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 provider, they handle the rest with the TDU.
Compare with your real usage
Don't shop on the advertised rate — it's the plan's average at exactly 1,000 kWh, where bill credits look their best. 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 reminder 30 days out (form below) so you have time to compare without the auto-renewal trap kicking in.
Place the order
Enroll with the new provider. 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 provider sends a final bill for usage through that date. New provider's billing starts from the switch date forward.
Locked in a contract?
We'll email you 30 days before it expires — your last 14 days are the free switch window, no early-termination fee.
Free — one reminder email at the right time, no spam.
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 providers 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 provider 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 provider'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 provider (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 provider 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 provider for usage through that date.
