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Since 2002, residents and businesses throughout Texas have had the power to choose their electricity plan and provider. Many Texas cities have a deregulated electricity market, which allows residents and business owners to shop for rates and plans from various retail electric providers (REPs) rather than only buying from their local utility.
That choice makes it possible for you to save big on your energy costs, but exercising your power to choose an electricity provider can be a daunting process. Choose Texas Power makes sorting through your options less overwhelming — we’ll walk you through electricity comparison and answer any questions you may have. Here’s how it works:
Whether you’re exercising your power to choose in Houston, Dallas, or a smaller Texas community, choosing an electricity provider involves more than just selecting the plan with the lowest rate. To make an informed decision, consider the following factors and determine your top priorities:
Most Texas electricity providers offer a variety of plans, including fixed, variable, and no-deposit, each with different pros and cons depending on your budget and needs. Since not all providers offer all plan types, it’s important to closely compare electricity providers and plans.
Depending on how long you plan to live in your current location, you may want a month-to-month plan or a longer-term option. Since Texas electricity providers offer various short- and long-term contract options, you should consider how long you want to be on your plan when exercising your power to choose in Texas.
Every energy plan in Texas includes some percentage of green energy like solar or wind power. You can find the exact percentage of each plan’s renewable energy content in its Energy Facts Label (EFL). If you’re looking to further reduce your carbon footprint, a few top providers even offer 100% renewable energy plans, such as Gexa Energy and Green Mountain Energy.
It’s important to have a general idea of how much you’ll be paying each month, which is why you should take a look at the fees included in each plan before signing up so you don’t get an unpleasant surprise. If a plan has any fees or other limitations, it will be noted on its EFL, which you can find on each plan on the Choose Texas Power marketplace.
Here are a few of the most common types of fees to look out for:
Paperless billing is now the norm for most energy providers, and you may be able to get a discount for the paperless option. Keep this in mind if you prefer to receive a paper bill.
Some plans are better for specific levels of energy usage. You may be comparing electricity providers that offer 12-month fixed-rate plans, but one may provide incentives for using 2,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity while the other penalizes you for exceeding 1,500 kWh. Your typical energy usage will determine which plan is a better fit.
REPs may offer additional options, including bill credits, prepaid plans, and home bundles. Some offer free or discounted electricity during specific periods of the day or week. These extra features can make one plan or provider more attractive, even at a higher electricity rate.
Switching electricity providers is about much more than the price or brand name. It’s essential to consider the plan type, rate structure, and additional choices that align with your energy needs. To learn more about the different features available in energy plans near you, check out our guide to picking a plan.
Deregulation in Texas allows for energy companies to compete for your business. Comparing them all can be overwhelming, which is where Choose Texas Power comes in. We vet and partner with REPs that offer quality features, affordable pricing, and reliable service. Once you enter your ZIP code, we’ll provide you with a list of the available plans and providers in your area all in one place, so you can quickly and easily compare your options.
Our trusted partners include TXU Energy, Reliant Energy, Gexa Energy, Frontier Utilities, and Direct Energy, among many others.
You can schedule a start date when you sign up for a plan. Some energy companies allow you to schedule your plan activation up to 90 days in advance. If you need your electricity turned on immediately, some providers offer same-day service within certain time windows. If you’re interested in a fast setup, give us a call at the number on your screen.
If you experience an outage, you’ll need to call your utility company (which delivers your electricity) not your energy provider. Find out which utility services your area on our Texas utility company page.
REPs in Texas are required to give customers at least a 30-day notice before their current electricity plan ends. After that, you can sign up for a different plan with the same provider, switch providers entirely, or re-enroll in your current plan.
If you are dissatisfied with your current provider, you can switch to a REP that better fits your needs. However, be sure to verify whether your current plan includes an ETF before switching electricity providers (though many providers allow you to switch plans with no penalty within 30 or 60 days of signing up). If you have further questions, check out our guide to switching energy companies.
Let us put the power in your hands with a new electricity plan.
