How Does the Switching Process Work in PA?

  1. Once you sign up with your new electricity supplier, they will mail you the plan's contract summary for you to review. Be sure to read it because it includes all the fine print that could cost you a lot of money if you ignore what it says.
  2. When you receive the contract summary, you still have time to change your mind one last time. The PA Right of Rescission gives you three business days to change your mind and contact the new supplier and cancel the contract without paying a penalty. Also note that the Right of Rescission does not apply when you renew an existing contract with your current provider.
  3. At the end of three (3) days, your new supplier will notify your old supplier and your local utility of the change.
  4. When your local utility receives notification from your new supplier, the effective switch date should occur within three business days. NOTE: some suppliers can take three to eight weeks to notify your utility.
  5. Your local utility will contact you by mail to verify your switch.

Please note that you can switch electricity supplier only once per billing month.

What Can I Do If I Didn't Agree to Being Switched?

The PA PUC has a zero-tolerance for companies that switch customers without their knowledge or permission (called "slamming"). Customers who believe they have been switched without their permission or have encountered aggressive sales people either in person or over their phone should report it to both their utility and the PUC's Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS) at 1-800-692-7380.

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