Choice for Residential Customers

How to Switch

1. Select an electric generation provider.
2. Contact the provider. If you are switching back to AEP Ohio after having been with different provider, call us at 1-800-672-2231.

3. Be ready to provide your Service Delivery Identifier (SDI) Number found on your bill.

   1. The SDI is not your account number. It is a unique 17-digit number found on the charges section of your bill.
   2. If you have multiple accounts, you must provide an SDI for each account you are switching.
   3. The provider must notify AEP of the switch 12 days prior to the scheduled meter read date.
   4. The date AEP Ohio receives the request from the provider will impact the effective date of the switch.

4. Look for a letter from AEP to confirm your intention to switch.

   1. If you wish to proceed with the switch, no action is needed.
   2. If you change your mind and wish to stay with your current provider, notify AEP Ohio within 7 days from the postmark date. You will stay with your existing provider -- CRES provider or AEP Ohio.
5. When you change to a CRES provider, note that your bill will still come from AEP Ohio because AEP still supplies the transmission and distribution services. Look for a line item on your bill that indicates the new provider of your electric generation.

6. If you decide to switch back to AEP Ohio

   1. Call 1-800-672-2231
   2. Look for a letter from AEP Ohio, confirming the date of your return to AEP Ohio's Standard Service Offer.

Rules About Switching

• You may switch providers no more than once in a billing month.
• AEP Ohio will charge a switch fee, if applicable, to the provider you choose.

Customer Information Provided to Suppliers

We are required to include your name, address, usage information, and other customer specific information as identified on the approved pre-enrollment list displayed on our website and tariffs, on a list of eligible customers that is made available to other competitive retail electric service providers. See a list of the information we are required to share. If you do not wish to be included on this list, complete this form, or call AEP Ohio at 1.888.237.5566, or write to us at 1 AEP Way, Hurricane, WV 25526. If you have previously made a similar election, your name will continue to be excluded from the list without any additional action on your part. If you previously decided not to be included on the list and would like to reverse that decision, complete this form, or call or write AEP Ohio at the phone number or address shown above. An election not to be included on this list will not prevent AEP Ohio from providing your information to governmental aggregators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CRES?

A CRES is a Competitive Retail Electric Service Provider.

What is electric deregulation?

In Ohio, customers are free to choose who supplies, in some instances, the Generation portion of their electricity service. Customers can purchase this service from a Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES) Provider.

How much does it cost to switch?

Initial switches are free. We will charge a switch fee for subsequent switches, if applicable, to the provider you choose. Please visit Rules About Switching for details.

How does the process work?

After you agree to switch electric providers, we will send a letter to you in the mail informing you that we've been notified of this switch. If you wish to object to the switch, instructions are given on how to.

The CRES provider is asking for my Service Deliver Identifier (SDI) number, is this the same as my AEP Ohio account number?

No. Your SDI number is unique, and is 17 digits long. It can be found on the bill in the charges section. Depending on your specific account, you may have more than one SDI (for example, you have metered service and non-metered lights at your premise).

Will I continue to receive a bill from AEP Ohio?

Yes. You will continue to receive AEP Ohio charges for certain transmission costs and distribution (the local poles and wires that distribute electricity to your house). Your CRES Provider may opt to place their charges on our bill or send you a separate statement.

What is the pre-enrollment list?

In compliance with Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-10-29 (E), AEP Ohio must supply eligible-customer lists available to CRES providers that contain customer name, service and mailing address, rate schedule, load profile, meter type, meter read date and historical consumption data for each of the most recent twelve months.

How do I opt-off the pre-enrollment list?

To opt-off this pre-enrollment (eligible-customer) list, visit Manage Usage History Access.

Do I need to change my meter?

No, you do not have to change your meter.

What happens in an outage?

You should continue to call us during an outage.

What if I want to come back to AEP Ohio?

You can return to the Standard Service Offer at any time by either canceling your contract with your current supplier or by contacting AEP and requesting the Standard Service Offer service.

Who will read my meter?

AEP Ohio will continue reading your electric meter.

What happens to my payments?

Once payments are received, and depending on what type of billing you have-AEP Ohio pays the CRES provider their portion.

Where can I find my price to compare?

Your price-to-compare is found on your AEP Ohio bill below the total amount due. In order for you to save money off your utility's supply charges, a supplier must offer you a price lower than AEP Ohio's price per kWh for the same usage that appears on your bill.

Why can't I switch now versus waiting for the next meter reading date?

To maintain accurate billing for both AEP Ohio and the CRES, switching only occurs on the meter read date.

An AEP Ohio customer service representative wouldn't answer my questions about other suppliers' prices. Why?

State law prevents regulated utilities, such as AEP Ohio, from providing any information about competitive retail electric suppliers. You can find the latest offers and certified suppliers on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Apples to Apples chart at energychoice.ohio.gov.