How to switch electricity providers in Texas, step by step

By kWhCompare · Updated October 16, 2026 · 5 min read

To switch electricity providers in Texas, compare plans using your ESI ID and 12 months of usage history, pick a new retail electric provider, and sign up online or by phone. The switch takes about 1 to 5 business days, your power stays on the entire time, and you can cancel penalty-free within 3 federal business days after signing.

What you need before you switch electricity providers in Texas

Gather four things before you start shopping: your ESI ID, your usage history, your current contract's end date, and your early termination fee (if any). Having these ready makes the whole process faster and keeps you from picking a plan that doesn't fit your home.

• Your ESI ID. This 17-digit number identifies your meter and tells a new provider exactly where to send power. You'll find it on a past electric bill, or you can use our ESI ID lookup tool to find and decode it in seconds.
• Usage history. Pull your last 12 months of kWh usage from your current provider's online account or past bills. This lets you compare plans at your real usage level instead of guessing.
• Your current contract's end date and ETF. Check your Electricity Facts Label (EFL) or contract summary for the end date and any early termination fee, so you know whether switching now will cost you.
• Your service address. If you're moving, have proof of your new address ready, since that lets you switch without waiting for a contract to expire.

Not sure how to read the pricing on an EFL? Our guide on how to read an Electricity Facts Label in Texas breaks down every line.

Step-by-step: how to switch electricity providers in Texas

1. Find your ESI ID using a recent bill or the ESI ID lookup tool.
2. Compare plans at your usage level. Look at the EFL's price per kWh at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh, since rates often look different at each tier. Use a Texas electricity rate comparison to see current offers side by side.
3. Check your contract end date and ETF. If you're mid-contract and would owe a fee, decide if the new plan's savings outweigh it.
4. Choose a new retail electric provider (REP) and sign up. You can enroll online or by phone. You'll give your ESI ID, service address, and basic identity and billing information.
5. Confirm your start date. Most residential switches process within 1 to 5 business days because they're handled electronically through the grid operator's switching system, with no technician visit required.
6. Review your new EFL and Terms of Service once you receive them by email, and keep them in case you have questions later.
7. Let your old service end automatically. You don't need to call your old provider to cancel. The switch request itself ends your old service on the new start date.

Timing it right: the 14-day switch window

Texas lets you switch electricity providers without a penalty in two situations: within 14 days before a fixed-rate contract expires, or when you're moving and can show proof of your new address. Switching outside that window while still under contract usually triggers the early termination fee listed on your EFL.

If your contract is a few months from ending, it's worth marking the date and starting your comparison shopping about two weeks out. For a closer look at seasonal pricing patterns and the best month to lock in a new rate, see our guide on the best time to switch electricity providers in Texas.

The 3-day rescission period

After you sign up with a new provider, Texas gives you 3 federal business days to cancel the contract without penalty. This rescission period is a safety net if you find a better rate right after signing, spot something you missed on the EFL, or simply change your mind. To use it, contact the new provider directly and ask to rescind before the window closes.

Will your power go out when you switch?

No. In Texas, the company that owns the poles and wires, called the transmission and distribution utility (TDU), is completely separate from the retail electric provider (REP) that bills you. Switching REPs only changes who bills you for the electricity itself. The TDU keeps delivering power to your home the entire time, with no technician visit and no interruption.

Here's how delivery charges break down by TDU, which show up on every bill regardless of which REP you choose:

TDU rates update twice a year, on March 1 and September 1, and every REP's EFL already includes these charges in its advertised price. For a full breakdown of how these fees appear on your bill, see Texas TDU delivery charges by utility.

What happens to your old provider

Once you enroll with a new REP, the switch is submitted electronically and your old provider is notified automatically. You don't need to call and cancel yourself. Your old provider will send a final bill for the days you used their service, prorated to your switch date. If you're still under a fixed contract and switching outside the 14-day window or a qualifying move, that final bill may include the early termination fee from your EFL. Outside of that, there's no extra step and no gap in service.

Worked example: calculating your savings before you switch

Say your current plan's EFL shows an all-in price of 18.5¢/kWh at 1,000 kWh of usage, and you're comparing it against a new plan priced closer to the Texas average of 15.94¢/kWh.

• Current plan: 1,000 kWh × $0.185 = $185.00 per month
• New plan: 1,000 kWh × $0.1594 = $159.40 per month
• Monthly savings: $185.00 − $159.40 = $25.60
• Annual savings: $25.60 × 12 = $307.20

Always run this math at your own usage level, not just 1,000 kWh, since some plans have usage credits or tiered pricing that change the real cost at your home's typical draw. If you're unsure how many kWh your household uses, check our guide on how many kWh a house uses per month. And if you're deciding between locking in a rate or riding the market, our comparison of fixed vs variable electricity rates in Texas can help.

What to do next

Pull your ESI ID and last 12 months of usage, check your current contract's end date and ETF, then compare plans at your real usage level before you sign anything. Switching is free in most cases, your power never goes out during the process, and you have 3 business days to change your mind if needed.

Start by comparing current Texas electricity rates and plans, or browse rates in your specific city, including Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth, to see what a new provider could save you this month.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), rules on switching, rescission, and deposits (puc.texas.gov)
• U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential electricity rates and average bills (eia.gov)

Figures are checked against these sources when each guide is updated. See how we research and calculate. This guide is for general information and isn't financial advice.