GoodCharlie Blog

How to Get the Best Electricity Rates in Texas

Written by Daryl Lawrence | Apr 26, 2023 2:26:06 PM

Thanks to economic instability and rising inflation rates, it's more important now than ever to pinch pennies and save money wherever possible. Rather than cutting back on groceries, food, water, and other essentials, you should try to save money on your monthly power bill. While turning off the lights and unplugging certain appliances is a good start, the best way to save money on electricity is to find an electricity plan with low, affordable rates. 

Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done. There are more than 130 retail electric providers in Texas, which makes it extremely difficult to compare plans and choose the best option. If you want to know how to get the best electricity rates in Texas and save time and money in the process, you've come to the right place. 

  1. Why Do Electricity Companies Have Different Electricity Rates? 
  2. What is a Good Rate Per kWh in Texas? 
  3. How Can I Lower My Electric Bill in Texas? 
  4. How to Get the Best Electricity Rates in Texas 
  5. Which Electricity Company Has the Best Rates in the State? 

 

Why Do Electricity Companies Have Different Electricity Rates? 

Depending on where you live in Texas, electricity companies can charge whatever rate they please. This is possible thanks to deregulation, which means that electricity rates and companies in 80% of Texas aren't regulated by government officials. 

 

While deregulation in Texas has resulted in a competitive and sometimes confusing electricity market, it gives Texans a chance to save money on their power bill because they have the power to choose their provider. However, in the same way that choosing the right provider will save you money, choosing the wrong provider could cost you big time. 

What is a Good Rate Per kWh in Texas? 

Because of how big and spread out Texas is, your electricity rate will differ depending on your location. Certain parts of Texas have average electricity rates of 11 cents/kWh, while other parts have rates of 14 cents/kWh. Overall, the average electricity rate is between 12 and 13 cents/kWh, but you can spend much less or more than this, depending on your electricity plan. 

 

How Can I Lower My Electric Bill in Texas? 

As we said before, there are several ways that you can lower your electricity bill in Texas. 

  1. Turning off the lights when you leave the house or a certain room. 
  2. Unplugging appliances that consume electricity even when you aren't using them. 
  3. Upgrading your HVAC system by installing heating and cooling appliances that are more efficient than what you have now. 
  4. Closing the shades during the day when it's hot outside. 
  5. Installing window coverings or planting large trees and shrubs for extra shade around and inside your home. 
  6. Installing a smart thermostat. 
  7. Ensure that your home is insulated properly and efficiently. 
  8. Contacting us at GoodCharlie Energy to lock yourself into an affordable, long-term contract with a fixed rate and outstanding benefits. 

 

While being responsible and proactive is a great way to save money on electricity, finding an affordable plan with a reliable company is the best way to save money. 

 

How to Get the Best Electricity Rates in Texas 

Now that you know that the best way to save money on your power bill is to find an affordable rate, let's look at how to get the best electricity rates in Texas. In general, you have three options for finding a quality plan with an affordable rate. 

The Power to Choose Website 

The first way to choose an affordable electricity plan is to use the Power to Choose website. Powertochoose.org is a website that was created by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of Texas. The goal of the website was to create a database of all the retail electric providers in the state, their plans, and their rates. 

Powertochoose.org is a free tool that's available to all Texans regardless of where you live. While it's an effective way to compare electricity plans and companies, the website is clunky, outdated, and still involves a ton of manual research. 

An Electricity Comparison Website 

If you want to take a step up from the power to choose website, you can utilize a privately-owned website that compares electricity plans in your area. These websites, known as electricity comparison tools, are typically managed by REPs that operate throughout the state or entire nation. 

Because electricity comparison websites are privately owned and funded, they're often more comprehensive and easy to navigate. However, it's important to watch out for these websites because they don't always show all of the plans and companies in your area. Instead, many of them have deals with select providers and display only their plans. Therefore, while electricity comparison tools are easy, convenient, and typically result in affordable electricity rates, they don't always have the best plans in your area. 

An Electricity Concierge Service

The third and final way to get the best electricity rates in Texas is to use an electricity concierge service. While concierge services are similar to comparison tools, they have one major difference. Comparison tools compile a list of electricity plans in your area in a way that's easy to read and understand so that you can choose your own plan. 

Concierge services, on the other hand, choose your electricity plan for you. They do this based on your location, average monthly usage, and electricity source preferences. The concierge service will then manage your electricity plan, handle re-enrollment, and switch you to a new plan if a better option becomes available. 

While concierge services are easy and convenient, they don't always choose the best electricity plan for your needs. They can't take everything into consideration that you would when choosing a plan and sometimes lock you into bad, long-term contracts. 

Which Electricity Company Has the Best Rates in the State? 

If you don't want to use comparison tools, concierge services, or the PTC website but still want to know how to get the best electricity rates in Texas, contact us GoodCharlie Energy. We're one of the newest and best electricity providers in Texas. Although we've only been a REP for a short time, we have a sterling reputation and a team of experienced electricity pros. 

In addition to affordable, high-quality fixed-rate electricity plans, we also have one of the most unique mission statements and rewards packages in the business. Our ultimate goal is to make Texas a no-kill state and the best place for a dog to live. To that end, each of our rewards when you sign up goes to benefit the dogs and cats of Texas. Contact us to learn more or to make the switch to GoodCharlie Energy today!