Knowing who your Texas energy supplier is can help you understand what your current energy costs are, as well as what other options may be out there, what factors impact your monthly electricity rates and how you might be able to save money on electricity.
Texas has a deregulated energy market, which accounts for approximately 85% of the state — about 27 million people, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Along with transmission and distribution utility (TDU) companies, the state is home to hundreds of retail electricity providers (REPs), also known as electric companies.
You may be spending more on your energy bills than you need to, not to mention potentially experiencing serious bill surprises, all by not knowing what company provides your home’s electricity. Our team put together this guide to help you understand what energy suppliers are, how to find who your energy supplier is and how to choose a supplier that suits your needs perfectly.
Understanding Energy Suppliers: What They Do
As the name suggests, an energy supplier provides energy to households and businesses. Typically, when we refer to energy suppliers, we’re specifically talking about electricity companies.
The deregulation of Texas’ electricity market has resulted in greater competition and affordable pricing. It eliminated the monopolies that utilities generally have in a regulated market. Currently, electric companies in Texas purchase electricity from power generators at wholesale prices and sell it to you through various plans, just like a shop buying goods in bulk and selling it to customers at retail pricing. On the other hand, TDUs, or utility companies, work with both REPs and generators to transmit power to your home or business.
Gas providers are still regulated in the Lone Star State, so you’ll typically have to work with your local utility company for your gas usage. Meanwhile, electricity and gas are deregulated in states such as Massachusetts, Ohio or Pennsylvania. That means some energy supply companies also operate as natural gas suppliers.
Energy Supplier vs. Utility Company: What’s the Difference?
In deregulated energy markets such as Texas, your energy supplier and utility company are different entities. An electric utility company transmits energy from a power station to homes and businesses in the service area. The utility builds, operates and maintains the local power grid infrastructure and energy networks for electricity transmission. Utilities are sometimes called transmission and distribution service providers (TDSP).
While you’ll deal almost entirely with your power company, you will need to contact your TDU in the event of power outages or other grid issues, such as downed lines.
An electricity supply company, on the other hand, works with a utility company but doesn’t generate or transmit energy. In deregulated markets, competitive suppliers typically buy electricity in auctions and then create, market and sell energy plans to you, the end consumer.
These types of energy plans include renewable energy plans, bill credit plans, variable-rate plans, fixed-rate plans and time-of-use plans, sometimes called “free nights” or “free weekends” plans.
How To Find Out Who Your Energy Supplier Is
There are a few different ways to identify your energy supplier, from reading your power bill to leveraging an online tool, such as an ESID lookup. Here are some easy ways to identify your energy provider.
Reading Your Utility Bill
The simplest way to find out your energy company is to check your utility bill. Your bill will have the supplier’s name, logo and contact information on it. Here is an example electric bill for your reference.
Shell Energy Residential Electricity Bill
Using Online Resources
In areas where your energy supplier is your utility company, you can identify the utility using online tools. You only need to input your ZIP code in the tool’s search bar and it will provide you information on your utility company.
In Texas, you can use an ESID lookup tool to determine which utility company serves your energy. However, this won’t be sufficient to find your electric provider.
That said, knowing your utility is also important because it can help you understand your TDU charges, which are independent of your energy provider and charged by the utility company. Additionally, knowing your TDU can help you find its contact information, which you may need in the event of a blackout or other emergency.
Contacting Your Local Utility Company
If you know your utility company, you can contact its customer support center and check which provider currently serves your home. All you need is your complete address. Utility companies and providers work together, so your utility company should have an up-to-date database of which provider serves which customer in its electric service territory.
Why Knowing Your Energy Supplier Matters
Knowing your energy supplier is important for several financial and non-financial reasons. It can not only help you understand what your electric plan and rate are but also help to find contact information for your provider. It can also be the first step in your energy shopping journey if you need to choose a more suitable provider. Below is an overview of the reasons you should know your supplier.
Impact on Your Energy Rates
In the Texas deregulated market, your choice of electric plan and provider directly impacts your monthly energy expenses. Knowing your energy supplier allows you to be aware of current electric rates and compare pricing with other providers and plans.
