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How to Switch Electricity Providers in Texas

by Stuart Percle

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Two Ways to Switch Electricity Providers in Texas
The Conventional Way: A Time-Consuming Process
The Easy Way: Switching Electricity Providers with Energy Ogre
Conclusion
FAQ

Introduction

Switching electricity providers in Texas can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this guide, we’ll show you two ways to switch: the conventional way, which requires extensive research and effort, and the Energy Ogre way, which makes the process effortless.

At Energy Ogre, we specialize in helping Texans navigate the competitive energy market, ensuring they always have the best electricity plan for their needs. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to switch energy providers while saving time, money, and frustration.

Two Ways to Switch Electricity Providers in Texas

The Water Bottle Analogy

Imagine you're at a store looking at two identical bottles of water. One costs significantly more than the other, yet both offer the same hydration. Choosing an electricity provider is similar—since the electricity itself remains the same for everyone, why overpay? The key is finding the provider that offers the best electricity rates and terms for your needs.

Now, let’s explore the two ways you can switch electricity providers in Texas.

The Conventional Way: A Time-Consuming Process

Manually switching electricity providers involves multiple steps that require time and effort. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Determine Your Energy Usage and Current Plan Details

Locate your current electricity contract and review its terms.
- This will have been sent to your email. If you’ve deleted it, you can log into your online account or contact your electricity company.
Check your contract expiration date and any early termination fee (ETF).
- Your expiration will appear on every invoice. In order to find out your ETF, look at your electricity facts label (EFL) or contact your provider.
Analyze past electricity bills to understand your energy cost and consumption.
- Your prior billing cycle’s usage will appear on every invoice. Some providers also offer usage history graphs in their online portals.

Step 2: Research and Compare Electricity Plans and Providers

Investigate multiple retail electricity providers (REPs) in Texas.
- Check customer reviews, complaints, and service reliability by reading Google reviews, the Consumer Affairs website, and the Better Business Bureau website.
Compare electricity plans, paying close attention to:
- Base rates and hidden fees
  - Certain plans have minimum usage fees where you have to pay a set amount no matter how low your electricity usage was that month. There are also maximum usage fees.
- Fixed vs. variable rates
  - Fixed rates mean your electricity rate per kWh stays the same throughout the contract. Fixed is the better option for a consumer.
  - Variable rates have electricity rates per kWh that change monthly. These are not ideal for the consumer because rates can skyrocket from bill to bill.
Identify potential pitfalls like misleading promotional rates and unexpected fees.
- Reading an electricity plan’s electricity facts label (EFL) is the best way to see how you will be charged. However, they can be confusing. Energy Ogre can do it for you if you’d like!
- Time-of-use pricing and tiered rates
  - Some plans advertise gimmicks like "free electricity at night." However, any money saved is lost because daytime rates are significantly higher.

Step 3: Sign Up and Manage the Switch

Select a new provider and complete the enrollment process.
Review your contract terms carefully before confirming the switch.
Schedule the transition to avoid service interruptions.
- Always schedule your new provider’s plan to start a couple of days before the current provider’s plan ends. The new provider will automatically stop the old plan, and you won’t have to pay an early termination fee (ETF) since it is your legal right to cancel an electricity contract within two weeks of the contract expiration date.

Step 4: Monitor for Future Plan Expiration

Track your contract’s expiration date to prevent automatic renewals at higher rates.
- Many people schedule their electricity supply to stop and start on the same day, which cancels each other out, leaving them with their old provider on an expensive month-to-month variable rate.
Regularly check the energy market for better deals and be prepared to switch again.
- Electricity rates change daily. There are good deals out there if you know how to spot them. Set up electricity contract expiration reminders here.

The Easy Way: Switching Electricity Providers with Energy Ogre

Instead of spending hours researching electricity plans and electricity providers, Energy Ogre simplifies the process with a hassle-free approach.

How It Works

Upload a recent electricity bill.
Provide a few details about your home and energy usage.
Energy Ogre analyzes thousands of plans to find the best one for your usage needs.
We enroll you in the best energy plan and monitor your account throughout the contract to switch you to a better plan if they pop up.
When your contract expires, we handle the switch automatically to ensure you always have the best electricity rate and never lose power or fall out of contract.

And that’s it. Using Energy Ogre takes only about 10 minutes compared to the hours (or even days) spent researching and switching providers on your own. It seems like using Energy Ogre is a lot more convenient than doing it alone, if you ask me.

Conclusion

Switching electricity providers in Texas doesn’t have to be a stressful, time-consuming process. Whether you choose to tackle it manually or use a service like Energy Ogre, the key is to ensure that you’re not overpaying for electricity and that your plan is aligned with your needs. While manually switching requires extensive research, comparisons, and monitoring for future plan expirations, Energy Ogre streamlines the process, saving you valuable time and effort.

With Energy Ogre, you don’t just find the best plan once; you stay on top of your energy needs, effortlessly transitioning between plans as rates fluctuate. So, whether you’re overwhelmed by the complexity of the market or simply looking for a smarter, more convenient way to save, Energy Ogre makes it easier than ever to secure the best deal for your electricity.

Ready to start saving on your energy bill today? Use our savings calculator or sign up now to take the first step toward a hassle-free, cost-effective energy plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I experience any service interruptions when I switch electricity providers?

No, if you schedule them correctly. Never schedule power to start and stop at one location on the same day. They can cancel each other out and nothing will change. Switching providers does not cause power outages. Your electricity supply remains uninterrupted.

How do I know if I’m eligible to switch electricity providers?

If you live in a deregulated energy market in Texas, you can switch energy suppliers. Check your electricity contract for termination fees before making a switch.