Power to Choose

Power to Choose Texas

Searching for a new electricity plan in Texas? The state’s official Power to Choose website seems like the logical starting point.

But here’s the catch—it only shows rates for 500, 1000, and 2000 kWh usage, which rarely match your monthly energy consumption.

This oversimplification can lead to shocking bills. Why? Prices often swing wildly between these set points.

We’ll show you how to look beyond the advertised rates on Power to Choose and find a plan that fits your actual usage—potentially saving you hundreds each year.

What is Power to Choose?

Power to Choose is Texas’s official state-run electricity marketplace, managed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Created in 2002, when Texas deregulated its electricity market, this consumer choice initiative lets residents in many parts of the state compare and select their electricity provider and plan.

Power to Choose helps consumers find the best plan for their home or business by comparing electricity plans and rates from multiple Texas energy companies in one place.

powertochoose.org website — Electricity plans on the Power to Choose website.

Power to Choose Reviews

At first glance, Power to Choose offers a straightforward solution for comparing electricity plans and rates in Texas.

Enter your ZIP code, and you are presented with a list of available plans and rates.

There are, however, several challenges that, as an energy consumer, you should know.

Limited Rate Visibility

Power to Choose displays prices for only three usage levels: 500 kWh, 1000 kWh, and 2000 kWh per month.

This is problematic as your monthly energy usage rarely (if ever) matches these specific amounts.

Complex Pricing Structures

Electricity plans in Texas and those listed on Power to Choose feature intricate pricing models.

These may include base charges, tiered rates, and bill credits that only apply at certain usage levels.

While this information is included in the Electricity Facts Label (EFL), it’s often presented in industry jargon that can be challenging for the average consumer to decipher without tools and expertise.

Overwhelming Number of Options

A search for plans in major Texas cities can yield hundreds of results.

While choice is generally beneficial, this abundance can lead to decision paralysis for many consumers.

Potential for Misleading Listings

Some providers have been known to create plans that appear artificially inexpensive at the specific usage levels displayed on Power to Choose.

While this practice is not universal, it can lead consumers to select plans that are less economical than they initially appear.

Minimal Provider Vetting

Power to Choose doesn’t extensively vet the providers listed beyond ensuring they meet basic regulatory requirements.

Consumers may need additional research to ensure they’re selecting a reliable company.

Power to Choose Alternative

Several alternative electricity marketplaces have emerged to address the limitations of Power to Choose for Texas consumers.

ComparePower is the best alternative to Power to Choose in Texas.

As the most trusted marketplace, it has solved many of the shortcomings associated with the state-run site.

Here’s why ComparePower is the best alternative to Power to Choose when shopping for electricity in Texas.

Personalized Usage-Based Pricing

Input your energy usage and get more accurate cost estimates based on your consumption patterns.

All-Inclusive Pricing

You can see the total cost of each plan, including all applicable fees, reducing the risk of unexpected costs on monthly bills.

Provider Screening

Providers are vetted before being listed, potentially mitigating the risk of consumers selecting unreliable companies.

User-Friendly Interface

Intuitively designed and easy to use, with tools like Live Link™ to help you maximize your savings.

Customer Support

Get support from energy experts to guide users through the selection process.

Power to Choose Energy Plans

You can find several energy plans on Power to Choose from competing retail electricity providers in Texas.

Fixed-Rate Plans: Offer a set rate per kWh for the duration of your contract.
Variable-Rate Plans: Rates can change monthly based on market conditions.
Prepaid Plans: Pay for electricity before you use it, often with no credit check required.
Time-of-Use Plans: Rates vary based on the time of day you use electricity.
Green Energy Plans: Sourced from renewable energy like wind or solar power.

While Power to Choose aims to simplify comparison shopping, it’s important to note that the displayed rates are based on specific usage levels (500, 1000, and 2000 kWh).

Your actual costs may vary significantly depending on your household’s energy consumption patterns.

Before deciding, read each plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to understand the complete pricing structure.

Power to Choose for Business

Power to Choose doesn’t list business electricity rates, but ComparePower does.

We simplify the process, secure custom pricing, and help your business save.

Commercial energy plans can be riddled with complex terms and conditions.

We understand this, so we make it our mission to simplify the process for you.

Our team of experts will break down the fine print and answer any questions you have, ensuring you fully understand your chosen plan before you sign up.

We’ve helped countless businesses find the most cost-effective energy plans, and we’re confident we can do the same for you.

