What do I do first, and when?
Start with the day you get your keys. The planner works backward from it, then saves the dates to your calendar.
- Pick your power-on dayUse your key day or lease start
- Apply about 7 days aheadOnline or at 1-800-494-4000. Our rule of thumb
- Have your ID readyOne government photo ID, or two forms with a photo
- Check the day before you moveMake sure the request shows the right day and someone can reach the meter
- Look at your price on move-in weekYour first bill uses PECO's price unless you pick a supplier
This is a guide built on public rules and PECO's price as we last read it. It is not a quote or a bill. PECO decides your deposit and your dates.
Is it new service or a move?
Open PECO's Start, Move, or Stop Your Service page to begin. It is PECO's own page.
| Your case | What to do |
|---|---|
| New to PECO | Start service for the new address, online or at 1-800-494-4000 |
| Moving inside PECO territory | Give both addresses, the stop day and the start day |
| Owe an old PECO bill | Pay it first. PECO can ask for a balance from the last 4 years |
| Already sent a request | Use PECO's Review or Edit Your Request page to change the date or address |
| Electric and gas | PECO sells both. Say which one you are starting |
- New to PECO: you are a new customer. Apply for the new address.
- Moving inside PECO territory: tell PECO both addresses, the stop day and the start day. Settle the old account first. PECO can ask for an unpaid balance from the last 4 years before it starts service.
- Leaving PECO territory: stop the old account and ask for a final read.
Not sure which utility serves the new address? Find your electric company by ZIP.
Why is PECO start service not working?
These come from PECO's own page and the Pennsylvania rules. If none fits, call 1-800-494-4000. PECO lists its customer service hours as 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and its emergency line at 1-800-841-4141 as open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
| What stops it | The fix |
|---|---|
| A start day more than about 90 days away | PECO takes requests only about 90 days ahead (February 1, 2027 on November 3, 2026). Come back later for a later day |
| A holiday or a Sunday | PECO does not take service requests for those days. Pick the next working day |
| An old unpaid PECO balance | Pay it, then try again |
| A request you already sent | Review or edit it instead of sending a second one |
| A gas or electric emergency | Call 1-800-841-4141, not the start form |
When can PECO ask for a deposit?
A deposit is not part of every start. Under Pennsylvania's rules, an applicant can be asked for one when the last service ended for non-payment, or for a refusal to pay a deposit. It can also come with a broken payment plan, fraud, meter tampering, a tariff violation, or a credit test the applicant fails.
- The most it can be is one-sixth of the estimated yearly bill for the home. For an existing customer it is at most two months of electric bills.
- You get time to pay. PECO may spread it over 90 days, and the due date must be at least 21 days after the notice.
- You get it back. The utility holds it until you have paid on time and in full for 12 months in a row.
If you are on a payment plan or on the Customer Assistance Program, say so when you apply.
What will my first bill look like?
Your bill has two parts. PECO delivers the power. That charge is set by PECO's tariff. On the standard home rate, delivery adds $11.29 a month plus 10.236¢ per kWh. The supply part is the energy. With no supplier, you pay PECO's price to compare, 11.759¢ per kWh.
At 1,000 kWh, the standard bill is about $232.36. The planner above shows the supply part for your own kWh. Delivery and taxes come on top.
Should I stay on PECO's price or pick a supplier?
Both are safe. PECO still delivers your power and fixes outages either way.
On October 24, 2026, the state list showed 144 offers for PECO homes. 54 of them, or 38%, were priced below PECO's price to compare. The cheapest 12-month fixed offer was 10.49¢. The middle fixed 12-month offer was 12.29¢.
PECO's price can change on June 1 and December 1 each year. The next change is December 1, 2026, and it is not posted yet. A fixed supplier price holds for its term, so it does not move on those days. Test any offer below.
Fill in the offer and press "See my verdict". You get the cost of the offer next to the cost of your price to compare over the whole contract, a plain answer, and a warning if your price to compare is about to change.
Partner toolWe get paid if you sign up. You don’t pay more, and it never changes our scores.
The result is a guess at supply cost and never a bill. Taxes and delivery are not counted. The tool keeps nothing you enter.
