Start when you receive a renewal notice

Read the proposed price, pricing type, renewal term and response deadline. Compare those terms with your current supplier, eligible competing offers, and the utility’s default option. Record the actual end date; a billing due date is not necessarily a contract end date.

Rules vary by state. In Pennsylvania, PA Power Switch’s FAQ says early cancellation fees do not apply during the last 30 days of the contract. Confirm your contract dates and applicable rules before relying on a fee-free window. Do not apply Pennsylvania’s window to an account in another state.

Calculate the cost of switching early

Consider an illustrative household using 700 kWh per month. Moving from 13¢ to 11¢/kWh would reduce supply cost by $14 per month if both plans have no recurring fees and usage stays the same. If leaving the current contract costs $100, the simple break-even point is about 7.1 months ($100 ÷ $14).

If only three months remain before the old contract ends, the savings during those months would be $42 against a $100 exit charge: $58 worse off over that period. Waiting could avoid the fee, though the later offers are unknown. These are invented figures, not an offer or a forecast.

Compare again when something material changes

  • Your current variable price or utility benchmark changes.
  • A renewal notice proposes a new price or fee.
  • Your usage changes after a move, electric heating, or a new electric vehicle.
  • You find an eligible offer whose total cost may be lower over the period you need it.

There is no universal best month to switch. Contract terms, account eligibility and prices available when you act matter more than a calendar rule.

Confirm the effective date

Ask when the new supplier will begin service and whether you can request a future start. Save confirmation from the supplier and utility where applicable. In Pittsburgh, Duquesne Light’s FAQ explains its switching process. Other utilities can use different processes; follow the instructions for your account.

After switching, check the first bill

Verify the supplier name, price, fees and dates. A bill that spans the change can include more than one supplier period. If something differs from the saved agreement, contact the supplier with the confirmation in hand.

Keep a rate-expiration reminder for the new contract. If the comparison does not improve your situation, staying on your current plan or default supply remains an option. Use the comparison checklist before deciding.

Guide reviewed by Choose My Electric on . Examples are illustrative; verify current offers and terms with the linked official sources. Send a correction.