Once you’ve identified your provider and your current energy rates, review your monthly energy bills to determine your usage levels. Then, compare the electricity facts label (EFL) of energy plans from different providers and choose a plan and provider that is suitable for your energy consumption levels and patterns. This will help you save on your bills.
Service Quality and Customer Support
Service quality and customer support may vary across energy suppliers. Some Texas providers have poor customer ratings due to slow connection times, high cancellation fees, high disconnection rates and incorrect billing, which can lead to bill surprises. Meanwhile, other providers are well-known for providing top-tier customer service and support.
Knowing who your energy supplier is allows you to compare its service quality with other providers based on customer reviews. You also need to know who your provider is so you can contact it in case you want to switch to a different plan, change your service address or simply ask questions related to your service.
Ability To Switch Providers
In deregulated areas where you can choose your providers, knowing your provider can help you identify if your existing provider is your best option in terms of pricing and service. When you know who your supplier is, you can compare it with other suppliers and plans and switch energy providers.
According to our July 2024 survey of more than 1,000 Texans, 80% of customers who switched energy companies did so because they felt their previous provider had become too expensive or offered too little value over time. Another 60% of respondents who switched providers cited reliability and customer service issues with their previous light company.
In short, comparing energy providers and switching light companies may be a reliable tactic for reducing energy costs or securing higher-quality customer service. But the starting point is knowing which company supplies your home energy.
Are there any fees associated with switching energy suppliers?
No, there are usually no fees associated with switching energy suppliers. However, if you’re canceling your current plan before the end of its contract, you may owe an early termination fee (ETF). Your current plan’s EFL will have information about early termination fees, along with other useful plan details. If you terminate your plan in the final two weeks of your contract, you can typically avoid an ETF.
How To Find Energy Plan Options in Your Area
You can compare energy plans available in your area by punching in your ZIP code below. Our energy shopping marketplace allows you to browse hundreds of options from top energy companies.
In the Texas deregulated market, you may have dozens of providers and hundreds of plans to consider, from green energy and time-of-use plans to bill credit and prepaid plans. We can help you filter your options to find the best plan for your needs.
More than 10,000 Texans have used Home Energy Club to find their perfect plans and enroll online or over the phone in just a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Suppliers
How do I find out what company supplies my electricity?
You can find out your electricity provider by checking your electricity bill for provider information. You can also contact your utility company to ask what company is currently serving you with an electric plan. If you don’t know your utility company, you can find it out by using online tools, such as an ESID lookup tool.
Can I choose my own energy supplier?
Yes, you can choose your own electricity provider if you live in an area that has a deregulated energy market. In deregulated areas of Texas, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) help set rules and manage utility companies. You can choose an energy provider and plan using Home Energy Club.
How often should I check if I’m getting the best rate from my supplier?
Electricity prices in Texas keep changing throughout the year, which is why we recommend checking market prices every few months. We also recommend checking rates when the seasons change, as energy prices typically fluctuate based on seasonal effects on energy demand.
Will my power go out if I switch suppliers?
You shouldn’t experience any power outages when switching suppliers as long as you plan ahead. We recommend beginning your search for a new provider at least 30 days before your contract ends to avoid service interruptions. In Texas, the PUCT allows you to switch your existing plan in its final two weeks without losing power or paying a cancellation fee.
Many providers also offer same-day connections, which means that even if your power goes out when you cancel your energy plan, you may be able to get power back within a few hours. However, remember to sign up for the new plan before the provider’s cut-off time to get same-day power.
How We Rate and Review Texas Electricity Companies
With dozens of providers and hundreds of plans available in the deregulated Texas market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We created a comprehensive rating methodology to help you cut through the complexity and find the best electricity plan for your needs, whether you’re moving to Texas or looking to switch providers.
We’ve researched dozens of Texas electricity providers and scored them out of 5 stars based on cost, bill predictability, customer satisfaction, brand trust, and plan features. Here’s how those core factors weighed into our ratings:
- Plan features (33%)
- Customer satisfaction and brand trust (27%)
- Plan rates and pricing (20%)
- Energy bill predictability (20%)
