Deregulated Energy Market
- What is energy deregulation?
Deregulation opened the electricity market for competition in Texas, which brings in more electricity provider choices to you as a consumer. Having the power to choose encourages energy providers to come up with innovative products and services to best serve you. As a result, you have the power to select an energy plan with an energy provider that best meets your needs.
- What should I consider when shopping for an energy plan?
For an apples-to-apples comparison of all the options available to you in your area, you should consider the following questions:
1. Does the average rate matching my usage?
2. Does the contract include a minimum usage fee or credit?
3. What kind of rate is it? (fixed, variable or indexed?) – In case of a fixed rate: Do different fixed rates apply depending my monthly usage? – In case of a variable rate: How and when will the rate change?
4. Does the rate include all the costs: electricity cost, transmission, distribution charges, monthly fees and charges or recurring fees?
5. Is there a contract? If so, how long is it for?
6. Is a deposit required? If so, how much?
7. What are my payment options?
8. What happens when my contract expires?
9. What happens I miss a payment?
10. Is there a termination fee if I end the contract early?
11. Do I want my plan to include renewable energy content?
12. Do I need a free usage period? - How much does it cost to change electricity plans?
It is likely you selected an electric provider when you moved into your home or apartment. It is fairly simple to change providers, and there may be no charge (depending of your current plan contract).
If you are currently in a contract with an energy provider, you should review the termination clause of your existing contract to understand whether termination fees would apply before you switch. - How do I report a power outage or surge?
Please contact your Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) who looks after your local poles and wires. Below is the contact information for the TDSPs in the deregulated areas in Texas:
Oncor Electric Delivery (DFW, North and West Texas) 888-313-4747
Texas-New Mexico Power Company (Lewisville and North Texas) 888-866-7456
CenterPoint Energy (Houston and surrounding areas) 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143
AEP Texas (Abilene and West Texas; Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley and South Texas) 866-223-8508
Lubbock Power & Light (Lubbock, Texas) 806-775-2509
Switching Energy Provider
- How do I notify my current energy provider that I am switching?
You don’t have to notify your current energy provider if you want to switch. Your new provider will take care of everything. Keep in mind that a termination fee may apply depending on the contract you are currently on if the contract term has not ended.
- How much does it cost to switch providers?
New provider: Consult the Fact Label documents to check all the details of the plan.
Current provider: A cancellation fee may apply depending on the terms of the contract you have with your previous (or current) provider. You will find this information on the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) and the Terms of Service (TOS).
Utility provider: Your Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) may charge you a one-time fee depending on the type of meter you have - When will my switch occur?
Most of the time, your selected energy plan will take effect within a day to seven days for a standard switch. If you selected a switch date or a date for a self-serve switch, the request will take effect on your selected date. Note that some exceptions can apply (weekends, holidays…).
- Will my service be interrupted?
No. Your services should not be interrupted while switching electricity providers. Your energy provider looks after your energy rate and plan, as well as billing, while your Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) looks after the transmission and distribution of your services. Switching electricity providers within the same service address does not change the TDSP, so electricity will continue to be delivered to your home as the switch occurs.
- What if I change my mind after I switch?
Take time to review the documents you receive after your enrollment. In Texas, you have 3 days to cancel without penalty in Texas if you are requesting a switch. However, this right of rescission may not apply for a move-in request. When enrolling under a new plan it is important for you to review the Terms of Service along with the plan to understand your rights before proceeding with a move-in request.
Billing
- I just switched electric providers, so when will I receive my next bill? Who is sending me the invoice?
In deregulated areas in Texas, you will receive the bill directly from your retail electric provider. You should receive your next bill on the next billing cycle. You may receive it through emails if you subscribed to electronic billing. Please note that some plans, such as prepaid, do not send a bill but instead have a Statement of Usage and Billing you can request.
Deregulated Energy Market
- What is energy deregulation?
Deregulation opened the electricity market for competition in Texas, which brings in more electricity provider choices to you as a consumer. Having the power to choose encourages energy providers to come up with innovative products and services to best serve you. As a result, you have the power to select an energy plan with an energy provider that best meets your needs.
- What should I consider when shopping for an energy plan?
For an apples-to-apples comparison of all the options available to you in your area, you should consider the following questions:
1. Does the average rate matching my usage?
2. Does the contract include a minimum usage fee or credit?
3. What kind of rate is it? (fixed, variable or indexed?) – In case of a fixed rate: Do different fixed rates apply depending my monthly usage? – In case of a variable rate: How and when will the rate change?
4. Does the rate include all the costs: electricity cost, transmission, distribution charges, monthly fees and charges or recurring fees?
5. Is there a contract? If so, how long is it for?
6. Is a deposit required? If so, how much?
7. What are my payment options?
8. What happens when my contract expires?
9. What happens I miss a payment?
10. Is there a termination fee if I end the contract early?
11. Do I want my plan to include renewable energy content?
12. Do I need a free usage period? - How much does it cost to change electricity plans?
It is likely you selected an electric provider when you moved into your home or apartment. It is fairly simple to change providers, and there may be no charge (depending of your current plan contract).
If you are currently in a contract with an energy provider, you should review the termination clause of your existing contract to understand whether termination fees would apply before you switch. - How do I report a power outage or surge?
Please contact your Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) who looks after your local poles and wires. Below is the contact information for the TDSPs in the deregulated areas in Texas:
Oncor Electric Delivery (DFW, North and West Texas) 888-313-4747
Texas-New Mexico Power Company (Lewisville and North Texas) 888-866-7456
CenterPoint Energy (Houston and surrounding areas) 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143
AEP Texas (Abilene and West Texas; Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley and South Texas) 866-223-8508
Lubbock Power & Light (Lubbock, Texas) 806-775-2509
Switching Energy Provider
- How do I notify my current energy provider that I am switching?
You don’t have to notify your current energy provider if you want to switch. Your new provider will take care of everything. Keep in mind that a termination fee may apply depending on the contract you are currently on if the contract term has not ended.
- How much does it cost to switch providers?
New provider: Consult the Fact Label documents to check all the details of the plan.
Current provider: A cancellation fee may apply depending on the terms of the contract you have with your previous (or current) provider. You will find this information on the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) and the Terms of Service (TOS).
Utility provider: Your Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) may charge you a one-time fee depending on the type of meter you have - When will my switch occur?
Most of the time, your selected energy plan will take effect within a day to seven days for a standard switch. If you selected a switch date or a date for a self-serve switch, the request will take effect on your selected date. Note that some exceptions can apply (weekends, holidays…).
- Will my service be interrupted?
No. Your services should not be interrupted while switching electricity providers. Your energy provider looks after your energy rate and plan, as well as billing, while your Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) looks after the transmission and distribution of your services. Switching electricity providers within the same service address does not change the TDSP, so electricity will continue to be delivered to your home as the switch occurs.
- What if I change my mind after I switch?
Take time to review the documents you receive after your enrollment. In Texas, you have 3 days to cancel without penalty in Texas if you are requesting a switch. However, this right of rescission may not apply for a move-in request. When enrolling under a new plan it is important for you to review the Terms of Service along with the plan to understand your rights before proceeding with a move-in request.
Billing
- I just switched electric providers, so when will I receive my next bill? Who is sending me the invoice?
In deregulated areas in Texas, you will receive the bill directly from your retail electric provider. You should receive your next bill on the next billing cycle. You may receive it through emails if you subscribed to electronic billing. Please note that some plans, such as prepaid, do not send a bill but instead have a Statement of Usage and Billing you can request.