Dayton Power and Light

The Brush Electric Light and Motor Company came to Dayton in the early 1880s to light city streets. Shortly there after it changed its name to the Dayton Electric Light Company and its success grew by powering Dayton's numerous factories. By 1900, the company's profits attracted the attention of New York investors Anthony Nicholas Brady and A. M. Young. They sent a young electrical engineer, Frank Tait, to study the company. Thereafter, Tait's evaluation persuaded Brady and Young to immediately buy the Dayton Electric Light Company.
In July, 1911, owners of the Dayton Electric Light Company and the Dayton Citizens Electric Company agreed to merge the two companies as subsidiaries under a newly founded electric streetcar company, the Hills and Dales Electric Company. The resulting new company was named Dayton Light and Power (DP&L). Later that year, Frank Tait become president of DP&L. He remained so until 1945.
In 1985, the company reorganized to become DPL and moved DP&L to become its principal subsidiary. A decade later, the advent of energy choice brought more changes to DPL. To meet state deregulation laws, DPL divested its natural gas operations to Vectren in 2000. Though free to focus on electricity generation and sales, DPL looked for a way to expand sales growth. In 2011, AES Corp. agreed to buy DPL for $4.7 billion.
Today, DP&L services about 1.25 million people in west-central Ohio. Because its such an integral part of the greater Dayton community, DP&L gives back through its foundation with power grants, funding that supports economic development and cultural programs, and community investments. Since 1985, the DP&L Foundation has given over $38 million in grants to the Dayton region.
- Dayton Power & Light Service Territory
- Compare Dayton Power & Light Electricity Rates
- How to Start New Dayton Power & Light Service
- Understand Dayton Power & Light Delivery and Supply Charges
- Understand Dayton Power & Light PTC Charges
- How Much Do DP&L PTC Charges Cost?
- Understand Ohio Energy Choice
- Understand Your Energy Usage and Your DP&L Bill
- DP&L Coupons, Energy Promotions, Discounts, Rebates and Promo Codes
- Dayton Power & Light Reviews
- How do I get the Cheapest Dayton Power & Light Rate?
- DP&L Shopping Questions
- Read DP&L Customer Reviews
- Lights Out? Wires Down? Here's Who You Contact
- Dayton Power & Light Service Area Providers
- Ohio Zip Codes with the Cheapest Electricity Rates
Dayton Power & Light Service Territory

DP&L delivers electricity to more than 525,000 customer accounts in west-central Ohio. It servies some or all of these Ohio counties:
Auglaize | Darke | Logan | Preble |
Brown | Delaware | Madison | Ross |
Butler | Fayette | Mercer | Shelby |
Champaign | Greene | Miami | Union |
Clark | Hardin | Montgomery | Van Wert |
Clinton | Highland | Pickaway | Warren |
Dayton Power & Light serves these cities:
Shop for Dayton Power & Light Electricity Suppliers In Your Area.



Compare Dayton Power & Light Electricity Rates
Compare alternative supplier electricity rates
in the Dayton Power & Light service area.
- Enter zip code.
- Select "electricity".
- Choose "residential" or "business".
- Click "Shop for Rates".
In Ohio, electricity utility service territories often overlap. If the tool reports that it has found more than one serving your zip code, don't worry! Just choose your local utility from those listed.
You'll then get to see the listing of all the energy suppliers' plans available in your area, along with rates, term lengths, and links to more detail information.
How to Start New Dayton Power & Light Service
The first step to starting DP&L electricity service is to call their customer service center at 800-433-8500 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm). Do this at least three business days before you need electricity service to start. You cannot start service online because DP&L prefers to verify your identity over the telephone.
Documents -- you'll need the following information when you call DP&L to start service:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address where electricity service is needed
- Phone number
- Driver's license number, passport, or other form of valid identification
- Social Security number (which is needed to check your credit history)
Again, Dayton Power & Light needs three business days to process your service request.
Will I Need to Pay a Deposit?
Credit Rating -- Because you receive electricity service before you pay for it, DP&L extends you credit. Just like when you apply for a loan or a credit card, DP&L uses your credit history to determine your credit worthiness.
