Power to Choose in Texas | Tara Energy
What is Power to Choose?
PowertoChoose.org is the official website of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT or PUC) that enables Texans to choose which utility companies they would like to purchase energy from. The platform is free to use. All that it asks for is your ZIP code and it will present you with a summed-up chart of all the companies that could deliver power to your home.
What Does Having the Power to Choose Mean for Texans?
Texas has a deregulated energy market, which means dozens of retail electric providers (REPs) compete for your business, giving you a wealth of electric plan options.
While this competition is great for getting a competitively priced plan, it can make finding the right one feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) created the official Power to Choose website. This tool allows you to easily evaluate and compare electricity providers, rates, and plans before you commit to the best choice for your home and family.
Choose a Texas Electricity Provider Like Tara Energy
Switch to Tara Energy today!
How to Use the Power to Choose Website
For our example above, we entered the Houston ZIP code of 77005. If you enter your ZIP code and no results are found, you are not in a deregulated energy market and cannot choose your provider. However, most Texans will be able to use the tool.
The results on the platform are neatly presented in a table of columns that include:
- Company: This includes the company name, history, and customer star rating
- Plan Details: Name of the plan, rate type (fixed, variable, or indexed), contract length, percentage of renewable energy, and any new customer incentives
- Price per kWh: This lets you know your rate based on 500 kWh (low usage); 1,000 kWh (average usage); and 2,000 kWh (high usage)
- Pricing Details: This includes any cancelation fees and links to the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) — which appears as Fact Sheet — and the Terms of Service.
With this free platform, the Public Utility Commission of Texas hopes to help consumers make an “apples to apples” comparison of offers from various energy providers.
You can filter your results by using the sidebar by area, type of plan, average energy usage, retail electricity rate, and more. This makes it easy to narrow down the choice.
Start by entering your ZIP code on the Power to Choose homepage. The tool will automatically search for plans for your service area.
Narrow Your Search
If you are in a rush, click NARROW YOUR SEARCH to speed up the process. This brings you to three questions regarding your average monthly use, plan types you are interested in, and contract length. To help you out, there are even facts on the side to help you answer your questions. By answering these questions, you can further focus your search to find a Texas electricity rate and plan based on your requirements.
View Results
If you would like to review all the plans in your area, click VIEW RESULTS and continue. You can sort through the results based on price per kWh, company, or renewable energy percentage.
Estimated Use
On the left side of the page, you can refine your search based on your estimated monthly energy consumption. A small apartment does well with 500 kWh while an average household would be best at 1,000 kWh.
Contract Length
You can also choose your contract length. Shorter plans allow you more flexibility to switch, but it only guarantees your energy rate for that length of time. A longer contract term locks in your rates but may subject you to a cancelation fee if you decide to end your contract early.
Pricing and Billing
This option enables you to view plans that have no recurring fees included in the average per/kWh rate. It also excludes plans that change its per kWh rate based on the amount of energy consumed.
Plan Type
This option allows you to choose between fixed rates, variable rates, and indexed rates. As a reminder, a fixed-rate plan charges the same rate per kWh no matter how much electricity you use. A variable-rate plan may change its per kWh rate every month. (Your provider has to publish next month’s rate to tell you what rate you will be paying.) An indexed-rate plan is similar to a variable-rate plan. The difference is the formula where indexed-rate electricity is reliant on various factors such as the cost of natural gas.
Learn more about variable vs. fixed-rate electricity.
Prepaid Plans
Prepaid plans offer a pay-as-you-go service and usually don’t involve a credit check. These plans require close monitoring to avoid having your service disconnected.
Time of Use Plans
Opting for a Time of Use plan allows you to enjoy certain incentives such as free nights of electricity. The average prices for these plans depend on energy usage during discounted and undiscounted times. As such, your monthly electric bill will vary every month.
Company Rating
Select plans according to ratings. This is a feature unique to Power to Choose where customer satisfaction is indicated according to the percentage of official complaints made to the PUC.
Renewable Energy
You can select what percentage of your electricity you would like to come from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and more, as well as from which company.
Electricity Companies
If you have a preference for specific energy companies, you can select a specific energy provider to only see plans from the particular electric provider.
Once you have completed all these steps, click REFRESH RESULTS, to see the suggested electric plans for your unique needs.
Switch to Tara Energy today!
Power to Choose FAQs
What does power to choose mean?
The Power to Choose is the freedom Texans have in deregulated areas to select their own Retail Electric Provider (REP) and electricity plan. This system encourages competition among REPs (like Tara Energy) to deliver competitively priced plans and outstanding customer experiences.
The official Power to Choose website is the tool created by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to help you exercise this freedom, allowing you to easily compare all available plans in your ZIP code.
Are there any regulated markets in Texas?
Yes, while the majority of Texans live in deregulated markets where they can choose their provider, some parts of the state remain regulated.
In these areas, the local utility company handles both the delivery and the pricing of electricity, meaning residents do not have the option to choose an REP. Major cities like San Antonio and Austin are two examples of regulated markets.
Are there any alternatives to Power to Choose?
Yes! While the official Power to Choose website is a great, neutral starting point, there are other reputable comparison sites that can help you find a great plan.
One popular alternative is EnergySavings.com, which also allows you to enter your ZIP code to compare electricity rates and plans from multiple providers, including Tara Energy. These comparison websites often offer additional filters and features to help you narrow down the best plan for your household budget.
Texans Choose Their Electricity Company
While the Power to Choose tool provides the necessary information to choose the best Texas electricity rate, the responsibility is on you to read the small print before entering into any agreement. Make sure that you are getting the electric service you need on your own terms.
Reviewing those details may seem complex, but you don’t have to go at it alone. The tool gives you the freedom you need, and Tara Energy stands ready to be the energy partner you deserve. Take a moment to explore the variety of electricity plans available and find a competitively priced plan that suits your needs. We’re always here to help, so feel free to contact us!