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How to Switch Electricity Providers in Texas
Comprehensive guide to switching electricity providers
8 minute read • Last update July 2026
Whether your plan is coming to an end, you’re moving, or you simply want a new plan, here’s everything you need to know about switching electricity providers in Texas.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Switching providers in Texas is only possible in deregulated areas of the state (ex: DFW, Houston)
- Timing matters to avoid early termination fees, switch in the last 14 days to avoid penalty
- Switching is simple: review your current plan, compare new plans, then submit an application
- Your TDU company will stay the same (aka you cannot switch away from Oncor or CenterPoint unless you’re moving)
- Make sure you do not have unpaid or outstanding balances before you try to switch
What to know before you switch energy providers
Keep these general rules of thumb in mind before you switch electricity companies in Texas:
- Fixed-rate electricity plans generally have an early termination fee if you decide to cancel too soon, check your EFL for more details on how much you can expect to pay
- You do not have to pay an early termination fee in the last 14 days of your fixed-rate plan, and there are no early termination fees ever on variable rate plans
- If you don’t choose a new plan before your current plan expires, your provider is required to move you to a default month-to-month plan
- You may not be able to switch providers if you have unpaid bills or an outstanding account balance
How to switch electricity companies
Here’s how to switch your electricity provider in Texas:
1. Check your current contract details to find your plan end date and early termination fee
- If you’re in the last 14 days of your current plan, you will not be subject to an early termination fee.
- If you’re not in the last 14 days of your current plan, you may be required to pay an early termination fee. Look for your ETF on your plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL).
2. Compare rates and plans online
- Visit PowerToChoose.org, search directly on a provider site like bkvenergy.com, or another comparison site.
- Look at the EFLs to find the energy charge and average price per kWh at 500, 1000, and 2000 kWh.
- Use your home’s actual historical usage to estimate bills and determine which plan makes the most sense for your budget.
3. Submit an enrollment application with the new provider
- You will need to provide your contact information and service address.
- Your new energy provider will handle the rest, including notifying your old company.
Should you switch energy providers?
There are a few common reasons that Texans switch energy providers:
- Your electricity bills are too expensive
- Your current plan is about to expire
- Your plan has expired, and you’ve rolled to an expensive month-to-month variable-rate plan
- Your current plan has hidden fees like base charges or minimum usage fees
- Your current plan has gimmicky bill credits or time-of-use terms
- You’ve found a much cheaper rate
- You’re moving to a new home
- You want better customer service
When is the best time to switch providers?
Typically, the best time of year to switch electricity providers is in the spring or fall because reduced grid demand often leads to lower rates.
It’s important to note these rules from the Public Utility Commission of Texas:
- Switch in the last 14 days of your contract to avoid paying an early termination fee.
- Providers are required to send a 30-day expiration notice for your current plan. Many will send notifications 90, 60, 30, and 15 days before your plan ends.
- Moving is a great time to switch. If you move outside of your provider’s service area, you do not have to pay an early termination fee.
If you wait too long and your current plan expires, your electricity provider is legally required to move your account to a default month-to-month plan with an expensive variable rate.
When you shouldn’t switch providers
There are a couple scenarios where you should avoid switching electricity providers:
- Cancelling so early that you’re required to pay an expensive early termination fee (ETF)
- Switching providers when market prices are high and your rate would increase
- If you have an active switch hold on your account, your utility will prevent you from switching
- If you’re happy with your current provider and they are offering good renewal rate options
We built a calculator to help Texans determine whether the early termination fee is worth paying.
Enter your current price, the price of the new plan, and your early termination fee. The calculator will return your estimated monthly savings if you switch plans, and how many months it would take for those savings to outweigh the cost of the early termination fee.
What happens after you switch electric providers?
After you switch electric providers…
- Your new provider notifies your old provider and your TDU
- The switch will likely take 3-7 business days unless you’ve selected same-day service
- You’ll receive a confirmation notice from your new provider acknowledging your enrollment, along with the EFL, Terms of Service, and Your Rights as a Customer documentation.
- Your old provider will send your final bill, including any outstanding balances or credits owed.
- Your new provider will start providing electricity to your home on the date specified in your enrollment confirmation.
