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How do I determine how many kWh I use?

Use this kilowatt-hour (kWh) electricity usage and consumption calculator to quickly estimate your expected energy usage based on your home size in square feet (sqft), the number of occupants, and your energy usage habits.

Determine your usage then compare electric rates.

Estimate your usage using the tool.

Then, if you’d like, you can shop for a light company with the cheapest electricity plans and rates for your usage.

Just enter your zip code above to get started.

Let’s quickly find your best energy plan.

1. Size of home:

2. Number of residents:

3. Your energy habits:

Approximate average monthly usage: 690 kWh

Disclaimer: This tool is for approximation purposes only. Accuracy is not guaranteed or implied.

The approximated monthly usage is based on an average over 12 months. Air conditioning and heating costs can vary and often account for up to 50 percent of your home’s energy use during different seasons.

Factors such as size of your home, weather, construction, heating and cooling equipment type, insulation, and family living habits will influence your actual usage.

 

kWh Usage Pricing Calculator

Input as many months of usage history as you can gather, then click “Compare Rates”.

If you can’t find your usage history, you can still compare rates by home size by entering just your zip code at the top of this page.

How to Switch Electricity Providers

Learn how to choose the right energy plan for your home to make an informed decision when switching energy companies in Texas. 

Did you know electricity plans in Texas are priced according to how much energy you use each month?

That’s right. The amount of energy you use each month dictates the rate you pay for energy that month.

This is why it is very important to understand your monthly energy consumption when shopping for a new electricity plan in Texas.

To determine the best plan for your home you need to understand how much energy you use on any given month.

By the end of this short exercise, you’ll know how to compare electricity plan options by total annual cost instead of buying into advertised “teaser” rates.

Find your previous month’s energy bills or log into your existing energy company website. Write down month-by-month how many kilowatt-hours of energy you consumed last year.

It is ok if you do not have all 12 months of usage. Gather as many months as you can find. The more months the better.

If you can’t find your usage history, you can still compare rates by home size by entering just your zip code at the top of this page

Make an Informed Decision

We’ll show you how to make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the best energy company plan for your home. 

Is your electricity bill too high? If you’re confused with all the different energy companies and electricity plans in Texas, you’re not alone.

Many Texans choose their electricity company based on advertisements they see on TV, brand recognition, or recommendations from friends and family.

Knowledge is power. Blindly deciding on your energy company without first knowing how to shop for the best electricity plan can end up costing you and your family a lot more money.

Next, we’ll show you step-by-step how to shop for the best plan so you can put your hard-earned money to better use than giving it away to an energy company that sold you the wrong plan for your needs.

Predictability is Power

Some electricity plans have different discounts, fees, and pricing tiers that may or may not apply each month depending on your usage.

ComparePower will calculate each month’s bill for every plan and show the total cost for all bills combined. Now that is powerful!

Find the RIGHT energy company and your best electricity plan in 4 simple steps.

  1. Gather your home’s historical kWh usage month by month for the past 12 months. It’s ok if you don’t have all 12 months. The more months the better.
  2. Enter your historical usage month by month into the calculator below.
  3. Click on Compare Rates to compare competing light company rate plans based on your home’s custom usage.
  4. Enroll online or over the phone in about 5 minutes.

 

kWh Usage Pricing Calculator Video

Still confused about why this is so important? This short 2-minute video will show you how to find your best plan on ComparePower.

 

How to determine your kWh Usage for a new home

What if you’re moving into a new home and do not have past or historical usage?

The best way to shop for an energy plan in Texas is still by estimating your anticipated monthly usage.

This Online Electricity Usage Calculator will help you estimate your new home approximate energy usage.

If you can’t determine your usage, you can still compare rates by home size by entering just your zip code at the top of this page.

Conclusion: Your turn to save

We’ve shown you how a few simple steps can help find the best electricity plan for your home.

Many users of this advanced way of shopping have reported saving over $2000 a year on their electric bill. That’s real money.

Give our usage estimator tool a try and see what you could be saving.

Gexa BOGO

If you’re reading this review odds are you’ve seen Gexa advertise their latest plan, the BOGO, and are wondering if this is a good plan for your household.

We’ll break down the Gexa BOGO plan and explain the details so that you are informed about what this plan is all about. Ultimately we’re here to help you find your best electricity plan for your Texas home.

This plan review is for the Gexa BOGO 12 plan.

Any product or company names, marks or logos shown on this page are the property of their respective owners. ComparePower is an independent marketplace offering free electricity pricing comparisons for consumers.

Time to read: about 4 min

Sections in this guide:
Click on a section to navigate directly to it:

  1. What is Gexa BOGO?
  2. Gexa BOGO in Dallas (Oncor)
  3. Gexa BOGO in Houston (Centerpoint)
  4. Conclusion: Key Facts and Takeaways

 

What is Gexa BOGO?

