Utilities setup and providers in Pennsylvania: Electricity suppliers: PECO, PPL Electric Utilities, Duquesne Light. Natural gas providers: Columbia Gas, PECO Gas, Peoples Gas. Water services: Aqua Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania American Water. Internet companies: Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, RCN. Trash and recycling: Local municipal or private companies. Utility billing cycles: Monthly or bimonthly options. Activation time: 1-7 business days, plan accordingly. Budget billing: Equal monthly payment plans available. Low-income assistance programs: LIHEAP, CAP, CARES. Online account management: Provider-specific portals or apps.
Electricity suppliers: PECO, PPL Electric Utilities, Duquesne Light.
In Pennsylvania, key electricity suppliers include PECO, serving over 1.7 million customers in southeastern Pennsylvania, particularly Philadelphia and surrounding counties; PPL Electric Utilities, delivering electricity to more than 1.4 million homes and businesses in central and eastern Pennsylvania; and Duquesne Light Company, serving 600,000 customers in southwestern Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh and parts of Allegheny and Beaver counties. Each utility manages distribution lines, offers customer service, and provides options for choosing Electric Generation Suppliers.
Natural gas providers: Columbia Gas, PECO Gas, Peoples Gas.
In the state of Pennsylvania, residents have access to a variety of natural gas services offered by different companies, each catering to diverse consumer needs. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of NiSource, brings flexible payment options and assistance programs to both home and commercial business owners. This enables customers to choose from a range of deregulated natural gas plans and competitive suppliers. Similarly, PECO Gas, under the umbrella of Exelon Corporation, stands as the state's largest electric and gas utility, providing advanced smart energy solutions to over 515,000 customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Peoples Natural Gas Company LLC operates as a regulated natural gas distribution company. The oversight and licensure of numerous natural gas suppliers, including this company, fall under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Utility Commission. These entities provide vital infrastructure and services, ensuring energy needs are efficiently met across the region.
Water services: Aqua Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania American Water.
Aqua Pennsylvania, an Essential Utilities company, ensures the provision of safe and reliable water and wastewater services across 32 counties in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, serves approximately 2.3 million people across 37 counties. They are committed to significantly investing in upgrading water and wastewater systems to meet regulatory standards and maintain high-quality service.
Internet companies: Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, RCN.
In Pennsylvania, Verizon Fios is noted for its 100% fiber-optic connection, competitive pricing, and high customer satisfaction. Comcast Xfinity offers widespread coverage and is expanding its fiber-rich network, while RCN is not prominently mentioned but other providers like Frontier Fiber offer the fastest plans with symmetrical speeds up to 7,000Mbps. For more details on the top choices available in this region, you can explore the options on the Best Internet Providers in Pennsylvania guide. This comprehensive overview will help you find an ideal match for your specific connectivity needs.
Trash and recycling: Local municipal or private companies.
In Pennsylvania, trash and recycling services are often provided by a mix of local municipal contracts and private companies. For example, Hometown Disposal and Park's Garbage Service offer comprehensive waste management and recycling services in central Pennsylvania, while municipalities like Cranberry Township may contract with companies such as Vogel Disposal Service Inc. to manage their waste collection.
Utility billing cycles: Monthly or bimonthly options.
In Pennsylvania, utility billing cycles can be monthly or can be managed through Budget Billing, which averages estimated service costs over a 10-, 11-, or 12-month period to eliminate seasonal fluctuations. However, there is no explicit mention of bimonthly billing options. For more detailed information on utility billing regulations, please visit the Legal Information Institute website.
Activation time: 1-7 business days, plan accordingly.
In Pennsylvania, you can switch to a new electricity supplier in as little as three business days once the electric distribution company is notified, thanks to the state's accelerated switching rules. For more detailed information and guidance on making a switch, visit the PA Power Switch website, which offers comprehensive resources and support for consumers considering a change in their electricity supplier.
Budget billing: Equal monthly payment plans available.
In Pennsylvania, utilities such as FirstEnergy offer budget billing plans like the Equal Payment Plan (EPP) and Average Payment Plan (APP), which allow residential customers to divide their annual electric bills into 12 equal monthly payments, helping to level out seasonal fluctuations in energy usage.
Low-income assistance programs: LIHEAP, CAP, CARES.
In Pennsylvania, low-income assistance programs play a vital role in offering support to those in need. These programs include the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides both cash and crisis benefits for managing home energy costs, ensuring that families can maintain essential utilities during challenging times. Additionally, the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) is designed to help reduce or remove existing debt while simultaneously lowering monthly utility bills, thus easing the financial burden on families with limited income. Another essential program, the Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Program (CARES), offers valuable support and resources for customers experiencing temporary hardships. To learn more about these invaluable resources, visit the Utility Assistance Programs on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's website.
Online account management: Provider-specific portals or apps.
Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) provides an online portal where customers can efficiently manage their natural gas accounts by viewing and paying bills, setting up automatic payments, and opting for paperless statements among other features. Similarly, the FirstEnergy's Manage My Account portal enables users to view and update their online profile, account information, contact details, billing and payment options, and energy usage data. Additionally, it offers the convenience of receiving alerts and managing accounts seamlessly.