If you have questions or concerns, contact your new provider’s customer service department for assistance.
Can you switch electricity providers in Texas?
Yes, you can switch electricity providers in Texas if you live in a deregulated region of the state.
About 85-90% of Texans live in a deregulated utility region, meaning they have the power to choose who supplies their home’s electricity.
In regulated cities, Texans are not able to choose their provider.
- Deregulated Cities: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Odessa, Midland, San Angelo, Abilene, and more
- Regulated Cities: Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, The Woodlands, College Station, and San Marcos.
To check your city’s status, enter your zip code on our website. If our plans are available in your area, that means you have the power to choose!
What switching electricity providers really means
It’s important to understand that switching providers only changes who bills you for electricity and how much you pay per kWh for the energy charge portion of your bill.
Switching providers does not change who delivers your power.
This is because your bill includes charges from two separate entities: Residential Electricity Providers (REPs) and Transmission and Distribution Utilities (TDUs).
| Residential electricity provider (REP) | Transmission and distribution utility (TDU) | |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Purchase wholesale electricity from power plants across the state, sell electricity to customers, and handle billing | Deliver power to homes and businesses, responsible for the maintenance and management of energy infrastructure (power lines, transformers, etc.) |
| Can you switch? | You can switch REPs whenever you want, but you may have to pay an early termination fee | You cannot switch TDUs unless you are moving to a different service region |
| How do they charge you? | Energy Charge in cents per kWh | Delivery Charge in cents per kWh and a flat monthly fee |
In-depth guide to switching providers
Step 1: Review your current contract and plan details
Before you begin your search for a new energy provider, it’s important to evaluate the details of your current plan and contract.
You can find this information on your Electricity Facts Label (EFL).
- Energy charge: What you pay per kWh to your electricity provider.
- Base charge: A monthly fee added to every bill. You’ll want to avoid this on your new plan.
- Minimum usage fee: A fee added to your bill when you don’t use “enough” electricity. Your new plan shouldn’t have these fees.
- TDU charges: What you pay to your regional utility (ex: CenterPoint or Oncor) for management and maintenance of energy infrastructure.
- Expiration date: When your contract ends.
- Early termination fee: What you’d need to pay for terminating your current plan outside the 14-day window allowed by the PUCT.
For example, you’ll have the option to choose between simple fixed rates and time-of-use plans.
You’ll use your energy charge as a baseline to compare to your new plan. Ideally, your energy charge would stay about the same or drop, although market conditions may not allow for this.
If you have hidden fees like base charges or minimum usage fees on your current plan, we recommend looking for one without those extra costs.
Step 2: Compare rates and plans
Start researching electricity providers and comparing plans. Along the way, watch out for misleading gimmicks and hidden fees, such as:
- Time-of-use, like free nights and free weekends
- Bill credits
- Base charges
- Minimum usage fees
- EV charging plans
Many providers try to lure customers in with promotions, like free nights or weekends, low introductory rates that increase after a certain period, or plans with high usage thresholds.
On the surface, these plans seem great, but they aren’t for everyone.
Pay close attention to the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to understand what the company means by “free” and whether or not you’ll benefit from the incentive.
| Simple fixed-rate plans | Time-of-use plans |
|---|---|
| Simple fixed rates are electricity pricing plans where the rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity remains the same regardless of the time of day. In other words, the price you pay for electricity is constant, and you are charged the same rate for each unit of electricity you use. These plans are the easiest to understand and don’t require customers to meet specific usage requirements in order to get a good rate. | Time-of-use plans offer different rates for electricity consumption based on the time of day. You often pay more per kWh during peak demand and less during off-peak demand. If you consume electricity during peak hours, you will pay more per kWh than during off-peak hours. The advertised average price appears lower, but it is difficult to shift a majority of your usage to off-peak hours and bills can end up much higher than you’d expect. |
If you have trouble making sense of it all, speak to a knowledgeable provider, like BKV Energy.
Our customer service team can evaluate your current bill, talk you through the ins and outs of various plans, and provide an honest assessment of our plans to help you find the best rates and plans according to your lifestyle.