Now that summer temperatures have officially descended on Texas for the next few months you probably have found yourself turning on your A/C to keep your home cool and comfortable.

However, central air conditioning uses a lot of energy – up to 30 percent of your monthly bill during the hot summer months. That’s why Gexa created the BOGO plan, which stands for ‘Buy One Get One’.

As the name implies, with this plan if you buy one kilowatt-hour you get one kilowatt-hour for free. Said another way, you get 50% off of your “energy charges” every month. If you use 1,000 kWh in energy charges, you’ll only pay for 500 kWh. Sounds great, right?

We thought so too, which is why we decided to take a deeper look at this plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to uncover the details and show you the real math and cost of this plan.

 

Gexa BOGO plan in Dallas (Oncor)

According to the Gexa Bogo EFL, Gexa charges Oncor Electric Delivery customers an average price of 10.6 cents per kWh for 2000 kWh of monthly usage.

Gexa BOGO

Oncor Electric Delivery serves the Dallas area, which includes Fort Worth, Plano, Arlington, Frisco, Allen, and several other surrounding suburbs.

We’ve included a complete cost breakdown of the Gexa Bogo plan for Dallas-Fort worth metroplex residents as a function of usage in the conclusions section below.

 

Gexa BOGO plan in Houston (CenterPoint Energy)

According to the Gexa BOGO EFL, Gexa charges Houston residents (CenterPoint Energy service area) an average price of 11.8 cents/kWh for 2000 kWh of monthly usage.

Gexa BOGO

Centerpoint serves Houston area residents including surrounding suburbs such as Katy, The Woodlands, Humble, Kingwood, and several other greater Houston area suburbs.

We’ve included the complete cost breakdown of the Gexa Bogo plan for Houston Metro residents as a function of usage in the conclusions section below.

 

Conclusion: Key Facts and Takeaways

Free energy is great, but is Gexa BOGO the right plan for you and will you be saving money by signing up for the Gexa BOGO plan?

The simple answer is it depends on your usage. Here’s why…

The only way to really know which plan is right for you in Texas is to know your monthly kWh electricity usage. Or better yet, if you’re switching providers, your historical (kWh) usage for the previous 12-months.

For illustrative purposes, take a look at how the effective rate ($/kWh) varies with monthly usage (kWh) for the Gexa BOGO plan:

Gexa BOGO
Gexa BOGO Cost Breakdown: Oncor Delivery Company (Dallas-Fort Worth Metro service area)*

 

Gexa BOGO
Gexa BOGO Cost Breakdown: CenterPoint Energy (Houston Metro service area)*

 

*Calculations are based on the plan EFLs posted on GexaEnergy.com as of 3/14/2018. Costs exclude taxes and non-recurring fees.

As illustrated in the cost breakdown above, the key to avoid overpaying is knowing your expected usage and comparing monthly costs for each plan based on that usage amount.

Although electricity is a commodity, it is not priced linearly like other commodities you purchase day to day. Let’s use gasoline as an example to drive this point home.

With gasoline, the “price per gallon” you see on the sign is the price you pay no matter how many gallons you pump.

$3 per gallon. Pump 10 gallons, pay $30. Simple.

Electricity in Texas is not as simple as buying gasoline. The advertised “price per kWh” is based on a specific, exact monthly usage (usually 2000 kWh).

And, each plan has a different calculation for how your monthly bill is determined.

Your effective “price per kWh” can only be determined by calculating your monthly bill, then dividing that monthly bill by your usage.

Advertised “price per kWh” can be misleading because it’s based on a specific usage like 2000 kWh. It’s best to shop based on the total bill for your home’s expected usage.

How do you do that when the math is complex, and every plan is a little different?

ComparePower has already done all this complicated math for you.

If you’re switching providers, we help you find and compile your historical usage. If you’re moving to a new home we help you determine your anticipated monthly kWh usage. Then we show you the best plans and their total monthly cost for your specific usage.

 

Sign up for the BOGO plan

If you determine Gexa Bogo is the best plan based on your usage call Gexa Energy to enroll directly: 855-639-8210

In addition to receiving 50% off your energy charges you’ll get:

  • A straightforward, competitive contract and pricing to meet your needs.
  • Friendly and helpful customer care, right here in Texas.
  • 60-Day Happiness Guarantee.

 

Still not sure if Gexa BOGO is right for you? Don’t sweat it. If you’re not happy with the Gexa BOGO Plan for any reason, just call Gexa Energy within 60 days of your service activation date, change to another Gexa Energy plan, and get the early cancellation fee waived on your first plan.

Enter your zip code to compare the Gexa BOGO plan with other plans on ComparePower:

 

Additional energy plan reviews you may be interested in reading:

TXU Free Weekends Free Nights Unplugged: Avoid a $720 Dollar Mistake

 

UPDATE:  Take a look at our writeup on TXU Energy’s latest plan:  Free nights & Solar Days

Let’s take an in-depth look at The TXU Energy “Free Nights” and “Free Weekends” electric plans and see if we can’t find the true cost.

