Power to Choose vs. EnergyPricing.com
Filter Results ⇩
Read Below to Learn How our Offers Differ from PowerToChoose
Last updated: July 12, 2023

Author: Paul I. Rhoads, CEM, CEP
Paul is the Vice President of EnergyPricing.com. He has over a decade of experience in the energy industry, advising clients on how to get the best electricity rates and providers. In addition to his vast experience, Paul is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Certified Energy Procurement Professional (CEP).
Learn Why EnergyPricing.com is Better than Power to Choose in 2023!
When it comes to shopping for electricity rates in 2023, Texas offers a wide range of options to choose from. Fortunately, a quick Google search will lead you to the two most popular choices: Powertochoose.org and EnergyPricing.com. This article will be your ultimate guide to understanding what Power to Choose in Texas is and why EnergyPricing.com is the better choice for you in 2023. Ready to explore? Let's begin!
Short Summary
- Powertochoose.org is a website created by the Texas Public Utility Commission.
- Discover the limitations of the current PowertoChoose Texas website, like the lack of a dedicated customer service team to assist with any questions you may have
- Learn some factors to consider when picking an electric provider.
Understanding Power to Choose in Texas
In 1999, the signing of Senate Bill 7 by Governor George W. Bush was a significant milestone for Texas electricity deregulation. To help Texans shop for electricity, the Texas Public Utility Commission created the "PowerToChoose" website, which provides a platform for licensed electricity providers to publish their plans and for customers to enroll.
Although initially promising, the website has its limitations. PowertoChoose in Texas was primarily designed as a simple rate board for providers to publish their rates, and it may not be the most suitable solution for customers seeking tailored energy solutions or providers looking to offer innovative services. However, with energy deregulation thriving in Texas, it is crucial to explore all options you have available in this ever-changing technology landscape.
Texas Cities and Their Power to Choose Options
Most homeowners and businesses in Texas are located in deregulated areas. Even residents located in popular cities like Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth have the power to choose their electricity provider. To check if you are in an energy-deregulated area, simply enter your zip code on EnergyPricing.com's website. This will show you all available electricity providers in your area. When choosing a retail electric provider, it's essential to check the plan's corresponding local utility, as prices can vary among distribution utilities.
The Limitations of Texas's Power to Choose
While powertochoose.org can be a helpful website for some electricity customers, it does have its limitations. For example, it primarily operates as a basic rate board, allowing any licensed electricity provider to display their rates, regardless of their reputation. Additionally, it cannot provide customized rates and services to customers who require a deeper understanding or more sophisticated products. Below are all of the limitations we have encountered with Texas's Power to Choose.
Simple Rate Board
The PowertoChoose.org website is designed as a simple online rate board, allowing any licensed electricity supplier to publish their rates, regardless of their reputation, customer service complaints, PUC violations, or BBB rating. In contrast, EnergyPricing.com takes a different approach. We only feature trustworthy electricity suppliers who offer the best plans in the market. We carefully evaluate all our suppliers and plans, considering factors such as customer service, company size, and contract quality. Our rigorous selection process ensures that we only offer suppliers and plans that we recommend to our own family and friends.
No Dedicated Customer Service
One major disadvantage of using Power to Choose in Texas is the lack of a dedicated customer service team. Unlike EnergyPricing.com, powertochoose.org doesn't offer personalized support to answer all your energy-related questions or assist with your needs. This means you're essentially left to navigate the complex energy market on your own. On the other hand, EnergyPricing.com has a dedicated team of energy advisors who can answer all your questions, guide you through the process, and help you make the most informed decisions.
Lack of Technology
As mentioned earlier, PowertoChoose in Texas is simply a rate board for electricity providers to publish their rates online. At EnergyPricing.com, we recognize the power of technology in the energy industry. That's why we have significantly invested in developing our own cutting-edge proprietary technology. Our technology offers a range of benefits, from keeping you informed about important milestones in your electricity contract, such as switch notices and renewal reminders, to providing you with an online platform to watch suppliers bid on your accounts in real time. With our technology, you can have confidence that you are making the best possible choice for your energy at the right time!
How to Use EnergyPricing.com
Now that you have a good understanding of how EnergyPricing.com differs from PowertoChoose, let's talk about how you can get started with shopping rates online using our user-friendly interface. It's as simple as following the three steps below. That's how easy EnergyPricing.com is to use!
Do you want to see how it works in real time? Watch the video below.
