An energy provider, also known as an energy supplier, Competitive Retail Electric Service provider (CRES), or retail energy provider (REP) depending on your state, is a company that buys electricity from the wholesale market and sells it to consumers like you at retail prices they set.

Power utilities are responsible for maintaining and operating the infrastructure that delivers energy. They own the electrical wires, poles, and other hardware that transport electricity to your home. Known as a Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP), a Transmission & Distribution Utility (TDU), or an Electric Distribution Utility (EDU) depending on your state, the utility ensures electricity travels from generators to your residence. They maintain grid reliability and are tasked with restoring power if there is an outage in your area. Utilities are specific to certain regions and are not selectable by consumers. Therefore, regardless of your chosen electricity plan or supplier, your utility remains unchanged.

Energy brokers are intermediaries who help businesses and consumers secure energy supply contracts from providers at competitive rates. They have expertise in the energy market, enabling them to negotiate favorable terms and prices on behalf of their clients. Unlike energy suppliers, brokers do not sell energy directly; instead, they facilitate the procurement process between buyers and sellers. Their role is especially valuable in deregulated markets, where they assist clients in navigating complex energy options and pricing structures.

Some energy brokers offer their services to customers for free and earn their fees from energy providers once contracts are finalized. Alternatively, other brokers may charge a monthly fee directly to customers. Customers should select brokers that best suit their individual needs and preferences.

Energy deregulation introduces open competition into energy markets, empowering consumers with the ability to choose their own energy supplier. Not every state is deregulated, therefore not everyone can choose their own energy supplier. It depends on the state and area they live in.

Comparing energy plans can be a challenging task, which is why LowerEBill simplifies the process for you. Simply enter your address or zip code, and we will take care of the rest. We gather information about available energy offers in your area, analyze your household and personal usage profile, and recommend the most suitable energy plan for you. If you're interested in exploring more options, we provide a clear, apples-to-apples comparison based on your usage data, allowing you to select the electricity plan and provider that best meets your needs. Our goal is to make finding the ideal plan straightforward and effortless for you.

Rest assured; your service will continue without interruption. Depending on the state and specific area where your property is located, you will either be automatically transferred to a new provider or directly to your utility. There will be no disruptions to your electricity service.

With a fixed-rate plan, your energy price and contract terms remain constant throughout the duration of the agreement. This stability ensures that your rates won’t increase, even if wholesale electricity prices rise due to severe weather conditions or unexpected events. Fixed-rate plans can last from three months to five years and generally involve a credit check, may require a deposit, and usually include an early termination fee. Conversely, a variable-rate plan allows your rate to vary each month based on market price fluctuations. This exposes you to potential rate increases when market prices rise, but you might also benefit from lower rates when prices drop. However, be mindful that your rates could significantly increase during periods of high usage. Variable-rate plans offer the flexibility of no early termination fees, the freedom to switch providers anytime, and the potential for lower costs, but they also carry a higher risk compared to fixed-rate plans.

Indexed electricity plans mean that your electricity rate is linked to a different variable. Some providers connect the rate to a publicly available index like the NYMEX natural gas price; others might base it on factors such as the time of day or day of the week. The specific variable used to determine your rate should be clearly outlined in your contract. However, it's important to note that not all markets offer indexed plans. While these plans can offer significant benefits, they can also be challenging to manage as they often require careful monitoring to maximize savings and ensure you are charged correctly.

The Electricity Companies or Retail Energy Providers are selling a variety of “Free Energy” plans targeting residential electricity customers across Texas. These plans have become very popular in all parts of Texas especially Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth. The question most residential electricity customers are asking is, “Are Free Electricity Plans a Good Deal for Me?” The answer for most residential electricity customers is, NO! The large Energy Companies simply charge a higher than market rate for their non-free hours to cover the cost of electricity used during “Free” hours. Since weekends only account for about 27% of total weekly hours, most customers’ electricity bill will be substantially higher on a “Free Electricity” Plan than if they signed up for a competitive fixed price. There is a very small percentage of residential electricity customers who can take advantage of the Free Hours plans but those are the folks who only use most of their electricity during the Free Hours. If you are curious how these Free Electricity Plans add up for your home, check out LowerEbill.com.

Prepaid plans make electricity available to everyone without checking your credit history. This plan is ideal for customers who have lower credit scores and want to better manage energy usage and costs.

This varies based on the regulations of your state and local area. For example, in Texas, Retail Energy Providers have the flexibility to change their rates as frequently as they wish, which could mean daily fluctuations in energy prices or even changes throughout the day. However, in other states, Energy Suppliers may not have the ability to adjust rates so often. In some states, prices may only be updated once a month, typically at the start of the month.

Typically, 24- and 36-month contracts provide more favorable rates compared to 12-month contracts, but longer contracts aren't always the better choice. Energy prices can vary with the seasons and over the years, and they are notoriously difficult to predict in the long-term. Although longer contracts of 24 months or more offer a degree of convenience, they can lack flexibility if energy prices significantly drop.