TIP -- Be sure to unfreeze your credit. If you have frozen your credit with any of the major credit agencies, you will need to have it temporarily unfrozen before you submit a new service request.
Pay a Deposit -- DP&L checks your credit to determine whether you will be required to pay a security deposit. However, you can establish credit worthiness through one of these methods:
- You are the property owner or meets the legally-accepted practices to verify credit.
- You had a prior account with DP&L for the same class of service within the past two years. Also, during the prior year of service, you did not have a late bill more than twice and did not have service disconnected for nonpayment, fraud or tampering.
- You have a guarantor who is a customer with DP&L and can pay your bills within 60 days if you fail to do so.
DP&L may also waive your security deposit requirement if another utility company sends a letter of credit on your behalf.
Ohio utilities are limited in the amount they can charge for a deposit. Customer deposits can be no more than the estimated average 30-day bill plus 30%. If you make payments on time for one year your security deposit will be credited to your account with interest earned.
Understand DP&L Delivery and Supply Charges
In Ohio, residential customers pay for both the cost to deliver their electricity as well as for the amount of electricity supply that they use.
Understand DP&L PTC Charges
PUCO requires Dayton Power & Light to provide electricity supply at a default rate to customers in their service territory who don't shop for a retail supplier. Implementing the PTC default rates is overseen by PUCO as these repesent generation supply costs that are passed directly through DP&L onto consumers without mark up.
Price to Compare (PTC)
The PTC default rate represents the actual price the utility pays for the electricity. It includes not only the price to generate the electricity but also the cost to transmit it from power stations over high tension power lines to Dayton Power & Light's local electrical switch yards. From there, the electricity is distributed throughout the DP&L local electrical grid for delivery to homes.
Each utilitly's PTC rates are determined during periodic auctions for set periods of the year. Consequently, PTC rates will only last for a few months. That means these electricity rates can vary seasonally; low some months, higher the next.
Dayton Power & Light Current PTC Residential Rate: 4.600 cents per kWh, expires 4/30/2021
NOTE: Some Ohio municipal utilities purchase energy for their local residents. Usually residents need to pay an opt-out fee if they don't want their electricity service to be aggregated. Check with your local government to learn how you might be effected.
How Much Do DP&L PTC Charges Cost?
The Dayton Power & Light PTC rate is a weighted average rate so higher usage results in a lower PTC. That makes it important for consumers to know and understand how much they are paying for their electricity in any one month.
How much is the Dayton Power & Light PTC rate?
PUCO estimates that the average Ohio residence uses an average of 750 kWh each month. Therefore, an average PTC bill roughly breaks down like this:
Rate per 750 kWh Used | Monthly Customer Charge | Total | |
PTC Supply Rate | 4.600 cents | 0 | $34.50 |
Monthly Distribution Charges (excluding riders) | $0.0233154 per kWh | $7.00 | $24.49 |
Total Bill | $58.99 |
Understand Ohio Energy Choice
Ohio electric consumers are free to choose their own competitive retail electricity supplier. These alternative suppliers shop deals with different producers on the wholesale market to offer competitive rates. As such, their rates are not controlled by PUCO the same way that utilities are. This way, retail suppliers are able to offer competitively priced fixed rate plans for a variety of term lengths.
Though it can seem confusing, shopping electricity plans is an easy process. The trick is finding the one that meets your needs. That's why retail energy suppliers in Ohio offer two types of plans:
Understand Your Energy Usage and Your DP&L Bill
While your energy usage habits are unique to you, any Ohio native will tell you that winters can be bitterly cold and summers can be torridly hot. In the east north central region of the U.S., up to 55% of an average home's energy usage goes to space heating.
Want to learn more about your home energy usage? Dayton Power & Light customers can request up to 24 months of their electric usage plus other relevant information free of charge.
The most effective way to cut your energy bills is to reduce your usage by sealing your doors and windows against winter and summer drafts. Adding insulation to your attic, sealing and insulating your basement, and purchasing a programmable or smart thermostat also improve your home's energy efficiency and help cut your electric bills. Your utility company can provide a wealth of resources and may offer programs to help you improve your home's energy performance.
