Managing Your Electricity Supplier After You Sign
The short answer
Signing the contract is the midpoint, not the end. Businesses that save the most audit the first bill, check the generation price every month, review their capacity tag each June, track end dates, and act on renewal notices. A 20-minute monthly check catches most billing errors and prevents the most expensive mistake — rolling onto a variable price after the term ends.
The first 60 days
- Confirm enrollment. The utility sends a confirmation letter; small commercial customers have 7 days from its postmark to cancel if something is wrong.
- Check the start date. Switches happen on a meter-read date — typically within one or two billing cycles.
- Audit the first bill. The supplier's name and contract price should appear in the generation section; delivery charges should be unchanged from before.
- File the paperwork. Keep the signed contract, the price confirmation and the utility's confirmation letter together.
Monthly checks (10–20 minutes)
| Check | What you're looking for |
|---|---|
| Generation ¢/kWh | Matches the contract price |
| Pass-through lines | Only the charges your contract allows |
| Usage vs bandwidth | Year-to-date usage within the contract's range |
| Billed kW | No unexplained demand spikes |
| Read type | Actual, not estimated |
Annual checks
- Capacity tag (each June). Your tag resets June 1 from last summer's peak hours. At 2026/27 prices each kW is worth roughly $120 a year — if yours jumped, find out why.
- Utility default price (each June). Compare your contract price with the new default price to know where you stand.
- Site changes. New equipment, expansions or closures may trigger material-change or bandwidth clauses; tell the supplier early.
Renewal and exit
- Calendar the end date the day you sign, with reminders at 6 and 3 months.
- Watch for HB 15 notices. Suppliers must notify you twice before a fixed contract rolls to a variable rate.
- Decide early. Re-bid, extend, or return to default service — don't let the contract decide for you.
FAQ
How do I know my supplier is billing correctly?
Compare the generation line on each bill to your contract price and usage; the utility bill shows both.
What if my supplier charges something not in the contract?
Ask the supplier for the contract clause; if it isn't resolved, you can file a complaint with PUCO.
Can I change suppliers before my contract ends?
Yes, but you may owe an early termination fee; compare the fee against expected savings.