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PowertoChoose.org Reviewed
Why Texas’ powertochoose.org is a bad idea
Searching for the best electric rates and plans in Texas?
Here’s why powertochoose.org could end up costing you more than just time.
Open to Anyone
The State of Texas Public Utility Commission created powertochoose.org to list nearly every electric plan available in Texas. When we last checked, we found hundreds of plans from dozens of providers.
While at first, this may sound like an excellent place to search for your electric plan, the lack of provider screening and the single-purpose nature of this website may land you with a plan you wish you’d never signed up for.
As a state-run website, its service is open to every energy provider registered to compete in the deregulated Texas electricity marketplace.
Who are all these companies, you might ask?
Who knows!
They could have started the business a month ago. Power To Choose lists an Energy Score Card – but all that relates to is the number of formal PUC complaints filed per active customer.
Power To Choose allows every registered retail electric provider (REP) to list their plans on the website… even companies that have just started. And while you usually get notice and can find an alternate supplier, you could be left with a ridiculously high-priced plan from the local Provider of Last Resort (POLR) if your provider does go belly-up.
And how many random companies will have the infrastructure to handle a huge influx of customers?
OnPac energy decided to pull their plans down from Power To Choose because they could not handle the giant rush of customers signing up for the plans they listed on powertochoose.org.
Because there is no screening of the providers offered on the PUC website, they leave you on your own to ensure you sign up with a company that’s likely to stay in business and has the infrastructure to provide excellent customer service.
Look for providers your friends may use or those you’ve heard good things about. They’ve probably been around for a while. They probably know what it takes to survive in a competitive market: Great customer service, competitive pricing, and legitimate business practices.
Electricity Facts Label
The Electricity Facts Label and the Terms of Service are the most powerful documents available when shopping for electricity in Texas. These two documents contain valuable information about the plan you are considering, and every energy provider must disclose the information in these documents in a similar format.
The problem with powertochoose.org is in how these documents are accessed. Every time you want to see a facts label or the terms of service on that site, you’ll have to navigate to another webpage.
This means the document loads in a new tab or a new browser window. If that’s not annoying, I don’t know what is. And if keeping track of numerous open windows isn’t enough, having to go back and forth between them while shopping is tricky. How can you track which plan you were viewing when you have eight windows open, all related to different plans?
Getting back to consumer-focused service
There is no choice history, nothing personalized for you, nothing beyond a price list.
So let’s say you successfully sift through hundreds of plans from dozens of electricity companies, all fighting for that top position on pricing. You find a provider that suits your needs, and you sign up. Now what? You’re on your own. The state site is done with you.
You’re linked off, and there is no record of what you chose, how much you paid, or evidence of the plans agreements posted at the time of your signup. You get to start all over at the provider website by entering your zip code again, navigating another confusing pricing structure, and trying to find the same plan you signed up for.
This would be like shopping on expedia.com, finding your flight, choosing to buy it, and then starting the entire process again at the airline site, hoping that your flight is still there and that the pricing is still the same.
No screening, poor report card
How often do you call the government to tell them about your great experiences?
The PUC site displays a complaint ratio of total customers to the number of complaints.
Where are the actual details of the complaints?
How about those with positive experiences?
They’re nowhere to be found.
You’re probably interested in what others say – both good and bad, not just a generic “star” rating without any details, right? It’s important to research these numerous power companies from multiple angles. Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, verified customer reviews… all of these can help you better assess what you’re signing up for.
Overcoming these pitfalls is a click away
Fortunately, there is a much better option for quickly comparing the numerous electric providers and plans without a potential headache offered at the PUC website.
ComparePower offers a unique experience that will help make your life as a deregulated energy consumer much easier and straightforward.
Pre-screened providers and rate plans
Find the very best providers and their very best plans. You won’t have to wade through advertising gimmicks and make 27 phone calls to discover your cheapest electric rate from a reputable provider.
Facts labels and Terms of Service are embedded. When you want to review one of these important documents, you will see it right next to the plan you are reviewing. No new windows. No popups. Simple and easy.
You-centric
Keep track of your choices over time and store these important plan documents in your account, safe and sound. Keep track of your usage history if you’d like, which will help you find the lowest electric rate for your average usage level when it’s time to sign up again.
Review company information of the electric providers and read real consumer reviews. Access summaries of social and community feedback on the various energy companies in one place without hunting on the Internet.
ComparePower is the best PowertoChoose.org alternative in Texas. The key to getting the very best electric rate for your unique situation is educating yourself on the different facets of the deregulated energy industry. Whether we like it or not, this industry is a bit confusing, and it’s not getting any simpler. Educate yourself on how all this stuff works and use ComparePower’s consumer-centric comparison service to find a reputable, trusted supplier at the best possible rate.
PowertoChoose.org FAQs
What is powertochoose.org?
Powertochoose.org is a website operated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) that provides a platform for consumers to compare and select retail electric providers (REP) and electric plans in the deregulated electricity market of Texas. The website allows users to enter their zip code to see a list of REPs and plans available in their area and to filter and compare plans based on factors such as price, contract length, and renewable energy options. It also provides information about the electric industry such as rules and regulations, consumer protection, and more.
How to use powertochoose.org?
Powertochoose.org is a website operated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas that provides a platform for consumers to compare and select retail electric providers and electric plans in the deregulated electricity market of Texas. Using the website, customers can enter their zip code to see a list of providers and plans available in their area, and filter and compare plans based on factors such as price, contract length, and renewable energy options. The website also provides information about the electric industry such as rules and regulations, consumer protection, and more.
What is the best powertochoose.org alternative in Texas?
There are several alternative websites to powertochoose.org that also provide a platform for comparing and selecting retail electricity plans in Texas. The most popular alternative is ComparePower.
ComparePower offers similar features to powertochoose.org such as the ability to compare plans and providers, filter plans based on specific criteria, and sign up for a new plan online as well as a unique feature that allows customers to enter their historical usage data to compare plans according to their specific usage profile. This can be a useful tool for customers looking to find the most cost-effective plan for their specific energy needs.
Powertochoose.org does not offer this feature, and customers are required to compare plans based on the average usage for their area. ComparePower.com also offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy for customers to compare plans and providers and make an informed decision.
Additionally, ComparePower.com provides other features such as filtering options, customer reviews, and guides, making it a great alternative to Powertochoose.org for customers in Texas looking to switch electricity providers.
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