New Met-Ed Rate Will Make Cooling PA Homes Way More Expensive

Update: Met-Ed's Price to Compare changes again December 1, 2026. See which PA utilities are raising PTC rates December 1 and the current Met-Ed Price to Compare.

Reading, PA - PAEnergyRatings.com urges Met-Ed and FirstEnergy customers currently on their utility's Price to Compare (PTC) to shop for a retail electricity provider. Beginning June 1, Met-Ed's PTC rate will increase, potentially pushing the average Pennsylvania summer electric bill above $200 per month.

The rate increase stems from PJM capacity auction prices set last summer, which take effect June 1. Those prices hit a maximum capped rate of $329.17 per megawatt-day, roughly 22% higher than last summer's rate. Met-Ed's PTC will climb 7.6%. For example, Reading electricity rates will rise from the current 12.965 cents per kWh to 13.951 cents per kWh. Other FirstEnergy Pennsylvania utilities will also see increases: Penelec rates will rise 12%, Penn Power 7.5%, and West Penn 10%. All new rates remain in place until December 1, 2026.

Pennsylvania summers drive high electricity demand, particularly for air conditioning. In cities like Reading, Bethlehem, and York, pavement, concrete, and brick absorb heat during the day and release it at night, keeping neighborhoods warmer longer. For many residents in the Met-Ed service area, air conditioning has become a necessity.

July 2025 ranked as the hottest month on record in Pennsylvania. Average electricity usage reached 1,084 kWh that month. By combining last year's usage data with NOAA climate information, analysts at PAEnergyRatings.com found that customers using that same amount of electricity this summer will likely see Met-Ed bills exceeding $200. That total reflects an estimated $151 in supply charges and $67 in Met-Ed distribution charges.

Pennsylvania customers have the right to choose their own retail electricity supplier, and making that power switch now could save significantly on summer bills. PAEnergyRatings.com urges all Met-Ed PTC customers to lock in the lowest available fixed rate plan as soon as possible.

Many fixed rate plans currently offer electricity rates below Met-Ed's upcoming 14 cents per kWh. Choosing one of these plans now can protect customers from high summer cooling bills. A fixed rate plan can also shield customers from potential price increases, even when the current PTC expires on December 1.

Customers who switch sooner lock in savings for more of the summer.

The PJM capacity costs behind the residential increase affect business customers too. Offices, restaurants and shops in the Met-Ed service area often run air conditioning through long summer days, so higher supply costs can add up quickly. Businesses have their own Price to Compare, separate from the residential rate, and they can shop for a fixed rate the same way households can. Business customers can request a free quote to compare Pennsylvania business electricity rates and see how current offers stack up against Met-Ed's default rate.

Karl Trollinger, CEO of Electricity Ratings, adds, "Once again, Pennsylvania consumers are dealing with large PJM auction price swings from their utility during a difficult economy. Fortunately, consumers can shop PA electric suppliers when their utility's price-to-compare rate isn't the best solution. These are frustrating times for working families. And that's why our mission is to help consumers find the best electricity rates and plans for their needs."

PAEnergyRatings.com is a website operated by Electricity Ratings, LLC.

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