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Shopping for electricity in a deregulated energy market offers many benefits — lower rates, customizable plans, greater variety, and unique incentives. However, the influx of choices can also create confusion about which plan features are most important. To get to the bottom of this, we surveyed real customers from our independent energy marketplace. We asked them to rank the following features based on level of importance when shopping: price, contract length, deposits, provider reputation, and expected usage.
| Most important plan features | Percentage of total responses | |
| 1. | Price | 75% |
| 2. | Contract length | 9% |
| 3. | Deposit | 7% |
| 4. | Provider reputation | 7% |
| 5. | Expected usage | 2% |
We asked 363 Texans what the most important plan feature was to them. This table displays the results of our survey in percentages.
Out of 363 responses, 75% said price was the most important factor they consider when choosing an energy plan.
Between sky-high summer temperatures, hurricane season, and unpredictable winter storms, Texans have complex energy needs. These circumstances contribute to an average monthly usage of 1,146 kilowatt-hours (kWh), 34% more than the national average of 855 kWh. Since Texans have some of the highest energy usage in the country, they are already sensitive to the pressure energy prices can put on their households’ finances.
Texans also must contend with the fact that deregulated energy prices are not always straightforward. Multiple elements complicate your total energy bill, including tiered rate structures, what month you buy, local taxes and fees, and contract lengths. With so many elements to consider, securing an affordable energy plan is tough.
Fortunately, our marketplace takes some of the work out of finding a good price. We offer transparent pricing, easy-to-use filters, and detailed plan information so you can secure an option within your budget. If you’d like extra assistance weighing your options, call our experts to find your ideal match.
Our marketplace customers voted contract length as the second most important energy shopping factor. The right contract length comes down to lifestyle — do you need stability or flexibility? Here are a few tips on picking a contract length according to your needs:
If contract length is your top priority, filter according to your preference on our marketplace to view results that match.
An upfront energy deposit can be a burden, especially if you’re on a tight budget. This feature landed in the middle ranking of our consumer survey, indicating that deposits are a deciding factor when shopping for energy. To ease your concerns about deposits, here’s some helpful information on how they typically work:
Expert tip: If skipping a deposit entirely is your top priority, explore our selection of no-deposit plans. This option lets you circumvent the deposit by prepaying for a portion of your electricity.
While energy price and contract length gather the most interest, provider reputation still struck a chord with customers who value trust. Your energy company is your main point of contact for all account and billing questions, so you don’t want to be stuck with an unreliable provider. Here are a few reasons to consider this element:
At Choose Texas Power, we help shoppers find the most reliable providers by conducting thorough reviews of each company on our marketplace. This lets you compare provider ratings on top of price, contract length, and other plan features.
Read about the most popular energy providers in Texas on our marketplace.
Expected usage was the lowest priority among customers in our survey, but it still resonates with a handful of shoppers. Unfortunately, energy usage is a common challenge in deregulated markets: customers may pick a plan with a low advertised price but miss the usage criteria in the EFL. As a result, they get stuck with a high energy bill because their usage doesn’t match the contract requirements. The good news is you can avoid this scenario with a little preparation:
Want our advice? Grabbing the lowest rate doesn’t always lead to cheaper bills. Our energy experts recommend prioritizing a plan that complements your energy patterns, even if it has a higher rate. Search for plans with incentives matching your average monthly usage for more affordable energy bills.
Our survey results showed that people moving to a new home versus those switching providers or plans have different concerns. Both movers and switchers are price-conscious, but their second priority diverges. Movers are more focused on provider reputation, indicating they may be cautious about who to trust with their energy account. Switchers want a more desirable contract length that matches their needs, likely as a result of a bad matchup with their previous contract.
Key takeaway: Every shopper has their own priorities based on past experiences. Whether you are moving to Texas for the first time or switching providers, Choose Texas Power can help you find an energy solution that matches your priorities.
| Movers | Percentage | Switchers | Percentage | |
| 1. | Price | 65% | Price | 79% |
| 2. | Provider reputation | 13% | Contract length | 9% |
| 3. | Contract length | 9% | Deposit | 6% |
| 4. | Deposit | 9% | Energy provider reputation | 4% |
| 5. | Expected usage | 4% | Expected usage | 2% |
Movers seek out trust, whereas switchers favor contract length compatibility. Both care about finding a plan that fits in their budget.
Your energy needs probably don’t boil down to just one priority. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice one feature for another — on our marketplace, you can choose multiple filters. Whether you have one priority or three, find a plan that checks all the boxes on Choose Texas Power.
