Map the meters before the suppliers
Make a location list with one row for each electricity or gas service. Record the delivery utility and class from the bill. Separate landlord-paid service from tenant-held accounts and note any shared meter. The business name on a lease is not necessarily the authorized account holder. Avoid sending account documents with the initial inquiry; establish a private sharing process after contact.
Resolve municipal and cooperative exceptions
Do not assign an investor-owned utility solely from the nearest large city. Local public power and cooperative systems can change the electricity-shopping question. PUCO territory maps are useful screening tools, but a certified-territory overlay may coexist with municipal service. The bill and utility confirmation are essential. Record electricity and gas eligibility independently.
Review existing commitments
Find the supplier agreement, end date, notice window and any auto-renewal language. An eligible account can still face a termination cost if it switches at the wrong time. Ask who may authorize a change and whether the supplier needs any additional documentation. Use the renewal planner as a preparation aid while keeping the actual contractual deadline as the controlling date.
Prepare a consistent comparison request
Once the eligibility questions are answered, specify the intended start, term and product needs. Keep a written list of cost inclusions and exclusions. Check a prospective supplier’s current certification and compare matching offers. If a meter is ineligible for ordinary supply choice, focus on applicable tariffs and operational efficiency instead of manufacturing a quote comparison that cannot be used.
A practical example
Illustrative explanation, not a customer outcome.
For a three-location business, create six rows if each location has separate electricity and gas. Two electrical meters in different utility territories should not be treated as one identical tariff simply because they share an owner.
Put the review into practice
| Review step | What to record |
|---|---|
| Find the current source | Read the official version and effective date. |
| Confirm the account | Utility, commodity, class and actual arrangement matter. |
| Separate legal and commercial questions | Get qualified advice where a conclusion requires it. |
| Keep records | Save the source, agreement and written clarification. |
Questions worth asking
Can one company have both eligible and ineligible meters?
Yes. Review each service location and commodity separately.
What if I do not know my utility?
Select Not sure in the inquiry and describe the question without posting an account number.
Continue the comparison
Sources and scope
Reviewed October 15, 2026. Follow the source’s own data period, effective dates and current terms. Examples are hypothetical unless expressly identified as a dated published result. A source is context, not a guarantee of eligibility or a product endorsement.