The very first thing to do when looking to compare energy providers is to determine your usage level. This is the average amount of electricity your household uses.  So let’s start there…

Determining your Average Electricity Usage

In Texas, energy companies must list the all-inclusive average pricing at three distinct usage levels.  500kwh, 1000kwh, and 2000kwh.  The reason the pricing at these different usage levels is often dramatically different is because of the base fees and charges that are applied to your bill regardless of how much you use.  So the average price, per kWh, typically goes down the more you use because these fees are spread out across a larger number of kWh.  Make sense?

But, there’s one more pesky fee that you need to be aware of.  It’s associated with low usage levels.  The power companies use all sorts of names to describe this fee…but the concept is the same.  If your usage doesn’t reach a specified threshold, most provider’s will charge you a fee that won’t apply once you cross that magic line.

As a point of reference, the average household in Texas uses about 1200kwh per month.  But take that with a grain of salt – because that’s the average of very large home and very small apartments, so the state average really isn’t something you want to even concern yourself with.

The only way to know for sure is to look at some of your own past bills.  The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) requires that the electric providers report your usage and explicitly detail the average price paid per kWh.  Some providers hide this in fine print; others put it out in the open.

The TXU Money Pit:  Math behind the Madness

Now, we’ll look at two different examples while examining this free nights and weekends plan.  One will be an apartment home using an average of 500 kWh per month, and another will be a house using 2000 kWh per month.

First, lets look at the rates for this TXU Free Nights or Free Weekends Plan.  Pulled directly from the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) from the TXU website, the pricing table is depicted below:

Average Monthly Use Average Price per kWh
500 kWh 14.40 ¢
1000 kWh 13.40 ¢
2000 kWh 12.90 ¢

 

For our example, we’ll look at Centerpoint Utility Region, serving the people of the Greater Houston Area looking for electric plan savings.

The “Energy Charge” Pricing for this 12 month plan is whopping 17.7c per kWh no matter how much you consume!

But wait, how is it possible that the Energy Charge is more than the Average Price per kWh? It’s because that Average Pricing Table is already including your anticipated Free Nights or Weekends.  Not sure that’s even legal, but we’ll save that for another article.

The lowest 12 month, 1000 kWh usage pricing plan on ComparePower is with 4Change Energy at 8.4c per kwh. So immediately it should be apparent that something is not right with the TXU plan.

To put this in perspective, the Average Texas Household we talked about earlier (1200 kWh /month) would actually pay TXU an additional $720 a year for the privilege of using their Free Nights/ Free Weekend plan than had they chosen the 4Change Energy Plan.

Shop Smart: Ignore the Gimmicks

So, what does TXU offer you to offset that cost, in terms of value?  Not much.

The informed consumer should ignore gimmicks and truly analyze the All-inclusive pricing listed on the Energy Facts Label (EFL) as a basis for comparing electric plan costs.  ComparePower is a free service that displays only the All-inclusive pricing Facts Label – inclusive of fees and taxes – so you can easily compare different electric company plans on a level playing field without the risk of being sold on a gimmick.

Texas Electricity Deregulation

The power to choose your electricity provider

Any product, company, or organization names, marks or logos shown on this page are the property of their respective owners. ComparePower is an unaffiliated, independent marketplace.

Texans use more electricity now than they ever have before, and retail electricity providers deliver power to about 27 million people in the state.

The market has been able to absorb this huge increase in demand by the free operations of the market, not direct government controls.

This article will teach you about the history of deregulation in Texas so you will be informed when shopping for the best electricity rates for your home.

Energy deregulation in Texas has helped create a robust competitive marketplace that can meet the public’s electricity needs while giving you the power to choose your home’s electricity provider.

ComparePower is a free consumer service established in 2009 to assist residents of Texas shopping for their best energy plan.

The official rates you will find on ComparePower are the same rates you’ll find calling the energy companies or visiting their websites.

Offers from many different competing electricity companies are presented in an easy to understand format that makes comparing your options simple and fast.

This helps Texas consumers avoid hidden fees and advertising gimmicks by comparing plans “apples-to-apples” without wasting hours making phone calls, spreadsheets, or navigating dozens of different company websites.

Instantly compare competing Texas electricity companies:

 

Deregulation of the Texas electricity market

Texas has a long cultural history of independence and freedom of personal choice. So, it’s no surprise that the state was among the first in the nation to free its electrical power grid from government control.

The first power plant in Texas was built in Galveston in the 1880s, just as the nation was starting to rebuild after the Civil War. Dozens of electricity generation facilities followed, mostly relying on the state’s mighty rivers and streams to generate plentiful hydroelectric power. Texas cities electrified quickly, and by the 1890s most major cities in the state were aglow with electrical lighting.

