Twenty years ago, Texans didn’t have a choice in electric suppliers. Instead, they were tied to a traditional utility and its electricity rates in Texas.
This changed Jan. 1, 2002, when the Texas legislature decided to deregulate the electric industry. In essence, this meant customers had to choose among electricity providers.
Meanwhile, the utilities now were charged with delivering power to homes and businesses and maintaining the electricity infrastructure, including lines. The goal of deregulation was to create competition, driving down costs while giving Texans more affordable access to electricity.
Now, you can shop around to compare the best electric providers in your area. If you decide to switch energy providers, you can use our helpful guide to make the process smoother and to better understand energy lingo. You can also discover how to lower your electric bill or find a no-deposit electric plan.
Once you have all that down, the process is simple. Start by entering your ZIP code on this page, which will give you access to our marketplace with plans available in your area. Then filter by price, plan term, rate type, or other factors to find the plan you want. You can sign up by phone or online – either way takes only minutes.