Never. Usually you will be given notice if such an event occurs that allows you time to come back to comparepower.com and find a new provider. Even if your provider shuts their doors suddenly and without notice you will not be without power. You’ll be switched to a different provider automatically, known as Provider of Last Resort (POLR), and will have the chance to come back to our site and choose an alternate provider.
FAQ Category: How this works - Choosing and Switching
It only takes about 10-15 minutes to compare providers and “make the savings switch” at ComparePower. The physical switch from one electric provider to another, after you signup, generally occurs within 1-7 days. Your next bill coming from your new provider. Rest assured, there will be no interruption to your service during the transition. If you are signing up for new electric service, the date of service start will be set up during your enrollment.
In Texas, providers offer a 3-day grace period during which you can cancel the contract without penalty if you change your mind after switching providers. So rest easy – if you feel you’ve made a mistake, just contact your new provider, tell them you’d like to cancel, and come back to ComparePower to find a provider or plan that suits you better.
If you have already passed the grace period and you want to switch back to your previous provider or to a different one, you may be subject to an early termination fee or a cancellation fee, depending on the terms of the contract you have signed. It’s important to check the terms of the contract and to confirm with the new provider regarding any fees that may be applied.
If you are setting up service for the first time (you’re moving in), this “right of rescission” may vary. Check with your provider before signing up to be sure.
In Texas, there are laws to protect you from this and you are not be subject to a cancellation fee if you legitimately move from your home. Anytime you move, you should use that opportunity to shop again for a better plan – even I you are in a contract. You do NOT have to transfer your service – that’s Texas Law.
Some Utilities charge startup or setup fees associated with reading your meter, so be sure to check the facts label carefully anytime you are switching or signing up with a new provider.
You may be subject to a cancellation fee if you change your provider before the end date of your contract. However, you can set a switch date within 14 days before the end of your contract end date without early termination penalty. That’s Texas Law.
You just call and talk directly with your retail provider. The key thing to understand is that your retail provider handles the billing and customer support for your energy services, and the wires company handles the delivery of those services, maintains the delivery system, and handles any outages that may occur. If you have customer service or payment related issues with your bill, you’ll call the company that sends you your bill. If you have an outage, you’ll generally call your “Wire and Poles” company – also known as your Utility Company.
The provider you choose has nothing to do with the delivery of your electricity. Your electricity is delivered by the still-regulated local wires company (your Utility), ensuring for you the same safety and reliability regardless of which provider you choose. Your chosen Provider buys or reserves energy in bulk and hopes to turn a profit by taking on the overhead of attracting and maintaining customers. Your utility is the one delivering your power. Your provider is only responsible for billing you for your usage.
Unfortunately, no. Several states have opened the doors to open competition in the energy markets serving their residents, but many have not. And to make matters even more confusing, some cities within deregulated states aren’t deregulated at all. To find out if you have the power to choose your electricity and/or natural gas provider, simply enter your zip code and we’ll show you your options.
Energy Deregulation allows for open competition in the energy markets, and it forces those competing for your business to “raise the bar” of services and incentives offered in order to gain and retain your business. Gone are the days where we’re all forced into paying for a necessity without any power on how we’re treated in return. You now have the power to choose which retail energy provider will receive your hard earned money, and that’s awesome.
ComparePower is a free consumer service. Energy companies we show or review pay us a fee when we help them enroll customers, but you’ll never pay anything, and the pricing you see on our site is the same as you can get from the providers directly.