Your power to choose electricity in Texas
In 2002, Texas deregulated its energy market to give residents and business owners more control over their electricity. Deregulation lets consumers shop between various retail electric providers (REPs) and select their light plan rather than defaulting to a plan from the local utility company. Energy choice can benefit consumers because REPs compete for their business by offering low rates, unique incentives, and a variety of plan options.
Texas Electric Rates is a free, independent marketplace that helps consumers find the best energy options in their area. You can shop, compare, and sign up all in one place. Enter your ZIP code or call our team of experts to get started.
TexasElectricRates.com is not affiliated with the PUCT, powertochoose.org, or Power To Choose.
What is PowerToChoose.org?
PowerToChoose.org is the official website for the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), a state-level government agency that oversees Texas’ power grid. This website is a tool for consumers to review energy options in their area. However, you cannot sign up for a plan on PowerToChoose.org. If you try to sign up for a plan, you will be redirected to the provider’s website, where you must restart your search.
Why shop on TexasElectricRates.com?
The Texas Electric Rates marketplace streamlines the energy shopping experience. While having energy choices is beneficial, understanding your options can be confusing. Shopping on an energy marketplace is a smoother experience because you can browse your options and sign up in minutes. Our free marketplace lets users easily filter between rate type, contract length, renewable energy, and more to find the best option.
Our energy experts have over 21 years of experience navigating Texas’s deregulated energy market. Call the number on your screen if you need help picking a provider or plan.
How to shop for electricity plans on our marketplace
We make finding the best energy plan easy. Here’s how to use our marketplace:
- Enter your ZIP code. Search your location to learn which providers operate near you.
- Filter your options. Narrow your search by filtering for rate type, provider, renewable energy, price, and more.
- Complete sign-up. Once you find the right plan, you can sign up online in minutes.
- Enjoy your new plan. After signing up, your new provider will activate your service.
Our energy experts can help you navigate Texas’ complex deregulated market. Give us a call to talk about your options.
Texas energy providers vs. utility companies
Energy providers and utility companies work differently in Texas’ deregulated market. Energy providers are retail companies that sell energy plans to consumers. Your provider handles your electric account and billing.
In Texas, you have the power to choose your energy provider, but your service location predetermines your utility company. Utility companies maintain power lines, transport electricity, and restore outages. Unfortunately, your energy provider cannot fix a power outage—call your utility company to restore electricity.
Texas’ top energy providers
Explore a few of Texas’s best energy providers and why customers enjoy their plans.
| Provider | Unique offering |
|---|---|
| TriEagle Energy | Fixed-rate plans |
| TXU Energy | Monthly, variable-rate options |
| Gexa Energy | 100% renewable energy plans |
| Payless Power | No-deposit, prepaid power |
| Express Energy | High bill credits |
| 4Change Energy | Low rates |
Types of electricity plans in Texas
One major benefit of deregulated energy is the wealth of options available, but where do you begin? To help, we’ve compiled a few of Texas’ more common types of deregulated energy plans.
- Fixed-rate. Fixed-rate plans have an established electricity rate for your entire contract. Customers often choose this type of plan because it provides predictable electricity bills and protection from price spikes.
- Variable-rate. This option is the opposite of fixed-rate plans because the electricity rate can change monthly depending on the market. This is a good option if you want a short-term electricity solution without signing a contract.
- No-deposit. Many providers run a soft credit check to confirm if you meet their credit threshold. If you have a lower credit score or want to bypass this step, you can choose a no-deposit plan or prepaid plan. With this plan, you preload your electric account with funds to cover your usage and top it off as needed.
- Renewable energy. Texas leads the nation in renewables such as wind and solar power. Multiple providers offer renewable energy plans that source part or all of their energy from renewables to offset the use of fossil fuels. If you want to explore greener options, filter for renewable energy to find available plans.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I do not pick an energy provider?
Around 15% of the state does not have the power to choose their electricity provider. If you are moving to a deregulated area, you are required to set up your service through a provider of your choice.
How do you choose your electricity provider in Texas?
It is helpful to determine how much electricity you regularly consume and how long of a contract you want. Some providers specialize in month-to-month plans, while others offer fixed-rate, long-term plans. Once you know your energy patterns, this will help narrow down your options. If you need help understanding the best fit for you, call our energy team. We specialize in matching customers to the right plan to help you save on your energy costs.
How can I find the cheapest energy plan?
The best way to find the cheapest electricity plan is to use the Texas Electric Rates marketplace. You can compare your options, filter results based on preferences, and sign up for the lowest rate, all in one place. Enter your ZIP code or call our team to find the cheapest price near you.
Who offers the lowest electricity rate in Texas?
Currently, the lowest electricity rate is 10.4 cents per kilowatt-hour, offered by Gexa Energy and Express Energy. Seasonality and macro conditions in the energy market can cause Texas electricity rates to change frequently. Check TexasElectricRates.com regularly to find today’s cheapest price available near you.