As anyone who has ever lived in or visited the state knows, Texas has robust natural resources. By the end of World War II, more than one million Texan homes were connected to the electrical grid.

By the late 1960’s, Texas was able to harness these resources into a strong electrical grid that was capable of providing power across the entire state. So, in 1970, the State created the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or “ERCOT.”

Ever since then, ERCOT has been responsible for managing the Texan electrical grid. As part of this responsibility, ERCOT passes rules and regulations pertaining to electric utilities in Texas. This includes both consumer protection policies and public safety measures.

In 1975, the Texas legislature enacted the Public Utility Regulatory Act (“PURA”), which was aimed at providing the State with greater authority to regulate electricity rates and services. Prior to PURA, cities throughout Texas were individually responsible for regulating their respective electricity rates and services.

Thus, PURA represented a major change in the regulation of electricity in Texas. Rather than allowing electric companies to compete and deal with local communities individually, PURA allowed the state government to control electricity services.

Unfortunately, state regulation of energy markets didn’t go very well under PURA. Electricity rates skyrocketed after PURA’s enactment, largely due to an inflated market and the need for increased electric capacity. This prompted the Texas legislature to act again, this time with the goal of deregulating the electricity market in hopes that it would decrease electricity costs for Texan consumers statewide.

George W. Bush, who was Governor of Texas at the time, strongly supported electricity deregulation in the 1990s. “Competition in the electricity industry,” he claimed, “will benefit Texans by reducing rates and offering consumers more choices.” This sentiment, which was shared by many in the Texas legislature, guided Texas’ energy marketplace toward deregulation.

As a result, the Texas legislature passed two laws meant to deregulate the state’s electricity market. First, in 1995, the Texan legislature passed Bill 373, which changed ERCOT’s responsibilities with regard to regulating utilities. While Bill 373 represented a critical policy shift, it didn’t break down the state stronghold on electricity markets as well as the legislature had hoped. For this reason, the State passed Senate Bill 7 in 2002.

Senate Bill 7 fundamentally altered how Texans get their electricity. Before this law, electricity rates were tied by law to the cost of the fuel. In fact, power plants, electric lines, and entire customer distribution networks were owned by public utilities commissions rather than private enterprises.

By restoring privatization and breaking down regulations in the energy market, the Texas legislature hoped that a more competitive marketplace would emerge. With higher competition, customers would see lower rates.

Even despite popular and political support, full deregulation of Texas’ electricity market wasn’t easy. ERCOT, the entity responsible for implementing deregulation, faced early challenges shifting their internal operations to accommodate their new tasks. In fact, on the day that the deregulation pilot project began, ERCOT experienced system failures.

Power companies sent switch requests to ERCOT and their computer systems were unable to process the requests. Instead, ERCOT officials had to utilize manual workarounds rather than the fully-automated systems it was meant to rely on. This setback led to significant delays of electricity services, and electricity prices started to spike in response to the volatility.

Fortunately, however, the rough start to deregulation has given way to a smoothly-operating industry. Now, nearly all Texas power customers are able to choose among several retail electricity providers when deciding on their electric company.

Since Senate Bill 7 fully deregulated Texan power markets in 2002, customers have embraced the freedom of choice they get in selecting electricity service providers. And, more and more service providers are coming online all the time, making rates even more competitive and tailored to local needs.

Over the past fifty years, energy regulation in Texas has shifted from local regulation to statewide regulation, and then finally to deregulation. Texas deregulated its energy market to help make sure Texans have access to electricity at a competitive market price. As a result, Texans across the state can now enjoy the benefits of competitively-priced electricity without the burdens of excessive government controls.

Shop cheap Texas electricity plans. Enter your zip code to get started:

TXU Season Pass

TXU Season Pass: Get 50% off your energy charges all summer and winter!

If you’re reading this review odds are you’ve seen TXU Energy advertise their latest plan, the Season Pass, and are wondering if this is a good plan for your household.

We’ll break down this plan and explain the details so that you are informed about what this plan is all about. Ultimately, we are here to help you find your best electricity plan for your Texas home.

Ready to Enroll? Call TXU Energy directly 855-910-7092

Any product or company names, marks or logos shown on this page are the property of their respective owners. ComparePower is an independent marketplace offering electricity pricing comparisons for consumers.

Contents in this review:
Click on a section to navigate directly to it:

    1. What is TXU Season Pass?
    2. TXU Season Pass for the Dallas – Fort Worth Metro
    3. TXU Season Pass for the Houston Metro
    4. Key Facts and Takeaways

 

What is TXU Season Pass?

The TXU Energy Season Pass plan gives you a 50% discount on your energy charges for three months in the winter (Dec – Feb) and three months in the summer (Jun-Aug).

Who wouldn’t want 50% off their energy bill for 3-months in the summer and 3-months in the winter? Especially since those are the seasons where most Texans see higher than usual energy bills.

Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the pricing details to break down this plan and discover what it could cost you.

 

TXU Season pass: Dallas – Fort Worth

According to the TXU Season Pass 24 EFL. TXU charges Oncor customers an average price of 12.9 cents per kWh for 2000 kWh of monthly usage.

Oncor serves the Dallas area, which includes Fort Worth, Plano, Arlington, Frisco, Allen, and several other surrounding suburbs.

Here is the real-math break down for 500, 1000, and 2000 kWh/month usage profiles in the Oncor service area:

TXU Season Pass

 

TXU Season Pass: Houston Metro

Houston residents (CenterPoint service area) pay 13.5 cents per kWh for 2000 kWh of monthly usage with the TXU Season Pass 24 plan.

The Centerpoint energy utility company serves the Houston metro area, which includes Sugarland, Humble, and several other surrounding suburbs.

Here is the real-math break down for 500, 1000, and 2000 kWh/month usage profiles in the Centerpoint service area:

TXU Season Pass

 

Key Facts and Takeaways

TXU already includes the 50% discount on the rate you see in their Season Pass 24 EFL.

Whether or not this is the right plan for you depends on your monthly usage.

The key to avoid overpaying is knowing your expected usage and comparing monthly costs for each plan based on that usage amount.

Advertised “price per kWh” can be misleading because it’s based on a specific usage like 2000 kWh. It’s best to shop based on the total bill for your home’s expected usage.

How do you do that when the math is complex, and every plan is a little different?

ComparePower has already done all this complicated math for you.

If you’re switching providers, we help you shop using your historical usage. If you’re moving to a new home we help you determine your anticipated monthly kWh usage. Then we show you the best plans and their total monthly cost for your specific usage.

Instantly compare electricity plans for the best rate:

 

Sign up for the TXU Season Pass Energy plan

In addition to receiving 50% off your energy charges you’ll get:

  • A straightforward, competitive contract and pricing to meet your needs.
  • Friendly and helpful customer care, right here in Texas.
  • 60-Day Happiness Guarantee.

 

Total Satisfaction Guaranteed

Still not sure if TXU Season Pass is right for you? Don’t sweat it.

If you’re not happy with the TXU Season Pass plan for any reason, just call TXU Energy within 60 days of your service activation date, change to another TXU Energy plan, and get the early cancellation fee waived on your first plan.

Enter your zip code to see compare electricity plans are available in your neighborhood.

Texas Electricity Prices on the Rise in 2021

Texas Electricity Prices on the Rise

There is a major crisis that is likely to affect all Texan’s wallets in 2021. Texas electricity prices are expected to increase this summer.

According to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), electricity customers will experience record-high prices as the state’s electrical grid is stressed during the hot summer months.

Variable pricing could go as high as 15 cents per kilowatt-hour or higher. 

Read on for more info or enter your zip code and lock in a low rate before prices skyrocket:

The best thing Texas electricity customers can do to protect themselves from high prices this year is to lock in a fixed price contract.

With terms as short as a few months to as long as a few years, there is bound to be a fixed-price electricity plan that meets your household’s power needs.

You can rest easy knowing your electricity bill won’t ride the wave of increasing prices this summer. Read on to find out what is causing the spike.

Texas Electricity Prices

ERCOT points to a variety of factors expected to put the grid to the test. In addition to record-breaking demand, delayed power supply projects and the closure of three major coal-fired power plants will dampen the amount of electricity available.

To make a long story short, you need to lock in your electricity prices now before rates shoot up right before summer.

Look outside, and you can see the signs of spring. The grass is growing, and the flowers are blooming.

That means you don’t have much time before the thermometer hits triple digits. Shop for electricity plans now on Compare Power to see which one meets your needs for the best price.

Expect increase for Texas electricity rates 2021

This year is another in a long succession of years where ERCOT has predicted peak demand in the summer months. It’s easy to become desensitized to ERCOT power prices. However, this summer is different.

Wholesale electricity prices are expected to jump this summer in the wake of shutdowns of three of the state’s largest coal-fired generating plants.

These closures have driven the state’s power reserves down to their lowest in more than ten years. ERCOT manages 90 percent of the Texas electricity grid.

ERCOT has not been sitting on its hands. Late last year, ERCOT calculated Texas would start this summer with fewer megawatts of power than expected.

This was caused, they said, by the coal plant closures along with temporary shutdowns and delays in natural gas and wind power projects.

As a point of reference, one megawatt can power about 200 homes on a hot Texas day.

Increasing demand combined with decreased supply

As with any good or service traded on an open market, increased demand and reduced supply mean increasing prices.

Industrial power customers will be impacted the soonest because they tend to buy power at the market price.

Most residential customers will be shielded from the high prices in the short run because of fixed-price contracts, but eventually, electricity suppliers will recover their increased costs. If you don’t currently have a fixed price electricity plan, you need one.

