Setting up electricity in Dallas–Fort Worth, TX: how does choosing a provider work?

In much of the Dallas–Fort Worth area, you choose your own electricity company. These companies are called retail electricity providers. You sign up for a plan with the one you pick, and they send you the bill.

Power to Choose is the official comparison site run by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) [1]. You can enter your ZIP code there and see the plans offered where you live [1]. Use it to compare plans side by side. Check the current prices on the site itself [1].

Before you sign, read these things carefully: 1. Contract length. How long are you agreeing to stay on this plan? 2. The Electricity Facts Label. Every plan has one. It explains how the price works and what is included [1]. 3. Cancellation terms. Find out what happens if you leave the plan early, for example if you move.

Not every address in the area can choose a provider. Some cities and rural areas are served by a city-owned utility or an electric co-op instead. In those places, you usually sign up with that utility directly. Power to Choose and the PUC site can help you check which kind of service your address has [1][2]. Your landlord may also know.

If you have a problem with your bill or service, contact your provider first. If they do not fix it, you can file a complaint with the PUC [2]. The PUC site explains how to do this [2].

Sources [1] Power to Choose, the Public Utility Commission of Texas electricity comparison site: https://www.powertochoose.org/ [2] Public Utility Commission of Texas: https://www.puc.texas.gov/