Some suppliers may advertise low introductory rates but include:
- Early termination fees
- Monthly service charges
- Automatic renewal clauses
- Introductory pricing that jumps after promotional period
At Comparison Junction, we break down all these terms so you can make an informed choice, not just the cheapest on paper.
How To Switch From The Illuminating Company’s SSO
Wondering how switching works? Switching suppliers in Ohio is easy and usually takes just a few minutes:
- Compare Plans – Use Comparison Junction’s online tools to filter by price, plan length, and review.
- Select A Supplier – Choose the plan that best fits your energy needs.
- Enroll Online – Provide your account number from The Illuminating Company and contact information.
- Seamless Transition – Your service won’t be interrupted, and The Illuminating Company will still handle your delivery and service needs.
There’s no need to notify The Illuminating Company directly, your new supplier will take care of the switch.
Green Energy Options
Many suppliers now offer 100% renewable energy plans, using wind, solar or hydroelectric sources. These often come at rates comparable to traditional plans. If sustainability is important to you, Comparison Junction makes it easy to filter for clean energy providers that align with your values, without breaking the bank.
Should You Switch?
With electricity rates on the rise, the answer for most households is yes, it’s worth comparing and potentially switching from The Illuminating Company’s standard rate. By locking in a fixed rate or choosing a lower-cost supplier, you can significantly reduce your monthly energy bills.
At Comparison Junction, our goal is to make your energy choices simpler, smarter, and more transparent. With just a few clicks, you can compare dozens of providers, explore green energy options, and lock in savings, all while The Illuminating Company continues to deliver your power reliably.
