Best Alternative to Power to Choose Texas | 512-936-7000

Written by Frank Eakin

Electricity deregulation allows you to choose Texas electric companies and energy plans for your home. To help Texans choose their energy provider, the State of Texas PUC launched its PowerToChoose Texas website to help customers shop for electricity rates.

Because there is little oversight on Power to Choose, many providers have gamed the system and hooked customers with low advertised rates that often cause bill surprises. That’s why many Texans are on the prowl for alternatives to Power to Choose. That’s where we come in.

We’re the best Power to Choose alternative in Texas because we carefully vet each energy plan to help you cut bill surprises.

You can call the Power to Choose  at 512-936-7000 to learn more about their processes, and discuss the site directly with the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Scores of citizens have experienced serious bill surprises from providers displaying deceptive energy plans on the state site.

If you continue to find gimmicky rate structures in energy plans on Power to Choose Texas, we believe you’ll conclude that the state site may no longer be a viable option for comparing energy plans.

Members of the Texas State Legislature have even seriously considered closing the site due to the volume of complaints (see quotes from government leaders below).

While the PUC has good motivations for offering a comparison site, ethical private companies such as Home Energy Club may be better positioned to meet consumer demand and deliver consistently high-quality, vetted plans to protect citizens from bill surprises.

Compare Power to Choose with No-Gimmick Energy Plans

6 Reliant Energy Trusted Plans & Rates

Plan NamePlan LengthRate
Reliant - Conservation 2424 Months15.5 ¢/kWh
Reliant - Basic Power 2424 Months15.8 ¢/kWh
Reliant - Conservation 1212 Months15.9 ¢/kWh
Reliant - Basic Power 1212 Months16.2 ¢/kWh
Reliant - Truly Free Weekends 100% Solar 1212 Months17.8 ¢/kWh
Reliant - Truly Free Nights 100% Solar 1212 Months18.2 ¢/kWh
  • *Rates as of 03/18/2024 at 09:58 PM. Based on 1000 kWh in Oncor zone. Enter your zip code above for rates in your area.

Speak with a top-rated Reliant operator about additional plans in English or Spanish at 866-735-1218.

Call Reliant (English/Spanish)

9 Gexa Energy Guaranteed Plans & Rates

Plan NamePlan LengthRate
Gexa Eco Saver Plus 1212 Months11.3 ¢/kWh
Gexa Eco Saver Plus 2424 Months11.3 ¢/kWh
Gexa EV 2424 Months14.8 ¢/kWh
Gexa Energy Saver 2424 Months15.9 ¢/kWh
Gexa Saver Freedom 3636 Months17.1 ¢/kWh
Gexa Eco Saver Advantage 1212 Months19 ¢/kWh
Gexa Eco Saver Lite 1212 Months19.5 ¢/kWh
Gexa Eco Saver Premium 1212 Months20.2 ¢/kWh
Gexa Eco Saver Premium 2424 Months20.2 ¢/kWh
  • *Rates as of 03/18/2024 at 09:58 PM. Based on 1000 kWh in Oncor zone. Enter your zip code above for rates in your area.

Speak with a Gexa Energy operator directly in English or Spanish at 855-639-8212.

Call Gexa (English/Spanish)

8 Rates from 4Change Energy (affiliate of TXU)

Plan NamePlan LengthRate
4Change - Maxx Saver Select 1212 Months11.3 ¢/kWh
4Change - Maxx Saver Select 2424 Months11.3 ¢/kWh
4Change - Cash Money 1212 Months14.1 ¢/kWh
4Change - Charitable Saver 1212 Months14.2 ¢/kWh
4Change - One Rate 2424 Months15.7 ¢/kWh
4Change - One Rate 1212 Months16.3 ¢/kWh
4Change - Power Maxx Saver 1212 Months17.4 ¢/kWh
4Change - Power Maxx Saver 2424 Months18.1 ¢/kWh
  • *Rates as of 03/18/2024 at 09:58 PM. Based on 1000 kWh in Oncor zone. Enter your zip code above for rates in your area.

Speak with 4Change Energy about their trusted no-gimmick plans in English or Spanish at 888-366-7291.

Call 4Change (English/Spanish)

2 Payless Power Rates No Deposit

Plan NamePlan LengthRate
Payless Power - 12 Month - Prepaid12 Months19.6 ¢/kWh
Payless Power - 6 Month - Prepaid6 Months19.6 ¢/kWh
  • *Rates as of 03/18/2024 at 09:58 PM. Based on 1000 kWh in Oncor zone. Enter your zip code above for rates in your area.

Speak with a Payless Power “No Deposit” operator in English or Spanish at 833-926-9776.

Call Payless “No Deposit” (English/Spanish)

Compare Texas electricity rates vetted to prevent bill surprises

The Truth About Power to Choose Electricity Texas

The reality is that while many people use Power to Choose Texas to find cheap energy plans, they’re often later disappointed and angry about unexpected, hidden charges and ugly billing surprises from providers on the site.

