Your energy provider is not the same as your utility company. It’s important to understand the differences.
An energy provider is a retail company that sells energy to you in the form of a plan, typically lasting anywhere from 12 to 36 months. You’ll pay your monthly electricity bill to this provider.
Because Texas is a deregulated state, you have the option of changing your provider at any point. However, you may face an early termination fee (ETF) if you end your service before your contract expires.
Meanwhile, utility companies like CenterPoint Energy have several different functions. Utilities deliver power to your home, repair downed power lines, respond to power outages, and are responsible for the upkeep of energy infrastructure. You cannot choose your utility. And when a power outage happens, you need to contact CenterPoint Energy, as the utility is responsible for fixing the problem.