Signing up for a fixed price electricity plan will spare you from those high prices, but you must act now.

Thankfully for customers, Texas has some of the lowest energy prices in the nation because of easy access to natural gas and an abundance of wind power.

On the flip side, low prices have made it difficult for power generating companies to stay profitable.

To maintain their slim margins, they have delayed capital investment in new and existing plants.

As these power plants are allowed to operate with few improvements and less than optimal upkeep, the risk of malfunctions increases.

If a plant is taken offline for repairs, that decreases the supply of available electricity.

Taking a plant offline for repairs on a summer day could force ERCOT to implement emergency conservation measures such as rolling blackouts.

Compare electricity plan prices

Enter your zip code at the top of this page to see which electricity plans are available in your area. Lock in your price now before Texas electricity 2021 summer rates take effect.

Don't wait for prices to increase. Enter your zip code to lock in a low priced plan today:

TXU Reviewed: Free Nights & Weekends Anything but Free?

TXU Reviewed: Free Nights & Weekends Anything but Free?
TXU Reviewed: Free Nights & Weekends Anything but Free? Let’s explore whether TXU as an energy supplier for your home is a good idea.

 

TXU Free Nights and Weekends Review

Let’s take a closer look at TXU.  As one of the longest standing energy companies in Texas, TXU has seen better days.

In recent months, the utility company has been discussing a potential bankruptcy filing in order to clear $32 billion of debt from its books.

Since selling out to a handful of massive corporations (like Goldman Sachs) in 2007, the company has tried its hardest to create a new company image, even changing names to the Energy Future Holdings Corporation.

But there’s a reason the company still struggles. With consistently negative reviews and a notoriously bad customer service program, most of TXU’s promises are too good to be true.

It’s time to reevaluate the real costs of “cheap electricity” from the struggling corporation.

 

Deal or Delusion?

One reason that customers are consistently drawn to the energy giant is the countless promotions they offer.

Between cash-back loyalty reward programs, self-adjusting “energy-saver” plans, and promotional discounts, customers are drawn like moths to a flame by the savings they assume they’re getting.

But they all get burnt. Taking a closer look at each program shows that the only people getting any benefit from these “deals” are the salesmen who invented them.

 

“Total Satisfaction Guarantee”

The power to choose your energy provider in Texas is what keeps the deregulated market geared towards the interests of the buyers.

With so many choices, energy companies have to compete for customer loyalty. Leaving one provider for another is a common way to get the best bang for your buck, and TXU knows that its customers are aware of this. They capitalize on this freedom, making energy deals more attractive by saying the customer can choose to drop it at any time.

“Free Nights” or “Free Weekends” end up being anything but free, despite the phrasing the company uses.  The rates you pay for the time it’s not free can add up quickly, and in many cases end up averaging out to be much higher than a no-gimmick plan offered by another provider.

Another example is their Energy Auto-saver plan, where the cost of electricity is guaranteed below a specific rate.  So when energy prices drop, you save money and if they increase, you’re safe at the initial rate.  According to the company website, total satisfaction is guaranteed and customers can switch for free if unsatisfied.

But according to actual customer experiences in Corpus Christi, leaving this already pricey plan can be shockingly expensive.

On top of the expensive service rate, the hefty cancellation fee, and the inconvenience of dealing with a careless corporation, customers had to repay the hundreds of dollars they saved through the plan! The fine print reveals that it’s only free to leave before your first bill. So much for “guaranteed satisfaction.”

 

Simply put: ignore the gimmicks.

The only way to guarantee satisfaction is to get informed and find the perfect plan for you, where it’s clear exactly what you’re signing up for.

The power to choose gives every individual the freedom to make their own decision, and one company is helping consumers do just that.

People visit ComparePower to instantly compare electric plans with our unbiased shopping tool that presents all the information you need to make an informed choice.

With easy to use charts for comparison, you can compare any plans you want side-by-side. ComparePower sorts everything for you and puts the most crucial information all in one place.

With just your zip code and a few clicks, you can easily find the perfect energy plan from the hundreds being offered.

Don’t waste your time at a site that’s trying to sell you a specific product – ComparePower is honest and unbiased. Get informed on all the options and fine print, and guarantee satisfaction for yourself.

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Texas Public Utility Commission: Submitting Protests or Complaints

Any product, company, or organization names, marks or logos shown on this page are the property of their respective owners. ComparePower is an unaffiliated, independent marketplace.

When something goes wrong, you deserve to have the issues resolved immediately. While your first step should be to contact your current electric provider, they are not always able, or willing, to help. The PUC of Texas will take action on the complaints that you file with them, although this should be your last resort option.

After first filing an informal complaint, the Public Utility Commissioners will have your case investigated. Their goal is to determine whether the provider is guilty of wrongdoing. Their evidence will be shown to the company, in hopes they will make it right. If they do not, your next step is a formal complaint.

