Duke Energy Retail Offering Online Comparison of Competitors' Rates

Duke Energy Retail Sales has begun offering through its website a comparison of competitors' retail electric rates.

Specifically, Duke Energy Retail has created a website, switchonohio.com which is linked from Duke Energy Retail's main page, and which, "reflects the current supplier rate offers provided by the suppliers to residential customers [in various Ohio service areas] as published on www.puco.ohio.gov."

The default view places the Duke Energy Retail offers at the top, with competitors listed alphabetically.

Customers can sort by product type, renewable content, and termination fee.

The site includes a calculator for the customer to determine their annual energy charge based on the offers, and to calculate savings versus the utility.

A link to each competitor's website is included with each of their offers.

The site's front page indicates that apples-to-apples comparisons of natural gas suppliers are also offered, but at this time Matters could only find residential price comparisons for the four Ohio electric utilities with choice.

In a FAQ, Duke Energy Retail says that it is offering the comparison of competitors' rates because: "You see, we're convinced that by being transparent and clear, and showing Ohioans all of the plans and offers available, most will understand the value and appeal of fair and simple energy -- and will choose us."