The main issue is that the state has allowed many providers to game their rankings with gimmick plans that trick consumers.

The problem with PowertoChoose.org is that any energy provider in Texas can display their information on the site regardless of its BBB rating, PUC violations, reputation, and complaints.

The website was initially created to help customers compare electric rates on an apples-to-apples basis, but it has proven to be unreliable.

As consumers opted for ultra-low rates displayed on the site, they later discovered hidden charges and unfair fees, and when they attempted to switch to another electricity provider, they paid a hefty contract termination fee.

If you have questions, call the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Power to Choose Texas Comments

Here are some quotes from Texas officials about the government-owned site:

  • “People are misled with the rates they are signing up for.” – state Rep. Jared Patterson, Dallas News, Feb. 15, 2019
  • “If two years from now none of these things work, then I think we need to reconsider the wisdom of a government agency running a commercial website.” PUC of Texas Chairman DeAnn Walker, Dallas News blog, Aug. 16, 2018
  • “The data I’ve seen, it just doesn’t reflect any economic reality,” he said. “It’s obviously intended to mislead.”PUC of Texas Commissioner Arthur C. D’Andrea, Dallas News, June 29, 2018, regarding energy plans on the Power to Choose Texas website.
Compare energy plans vetted to cut deceptive rates

Why Home Energy Club is the Best Alternative to Power to Choose Texas

We at Home Energy Club aim to help our valued customers choose energy plans with the lowest rates that best suit their home and energy usage needs. We actively help our members avoid bill surprises by manually vetting each energy plan.

Since 2011, we’ve studied the structures of energy plans and use a system that lets us look under the hood of each plan to determine if it includes gimmicks that cause billing surprises. We call it TrustPlan™. If we believe that a plan is likely to cause billing surprises, we don’t show it on our website.

The bottom line is that we’re different from the Power2Choose state website, and we’re the best alternative to Power to Choose, which allows virtually any electricity provider to display its information.

How Do I Get the Best Deal on Electricity?

If you want the best deal on your home energy, be sure to compare your energy usage patterns and carefully read the Electricity Facts Label of any plan that you consider in order to make sure that it’s a fit for your home.

Carefully Read the Electricity Facts Label (EFL)

An EFL is a state-mandated label that has the rates per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for three usage levels: 500 kWh, 1,000 kWh, and 2,000 kWh. In addition, it includes information about each plan’s term length, TDU charges, termination fees, and whether your rate will be variable or fixed.

You should compare electricity rates based on your home size and make sure that all the terms meet your approval.

Also, it’s important not to choose a new energy plan during the summer, as the electricity rates are higher due to the high demand for electricity. You may end up locking in a high rate for a long period. If you believe rates will climb in the future, a long-term fixed rate may be a good option.

For more quick tips on getting the most out of your energy plan, check out our Savvy Shopper’s Guide.

To see cheap energy rates in your area, enter your zip code below.

Compare Texas electricity rates chosen to prevent bill surprises

Who’s the Cheapest Electricity provider?

The best way to avoid bill surprises is to choose a vetted plan from one of the trusted electricity providers on Home Energy Club. You can start by checking out the cheapest electric companies.

It’s smart to consider a multi-year electricity plan so you can lock in a good rate for up to 60 months without having to worry about rate increases. All you need to do is enter your zip code, and we’ll show you plans in your area.

With the above-mentioned information, it’s now easier for you to come up with the best energy plan that fits your monthly electricity usage.

Compare Texas electricity plans vetted to prevent billing surprises

Power to Choose Texas Frequently Asked Questions

What is Power to Choose Texas?

Power to Choose Texas is a government website that provides rate comparison information for electricity plans in Texas, and is controlled by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Energy providers list their electricity plans, and Power to Choose ranks their offers based on pricing. But the site has had severe credibility problems:

  • Power to Choose energy plans are not vetted for quality, and energy providers have learned how to “game” the rankings with deceptive plans that cause bill surprises, causing Texas citizens to complain to state leaders.
  • State leaders have considered shutting the site down due to the impact on citizens. “People are misled with the rates they are signing up for,” said Texas Rep. Jared Patterson (Dallas News, Feb. 15, 2019).

We’re a quality-focused comparison site and the best Power to Choose alternative created by experienced energy professionals to solve the problem of deceptive electricity plans. At Home Energy Club, we:

  • Vet each plan to eliminate the ones that are deceptive
  • Provides step-by-step guides help Texans choose the best energy plan for their home’s energy usage level, reducing bill surprises and saving money
  • Display plans with customer guarantees, such as the Gexa Energy 60-day “Happiness Guarantee”

Where to compare the best electricity rates in Texas?

Home Energy Club and the state’s Power to Choose Texas site offer many of the lowest electricity rates in Texas, but there’s a major difference in their approach.

