How to Switch Providers

Determine If You’re in A Deregulated Area

Most major Texas cities (Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, Galveston, and more) are deregulated. But areas like Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, and some co-ops are not. If you’re in a deregulated area, you’re free to shop around. If not, your local utility sets your rate and provider.

Know Your Current Plan

Carefully assess your unique needs. Check your current plan and identify:

• The end date of your contract
• Usage patterns
• Average consumption
• Payment preferences
• Any early termination fee (ETF)

The idea is to decode your bill and contract to get as much information as possible to avoid potential misleading claims or too-good-to-be-true provider rates. When you know what’s happening backstage right now, you can understand what your next setup can look like.

Time Your Switch Wisely

Before you pull the trigger on a new plan, timing your move is essential to maximizing your savings and avoiding unnecessary penalties. In the Texas deregulated market, when you switch is often just as important as who you switch to.

• Understanding Seasonal Rate Fluctuations
• The Cost of Switching Too Early
• The “90-Day Window” and Locking in Rates
• The 14-Day Grace Period

Compare Plans from Texas REPs

REPs (Retail Electric Providers) offer the electricity plans. Utilities (TDUs like Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, TNMP) deliver it. When comparing plans, be sure to look at:

• Price per kWh at your specific usage level
• Contract length
• Early termination fees
• Bill credits or usage requirements
• Renewable energy content

Always read the Electricity Facts Label (EFL), it’s like the nutrition label for your energy plan! It tells you the real price, not just the eye-catching advertised rate.

Switch Providers

After thorough evaluation, confirm your choice. Contact the new provider to streamline all communication for a smooth enrollment. It shouldn’t interrupt your current supply, as everything will be happening remotely. Plus, the new supplier handles the process, so you won’t have any uncomfortable conversations with your existing provider. It also takes just a few minutes to change providers, and the only hassle you’d face is choosing the right provider, one that aligns with your needs.