Help for Pennsylvania

No. Your lights stay on.

Your electric company still delivers your power and sends your bill.

Only the price part of your bill changes.

Not always. Savings are not promised.

Some prices can change each month. A plan like that must tell you if there is no limit on how much.

Some plans have fees.

That is why we check the math for you, fees included.

You call the company that will set your new price. You don't call your electric company.

That company tells your electric company for you.

You can also sign up on the company's website.

Have your bill ready. The company will ask for a number from it.

Duquesne Light customers give the Supplier Agreement ID. It is not the account number.

PPL customers give their 10-digit account number.

Other companies: ask which number they need. It is on your bill.

Only give that number to a company you have decided to switch to.

Your electric company must make the change within 3 business days after it gets your sign-up.

It mails you a letter to confirm the change.

Check your next bill or two for the new price.

Yes. The new company must send you its plan papers. They are called a disclosure statement.

You have 3 business days after you get them to cancel for free.

Weekends and holidays don't count.

You can cancel by phone, in writing or online.

No one can make you give up this right.

Yes. Call your electric company and say: "I want to go back to default service."

If your contract is not over, the company that sets your price may charge a fee to leave early.

The change back takes about 3 business days.

Your bill calls the standard price the Price to Compare. It usually changes on June 1 and December 1.

The company must send you a first notice 45 to 60 days before your plan ends.

A second notice must come by mail at least 30 days before it ends.

If you do nothing, a fixed plan can turn into a plan whose price changes each month.

That kind of plan cannot charge a fee to cancel.

Come back to Judy Saves when the notice comes. We will check your choices again.

Some plans charge a fee if you leave early.

The fee must be shown in dollars, or with a clear way to work out the dollars.

If you leave after the second notice comes and before your plan ends, there is no fee.

The plan papers must say that it is a starting price.

They must say how long it lasts and what the price will be after that.

When we compare plans, we look past the starting price.

"I'm with your electric company." A seller must say they do not work for your electric company.

"This is the PUC calling to confirm your switch." The state office has warned about fake calls like this.

"Read me your account number." That number lets someone switch you. Don't share it unless you have decided to switch.

"You're guaranteed to save." No one can promise that.

"This low price is just for the first month or two." That is a starting price. Ask what it will be after that.

"You have to decide today." You never have to decide on the spot.

"You can't cancel." You can. You have 3 business days after you get the plan papers. No one can take that away.

You never have to open the door.

A seller must show a badge and say they don't work for your electric company.

They must leave right away when you ask.

They may knock from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from October to March.

From April to September, they may knock until 8 p.m.

No. Judy Saves never calls you or knocks on your door.

If someone says they are from Judy Saves, hang up.

Call 1-800-692-7380.

Call them about pushy sellers, a switch you did not ask for, or other problems.

Call 1-800-684-6560.

This state office speaks up for people who pay utility bills.

Call your electric company if the power goes out, or to go back to its standard price.

Its number is on your bill.