Shop Business Electricity →

Texas Electricity Companies

Discover the top electricity providers in Texas.

Energy Companies	Phone Number
4Change Energy	888-250-2215
Amigo Energy	866-993-4445
Cirro Energy	866-965-5660
Constellation	877-390-0411
Direct Energy	866-285-4447
Discount Power	866-996-1740
Flagship Power	866-747-7111
Frontier Utilities	866-280-3131
Gexa Energy	888-688-8460
Green Mountain	866-983-4770
Just Energy	866-985-2820
New Power Texas	888-316-0697
Payless Power	855-854-8490
Pulse Power	888-317-1431
Reliant	866-983-4620
Rhythm Energy	877-825-9940
TXU Energy	866-370-2440
Tara Energy	877-599-2580

Compare rates from trusted providers

Power to Choose FAQs

Yes, Power to Choose is a legitimate website operated by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT), a state government agency responsible for regulating the Texas electricity market. The PUCT created Power to Choose to provide Texas residents with an unbiased, transparent platform to compare electricity plans from various providers.

The information on Power to Choose, including plan details, pricing, and provider information, is submitted directly by the electricity companies and is subject to PUCT oversight. Providers must follow strict rules and regulations when listing their plans on the website to ensure accuracy and fairness.

However, it’s essential to understand that Power to Choose is a marketplace, not a regulatory body. While the PUCT strives to ensure the information on the website is accurate and up-to-date, it’s still the consumer’s responsibility to thoroughly review plan details, contract terms, and provider reputation before signing up for an electricity plan.

If you have concerns about a specific provider or plan listed on Power to Choose, contact the PUCT’s Customer Protection Division for assistance or file a complaint.

While Power to Choose is a valuable resource for Texas residents to compare electricity plans, it has some limitations. The website only provides a basic comparison of plans based on price, contract length, and renewable energy options, but it doesn’t consider a consumer’s specific electricity usage patterns. This means the plans listed on Power to Choose might not always be the most cost-effective or suitable for your household.

ComparePower, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive and personalized approach to comparing electricity plans. As an unaffiliated, independent marketplace, ComparePower provides several advantages over Power to Choose:

Usage-based recommendations: ComparePower analyzes your historical electricity usage data to provide tailored recommendations based on your unique energy needs. This ensures you find the most affordable plan that fits your consumption habits, saves money, and prevents unexpected high bills.
Transparent pricing: ComparePower displays all fees, charges, and contract terms upfront, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for. There are no hidden costs or surprises down the line.
Expert support: If you need assistance, ComparePower’s team of local energy experts is available to help you find the right electricity plan for your home. They can answer your questions, provide personalized recommendations, and help you make an informed decision.
Time-saving tools: With ComparePower’s user-friendly platform, you can quickly filter and compare plans from multiple providers in one place. The streamlined enrollment process allows you to sign up for your chosen plan in just a few clicks.
Business electricity rates: Unlike Power to Choose, which only caters to residential consumers, ComparePower also helps Texas businesses compare and select electricity plans tailored to their needs.

While Power to Choose remains a helpful starting point for exploring electricity plans in Texas, ComparePower offers a more advanced, user-centric alternative to help you find the best plan for your specific needs, save money, and avoid the pitfalls of choosing an unsuitable plan based on limited information.

If you selected an electricity plan through Power to Choose, you must pay your bill directly to the provider you signed up with, not to Power to Choose. Your provider will send you monthly bills with instructions on how to pay, which may include online, phone, mail, or in-person options. Pay your bill by the due date to avoid late fees or service interruptions.

No, the Power to Choose website, operated by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT), does not list business electricity rates. The website is designed to help residential consumers compare and select electricity plans from various providers in Texas.

However, businesses in Texas can still take advantage of the deregulated electricity market and shop for competitive rates from multiple providers. This is where ComparePower comes in.

ComparePower is an unaffiliated, independent marketplace that helps Texas businesses compare electricity rates from over 30 providers and find the right energy plan for their needs. Whether you have a small business with a monthly electricity bill under $1,000 or a large commercial facility with complex energy requirements, ComparePower has solutions tailored to your business.

For small businesses, ComparePower offers an online marketplace where you can instantly compare rates from multiple providers and enroll in a plan that fits your budget and energy usage. The process is simple and transparent and can be completed online in just a few minutes.

If you have a larger business with higher energy consumption, ComparePower’s business energy experts can provide personalized assistance and custom rate quotes. They will analyze your company’s energy needs, help you navigate procurement projects, and even assist with industrial installation design and rebate opportunities.