Three- or six-month plans might be cheaper than 12-month plans because they cover periods like spring and fall, when energy prices are typically lower. Customers should pay attention to when these contracts end to avoid inadvertently securing higher rates during peak usage seasons like summer.

No. Switching energy provider does not require any physical alterations to your home. It is done 100% online with just a few clicks!

Your current energy provider has the right to move you to a variable rate plan after your current plan expires. Your annual electricity cost can go up significantly if market rates spike.

If you are under a fixed-rate electricity plan and your contract term is not yet complete, switching providers may result in an early termination fee. Before making a switch, verify the expiration date of your contract (which can be found on your electricity bill) and review any terms related to early termination fees. However, if your contract has expired, or if you are currently on a variable-rate plan, you can switch providers at any time without incurring a penalty.

The savings you achieve by switching to a new electricity plan or provider will vary based on your usage and the deals currently available in your area. Fortunately, we offer a straightforward, apples-to-apples comparison of the market offerings, enabling you to choose the most suitable plan for your home. Please note, if you are currently bound by a fixed-rate plan and have not yet completed your contract term, you may incur an early termination fee.

Finding a new electricity plan in your state can be overwhelming, especially with the numerous suppliers and multitude of plans available. Reviewing the details of each plan could take days due to the extensive fine print. Energy brokers like LowerEBill can assist you in making side-by-side comparisons quickly, helping you make informed decisions in just minutes. Plus, our service is completely free for you to use!

The time it takes to switch electricity providers varies by state. For individuals moving to a new home, service can typically begin as early as the next day after signing up for a plan. For those changing plans at their current residence, the switch can take anywhere from one day to eight weeks, depending on the location.

No need! When you sign up for a new plan, your new provider will contact your old provider to switch the service over. You do not need to do anything other than pay the last bill from your old provider.

There is normally no interruption of service when you switch to a new plan with a license provider in your area.

Regulations differ across states. In Texas, customers have three business days to reconsider after enrolling in a new plan without incurring an early termination fee. Some suppliers offer a 30–60-day grace period to switch plans without penalties. In Ohio, most customers can terminate their contracts early without any penalties. However, in Maryland and Pennsylvania, customers are required to pay an early termination fee as specified in their contracts. It is advisable for customers to thoroughly review their contracts with their suppliers before making a switch.

Renewable energy comes from sources such as the sun and wind, which naturally regenerate and are inexhaustible. Commonly, renewable energy types like wind, solar, and hydro power are listed on your electricity bill under the heading 'Renewable Content'.

Installing solar panels is one way to harness renewable energy. If that's not feasible, opting for green energy plans through retail energy providers is a simpler alternative. You can use LowerEBill to enter your home address or zip code and discover the green energy options available in your area.

When you opt for green energy plans, the retail energy provider procures green energy from the wholesale market on your behalf, requiring no action from you. This transition does not disrupt your service or affect how you use power.

In deregulated areas, although you have the freedom to select your energy plan, it's important to note that the utility company will still charge fees for transmitting and distributing electricity to your home, regardless of the plan you choose. While some energy providers include these charges in their quoted price as a "bundle," they typically appear as a separate line item on your bill. These fees contribute to the maintenance of electric wires, poles, and other infrastructure necessary for delivering electricity to your home and support the services offered by the utility company. Your choice of different retail energy providers does not impact the delivery fee paid to the utility company.

In Texas, the Public Utility of Texas (PUCT) regulates the market and requires that Retail Electricity Providers (REPs) display their rates on an Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for usage levels of 500, 1000, and 2000 kWh. While it's unlikely your actual monthly usage will match these exact figures, your bill can vary greatly depending on seasonal consumption and the plan you choose. However, by using LowerEBill and entering your address, we will assess your home’s specific usage profile and accurately predict your monthly expenses. By conducting a thorough, apples-to-apples comparison, we'll help you find the most cost-effective plan tailored to your actual energy usage.

If you're inquiring about bill credits, it's likely you're in Texas. Bill credit plans often stipulate a specific usage range to qualify for the credit. For instance, a plan might offer a $50 credit if your monthly usage is between 1,000 and 2,000 kWh. While this can make the cost at 1,000 kWh appear more affordable, your bill could significantly increase if your usage falls below 1,000 kWh or exceeds 2,000 kWh. This is because bill credit plans typically charge a base rate that is 50% to 100% higher than standard plans.

Depending on your state, your payments will either be made directly to your local utility company or to your energy supplier. To verify whom you should pay, please check your bill for payment instructions.

If you have any inquiries about your bill, including usage, fee calculations, line items, or the due date, you should contact your retail energy provider for assistance.

Reach out to your local utility company. You can find the name of your utility company and their toll-free number on your electricity bill.

Reach out to the specific retail energy provider that you are using or want to switch to. They can happily assist you with questions about terminating and/or starting electricity services with them.

If you have any questions about LowerEbill’s services, please feel free to reach out to us at: 1-866-LOW-EBIL(1-866-835-5083). We can assist you with technical difficulties using our website, or questions regarding plans listed.