Frequently Asked Questions

Duke Energy Retail is a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corporation and an affiliate of Duke Energy Ohio. Duke Energy Retail provides competitive retail electric services to businesses, non-profit organizations and residential customers throughout Ohio. Duke Energy Retail sells electricity and natural gas to customers at market-based prices rather than the preset prices offered by local electric and gas distribution companies.

Duke Energy Ohio is a regulated subsidiary of Duke Energy Corporation. It provides electricity and natural gas service to customers in Ohio. The rates that Duke Energy Ohio charges to customers are approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

Even though both companies are owned by Duke Energy Corporation, Duke Energy Retail and Duke Energy Ohio are distinct entities. Duke Energy Ohio is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and must charge prices approved by the PUCO. Duke Energy Retail is a competitive supplier of electricity and natural gas and can sell electricity and natural gas at prices that more closely reflect the current market. When market prices decline, Duke Retail is able to react quickly with lower, market based prices.

Currently, Duke Energy Retail is certified to offer competitive generation services to customers served by the following electric distribution companies:

• Duke Energy Ohio
• Dayton, Power & Light
• Cleveland Electric Illuminating
• Toledo Edison
• Ohio Edison
• Ohio Power
• Columbus Southern

At present, Duke Energy Retail offers natural gas service only to customers of Duke Energy Ohio, but will soon be in your neighborhood.

Duke Energy Corporation Fast Facts

• One of the largest electric-power holding companies in the U.S. (based on kilowatt-hour sales)
• Fortune 500 company
• Total assets of $59 billion as of Dec. 31, 2010
• Approximately 35,000 megawatts of owned U.S. generating capacity
• Invested approximately $5 billion over the last decade to significantly reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at coal-fired power plants
• Green Energy Ohio Business of the Year (2007)
• Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America (2006 through 2009)
• Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (2010)
• World's Most Ethical Companies by "Ethisphere" magazine (2006 – 2010)
• 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Corporate Responsibility magazine (2009 – 2011)

Typically, utility electric rates are set based on the "average" or "typical" customer group - residential, commercial or industrial. Your business isn't average, so that rate might not be as low as the rate that a competitive supplier can offer you. By receiving a price quote from Duke Energy Retail, you can compare your current utility rate to a competitive market rate and make the best decision for your business or home.

Natural gas prices are set during a yearly buying period where forecasters use several factors to establish wholesale rates. By dealing with select suppliers, Duke Energy Retail can buy gas at lower prices and offer guaranteed fixed rates through the season.

Even though both companies are owned by Duke Energy Corporation, Duke Energy Retail and Duke Energy Ohio are distinct entities. Duke Energy Ohio is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and must charge prices approved by the PUCO. Duke Energy Ohio's generation price formula was approved by the PUCO back in 2008 and cannot change prior to the end of 2011. Duke Energy Retail is a competitive supplier of electricity and can sell electricity at market prices. Because your electricity supplier would change from Duke Energy Ohio to Duke Energy Retail, your supplier will be a unique and different company, and enrollment is necessary.

With natural gas, the story is the same. Duke Energy Ohio is regulated by PUCO and can only changed prices as approved by PUCO. Duke Energy Retail is a competitive supplier of natural gas and can sell gas at market prices. Because your supplier will be a different company, enrollment is necessary.

Put simply, there are three major components in supplying electricity:

• Generation (the actual electricity)
• Transmission (large transmission lines and towers that carry electricity over longer distances)
• Distribution (local electric poles and wires)

In Ohio, customers are free to choose who supplies the Generation and Transmission portion of the electricity. They can purchase these services through their regulated electric distribution utility or from a Certified Retail Electric Service (CRES) provider, such as Duke Energy Retail.

The natural gas industry is very similar. Three major components are involved in supplying gas to your home or business:

• Generation (the actual natural gas)
• Transmission (underground gas mains and storage facilities that carry gas over long distances)
• Distribution (local gas mains and supply lines)

In Ohio, customers are free to choose who supplies the Generation and Transmission portion of their natural gas. They can purchase these services through their regulated natural gas distribution utility or from a provider on the competitive market such as Duke Energy Retail

Current market conditions have resulted in lower wholesale electricity and natural gas prices.  This presents an opportunity for many businesses to take advantage of today's lower prices and begin saving versus the generation price offered by your local electric and gas distribution company.

 Switching fees are generally paid by the Certified Retail Electric Service provider or natural gas provider - Duke Energy Retail.

In most instances, you will continue to receive one bill each month from your local utility. The amount that you owe to Duke Energy Retail will be separately stated on that bill and your payment for Generation service will be forwarded by your local utility  to Duke Energy Retail. If you would like a separate bill for generation service, your local utility and Duke Energy Retail will both send you a bill for their respective services provided.

An example consolidated bill can be found here.

Your revised rate will begin on the next available meter reading date after Duke Energy Ohio confirms your enrollment as a customer of Duke Energy Retail.

You will continue to call your local electric or gas distribution company for all service related issues, such as outages.

No. The generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and natural gas are regulated in that state and Duke Energy Retail cannot sell electricity there.

Duke Energy Retail offers competitive natural gas supply. However, only Duke Energy Ohio customers in the Cincinnati metro area are eligible for the fixed-price Winter Heating Plan.

Secure your rates now.

If you enroll with Duke Energy Retail, you have 7 days to rescind the contract. After that, you are committed to taking your generation service from Duke Energy Retail until your contract ends.

Duke Energy Retail's natural gas service does not carry a termination fee and customers are free to cancel at any time.

Sign up now or call 1-800-920-5039 to enroll.