GoodCharlie Blog

The Best Electric Companies in Central Texas

Written by Daryl Lawrence | Mar 2, 2023 7:41:59 PM

Central Texas is a huge area that encompasses a good portion of the state. Major cities like Austin, Fort Worth, Waco, and San Antonio, among many others, sit in the heart of Texas. Along with millions of people and dozens of attractions, there are also more than a hundred electric companies in central Texas. 

While having 100+ electric companies in central Texas means that you have lots of provider options, it also means that choosing the right company and plan is very difficult. It can take hours, if not days, to research every company and narrow down your options. Or, you can listen to the advice in this article and choose the best and most reliable electric company in central Texas by contacting us at GoodCharlie Energy.  

  1. How Does Electricity Work in Central Texas? 
  2. Who is the Cheapest Electric Company in Central Texas? 
  3. Is Cheaper Always Better? 
  4. What to Look for When Choosing Your Electric Company 
  5. Who is the Most Reliable Electric Company in Central Texas? 
  6.  

How Does Electricity Work in Central Texas? 

Electricity works the same way in central Texas as it does in other parts of the state. REPs purchase electricity from power-generating plants and sell it to residential and commercial customers. These same REPs also work with utility companies to ensure that electricity makes it from power plants to its destination. 

So, while you purchase electricity from REPs, they don't actually create it or deliver it to your home. Instead, they work together with power generators and TDUs to make that happen. 

You also have the option of choosing electricity that comes from several different resources in central Texas. These options include renewable resources, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy. In most cases, however, you can't choose the specific company that produces your electricity. Instead, you have the option of choosing between green energy from renewable resources or traditional energy from fossil fuels or nuclear power plants.  

Who is the Cheapest Electric Company in Central Texas? 

Electricity prices vary greatly depending on where you live in central Texas. In general, however, Frontier Energy and Express Energy offer the most affordable rates in Texas. On the surface at least. You see, REPs have a little pricing trick known as tiered rates. Here's how tiered rates work. 

Let's say you see an electricity plan with a listed rate of 10 cents/kWh. Seems too good to be true, right? That's probably because it is. While the rate is listed at 10 cents/kWh, this only applies depending on how much electricity you use. 

Most electricity plans in central Texas are based on using 2,000 kWh of power. Therefore, the only time you'll actually pay 10 cents/kWh is if you use a minimum of 2,000 kWh of electricity. If you use less than that amount, you could pay anywhere from 12 to 20 cents, depending on the terms and conditions of your contract. 

Is Cheaper Always Better? 

As you can see from the example above, a cheaper electric company definitely isn't always better. Oftentimes, people end up paying double what they anticipate simply because they don't know how to choose the right electricity plan. 

What to Look for When Choosing Your Electric Company 

Because cheaper isn't always better, there are a few other qualities you should look for when you're evaluating electric companies in central Texas. 

Reputation 

Few things are as important when choosing your electricity plan as the reputation of the company from whom you're purchasing it. Reputation is everything when it comes to REPs, and it's important to choose a company with integrity and transparency. Otherwise, you'll quickly find yourself paying much more than you anticipated for your electricity plan. 

At GoodCharlie Energy, we have a reputation for caring about more than the bottom dollar, and we prove it with the benefits we offer. You'll learn more in the next sections about our rewards and benefits. 

Electricity Facts and Labels Sheet 

Most of what you need to know about an electricity plan can be found in the electricity facts and labels sheet. The EFL, as it's better known, has the tiered rates, perks and benefits, terms and conditions, and hidden rates and fees of your plan. 

Perks and Benefits 

Another thing you'll find in the EFL is all the perks and benefits that a power company offers. Most REPs like to reward their customers by offering them additional perks when they sign up for a long-term electricity plan. At GoodCharlie, the rewards we offer on top of outstanding rates include the following. 

  • 24/7 emergency vet video access 
  • A $750 pet emergency fund 
  • Monthly donations to local pet shelters 

 

As you can see, GoodCharlie cares about more than just the bottom dollar, and most of what we do is dedicated to making Texas the best place for pets and humans to live together. 

Hidden Fees

Finally, you should always check your electricity plan for hidden fees. This includes early termination fees, overcharge fees, underuse fees, and many more. Many REPs use hidden fees as a way to make extra money when they aren't getting enough from the electricity rate alone. At GoodCharlie Energy, we have a standard early-termination fee when you cancel your contract before its end date. However, this rate is in plain sight for all of our customers. 

In addition to these qualities, price should still play a factor in your final decision. As long as there isn't a huge discrepancy between the tiered rates, you can rest assured that you're getting a good electricity plan. 

Who is the Most Reliable Electric Company in Central Texas? 

If you haven't figured it out yet, GoodCharlie Energy is one of the best and most reliable electric companies in central Texas. In addition to offering outstanding fixed-rate electricity plans with top-notch perks and benefits, we have one of the best customer service departments in the state. Each of our customer service employees are local Texans who are familiar with the electricity market in central Texas and who know exactly what you're going through. 

If you don't want to take our word for it, just look at our Google and customer reviews. We have one of the best reputations in Texas, and we're often viewed as one of the best, newest electric companies in central Texas. Contact us to learn more or to sign up for an electricity plan.