PowertoChoose.org, the official website of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), allows consumers to compare electricity rates from various providers in their area. The website lists plans with their corresponding rates, contract lengths, and renewable energy content.

However, there are a few limitations to how Power to Choose presents electric rates:

Limited usage pricing: Power to Choose only displays rates for three predefined usage points (500, 1000, and 2000 kWh per month), which may not accurately represent your household’s electricity consumption.
Lack of personalization: The rates shown on Power to Choose are generic and do not consider your specific usage patterns, which can significantly impact your monthly costs.
Potential for hidden fees: While Power to Choose displays the average price per kWh for each plan, it may not always include all the fees, charges, and other costs that can affect your final bill.

In contrast, ComparePower offers a more accurate and personalized approach to comparing electric rates:

Usage-based rates: ComparePower analyzes your historical electricity usage data to provide rate comparisons tailored to your specific consumption patterns. This ensures you get the most accurate estimate of your monthly costs under each available plan.
Transparent pricing: ComparePower displays all fees, charges, and contract terms upfront, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for. There are no hidden costs or surprises down the line.
Apples-to-apples comparison: ComparePower’s advanced algorithm calculates the total monthly cost for each plan based on your usage data, allowing you to compare plans side-by-side and easily make an informed decision.
Personalized recommendations: If you need assistance, ComparePower’s local energy experts can provide personalized recommendations based on your usage patterns, budget, and preferences.

While Power to Choose is a good starting point for exploring electric rates in Texas, ComparePower provides a more comprehensive and accurate way to compare rates based on your unique needs. By considering your actual usage data and providing transparent pricing information, ComparePower helps you find the best plan for your household, ultimately saving you time and money.

ComparePower offers a more personalized and transparent approach to comparing plans. By analyzing your unique usage data and providing straightforward, upfront pricing information, we help you find the most cost-effective strategy for your specific needs.

Finding comprehensive, unbiased reviews of the platform can be challenging.

You can read our in-depth review and analysis, where we highlight several key issues with the Power to Choose platform:

Lack of quality control: Power to Choose doesn’t vet the electricity providers or plans listed on its site, meaning consumers may encounter offers from unreliable or poorly rated companies.
Confusing plan information: The Electricity Facts Labels (EFLs) and Terms of Service documents provided on Power to Choose can be challenging to understand, containing complex jargon, hidden fees, and unclear terms.
No personalization: Power to Choose doesn’t consider a consumer’s unique energy needs, usage patterns, or preferences, making it hard to find the most suitable plan for their household.
Limited customer feedback: While Power to Choose displays a complaint ratio for each provider, it lacks detailed information about customer experiences, making it difficult to gauge the quality of service each company offers.

In contrast, ComparePower offers a more user-friendly and reliable alternative to Power to Choose. Their platform provides:

Personalized recommendations based on your actual energy usage
Pre-screened providers with a proven track record of reliability and customer service
Clear, transparent pricing with no hidden fees or confusing terms
An easy-to-use interface with helpful tools and resources to guide your decision-making
Exceptional customer support from local energy experts

While Power to Choose may seem like the go-to resource for comparing electricity plans in Texas, it’s crucial to be aware of its limitations and consider alternative platforms offering a more comprehensive, transparent, and user-focused approach.

ComparePower has over 70,010 reviews from verified customers.

Beyond Power to Choose

Power to Choose means well, but it often leaves Texans confused.

Don’t spend hours decoding complex electricity offers. There’s a simpler way.

ComparePower – Clarity in Minutes, Not Hours

We’re on a mission to Unscrew Texas from confusing electricity bills.

Get personalized recommendations based on your energy habits and see transparent, all-inclusive pricing upfront so you can confidently shop and take control of your energy costs.

Ready to see your savings? Enter your ZIP code to start your personalized comparison.

The Power is Yours™

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15+ Years of Experience: We’ve helped millions of fellow Texans save on their electricity
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Support You Can Count On

Do you have more questions or need help finding the right plan for your household? Our local experts are here to help.

With our personalized recommendations and transparent pricing, you can shop with confidence and take control of your energy costs.

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Call 855-441-3030, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, or Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

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Author:

Enri Zhulati

Editor:

Ryan Hatch

Any product or company names, marks, or logos shown on this page are the property of their respective owners. ComparePower is an unaffiliated, independent marketplace. Get unbiased, accurate information backed by our commitment to editorial integrity.