Understand Your Dayton Power & Light Bill
Your Dayton Power & Light bill contains many details that can be confusing to customers. But there's lots of useful information to help you better understand your usage and rate. Below, we break down the most important items on a sample Dayton Power & Light Electric bill.
Dayton Power & Light Sample Bill


- A: The section shows your 11-digit account number, the bill due date, and the amount due.
- B: This shows the customer name and mailing address.
- C: Here you can seen the monthly account summary showing the statement's mailing date, the previous balance and payments made, any balance still pending, and this month's delivery and supply billed amounts.
- D: This section shows the service address for this bill.
- E: Here you'll find the date of the next meter reading.
- F: A break down of your usage history which shows a comparison of your electricity usage for the year to date. You can also see the total usage in kWh for the year and the average monthly usage.
- G: This section breaks down average daily usage amount during the billing periods and average ouside temparature.
- H: This section displays meter read details, including the billing period, the previous meter reading, and the current meter reading on the date the meter was read.
- I: The is section show the metered usage amount, and the rate description-type.
- J: Here, customers can easily phone numbers and other resources for reporting emergencies, making on-line payments, and how to reach DP&L customer service.
- K: This is the detatchable mail-in payment stub. It displays important account payment information such as your 11-digit account number, the due date of the bill, the amount due, the address for the service, and where to mail your payment.
- L: Page two of your bills provides room for important messages from DP&L as well as infomration on the current Price to Compare, a breakdown of your DP&L Delivery charges, and details about your electricity supply charges
- M: This section discloses the costs of renewable energy programs that Dayton Power & Light participated in. However, these programs ended in September, 2020.
DP&L Coupons, Energy Promotions, Discounts, Rebates and Promo Codes
As your local electric utility, DP&L offers several rebate and energy efficiency programs to help customers save money off their monthly bill by upgrading their home's energy performance. Some programs also offer money-saving incentives while others could make paying your monthly bills much easier during those expensive winter months.
Program Name | Program Type | Benefit |
Payment Extension Program | Bill payment assistance | One-time payment extension gives you a little more time to make your bill payment. Call Dayton Power & Light Customer Service or log in to your Dayton Power & Light account to apply. |
Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) | Residential Energy Efficiency | Ohio Development Services Agency program for eligible homeowners and renters whose income does not exceed 200% of the poverty guidelines of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may receive energy efficiency improvements to their homes at NO COST: |
PUCO Winter Reconnect Order | Bill payment assistance | Starting October 5, if your service has been shut off for non-payment or you have a shutoff notice, you can maintain or restore service for just $175 plus a reconnection fee - no matter how much you owe. Call DP&L Customer Service. |
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | Bill payment assistance | Federal grant to help pay your winter heating bills.To qualify for HEAP, your annual household income cannot exceed 175% of the poverty guidelines. |
Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) | Bill payment assistance | Helps eligible Ohioans manage their energy bills year- round. Payments are based on a percentage of household income and are consistent year-round. To qualify your annual household income cannot exceed 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. |
Gift of Power Program | Bill payment assistance | Funded by a DP&L corporate grant, along with customer and community donations, to assist families and neighbors in staying warm. Every dollar given is administered by The Salvation Army. |
Dayton Power & Light Payment Plan | Bill payment assistance | Dayton Power & Light offers residential customers 3 types of payment plans: |
Dayton Power & Light Reviews
Since Dayton Power & Light serves mid-sized midwest market segment, Ohio residential customers can get a better picture of how good a job it does by comparing it to to other medium-scale utilities. Dayton Power & Light is accredited with the BBB and was well-rated in both J.D. Power's utility residential customer satisfaction studies.
OH Energy Ratings Score | Better Business Bureau | J.D. Power 2020 Electricity Utility Study |
N/A | accredited, A+ rating |
753 of 1000 pts |
How do I Get the Cheapest DP&L Rate?
