Akron Residents Facing $40-Per-Month Hike
Posted onPrepare For Akron Rate Hike
Bad news is coming to Akron energy customers right before the spring and summer season. Local officials have negotiated a new electric aggregation deal that will cause electricity rates to rise. That means your energy bill is about to get a lot more expensive. But why are rates on the rise? Who will it affect? What can you do about it? Here's how Akron residents need to know about the $40 per month rate hike.
Why Raise Akron Electricity Rates?
The City of Akron concluded its government aggregation agreement with Energy Harbor in 2021. Under this program, city residents got 100% carbon-free electricity for 4.97 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). However, in 2024, Vistra Energy bought out Energy Harbor and merged it into its subsidiary, Dynegy.
In March, 2025, the City of Akron renewed its aggregation agreement with Dynegy. However, the new agreement hikes electricity supply rates to 9.24 cents per kWh from May, 2025 until June, 2026. So, if you're currently in the aggregation program with Energy Harbor, then you will unfortunately be signed up with Dynegy in May.
While city officials stress that the new rate is comparable to other recently bid local electric aggregation programs in other Ohio towns. All the same, the average Akron electricity bill could rise by as much as $40 a month.
Keep in mind that EIA estimates that the average Ohio energy bills were just over $120 a month in 2023. Considering NOAA forecasts for the coming summer, Akron customers could easily see their electric bills surge to well over $200 a month!
Opt Out of the Rate Hike, Shop Akron Electric Deals
Fortunately, Akron customers can opt-out to shop cheap electric suppliers. Most customers have already received instructions on how to opt out. And while a few were notified to opt-out by a April 9 deadline, all Akron customers can leave the aggregation program at any time, free of charge.
Because of the growing energy market uncertainty from tariffs, it's not clear what energy prices will do this summer. Right now, Akron electricity customers can find great deals when they shop short term plans with cheaper rates than Dynegy's 9.24 cents per kWh. Buy grabbing one of these cheap introductory month-to-month plans for May, you may be able to find a better long term rate to lock in for June.
The cheapest electric plan is the Residential Clean Energy Plan from American Power and Gas. At just 4.79 cents per kWh, you'll get to hang on to a low Akron electric bill. However, after the first month ends, the rate will change to their regular monthly variable rate. So be sure to shop for a cheap fixed rate plan.
The second cheapest rate is the Provision Monthly Plan. You pay just 4.99 cents per kWh for 100% green energy for 1 month. At the end, if you don't switch to new plan, Provision will move you to their regular monthly variable rate.
The Kiwi Energy Green 50 Web is the third cheapest plan and offers a rate of 8.99 cents per kWh. Again, at the end of the first month, the rate will change to their regular monthly variable rate.
Akron electricity consumers have the right to shop for the best prices from the best electric supplier. While it's not always easy to do, there are ways to the process easier for you. And there's no easier place to start your shopping than right here at https://www.ohenergyratings.com. You can also count on us for news and tips that could affect your bills.