  • Home Energy Club vets energy plans to help customers avoid bill surprises, assisting you in choosing the correct plan for your home.
  • We use our bargaining power to offer the cheapest electricity rates from the most trusted energy providers, including such brands as Gexa Energy, Pulse Power, TriEagle Energy, Amigo Energy, Reliant Energy and others. Discount rates on the comparison site are often lower than the ones you’ll find on the electric company sites for the same brand and term length.
  • Home Energy Club provides you with special promo codes you can share which deliver instant rate reductions from top providers.

Power to Choose Texas, a website operated by the government:

  • Displays low electricity rates, but the energy plans are unvetted, so there’s no serious quality control.
  • Has had a history of unwittingly displaying deceptive plans that have caused large numbers of Texans to experience high energy bills.
  • Been threatened by state leaders with a shutdown due to consumer complaints, as described by state government leaders in news stories.

While the intent of the state to create a robust competitive market was sound, the government site is not considered to have the most consumer-friendly shopping experience that protects consumers.

What is the best Power to Choose alternative?

When choosing power in Texas, Power to Choose may not be the best option to compare energy rates. Power to Choose often displays gimmicky plans that may cause bill surprises.

Instead of considering Power to Choose Houston plans or Power to Choose Dallas plans, take a look at electric plans for Houston, Dallas and other Texas cities on HomeEnergyClub.com

Home Energy Club is a leading quality-focused energy comparison site. The website vets each plan to eliminate the deceptive ones that are prone to cause bill shocks, using its TrustPlan process. The site uses its bargaining power to offer special discounted energy rates from energy providers, such as Gexa Energy, Reliant Energy, Flagship Power and more.

There is no membership fee, and Home Energy Club is a free service.

How do I choose a good energy plan?

HomeEnergyClub.com In the Texas deregulated energy market, choose an energy plan can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in.

At Home Energy Club, we work hard to help you choose a good energy plan for your home based on your usage level. We also vet each plan using our TrustPlan ™ process to help you avoid bill surprises.

Learning about electricity providers, energy plans and rates, begins with simply entering your zip code on the site.

We’re a comprehensive, authoritative source of information about Texas electricity companies, with thousands of verified reviews and consumer complaint statistics from objective sources such as the BBB, Public Utility Commission, Google, Yelp and others.

Are free nights and weekends worth it?

Electricity plans offering free nights and weekends (and other “time of usage” plans), which can be found on Power to Choose, are sometimes worth it, but only if the plan is not too restrictive in its definition of “free” time periods, and if your home’s energy usage patterns match such a plan’s rate structure.

The HomeEnergyClub.com comparison website is a superior Power to Choose alternative because it vets each energy plan to help protect you from bill surprises, and will not display plans with unreasonable rate structure specifications.

It’s helpful to note the following about “free” electricity plans:

  • If your “non-free” energy time periods are too short and don’t coincide with the times you use a relatively small percentage of your energy, you may unnecessarily pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars more for electricity per year.
  • To offset free weekends and nights, electric company charges at other days and hours are much higher than they would be in a standard fixed-rate plan.

Always read an electricity plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for details on the “free” and “non-free” periods. In the EFL, you may find that these types of “free” plans come with lengthy contract commitments and steep cancellation fees.

Is free electricity at night worth it?

If you’re wondering if an electricity plan offering free nights is worth it, the answer depends on the plan’s specified “free” time periods, and whether the time you use the vast majority of your energy corresponds with the times in which the provider doesn’t charge for energy. HomeEnergyClub.com vets each plan to help you avoid the ones with gimmick traps, such as those that don’t offer a reasonable time range for “free” energy to offset the “non-free” times in which the electric company will charge a steep premium.

Comparison sites such as Power to Choose Texas, a government-sponsored enterprise, do not have such quality control processes, which has caused large numbers of bill complaints from angry customers. Home Energy Club provides transparency and helpful resources to assist Texans in choosing the best plans for their homes with legitimate discount energy rates. Some decision-making resources include:

Visit HomeEnergyClub.com and enter your zip code to compare electricity rates.

How do I use my smart meter to see if a free nights and weekends plan is good?

If you have a smart meter, your details are available that let you know the hours and days in which you consume the least and greatest amounts of energy. With those insights, you can determine, for example, whether an electricity plan offering free nights and weekends would be a good option for you based on the times specified as “free” in the plan’s details and Electricity Facts Label.

A bit of “homework” is needed to choose the best energy plan for your household. A smart meter report gives you readily accessible historic usage data for your home at SmartMeterTexas.com. Use your usage information to narrow down your options and choose the best money-saving energy plan.

Learn more about smart meters from our Smart Meter Texas Guide at HomeEnergyClub.com, where you will find discount rates from the top brand electric companies in the state.

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On Home Energy Club, our cost calculator widget helps you to choose an energy plan by performing detailed calculations so you can quickly compare estimated plan costs based on your historic usage data and publicly-available data. Your actual future bill amounts will depend on your future energy usage, which cannot be precisely determined, so the accuracy of plan cost data cannot be guaranteed. You should always read the details of an energy plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to decide if it’s a fit for your home.

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