Although this may be necessary if you have been outrageously cheated or wronged, it may not be worth your time and money to file a formal complaint. The proceedings are much like a court case, and it is advisable that you consult an attorney before moving forward. Sometimes, the best option is to simply cut your ties with the company.

The energy market in Texas is deregulated, and you can choose your provider. Why go through the trouble of a formal complaint process, when it takes minutes to switch to another utility company online? ComparePower finds the lowest rates available in your area to ensure that you can choose the provider that best fits your needs.

The PUC of Texas protects your power to choose and hopes that you will exercise that right. There is less work and headaches, both for them and you, if you switch providers when a company proves inadequate. Fight the smart way and take your business elsewhere.

Finding a new provider is simple and easy.

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Texas Public Utility Commission: Defending Consumer Energy Rights

Since 1975, the Public Utility Commission of Texas has been responsible for implementing rules and guidelines that protect consumers. They regulate electric utilities and the companies that provide them, by finding solutions to customer complaints and investigating pricing and service practices in the energy industry.

At the center of the Public Utility Commission’s mission, is providing the power to choose to residents of Texas. That is the best way to ensure prices are low and that you get the best service and rates available in your area. The Public Utility Commissioners understand the importance of their role and how their rules can help consumers like you.

 

What’s the Job of the Public Utility Commission of Texas?

The original role of the Public Utility Commission, or PUC of Texas, was to ensure that the utility monopoly in Texas didn’t get out of hand. Energy companies had free reign over a particular area and consumers couldn’t get energy from anyone else. PUC Substantive rules were created to ensure that the energy industry was unable to gouge consumers with high prices.

Eventually, lawmakers saw that there were still issues, despite the work of the commission. So in 2002, the Texas Government passed a deregulation law. Suddenly, competition among providers was keeping prices low and giving consumers the power to choose. So the PUC adapted and began to oversee the implementation of the law and resolve initial issues.

To this day, the PUC of Texas fields complaints from customers and works to protect the people. Whenever an energy company steps out of line, they are there to impose regulations or sanctions and ensure that big businesses can’t take advantage of Texans across the state.

 

The Authority of the Texas PUC

There are some limitations placed on Public Utility Commission of Texas, and they are unable to operate across the whole state. The main threat is from utility companies that are investor-owned and operate in deregulated areas. The PUC can create rules and sanctions that help control these companies but have no authority over utilities provided by cities and co-ops. They can only suggest that these organizations follow PUC guidelines.

If you live in one of these areas, your prices are determined by the company’s board or the city council members. The Public Utility Commission is not given power over them, and you are not protected in quite the same way. It is essential that you elect board members and city council members that are aware of PUC rules and govern themselves in a way that cares for consumers.

To file an electric complaint form go to the official Public Utility Commission of Texas website. 

Finding a new provider is simple and easy.

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TXU Energy Free Nights & Solar Days

Just in time for the summer — 100 percent renewable energy with free electricity at night! Find out if this plan is right for your home. 

TXU Energy is now offering a plan called Free Nights and Solar Days. With this plan, you get 100% renewable energy along with free electricity at night. We’ll review the facts and break down the plan details for you below.

Ready to Enroll? Call TXU Energy directly 855-910-7092

Any product or company names, marks or logos shown on this page are the property of their respective owners. ComparePower is an independent marketplace offering electricity pricing comparisons for consumers.

Compare TXU Energy plans and find the right plan for you:

Contents in this review:
Click on a section to navigate directly to it:

  1. What is TXU Free Nights and Solar Days?
  2. TXU Free Nights & Solar Days Plan Details
  3. Is TXU Free Nights & Solar Days right for you?
  4. TXU Free Nights & Solar Days Dallas – Fort Worth
  5. TXU Free Nights & Solar Days Houston Metro
  6. Conclusion & Takeaways

 

What is TXU Energy Free Nights & Solar Days?

This plan gives you free electricity at night with the added benefits of renewable energy. Get free electricity all night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and solar electricity all day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Take advantage of clean energy derived from the sun. TXU Free nights and Solar Days doesn’t require rooftop solar panels, making it easy to take advantage of the sun whether you live in a house or an apartment.

Free Nights & Solar Days is 100 percent renewable as TXU Energy purchases solar power, along with solar and wind renewable energy credits.

“This is a one-of-a-kind plan that gives customers a new, easy, and affordable way to go 100 percent renewable with both solar and wind,” said Sydney Seiger, chief marketing officer for TXU Energy.

 

TXU Energy Free Nights & Solar Days Plan Details

TXU Energy offers two terms, a 12-month and an 18-month term for the Free Nights Solar Days plan.

According to the TXU Energy facts label for the Free Nights & Solar Days 18 plan, the average home in greater Dallas (the Oncor service area) uses 34.70% of their energy during the night hours between 9 pm and 6 am.

Greater Houston (Centerpoint Energy service area) residents use on average 34.30% of energy between the hours of 9 pm and 6 am.

