Will my power go out during a commercial switch?

No. The TDU keeps the meter energized; only the billing entity changes. Critical-load businesses sometimes coordinate the switch date with their REP to avoid edge-case meter-read issues.

Can I switch mid-contract?

Yes, but you'll pay the ETF specified in your existing agreement. For accounts under 50 kW peak demand, ETFs are usually a small fraction of total spend; for large commercial, they can be substantial.

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Business · Switch providers

How Long Does It Take to Switch Business Electricity?

Most commercial switches take 1-3 business days on the TDU side, same as residential. The variable is contract structure — most commercial agreements have early termination fees that scale with remaining term and contracted demand.

Updated May 2026 Enri Zhulati 2 min read

Enri Zhulati 2 min read 221 words

The timeline

New REP files the switch request → TDU schedules a meter read → service transfers on the read date. Commercial customers often have a 30-60 day notice period in their existing contract; check your agreement before signing a new one.

Calculating ETF

Commercial ETFs are usually expressed as a per-kW or per-kWh charge multiplied by remaining months. Run the math: estimated savings × remaining months vs. ETF amount. For deregulated mid-market accounts, switching mid-contract pays off when the spread is more than 1.5¢/kWh.

Best time to switch

Within the renewal window (typically 60-90 days before contract end) — no ETF, full negotiating leverage. Spring (April-May) and fall (October-November) usually see the best wholesale prices, so REPs offer better terms then.

The Bottom Line

Talk to a commercial advisor

Frequently asked.

Will my power go out during a commercial switch?: No. The TDU keeps the meter energized; only the billing entity changes. Critical-load businesses sometimes coordinate the switch date with their REP to avoid edge-case meter-read issues.
Can I switch mid-contract?: Yes, but you'll pay the ETF specified in your existing agreement. For accounts under 50 kW peak demand, ETFs are usually a small fraction of total spend; for large commercial, they can be substantial.

Editorial Standards

How we research and review.

Independently researched. Every claim is verified against primary sources (PUCT, ERCOT, EFLs).
No paid placement. Rankings are never influenced by advertising or referral compensation.
Reviewed by Enri Zhulati, Consumer Advocate. Plan data is pulled live from the electricrates.org API on every build and cross-checked against the EFL each REP publishes.

Read our full standards

Enri Zhulati

Consumer Advocate

Enri knows the regulations, the fine print, and the tricks some retail electricity providers use. He's spent nearly a decade learning how to spot hidden fees, misleading teaser rates, and contracts that sound good but cost more. He writes the guides that show you what they're hiding — his goal is to help Texans avoid the traps and find plans that actually save money.

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Sources

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) — Commercial Rate Filings
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) — Wholesale Market Reports
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) — Texas Industrial Electricity Data
ComparePower.com — Real-Time Plan & Rate Database

Sources are cited for informational purposes. Data may have been updated since publication.

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