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What is the power to choose electricity in Texas?
More than 20 years ago, Texas deregulated its energy market, empowering residents and business owners to choose their own electricity provider and plan. Because the market is open to competing retail electric providers, consumers can compare their options and pick the one best suited to their needs.
With the freedom to choose, however, comes an overwhelming array of options. The state introduced PowertoChoose.org to help consumers find their footing in this new market. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) website is a central place for consumers to browse plans and compare electricity rates. While visitors cannot sign up for a plan on this website, they can research options in their area.
If you are looking for an alternative, Choose Texas Power is a one-stop shop that can help you find and sign up for the right energy plan for you. We provide educational resources, provider information, and a convenient marketplace where you can sign up for a plan in minutes. Enter your ZIP code to compare your options today.
ChooseTexasPower.org is not affiliated with Power to Choose, powertochoose.org, or the PUCT.
How is Choose Texas Power different from PowertoChoose.org?
Choose Texas Power is a free, independent marketplace where Texans can explore and compare current electricity companies, plans, and rates. Instead of browsing our site and then going to provider domains to complete the sign-up process (like on PowertoChoose.org), you can do it all right here. Our marketplace offers transparent information to help shoppers maximize their power to choose in Texas. We partner with top energy providers across Texas to enable you to sign up directly on our site.
Interested in learning about the Choose Texas Power difference for yourself? Enter your ZIP to browse plans in your area, or call the number on your screen to speak with one of our energy experts.
Understanding the power to choose Texas electricity
Thanks to Texas’ deregulated energy market, consumers are no longer limited to getting their electricity from the local utility company. Instead, they can choose their energy provider and search for affordable electricity rates. Deregulation in Texas increases competition between energy providers and can help customers reduce their energy costs.
About 85% of Texas has access to deregulated energy. Only a few areas, such as Austin and San Antonio, aren’t deregulated. Here are some of the largest cities in Texas where customers have the power to choose electricity plans:
If you’re ready to choose your power in Texas, enter your ZIP code and start comparing electricity plans now.
Types of plans offered in Texas
You’ll find three main types of electricity plans in Texas’ deregulated areas. It’s helpful to understand the different features before you sign up for one. Here’s how each plan type works:
- Fixed-rate plans: These electricity plans secure a fixed price for your energy for a set period so you can more accurately plan and budget. Popular fixed-rate plans usually last one to three years. One drawback is that you’ll have to pay an early termination fee if you end your contract before it expires.
- Variable-rate plans: If you choose a variable-rate option, your energy price will fluctuate each month based on changes in the energy market. Your energy bill may be cheap when demand is low, but it can rise sharply when demand spikes during the hot summer months or winter cold spells.
- No-deposit plans: If your credit score doesn’t meet a provider’s required threshold, you’ll likely have to pay a deposit before you can begin your service. To avoid this cost, you can opt for a no-deposit or prepaid energy plan.
Top Texas energy providers
At Choose Texas Power, we partner with reliable energy providers you can trust. With so many options available to you, it can be confusing to know which provider is best for you. To help you understand your options, we create detailed guides about each provider we partner with. Here are a few top Texas energy providers available on our marketplace:
Enter your ZIP code to find which energy companies operate in your area.
Choose green energy in Texas
Texas is a nationwide leader in renewable energy generation. The state produces the most wind energy in the U.S. and consistently ranks in the top five states for solar power production.
Because of this, most Texas energy plans include a portion of green energy, enabling consumers to choose a power plan using renewable electricity. Choose Texas Power can help Texans find a green power plan that includes renewable sources such as wind or solar energy at competitive rates. Some providers, including Green Mountain Energy and Gexa Energy, specialize in offering energy plans powered by 100% renewable energy.
Business electricity rates
Deregulated energy isn’t limited to residential customers; Texas businesses can also take control of their electricity plan. Business owners can take advantage of the deregulated market by comparing providers and choosing their commercial electricity plan. Choose Texas Power offers specialized commercial power plans to adapt to your business’s needs. Fill out the form on our commercial energy page to shop business electricity rates.
Choosing your power FAQs
How do I find the cheapest electricity rates in my city?
Our free marketplace lets you filter plans by price, rate type, contract length, and more. To find the cheapest options available to you, filter your results by price. You’ll be able to compare a selection of cheap power plans and select the one you like best.
Which is better, a fixed-rate or variable-rate plan?
The best plan depends on the scenario and the customer’s needs. Fixed-rate plans offer more stability and best suit customers who want a long-term energy plan. While fixed-rate plans tend to provide the most savings, they do include early termination fees if you break the contract prematurely. Variable-rate plans are a better fit for customers who need a flexible plan. Even though variable-rate plans can fluctuate in price, they allow customers to switch plans without penalty.
How is deregulated energy different from regulated energy?
In regulated energy markets, consumers cannot pick their provider or plan. Instead, the local utility company determines the price for electricity and the type of plan for residents and businesses in its service area. On the contrary, deregulated markets give consumers the power to choose their provider and plan type.