Power to choose energy in Texas

Choose Energy streamlines the electricity shopping process for you. Our easy-to-use online marketplace provides expert guidance. You’ll find straightforward plan details and all-inclusive pricing to help you find the right energy plan for your home or business. The quoted energy rate and average price (based on 1,000 kWh of usage) already include base charges and Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) fees, so you don’t get any surprises on your bill. 

Choose Energy also lets residents compare electricity rates and plans in Texas and sign up in one place. Once you’ve found the right plan for your home energy needs, we’ll walk you through the signup process in minutes, with no hoops to jump through or separate provider pages. Enter your ZIP code to get started.

Texas lawmakers deregulated the energy market in 2002, leading to greater competition among Texas electricity providers. Deregulation means that, instead of having only one default option for an electricity provider, Texans have the freedom to compare rates and plans from multiple providers and pick the most suitable option for their homes and businesses.

Texas electricity providers on the Choose Energy marketplace include TXU Energy, Gexa Energy, Frontier Utilities, Reliant Energy, and many more.

Texas residents have the power to choose their electricity provider in Houston and Dallas. But energy deregulation isn’t just for large cities. It extends to cities of all sizes, including:

• Arlington
• Corpus Christi
• Dallas
• Fort Worth
• Houston
• Irving
• Katy
• Midland
• Round Rock
• Waco

For a larger list of deregulated areas, visit our service areas page. 

Although you can choose your energy provider, your utility company is set based on your location. This company delivers electricity to your home or business and maintains the electrical infrastructure. Your utility also restores power when there is an outage. If the power goes out in your area, contact your utility company — not your energy provider.

There are three main types of deregulated plans in Texas: fixed-rate, variable-rate, and no-deposit/prepaid plans. Let’s break down each type of energy plan to help you choose the best plan for your needs.

• Fixed-rate plans: This plan type comes in fixed contracts lasting for 12, 24, or 36 months. You will have a consistent energy rate through the duration of your plan, allowing you to better budget every month. However, you’ll usually need to pay an early termination fee (ETF) if you want to switch plans before the end of your contract. 
• Variable-rate plans: A variable-rate plan changes every month, depending on the market price of electricity. With this type of plan, you can save money by tracking energy price changes, but you could also end up paying significantly more during energy spikes. You don’t need to pay an ETF if you switch energy providers with this plan.
• No-deposit plans: Electric companies may require you to pay a deposit to start your energy plan — especially if you have a low credit score that disqualifies you from automatic approval. In this case, a no-deposit plan or prepaid plan may be a good option. With these plans, you pay upfront for your electricity, and your provider will notify you when it’s time to top up your funds as your balance goes down.

Researching and selecting a Texas electricity provider is a smart way to save on energy costs, but the process can be a bit overwhelming. At Choose Energy, we make the process less stressful by compiling electric rates and plans in your area. We also provide various tools to help you understand the industry and make an informed choice, including:

•       A guide to selecting a plan
•       No-deposit electricity
•       A switching guide
•       A mover’s guide
•       Trusted provider reviews
•       And more

When you search for plans on our free, independent marketplace, you can sort by price, term length, rate type, and more. You can also customize your usage to find estimates for your monthly bills.

Finding the right electricity provider and plan with Choose Energy is quick, effective, and easy. It only takes three simple steps:

1. Enter your ZIP code. We’ll show you plans from top energy providers operating in your area.
2. Find the right plan. Filter for the features that are most important to you and compare your options. Read each plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to understand the plan details.
3. Exercise the power to choose in Texas. Once you’ve decided on a plan, you can sign up online in just a few minutes. After that, your new provider will handle the switch without any interruptions in your service.

Get started by entering your ZIP code on this page. We’ll show you the electricity options in your area.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) licenses electricity providers to ensure they meet strict requirements to operate in Texas.

Do you need to contact the PUCT to report an issue? Here are three contact options:

• Mail: 1701 N. Congress Avenue // P.O. Box 13326 // Austin, TX 78711-3326
• Phone: 512-936-7000
• Email: customer@puc.texas.gov

Regardless of which electricity company supplies power to your home, your local utility will deliver the electricity. The PUCT also regulates the utility companies. If you experience a power outage, contact your utility.

Disclaimer: ChooseEnergy.com is operated by Choose Energy Inc. and is not affiliated with Power To Choose, powertochoose.org, or the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).