How to Use Power to Choose: Texas Electricity Comparison Guide (2026)

Power to Choose (powertochoose.org) is the official electricity comparison website for Texas, operated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). It lists every residential electricity plan available from every licensed retail electric provider (REP) in your area — updated in real time. If you’re shopping for electricity in Texas and you’re not starting on Power to Choose, you’re leaving money on the table.

What Is Power to Choose?

Power to Choose launched in 2002 following Texas’s electricity deregulation. The PUCT created it as a neutral, government-operated comparison tool to help Texas consumers navigate the competitive retail electricity market. Unlike private comparison sites, Power to Choose does not earn referral commissions from REPs — it simply aggregates and displays all available plans so you can compare on a level playing field.

The site covers the ERCOT-managed electricity market, which serves approximately 90% of Texas (most of the state, excluding El Paso and parts of the Panhandle, which are served by other grid operators). Any licensed Texas REP is required to list their plans on Power to Choose.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Power to Choose

Step 1: Enter Your ZIP Code

Go to powertochoose.org and enter your ZIP code in the search bar. This filters results to plans available in your specific area and delivery utility (TDU) territory. Results for Dallas (Oncor) differ from Houston (CenterPoint), and it’s important to filter by your actual service location.

Step 2: Review the Plan List

Power to Choose displays plans sorted by price (lowest to highest at 1,000 kWh by default). Each listing shows the provider name, plan name, contract term, advertised rate, and renewable energy percentage. At a glance, you can see which plans are currently cheapest.

Don’t stop at the headline rate. The advertised rate is calculated at a specific usage level (usually 1,000 kWh), but your actual bill depends on your usage and the plan’s full rate structure.

Step 3: Click “Electricity Facts Label” for Any Plan You’re Considering

This is the most important step. Every plan on Power to Choose is required to publish an EFL (Electricity Facts Label) — a standardized one-page summary of the plan’s true pricing. The EFL shows:

• The price per kWh at 500 kWh, 1,000 kWh, and 2,000 kWh monthly usage
• Any monthly fees or minimum usage charges included in the calculation
• The contract length and early termination fee
• The renewable energy percentage of the electricity supply
• Any bill credits or usage-based rewards that affect pricing

Read the EFL at the usage level closest to your household’s actual monthly consumption. If you use 1,500 kWh per month on average, the rate at 1,000 kWh is misleading — look at where 1,500 falls relative to the 1,000 and 2,000 kWh figures.

Step 4: Watch for “Tiered” or “Bill Credit” Plan Structures

Some Texas electricity plans use pricing structures that look cheap on the surface but are designed to benefit the provider at typical usage levels. Common traps:

• Bill credit plans: Some plans advertise a very low rate but include a bill credit that only applies if you use exactly a specific amount (e.g., a $50 credit if you use between 1,000 and 2,000 kWh). Fall outside that range and the effective rate is much higher. These plans are clearly marked on the EFL but easy to miss in the headline comparison.
• Usage-threshold plans: Similar to bill credits, some plans show a rate that only applies above or below a usage threshold. Read all three usage-tier rates on the EFL.
• Introductory rates: Some plans have a low rate for the first few months that steps up afterward. This should be disclosed in the EFL and Terms of Service — read both.

Step 5: Check the “Show All Offers” Box

Power to Choose has a filter option that separates “featured” plans (which REPs pay a small fee to highlight) from the full plan list. Always check “Show All Offers” to see the complete picture. Some of the best-value plans don’t pay for featured placement and only appear in the unfiltered list.

Step 6: Compare Contract Terms

Electricity plans on Power to Choose are available in a range of contract lengths: month-to-month variable, 6-month, 12-month, 18-month, and 24-month fixed. Shorter contracts give you flexibility to switch when your term ends; longer contracts lock in today’s rate (good if rates rise, bad if rates fall). For most Texas households, a 12-month fixed-rate plan strikes the right balance between rate certainty and flexibility.

Step 7: Sign Up Directly with the REP

Power to Choose is a comparison tool only — it doesn’t process your actual enrollment. Once you’ve chosen a plan, click “Enroll” to go directly to the REP’s website to complete your sign-up. Have your address, account number (from your current utility bill), and payment method ready.

Pro Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Power to Choose

• Shop before your contract ends: Prices shift seasonally. Texas electricity rates typically peak in summer (high demand) and dip in fall and spring (lower demand). If your contract renews in August, shop in March or April when rates are softer.
• Calculate your actual usage: Check your last 12 months of electricity bills to find your average monthly kWh. This makes EFL rate comparison much more accurate.
• Read the Terms of Service: The EFL covers pricing basics, but the full Terms of Service discloses renewal terms, cancellation procedures, and other contract details. Download and review before signing.
• Verify the REP’s license: You can confirm any Texas REP’s license status on the PUCT’s online database. Licensed REPs are required to follow PUCT consumer protection rules.
• Compare the REP’s complaint history: The PUCT publishes a quarterly complaint report by REP. Checking it adds context when choosing between close competitors.

Power to Choose vs. Private Comparison Sites

Several private websites also aggregate Texas electricity plans. The key difference: private sites earn referral fees from REPs for enrollments, which can create incentives to feature higher-margin plans. Power to Choose, as a government-operated neutral tool, has no such conflict. Use Power to Choose as your primary comparison tool, and treat private comparison sites as a secondary reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Power to Choose free to use?

Yes. Power to Choose is a free, government-operated comparison tool provided by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. There is no cost to search, compare, or use the site to find electricity plans.

Does Power to Choose show all Texas electricity plans?

Licensed Texas REPs are required to list their residential plans on Power to Choose. However, REPs may offer promotional or exclusive plans directly on their own websites that don’t appear on Power to Choose. It’s worth checking a shortlist of REPs’ own sites in addition to Power to Choose for any exclusive offers.

Why are some plans “featured” on Power to Choose?

REPs can pay a fee to have their plans appear in a “featured” section at the top of search results. Featured plans are not necessarily better — they’ve paid for prominent placement. Always click “Show All Offers” to see the complete list of available plans.

How often does Power to Choose update its rates?

REPs are required to update their plan listings on Power to Choose whenever rates change. In practice, the site reflects near-real-time plan availability. Rates can change frequently, so shop with recent data.

Can I switch electricity suppliers without interrupting my service?

Yes. Switching retail electricity providers in Texas does not interrupt your electricity service. Your TDU (the wires company — Oncor, CenterPoint, etc.) continues delivering electricity regardless of which REP you’re enrolled with. There is no physical disconnection or service gap during a switch.

What if I’m in an apartment or have a landlord?

If your apartment is individually metered (you receive your own electricity bill), you can shop independently on Power to Choose. If your landlord pays the electricity bill and charges it back to you, you may not have the option to choose your own REP. Review your lease for clarity on who controls the electricity account.