This is the period of time where your electricity usage will be free with this plan.

Keep reading to find out if this place is right for you and your household.

 

Is TXU Free Nights & Solar Days right for you?

Whether or not this plan is right for you all depends on how much of your electricity usage you can shift to the nighttime.

Let’s explore how you could save money with the TXU Energy Free Nights and Solar Days plan.

Dallas area customers need to be able to shift at a minimum of 34.70% of their energy use to the nighttime hours in order to get the EFL pricing.

Houston residents need to shift at least 34.30 % of their energy uses to the night time in order to get EFL pricing for this plan.

Whether you can save money with this plan depends on the amount of energy you can offset to the free night use between 9 pm and 6 am.

The more energy you can offset to the nighttime the cheaper the plan becomes.

Table 1a and 1b (below) shows the amount of energy

We calculated the price per kWh as a function of the percentage of electricity consumed at night.

 

TXU Free Nights Solar Days for Dallas – Fort Worth metro.

TXU Energy Free Nights & Solar Days

TXU Free Nights Solar Days for Houston metro.

TXU Energy Free Nights & Solar Days

As you can see from the two tables above. The more energy you can offset to the nighttime the lower your average price per kilowatt will be and therefore the lower your monthly electric bill.

Here are some simple changes that can help maximize the benefits of Free Nights & Solar Days electricity plan:

  • Delaying the use of large appliances like washing machines and dishwashers during free hours.
  • Charging portable electronics during the free hours.
  • Adjusting programmable thermostat settings.

 

Keep your lifestyle and save with a cheaper electricity plan.

 

Free Electricity, Really?

Yes, electricity is free at night. TXU Free Nights & Free Weekends and TXU Free Nights & Solar Days plans are known as ‘time of use plans’.

Time of use plans are offered by a number of electrical providers.

The wind blows hard at night, and it is cost prohibitive to store large amounts of energy over time, therefore there is a surplus of energy during nighttime or off-peak hours that is sold for much less at wholesale than it is during peak hours.

Electricity companies such as TXU Energy can purchase this surplus at a much lower price compared to energy purchased during peak or daytime hours.

It is therefore financially favorable for energy providers to encourage their customers to change their consumption habits to use more energy at night, during off-peak hours, thereby lowering their operational costs.

 

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

You can save money on your electricity bill with this plan as long as you can make some adjustments and shift your daytime usage to the nighttime.

Texas retail electricity pricing can be confusing. Every company has its own way of presenting its prices so numbers can’t easily be compared without hours upon hours of research.

ComparePower solves this problem. All pricing elements for the compared plans are broken down so you can see exactly what to expect on your bill.

Compare 100% Green energy plans that save you money:

Stuck in an electricity contract?

Many people are in a contract and are wondering how to get out of it.

Others just want a reminder to shop on ComparePower when their contract is coming to a close.

If you’re already in a contract, we can help you.

Are you switching providers?

By Texas law, you can switch out of your contract up to 14 days early of your contract end date without penalty.

And, many providers on ComparePower will let you lock the rates you see today for a start date 60-90 days in the future.

Review your bill to determine when your contract ends. You may need to call your energy provider to find out if it’s not listed on your bill.

Be careful not to renew or sign another contract with your current provider without first shopping on ComparePower.

You can usually get a much better deal if you switch.

We often get promotional rates available for customers not already with a certain provider – meaning you will likely need to switch providers to get these deals.

Switching electricity providers is easy to do, and shouldn’t stop you from making a switch for savings.

Fill out the form below if you want an email reminder for when your contract is about to expire.

Are you moving soon?

If you are moving, you can terminate your contract without any penalty as well. You do NOT have to transfer your current rate plan to your new home.

Energy companies will try to get you to transfer your service instead of canceling, but they cannot force you to do so.

So, shop your options when you move before simply transferring service. Moving is a perfect opportunity to get out of a bad electricity rate plan!

Should you cancel your current electricity contract early?

If you’re in a contract that doesn’t end soon, find out what fees you’d be subject to for switching early.

Sometimes the savings you can find on ComparePower can more than offset the cost to cancel early.

It may be worthwhile to cancel your current contract, pay the cancellation fees, and enroll in a plan where the savings make up for the cost to terminate your contract.

Contact us here if you need help.

We can remind you when it’s time to shop.

Want us to remind you of when your contract ends, so you can find a better deal?

Use the form below and we will notify you of the best rates when your contract is coming to an end.

When you use ComparePower, we’ll keep all these important documents in your ComparePower account, where you can instantly access these details.

Be careful not to renew or sign another contract with your current provider without first checking ComparePower to shop across numerous providers.

You will likely find a better deal by switching companies than by renewing with your current company.

Mailchimp in contract

 

If you have any questions…

…or if you want help determining if canceling and paying the cancellation fee could actually save you money over the long run, contact us here.