Loveland residents have begun receiving a letter from Direct Energy offering a locked-in electric rate of 10.36 cents per kilowatt-hour for the next 15 months. The letter is legitimate, the city confirmed on Sunday, July 20, and residents who do nothing will be automatically enrolled.
The program, which Loveland voters approved in November 2012, lets the city negotiate a bulk electricity supply rate on behalf of residents and small businesses within city limits. Direct Energy won a competitive bid to serve as the supplier for a term running from August 2026 meter reads through November 2027 meter reads.
What it means for your bill
Duke Energy still delivers the power, reads the meter, and sends the bill. The only change: the supply portion of your Duke bill will list Direct Energy at the fixed 10.36-cent rate instead of Duke's variable rate.
For context, Duke's current "Price to Compare" for residential generation supply is 10.69 cents per kWh for July 2026, according to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's Apples-to-Apples website. That means the aggregation rate is about a third of a cent cheaper right now. Duke's rate changes periodically, though, so the comparison will shift over the 15-month term.
The program carries no enrollment fee, no early termination fee, and no fixed monthly charge. Customers can leave at any time without penalty.
How to opt out
Residents who prefer to stay with Duke's standard rate or shop for another supplier must act by Friday, July 31. Two options:
- Return the enclosed opt-out form by mail, postmarked by July 31.
- Call Direct Energy at 866-968-8065. Customer service hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Anyone who opts out will default to Duke's Standard Service Offer unless they choose a different supplier. Customers who change their mind later can call Direct Energy to re-enroll.
Who gets a letter
Eligible customers are Duke Energy account holders within Loveland city limits who are not already under contract with another supplier. Small businesses, schools, and churches with annual usage under 700,000 kWh also qualify. Customers on the Percentage of Income Payment Plan or those in arrears on their bills are excluded.
The city cannot access individual accounts or make enrollment changes. All questions go to Direct Energy at the number above.
The city posted on its official X account Sunday, July 20, that no action is needed for residents who want to participate. Residents who want to compare rates can visit energychoice.ohio.gov. More program details are available at lovelandoh.gov/182/Electric-Aggregation.