Other factors to consider
You should also consider these factors before making a decision:
- Loyalty programs (that can reduce your bill in the long term)
- Customer service
- Company values
- The company’s commitment to the community
Step 3: Find your historical kWh usage to estimate future bill amounts
Find your historical kWh consumption from previous bill documents or Smart Meter Texas. Combine the usage and potential plan details from the Electricity Facts Label to calculate future bills with an electricity bill calculator.
This will help you determine what you might expect to pay on a new plan.
Step 4: Gather necessary documents (if applicable)
In most cases, no documents are required to switch energy providers. If you are moving, you may need to present proof of relocation to avoid a contract breakage fee.
It’s a good idea to have proof of identification ready in case you are asked to verify your identity.
Step 5: Make the switch
Once you’ve selected a new energy provider, the process to make the switch is very simple.
- Visit the new provider’s website or call them
- Select a plan
- Enter your account information
- Select a start date
- Submit the signup form
Your new provider will handle the rest of the process, including notifying your current provider and arranging for the switch to take place.
That’s it! After completing these steps, you will have successfully switched to a new energy provider in Texas.
The pros and cons of switching energy providers
Is switching electricity companies worth it? Whether or not it’s worth switching providers will depend on the needs of your household.
| Pros of switching providers | Cons of switching providers |
|---|---|
| Get a cheaper rate and save money | May be required to pay an early termination fee |
| Escape a gimmicky plan with hidden fees | Electricity shopping can be a stressful task |
| Get more reliable customer service | Many electricity shopping websites are designed to confuse you |
| Switch to a plan with better benefits | Switching at the wrong time can cost you (like over the summer) |
| No interruption to your home’s power | It’s easy to fall into misleading plans |
Bear in mind that even a small savings on your energy charge will add up quickly over the year, so comparing providers is always a useful exercise.
Of course, there are other benefits to switching providers aside from cost savings.
One of the most significant reasons why consumers consider switching to electricity companies is to obtain better service. While utility companies (also known as transmission and distribution utilities, or TDUs) are responsible for delivering electricity, retail energy providers manage the customer experience.
A new energy company could provide better customer service and more reliable billing. Do your research and read reviews before making a switch.
Does the provider you are considering have a good reputation for responsiveness and helpfulness? Are they willing to assist you when you’re experiencing a financial crisis?
Some providers, like BKV Energy, prioritize customer service and offer assistance through email, phone, chat, SMS, and even social media to support their customers; others are far more hands-off, and some even charge for access to customer support!
Frequently asked questions about switching providers
Can you switch power companies in Texas?
Yes, thanks to the deregulated energy market, consumers in Texas have the power to choose their electricity provider.
How long does it take to switch electric providers in Texas?
Switching energy at an established address is a very quick process. The switch typically takes around 3-7 business days to complete, but it can take up to 2-4 weeks in some cases, such as when a new meter has to be installed.
Can you switch electricity suppliers at any time?
Yes, consumers in Texas can switch electricity suppliers at any time. However, you may incur fees or penalties.
How easy is it to switch electric providers in Texas?
Switching electric providers in Texas is relatively easy and can be done online or over the phone in a few simple steps. If you’re under a current contract with a provider, you will usually be responsible for any early termination fees when switching, unless you are moving.
How do you switch electric companies in Texas?
To switch electric companies in Texas, you need to compare plans and rates, select a new provider, and then contact them to start the switch. Be sure your contract has ended or you’ve accounted for early termination fees in your total costs. If you’re moving to a new address, you can see if your provider has service there or you can exit your contract without early termination fees.
Can I switch my utility company in Texas?
In Texas’s deregulated electricity market, customers can switch their REP (retail electricity provider) at any time. However, the utilities that own and maintain the grid own large patches of it, so your utility carrier will not change unless you move out of its territory.
Ready to switch? Choose BKV Energy
Switching electric companies in Texas is easier than you may think.
Sure, it requires a little research and shopping around to find the best possible provider, but the money you can save on your bill every month (and the peace of mind you’ll have knowing you have a supplier that is always ready to assist you) will make the entire process worth your while.
If you are interested in changing electricity providers, get in touch with BKV Energy. There are no hidden fees, no vague terms, no rate surprises, and no gimmicks. Just honest, reliable energy at affordable rates.
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