Want to see the plans at your address? Compare offers at your ZIP.
Compare plans at my new ZIPPartner toolWe get paid if you sign up. You don’t pay more, and it never changes our scores.
Settled in? Next, check PECO's price to compare against supplier offers before the next change.
Compare plans at my new ZIPA partner runs the plan finder. If you sign up, it may pay us a fee, and that never moves a rating or a score.
Questions, answered
What is the PECO start service phone number?
Call 1-800-494-4000. For a gas or electric emergency, call 1-800-841-4141.
Can I manage my PECO account and outages from my phone?
Yes. PECO's free mobile app lets you pay your bill, check usage, report an outage and see the restoration status. Its alerts section sends notifications about outages and when your bill is ready or due. PECO also says you can report an outage by text message at any hour, or call 1-800-841-4141. Sign in once your account is open.
Why is PECO start service not working?
Check the usual reasons first. PECO takes requests only about 90 days ahead, and not for holidays or Sundays. An old unpaid balance can also stop a start. If you already sent a request, edit it instead of sending a new one.
Can I start PECO service online?
Yes. Use the Start, Stop, or Move Service form at peco.com, or call 1-800-494-4000 if you want help.
How do I start PECO service?
Apply online or call 1-800-494-4000. Give your new address, your phone number, your ID and the day you want power. PECO takes requests about 90 days ahead, except holidays and Sundays.
How long does it take to turn on PECO service?
We did not find a set number of days in the state rules, so we suggest applying about a week early. Ask PECO to confirm the day when you apply.
What if I am moving from one PECO home to another?
Give PECO the old address, the new one and the two dates. Pay off the old account first so nothing holds you up.
Will PECO ask me for a deposit?
Not usually. It happens after a past non-payment, fraud, tampering or a failed credit check, and it is capped at a sixth of a year of bills.
How much is a PECO deposit?
No more than one-sixth of the estimated yearly bill for the home. You may be given up to 90 days to pay.
Can I shop for a supplier before my power is on?
Yes. Many people begin on PECO's price and compare offers a few weeks later. You may also choose a supplier right away.
Do I need a photo ID to open a PECO account?
Bring one government photo ID. Without it, PECO may take two other proofs of who you are, as long as one has your photo.
When does PECO's price change next?
December 1, 2026. PECO changes its price to compare on June 1 and December 1. As of November 2, 2026, the new price was not posted.
What do you want to do next?
Sources and updates
Sources (7)
- PECO, Contact us: The 1-800-841-4141 emergency line. Read November 2, 2026.
- PECO, Contact information: Customer service 1-800-494-4000, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and the 24 hour emergency line. Read November 3, 2026.
- PECO, Report an outage: Outage reports by text message or phone, 24 hours a day. Read November 3, 2026.
- PECO, Mobile app: The free app: pay, usage, report an outage, restoration status and outage and bill alerts. Read November 3, 2026.
- PECO, Start, stop or move service: The phone number and the rolling request window of about 90 days. The page showed February 1, 2027 on November 3, 2026 and January 31, 2027 on November 2. Read November 3, 2026.
- Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin, 52 Pa. Code Chapter 56, Subchapter C (sections 56.32, 56.35, 56.38, 56.51 and 56.53): ID, deposit reasons, the one-sixth cap, 90 days to pay and refunds. Read November 2, 2026.
- Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, PA Power Switch: The offer list and PECO's price to compare. Read November 2, 2026.
Changelog · 1 update, newest November 2, 2026
- November 2, 2026: Guide published.
How to cite this page: The Day Company, "How do you start or move PECO electric service?", updated November 2, 2026, https://theday.company/pa/peco-start-service.
Reviewed is the last day a person re-checked every number on this page. Prices checked is the last day our robot updated or re-confirmed the Pennsylvania plan prices.
We are not part of PECO or the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and neither reviews this page. Rules and prices change. This page is information, not legal advice. The 7 day lead time is our own rule of thumb. We may be paid if you use a link to compare plans, and that never changes what we write. Our plan finder is Power HQ, operated by Blitz Ventures Inc. (doing business as EnergyBot), which holds Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission licence A-2018-2647582.