How to switch electricity providers in Texas, USA

Texas is one of the most deregulated states in the country. Deregulation means Texans have the right to choose their electricity provider. In such a deregulated market, competition among electricity providers increases. They start offering their consumers attractive electricity plans and offers at the lowest rate. Of course, it benefits consumers in all ways, but they need to do a lot of research to find the best electricity provider and plans. One of the best electricity providers in Texas is Reliant Energy. If you want to get the best electricity plans and services, you can check the top five Reliant Energy rates and plans by visiting its website.
With so many electricity providers in Texas, it is possible that you will initially choose a specific electricity provider but will later regret your decision. You may not be satisfied with their services, and the reason could be anything. If you want to switch your electricity provider in Texas, USA, there are some points you must consider before switching to another provider. Do thorough research on different electricity providers, their plans and offers, their rates, and their services.
Here are step-by-step guidelines that you can follow to switch to the best electricity provider:
Comparing providers and plans
The very first thing you need to do is find an electricity provider so that you can switch from your current company. Finding the best electricity provider is a daunting task as there are a plethora of companies available in the market. You can follow the below steps to make your search process easier:
- Determine whether you live in a deregulated city in Texas or not: There is no doubt that Texas is one of the most deregulated states in the USA, but still, there are some cities where Texans don’t have the right to choose their electricity provider. In such cities, electricity is operated by the local government or utility. Enter your zip code at http://www.powertochoose.org/en-us/ to find out if you live in a deregulated city.
- Compare the rates of different companies: Ask for recommendations from your family, friends, neighbors, or other social groups. After receiving recommendations for at least 3 to 5 electricity providers, compare their prices per kilowatt hour or kWh. You can also check the Reliant Energy rates, which will surely save you money on your energy bill. The per kilowatt hour rate and the amount of energy you use determine your energy bill. To foster energy conservation, most electricity providers charge lower rates for electricity usage up to 1,000 kWh. If your electricity usage is high, choose a plan with a lower penalty for higher energy use.
- Select a fixed rate plan to lock in a low rate: While shopping for rates, if you discover that electricity rates are lower than average and that they may rise in the coming month, get a fixed rate plan right away. A fixed-rate plan has a validity period of six months, one year, or two years. Usually, the demand for electricity increases in the summer, and so do the electricity rates. You will typically find lower rates in the winter season.
- Select a variable rate if you think energy rates will go down: A variable rate fluctuates based on energy costs in the market. If the price of energy goes up in the market, you will have to pay more, but if it goes down in the market, your energy will decrease. If you think the electricity rate will go down in the coming months, a variable rate is the best choice.
- Always select a plan with perks: Electricity providers in Texas, USA, offer attractive electricity plans and enticing perks to attract more and more consumers. These perks include free electricity on weekends, a free night electricity plan, and lower rates during certain times of the year. Compare these perks offered with different plans and choose one that saves you more money on electricity bills. These perks could also be in the form of rewards where consumers get credit for referrals or paying their electricity bills on time.
- Narrow down your energy provider choices: A plethora of energy providers are available on the market. You can ask for recommendations from your friends, family, neighbors, or other social groups. Ask them whether they are satisfied with their energy providers’ services or not. Based on their feedback, you can narrow down your options. If you are new to Texas and don’t know anyone from whom you can get recommendations, an online search will be helpful. After narrowing down your options, visit the website of those specific electricity providers and look for reviews and ratings. Red flags include many people complaining about the same issues or raising their concerns over hidden charges or unethical business practices. Some of their consumers might have shared their experience with that specific electricity provider as “feedback.” Read all the feedback to see what their consumers have to say about them. Positive and negative feedback can help you decide whether or not to use that electricity provider. Choose an electricity provider that has overall good ratings and reviews, such as Reliant Energy. It has more than 1.5 million consumers, and you can read Reliant Energy reviews by visiting its website. Click here.
Signing up with your new electricity provider
After you have decided on your new electricity provider, now it’s time to switch and sign up with your new company.
- Ask your current electricity provider if there are any cancellation fees: If you break your electricity contract in between, your electricity provider may charge you a penalty called “cancellation fees.” To know whether there are any cancellation fees associated with your current electricity plan, call your current provider and ask the customer service representative about cancellation fees. Sometimes, the terms of your cancellation are written on your bill. Most of the fixed-rate plans let you switch over to other electricity providers without any penalty if you give them at least 14 days’ notice.
- Sign up for your new electricity provider: Go to the website of the electricity provider that you want to switch to. Now you need to sign up on that website by entering the required personal details. If you are facing any problems, you can talk to their customer care representative by calling the given number. After successful registration on that website, that energy provider may run a credit check. You have poor credit; the company may ask you to deposit a few amounts before switching your service.
- Wait for the confirmation letter: Upon successfully registering yourself with your new electricity provider, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas will send you a confirmation letter. Now your new electricity provider will contact your current electricity provider and perform the switching process. It may take up to one month to switch over to your new electricity company.
So this is all about comparing different electricity companies and their rates, plans, and offers. Follow this step-by-step guide to make the searching and switching processes easier.