Blog

• Texans Overpaid About $480 a Year for Electricity, a New Report Says. Here Are 5 Plan Tricks to Check on Your Own Bill

  October 7, 2026

  A 2026 Retail Energy Revealed report claims Texas retail-choice households overpaid about $4 billion in 2024. Here's what the report says, what the industry says back, and the five plan mechanics to check on your own Electricity Facts Label.

• Your Texas Electricity Contract Is About to Expire: The Holdover-Rate Trap (and the 14-Day Window)

  September 29, 2026

  When a Texas fixed-rate electricity contract ends and you do nothing, you roll onto a month-to-month default plan that is often priced above what you'd get by shopping. Here's how expiration notices work, when the early termination fee goes away, and what to do before your end date.

• How to Switch Texas Electricity Plans Without Getting Burned

  September 17, 2026

  Switching electricity providers in Texas is faster and lower-risk than most people assume — but a few timing and comparison mistakes can cost you. Here's how to do it cleanly.

• How TDU Delivery Charges Work (and Why They're Not Optional)

  September 8, 2026

  TDU delivery charges show up on every Texas electricity bill no matter which plan you pick. Here's what they actually pay for, and why no provider can make them disappear.

• Why Your Texas Electric Bill Spikes in July and August

  September 3, 2026

  Texas summer bills don't just creep up — they jump. Here's what's actually driving the spike, and the upper-threshold trap that can cost you a bill credit you were counting on.

• What Is Smart Meter Texas and How Do You Use It?

  August 25, 2026

  Smart Meter Texas is the free portal that shows exactly how much electricity your home uses, in 15-minute detail. Here's what it is, what data it gives you, and how to set up an account.

• What Happens If You Use Less Than 1,000 kWh on a Bill-Credit Plan?

  August 17, 2026

  Falling short of your Texas electricity plan's usage threshold doesn't just cost you a bill credit — it can also trigger a separate minimum-usage fee. Here's how the two interact and what to check on your own EFL.

• Is a Solar Buyback Plan Actually a Good Deal in Texas?

  August 15, 2026

  Texas doesn't have statewide net metering, so 'solar buyback' is really a patchwork of REP-specific rates and rules. Here's what actually determines whether one pays off.

• What Is a Minimum-Usage Fee — and How to Avoid It

  August 11, 2026

  A minimum-usage fee is a flat charge some Texas electricity plans add when you use too little power in a month. Here's how it works and how to steer clear of it.

• Free Nights & Weekends in Texas: Is the 'Free' Actually Free?

  August 4, 2026

  Free nights and weekends plans are everywhere in Texas. Here's the math providers don't put in the headline — and how to check if one would actually save you money.

• How Many kWh Do You Need to Hit Your Texas Bill Credit?

  August 3, 2026

  Bill-credit electricity plans in Texas pay out only if you cross a specific usage threshold. Here's how those thresholds typically work and where to find your exact number.

• How to Read a Texas Electricity Facts Label (EFL) Line by Line

  July 27, 2026

  Every Texas electricity plan comes with an Electricity Facts Label. Here's what each section actually means, and which lines determine whether you'll hit a bill credit or eat a fee.

• I Missed My $100 Bill Credit by 7 kWh — Here's How to Never Do It Again

  July 26, 2026

  A Texas electricity bill-credit plan can hand back $100 a month — or nothing at all, depending on a threshold most people never see. Here's the exact math from my own bill, and how to stop missing it.