In 2002, the Lone Star State deregulated its energy market. The goal? To give Texans the power to choose their electricity company and energy plan.
But how is a person supposed to make the right choice when there are hundreds of electric companies and energy plans to choose from?
That’s why the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) launched powertochoose.org to help customers shop for electricity rates.
But many Texans found that PowerToChoose led to shockingly high bills despite low advertised rates. This led to hunting for alternatives.
That’s where we come in.
One of the key differences between us and Power to Choose? With the state-run website, you can’t enroll on their webpage. Here, you compare plans and enroll in as little as five minutes. And we offer lower rates without gimmicks or tricks.
In this guide, we’ll compare the cheapest rates from trusted providers and we will provide more information about PowerToChoose.
Compare Power to Choose with Cheaper Electricity Plans
7 Gexa Energy Guaranteed Plans & Rates
| Plan Name | Plan Length | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gexa Eco Saver Plus 12 Plan | 12 Months | 10.5 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Eco Saver Plus 24 Plan | 24 Months | 10.5 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Energy Saver 24 | 24 Months | 16.5 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Eco Saver Lite 12 | 12 Months | 19.6 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Eco Saver Advantage 12 | 12 Months | 19.8 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Eco Saver Premier 12 | 12 Months | 20.4 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Eco Saver Premier 24 | 24 Months | 20.5 ¢/kWh |
- *Rates as of 12/21/2024 at 06:25 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 855-947-3015.
8 Rates from 4Change Energy (affiliate of TXU)
| Plan Name | Plan Length | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4Change - Maxx Saver Select 12 | 12 Months | 10.5 ¢/kWh |
| 4Change - Maxx Saver Select 24 | 24 Months | 10.5 ¢/kWh |
| 4Change - Charitable Saver 12 | 12 Months | 13.7 ¢/kWh |
| 4Change - One Rate 12 | 12 Months | 15.7 ¢/kWh |
| 4Change - One Rate 24 | 24 Months | 15.9 ¢/kWh |
| 4Change - Cash Money 12 | 12 Months | 16.1 ¢/kWh |
| 4Change - Power Maxx Saver 12 | 12 Months | 18.2 ¢/kWh |
| 4Change - Power Maxx Saver 24 | 24 Months | 18.2 ¢/kWh |
- *Rates as of 12/21/2024 at 06:25 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 Name | Plan Length | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Payless Power - 6 Month - prepaid | 6 Months | 17.7 ¢/kWh |
| Payless Power - 12 Month - prepaid | 12 Months | 18.2 ¢/kWh |
- *Rates as of 12/21/2024 at 06:25 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)
What is Power to Choose Texas?
In Texas, your rights include having the power to choose your energy provider and electricity plan thanks to deregulation. But Power to Choose also refers to the government-run energy comparison website controlled by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
It’s a free service that allows electric companies to market their energy plans to Texans. In short, it’s an energy comparison website run by the state.
Retail electric suppliers list their electricity plans, and Power to Choose ranks their offers based on pricing. But the site has severe credibility problems.
The Truth About Power to Choose Electricity Texas
The truth about powertochoose.org is any electric company can show their info there regardless of their BBB rating, PUC violations, reputation, and complaints.
While some folks find cheap electric prices on Power to Choose, they’re often shocked by hidden charges and billing surprises from providers on the website.
Although it was created to help customers compare electric rates on an apples-to-apples basis, PowerToChoose has proven unreliable.
Many consumers pick ultra-low rates displayed on the site and later find hidden charges and fees. And when they attempt to switch to another electricity provider, they often have to pay a hefty Early Termination Fee.
Because of these gimmicky rate structures on powertochoose.org, many Texans have paid far too much for their home energy.
That’s why many say the state electric choice website isn’t a viable option.
State leaders have even considered shutting down the website due to its impact on citizens.
Power to Choose TX Comments
Here are quotes from Texas officials about the government-owned website:
- “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.
Why We’re the Best Alternative to Power to Choose
At Home Energy Club, we’re focused on quality and transparency when comparing energy rates and plans. We work hard to vet plans and eliminate deceptive ones.
Since 2011, we’ve studied the structures of energy plans, designing a system to inspect each plan and determine if it has gimmicks that cause billing surprises. It’s called TrustPlan. If a plan may cause a bill surprise, we don’t offer it.
Not only do we help you avoid gimmicky plans, we also use our bargaining power to offer special discounted energy rates from top energy providers.
Some of the best rates we offer come from well-known brands, such as Gexa Energy, 4Change Energy, Veteran Energy, and more.
No need to use Power to Choose Houston or Power to Choose Dallas.
You’ll find electric plans for Houston, Dallas, and other Texas cities right here at Home Energy Club, where you’ll get great rates on easy-to-understand plans. Plus, there’s no membership fees, ever.
Learn more about how we provide cheap energy rates from top providers, all with no membership fees.
We at Home Energy Club help our valued customers choose energy plans with the lowest rates that are personalized for their home’s energy usage.
The bottom line is that we’re different from the Power2Choose state website. We’re simply the best alternative to Power to Choose.
You can shop for cheap rates in your area and enroll in a new energy plan below.
How Do I Get the Best Deal on Electricity?
If you want the best deal on your home energy, PowertoChoose may not be your best choice.
We suggest you start by reviewing the cheapest energy plans from top providers.
And carefully read the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) of any plan you consider to make sure it’s a fit for your home.
What is 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.
It also includes info about each plan’s term length, Transmission & Distribution Utility (TDU) charges, termination fees, and rate type (variable or fixed-rate). This info can help you get an apples-to-apples comparison of energy plans you’re considering.
We also recommend looking at the Terms of Service for any prospective plan to get a the most information possible.
Be sure to compare electricity rates in Texas based on your home size and make certain all the terms meet your approval.
Avoid enrolling in a new energy plan during summertime, as electricity rates are often far higher due to demand. Enroll in summer and you may end up locking in a high rate for a long period.
A long-term fixed rate is the best bet when rates are low and will climb in the future. Want to see the cheapest rates in your area? Just enter your zip code.
For more quick tips on energy shopping, check out our Savvy Shopper’s Guide.
Power to Choose Texas Frequently Asked Questions
Is powertochoose.org legit?
Yes, powertochoose.org is a legitimate electric price comparison website. That said, many Texans have found that the government-operated website can lead to enrolling in the wrong electricity plan for their needs.
This can result in paying hundreds and even thousands of dollars more than necessary for your home energy supply.
How do I choose a good energy plan?
In the Texas deregulated energy market, choosing an energy plan can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
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 below.
We’ve also put together a slew of helpful tips and guides so you can get the most out of your home energy plan. Check out our advice page to learn about energy shopping, reducing your energy bills, and finding the right plan for your home.
Why isn’t San Antonio on Power to Choose?
San Antonio isn’t on Power to Choose because it’s one of the few cities in Texas that are still regulated. Other regulated cities include Austin, The Woodlands, and Conroe.
Currently, about 85% of the state is deregulated. But if you live in one of the few cities that are regulated, you don’t qualify for the Power to Choose.