Shopping for a new DP&L Choice Plan can seem bewildering at first. Once you understand how it works, though, it's an easy and straightforward process. That said, you should have these three things with you when you shop for electricity.
- Your current bill. Your past usage per billing period can help you estimate a how much a plan might cost you each month.
- The current DP&L PTC and expiration date. Knowing the current DP&L supply price lets you compare rates offered by retail energy suppliers. This way, you can get a better feel for what suppliers are offering, for how long, and if any of their incentives make their price work for your family's need.
- Your Dayton Power & Light of Ohio customer account number. This 11 digit number is located on your bill. Having it handy lets you sign up with a retail supplier right away.
Dayton Power & Light Shopping Questions
Savvy electricity customers know that by asking the right questions they'll learn exactly what they need to save money or how to avoid making a bad choice. When you shop for electricity service in Ohio, always be sure to ask these important questions:
- Is the rate competitive with the current DP&L supply rate?
- Is the rate variable or is it fixed?
- How long does the plan last?
- What happens when the contract expires?
- Does the plan have any recurring monthly charges?
- Does the plan come with an early cancellation fee?
- Does the supplier offer any customer incentives or rewards?
Other Common Ohio Electricity Questions:
Who bills me? Dayton Power & Light sends a single bill that outlines and adds up your monthly charges.
What are the Terms of Service? Energy Choice Plans have Terms of Service that explain and identify specific charges and any fees a customer will face when they sign up for an electricity plan. Not all suppliers have the same terms. That's why all Ohio energy choice customers should read and understand the terms of service and contract summary for any plan they are interested in before they sign on to the plan.
What are early termination fees? Switching retail suppliers before a contract ends can involve paying early termination fees. These can take a chomp out of your checking account you if you want to switch retail providers before your plan contract ends.
Where can I find more information on my usage? DP&L customers can request up to 24 months of their energy usage plus other relevant information free of charge.
Read Dayton Power & Light Customer Reviews
Compare Electricity in Your Area
Electricity Service Out? Contact Dayton Power & Light!
Having problems or interruptions with your Dayton Power & Light electricity? Here's the proper people to call:
- Billing problems? - First thing to do is contact Dayton Power & Light. If you have trouble paying your monthly bill call Dayton Power & Light's Customer Service: 1-800-433-8500
- Need extra time to pay your energy bill? Customers can request an extension by calling Customer Service or by applying on-line.
Emergencies and Outages
All power transmission lines are extremely dangerous! Never attempt to move a downed power line by yourself. Call 911 and then notifiy Dayton Power & Light.
- Report safety hazards involving power lines immediately to DP&L at 877-4OUTAGE (877-468-8243).
- You can also report downed lines or outages at DP&L's website
- Check Dayton Power & Light's current electric outages as they are being repaired.
Dayton Power & Light Service Area Providers
Company | Rating | Phone |
---|---|---|
Frontier Utilities | (5/5) |
877-291-6554 |
Constellation | (4.8/5) |
855-798-9075 |
Direct Energy | (4.8/5) |
844-225-3948 |
Provision Power & Gas | (4.5/5) |
800-930-5427 |
Santanna Energy Services | (4.5/5) |
866-650-8707 |
Public Power | (4.2/5) |
|
Symmetry Energy Solutions | (4.1/5) |
888-549-1087 |
Energy Harbor | (4.1/5) |
855-848-6477 |
APG&E | (3.8/5) |
|
XOOM Energy | (3.7/5) |
|
Starion Energy | (3/5) |
877-881-8653 |
CleanSky Energy | (3/5) |
800-581-1016 |
Mercury Energy | (3/5) |
800-484-2785 |
Tomorrow Energy | (2.6/5) |
|
Vista Energy | (2.5/5) |
888-508-4782 |
AEP Energy | (2/5) |
|
ENGIE | (2/5) |
|
Infinite Energy | (2/5) |
855-780-5209 |
SFE Energy | (2/5) |
|
OHG&E | (2/5) |
|
Major Energy | (1.9/5) |
|
21 results |
Ohio Zip Codes with the Cheapest Electricity Rates
