HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is alerting consumers about the potential for large winter energy cost increases for electric customers who do not shop for competitive electric suppliers.

To avoid the possibility of “sticker shock” from high bills during the coming cold months, the PUC reminds consumers that the start of winter is an important time to compare prices for electric generation and evaluate competitive supplier options.

Most Pennsylvania regulated electric utilities adjusted the price they charge for the generation portion of customers’ bills on Dec. 1 for non-shopping (default service) customers, also known as the “Price to Compare” (PTC). The PTC averages 40 to 60 percent of the customer’s total utility bill. However, this percent varies by utility and by the level of individual customer usage. These recent changes in price range from a reduction of 6.3% to an increase of 24%.

As of Dec. 1, electric distribution companies reported the following changes in their PTCs for residential customers:

The PUC noted that several other electric utilities, including UGI, Duquesne Light, PECO and Wellsboro Electric, have reduced their PTCs by 6.3%, 4.2%,1.4% and 1% respectively, though the PUC still encourages customers to explore their options in those service areas.

In most areas of Pennsylvania, consumers can choose who supplies their electricity, based on price or other factors, such as renewable energy.

Customers not choosing a supplier continue to receive default service from their local utility, with the cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) set quarterly or semiannually based on electric generation procurement plans developed by those utilities.

PAPowerSwitch.com, the PUC’s nationally recognized website for electric choice, provides consumers with valuable information on how to shop for electric supply services. The website enables consumers to quickly compare offers from competitive suppliers.

As another alternative for default service customers not participating in the competitive electricity market, Pennsylvania’s regulated utilities offer a voluntary Standard Offer Program (Standard Offer) — providing those customers with the option of receiving service from a competitive supplier at a fixed-price that is 7% below the utility’s current PTC. The Standard Offer price is fixed for one year and can be canceled by the customer at any time with no early cancellation or termination fees.