Get started · Switching
Switch electricity providers in Texas
Same meter. Same wires. New company on the bill. Switching takes 1-3 business days with zero service interruption — and most Texans overpay because they never bother.
How switching works
In Texas's deregulated market, switching providers is a paperwork swap — the wires don't move. You authorize the new REP, they handle the rest with the TDU.
Compare with your real usage
Don't shop on the advertised rate at 2,000 kWh. Sort plans by what you'll actually pay at your home's usage. Bill credits and minimum-usage thresholds change the picture.
Watch your contract end date
Switch within 14 days of expiration to avoid early termination fees. Set a calendar reminder 30 days out so you have time to compare without the auto-renewal trap kicking in.
Place the order
Enroll with the new REP. They file a switch request with the TDU. Old service closes automatically on the switch date — no separate cancellation needed.
Confirm + final bill
TDU performs a meter read on the switch date (typically 1-3 business days out). Old REP sends a final bill for usage through that date. New REP's billing starts from the switch date forward.
Best time to switch
Two windows matter. Pick the one that fits your situation.
Window 1
Last 14 days of your contract
Texas law requires REPs to send a renewal notice. Once you're inside the 14-day window, no early termination fee. Switch now or get auto-rolled into a month-to-month variable plan that's typically 30-50% more expensive.
Action: Compare plans 30-45 days before contract end. Pull the trigger inside the 14-day window.
Window 2
Right after a rate hike on a variable plan
Variable plans can change rates monthly. If your bill jumped, you have no contract holding you. Switch immediately to a fixed-rate plan to lock in a known cost for 12-36 months.
Action: If you're on a variable rate and getting bill shock, switch this week.
Overcoming switch holds
A switch hold is a TDU-level block on a meter. The TDU won't process a switch request until the hold is cleared. Most are inherited from a previous tenant's unpaid balance.
To clear it:
- Call the previous REP for the address. Get the unpaid balance amount.
- Pay it (or dispute it if it's not yours — you may need to provide lease documents proving you weren't responsible for that period).
- The TDU receives the cleared notice within 1-2 business days. Once the hold is released, you can switch.
If the TDU is Oncor, you can check switch hold status by calling 1-888-313-4747. CenterPoint: 1-800-332-7143. AEP Texas: 1-866-223-8508. TNMP: 1-888-866-7456.
Switch in your city
City-specific switching guides with local TDU info, top plans, and average rates.
FAQ
- How long does it take to switch providers?
- Standard meter read: 1-3 business days. Same-day switch if you order before the REP's cutoff (usually 4-5 PM Central). No service interruption — same wires, same meter, just a new bill from a different company.
- Will my power go out during a switch?
- No. The TDU (Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, TNMP) keeps the wires energized through the switch. The only thing that changes is who reads your meter and bills you.
- When is the best time to switch?
- When your current contract is within 14 days of expiring (no early termination fee), or right after a rate hike on a variable plan. Don't wait until your contract auto-renews — providers default expiring contracts to month-to-month variable rates that are usually 30-50% higher.
- What if I have an early termination fee?
- Crunch the math: ETF amount vs. monthly savings on the new plan × months remaining. Sometimes paying the ETF still nets you savings. We flag plans where the savings cover an ETF in 1-3 months.
- What is a switch hold and how do I clear it?
- A switch hold is a TDU lock placed on a meter for unpaid balances at that address — usually inherited from a prior tenant. Pay the balance to the previous REP (or get them to release it), and the TDU clears the hold within 1-2 business days. Then you can switch.
- Do I need to cancel my old service?
- No. The new REP files a switch request with the TDU on your behalf. Your old account closes automatically on the switch date. You'll get a final bill from the old REP for usage through that date.
