Homes served by a supplier
8.8%
28,660 homes, 2025
Average price
21.92 cents
27% above the US average
Average monthly bill
$140.05
District of Columbia, 2025
Choice status
Yes
Open to households
How choice works in the District of Columbia
Residents can buy energy from a licensed supplier, and Pepco keeps delivering it.
Pepco supplies residents who do not choose a supplier through standard offer service.
- What a supplier changes: the price and terms of the energy you buy, and often the company that sends the bill.
- What it does not change: your delivery utility, your meter, outage service and the poles and wires.
District of Columbia next to the other choice markets
In 2025, 8.8% of the District of Columbia homes bought from a retail supplier. Among the 15 choice markets on this site, that ranks 9th of 15 for the share of homes with a supplier. The average price was 21.92 cents per kWh, 27% above the US average, and the average bill was $140.05.
| State | Homes with a supplier | Cents per kWh | Monthly bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 61.8% | 30.41 | $181.08 |
| Texas | 55.1% | 15.40 | $170.95 |
| Ohio | 49.8% | 16.90 | $147.74 |
| Rhode Island | 24.8% | 29.48 | $165.62 |
| Pennsylvania | 22.4% | 19.29 | $161.90 |
| Illinois | 20.7% | 17.67 | $126.59 |
| New Hampshire | 17.8% | 24.53 | $156.94 |
| Connecticut | 15.3% | 29.31 | $206.46 |
| District of Columbia | 8.8% | 21.92 | $140.05 |
| Maine | 7.3% | 27.69 | $147.67 |
| New York | 7.1% | 26.39 | $154.75 |
| New Jersey | 6.1% | 22.48 | $150.59 |
| Delaware | 5.6% | 17.15 | $157.80 |
| Maryland | 5.6% | 19.53 | $184.42 |
| Michigan | 0.0% | 20.03 | $127.17 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861 (final 2025 data), residential. A higher share of homes with a supplier does not mean lower prices.
Who delivers your power
Not sure who serves you? Use the find my electric company tool or check the top of your bill.
How to compare offers in the District of Columbia
Ready to switch? Read the District of Columbia switching guide for the steps, the rules we checked and what to confirm first.
- Find your current default price and the date it will next change.
- Ask each supplier for the price, the type, the term, every fee and the early termination fee in writing.
- Compare over a full year, not one month.
- Check what happens when the term ends.
DC residents can buy from a licensed electricity supplier while Pepco keeps delivering the power and sends the bill in most cases.
The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia licenses suppliers and handles complaints. Many suppliers advertise renewable content, so check whether the claim is backed by certificates and what the contract says about price changes.
Five questions to ask before you sign
- What is the price per kWh, and is it fixed or variable?
- How long is the term, and what is the fee for leaving early?
- Are there monthly charges, minimum usage fees or conditions on credits?
- What happens when the term ends, and how will I be told?
- How long do I have to cancel after signing?
Your rights and where to complain
Suppliers are licensed or registered with the state, and the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia handles complaints. Keep a copy of your contract and any call or email confirmation. If you think you were switched without permission, tell your utility and your regulator right away.
District of Columbia electricity provider questions
Can I choose my electricity provider in the District of Columbia?
Yes. Residents can buy energy from a licensed supplier, and Pepco keeps delivering it.
Who delivers electricity in the District of Columbia?
Your local utility delivers it, and you cannot change your delivery company.
What happens if I do not pick a supplier in the District of Columbia?
You receive standard offer service. Pepco supplies residents who do not choose a supplier through standard offer service.
How many District of Columbia homes use a retail supplier?
In 2025, retail suppliers served about 8.8% of the District of Columbia residential customers, or 28,660 homes (EIA Form EIA-861).
Is a supplier cheaper than the utility in the District of Columbia?
It can be, and it can also be more expensive. Compare an offer against the current default price over a full year, and read the term, the fees and what happens at renewal.