Columbus Electric Supply Shopping: AEP Ohio Territory Rates
AEP Ohio delivers power to virtually every Columbus address. Ohio's 'Energy Choice' program lets you replace AEP Ohio's Standard Service Offer with a competitive supply rate — same wires, same outage number, different price.
No personal info required to compare
Switch Both Electric + Gas in Columbus — Save $140+/year
Columbus is in a dual fuel deregulated state. You can switch both your electricity AND natural gas provider. Most customers who switch both save $140 or more per year.
About Energy Choice in Columbus
Columbus is inside AEP Ohio's certified territory, which covers most of central and southeastern Ohio. Under Ohio's Energy Choice law, AEP Ohio remains the wires company for every Columbus home, but the supply portion of your bill can be shopped from any supplier certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) — the list PUCO maintains is called 'Apples to Apples.'
If you never shop, AEP Ohio serves you under its Standard Service Offer (SSO), an auction-based rate that resets periodically and floats with wholesale power markets. That's the number a fixed-rate supplier has to beat, and it's the reason Columbus customers on month-to-month SSO can see noticeable jumps when auctions clear high — a fixed contract is essentially insurance against the next reset.
Natural gas in Columbus is a separate choice: Columbia Gas of Ohio delivers the fuel, and its Standard Choice Offer (SCO) plays the same role gas-side that the SSO plays for electric. Ohio is one of the few states where a household can meaningfully shop both fuels, and Columbus households that switch both together typically capture the largest year-over-year savings.
How It Works
Five simple steps to a better energy rate.
Enter Your ZIP
Tell us where you live so we can show available plans.
Upload Your Bill (Optional)
Let Maya AI scan it to find the best matching offer.
Compare Plans
See real rates, contract terms and estimated savings.
Pick a Plan
Choose the offer that fits your home and usage.
Switch in Minutes
No service interruption — your new rate starts next cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which utility serves Columbus, Ohio?
AEP Ohio (American Electric Power) is the electric distribution utility for Columbus and most of central Ohio. Columbia Gas of Ohio is the natural gas utility for most Columbus addresses.
What is AEP Ohio's Standard Service Offer?
The SSO is the default supply rate AEP Ohio charges customers who haven't chosen a competitive supplier. It's set through periodic wholesale auctions overseen by PUCO, so it moves with the market rather than staying fixed.
Does switching my supplier affect AEP Ohio's outage response in Columbus?
No. AEP Ohio owns the poles, wires and substations across Columbus regardless of who supplies your energy. Report outages at 1-800-672-2231 — that number stays the same for every AEP Ohio customer.
Can I shop natural gas in Columbus too?
Yes. Columbia Gas of Ohio participates in Ohio's Choice program, and residential customers can pick a competing gas supplier while Columbia Gas continues to deliver the fuel and respond to leaks.
How do I compare Columbus electricity plans fairly?
Compare a supplier's fixed rate to AEP Ohio's current Price to Compare (the generation portion of the SSO), not to your total bill. Delivery, riders and taxes stay the same no matter which supplier you pick.