1. You used more electricity than usual
Most high bills are explained by usage, not rates. Summer heat wave? Cold snap? Guest staying for two weeks? New appliance running 24/7? Pull up your bill and find the kWh used. Compare to the same month last year. If kWh is significantly higher, the question isn't the plan — it's what changed in your house.
Most common causes of a kWh spike: HVAC running more (heatwave or a tuneup needed), a second fridge/freezer, an electric water heater thermostat creeping up, new hot tub/pool/EV charger, or a door seal that's failing.
2. Your contract ended and you rolled to a higher rate
Fixed-rate contracts expire. If you don't act, most REPs automatically move you to a month-to-month variable rate — often significantly higher than what you were paying. Check your last bill: what's the rate per kWh? Compare to what you signed up for. If they differ, your contract likely ended.
Fix: shop a new plan and switch. You'll save $30-$100 a month for most homes.
3. A bill credit didn't trigger
If you're on a plan with a usage-based bill credit ("Free $100 when you use 1,000+ kWh"), missing the threshold by a single kWh means zero credit. You pay the high base rate on every kWh you did use. This is the single biggest gotcha in Texas electricity pricing.
Fix: check your plan's EFL for the credit threshold. If you're a light user or have variable usage, switch to a flat-rate plan.
4. A minimum-usage fee hit
Some plans charge $5-10 in months where you use less than 1,000 kWh. It's in the EFL fine print. Spring and fall in Texas are the usual triggers — mild weather, AC off, kWh drops, fee appears.
5. Estimated meter read
If the TDU couldn't get an actual meter reading (bad weather, meter access issue), they estimate based on your history. A high estimate now means a low true-up later — or vice versa. Check your bill for "estimated read" language.
6. A rate change you missed
On variable-rate plans, the REP can change the rate with 30-60 days notice. That notice usually shows up as a paper bill insert or an email line most people don't read. Check any communications from your REP in the last 90 days.
7. A billing error
Rare but real. Wrong tier applied, math error, meter multiplier off. If the first six don't explain it, call your REP and ask for a bill audit. You have the right to one.
What to do right now
First, look at kWh used and compare to last year's same month. That alone usually tells you the story. If kWh is in line with history but the dollar amount is up, the issue is rate-side — which means shopping a new plan will fix it. See every plan on your meter at your actual usage.