Electric Utility Companies Where We Offer Pricing
At EnergyPricing.com, we understand that not all suppliers are equally competitive across all electricity utilities. That's why we have invested time in researching and forming partnerships with the top providers in each market. This allows us to offer the most competitive rates for every utility company. Currently, we offer pricing options for the following electric utility companies in Texas:
- Oncor
- CenterPoint
- AEP Texas Central
- AEP Texas North
- TNMP
Who Are The Top Suppliers
Finding the top energy providers can be challenging, as it's difficult to distinguish the truly outstanding ones. Luckily, the U.S. Energy Information Administration has published a helpful report that ranks providers based on customer count. According to this report, here are the top 10 providers in Texas:
- TXU Energy Retail Co, LLC – 1,668,676 Customers
- Reliant Energy Retail Services- 1,440,089 Customers
- Direct Energy Services- 516,248 Customers
- Ambit Energy Holdings, LLC- 408,661 Customers
- Green Mountain Energy Company- 364,913 Customers
- US Retailers, LLC- 348,361 Customers
- NextEra Energy Services, LLC- 293,050 Customers
- Stream SPE, LTD- 241,597 Customers
- Just Energy- 236,182 Customers
- Constellation NewEnergy, Inc 218,526 Customers
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2021 Utility Bundled Sales to Ultimate Customers- Total
Please note that there are other options besides the big names mentioned above. In fact, some of the lowest rates historically come from new and upcoming suppliers who are willing to undercut the established players to gain market share. Rest assured that at EnergyPricing.com, we have done the homework for you and only work with reputable suppliers.
Factors to Consider When Picking an Electric Provider
If you're feeling lost and unsure about selecting an energy provider on our website, don't worry, you're not alone. With numerous options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. To help you narrow down your list of suppliers, here are a few factors we suggest considering.
- Price - When it comes to choosing an electric supplier, price is definitely a top consideration. However, before you make a quick decision, solely based on price, we recommend you look at all the other factors too.
- Read Customer Reviews - To get a sense of a company’s customer service, check out their customer reviews on Google. What are other customers saying about the service they’re getting? Keep an eye out for red flags like poor communication, unresponsive customer service, and billing issues.
- Company Size - It’s also worth checking how many customers a company has. This could be an indication of their size and stability. A larger customer base can mean more resources and better infrastructure to handle customer demands.
- How Long Have They Been In Business? - Researching the history of a company can help you form an opinion on how reliable and trustworthy they are. You can find this information on their website or by reading reviews online. A company with a long history of providing reliable service is a good sign that they’re here to stay.
- Lastly, Read The Contract - Don’t just quickly sign the electricity contract and hope for the best. Make sure you read the entire contract carefully before committing yourself to any provider.
Different Types of Electricity Plans We Offer
When you're browsing for electricity rates on our website, you'll find a variety of plans tailored to your risk tolerance. We offer fixed-rate plans for stability and consistent pricing, as well as variable-rate plans for flexibility and potential savings. Check out some of the commonly available electricity plans on our website!
Fixed-Rates Plans
Fixed-rate energy plans offer one set rate per kilowatt-hour for the entire contract period, providing stability and predictability for your energy costs. A fixed-rate electricity plan is ideal for most residential and commercial customers, as it eliminates surprises on your monthly bill and allows you to budget accordingly.
However, keep in mind that fixed-rate plans often switch to variable-rate plans at the end of the contract term, so be prepared for potential rate changes in the future.
Variable-Rate Plans
Variable-rate energy plans offer a fluctuating rate per kilowatt-hour based on market conditions, such as weather and volatility. While this type of plan typically offers flexibility in allowing you to switch plans without any additional fees, it also comes with the risk of extreme weather events causing a sudden spike in your energy rate.
100% Green Energy Plans
If you're someone who cares about the environment and doesn't mind paying a little more on their electricity bills, then a 100% Green Energy Plan could be the perfect choice for you. However, it's important to note the electricity flowing through your power lines won’t typically come from renewable energy sources.
Instead, with these renewable energy plans, most energy providers simply offset your energy usage by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). These RECs reflect the generation of renewable energy from sources like solar or wind, and they're a great way to ensure that renewable energy projects offset your energy consumption.
Promotional Energy Plans
Promotional energy plans are a popular choice among customers, as they offer lower rates or unique billing structures that can save customers money. Some of the most popular are free weekend plans or Monthly usage bill credit plans that offer credits for staying under a certain usage threshold. However, customers need to be cautious when choosing a promotional energy plan. It’s essential to thoroughly read the Suppliers Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to understand the actual price you will pay and any fine print details that may affect your overall cost.
Commercial Electricity Rates
- Direct Access To Suppliers - Our easy-to-use interfaces let you submit your commercial electricity accounts directly to our network of energy providers. Just sit back and watch the bids come in!
- Transparent Pricing - At EnergyPricing.com we believe in being 100% transparent with our pricing and will disclose to you how much electricity providers compensate us. Due to our automated online pricing process, we can offer some of the lowest electric prices in the market.
- Expert Advice - Unsure of which plan or electricity provider to go with? No problem! EnergyPricing.com has a team of energy experts that can help you throughout the entire shopping process.
Validate your login
Sign In
OR
Create New Account