Power to Choose
Texas Electricity Glossary
Power to Choose (powertochoose.org) is the official Texas electricity comparison marketplace operated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). Every licensed REP is required to submit its plans to Power to Choose, making it a comprehensive — though imperfect — source of plan data for any deregulated Texas ZIP code. TexasPowerCost.com pulls plan data from the same official API to provide more accurate monthly cost calculations.
What Power to Choose Shows
For any Texas ZIP code, Power to Choose lists all available retail electricity plans with the advertised rate at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 kWh — the three usage levels reported on every Electricity Facts Label (EFL). It also shows plan type (fixed/variable), contract length, early termination fees, and renewable content percentage.
The 1,000 kWh Problem
Power to Choose sorts plans by a single "price per kWh" figure, which providers optimize for exactly 1,000 kWh. Plans with large bill credits (e.g., a $50 credit applied at 1,000 kWh) appear artificially cheap at that threshold. If you use 850 kWh or 1,200 kWh, the same plan may cost significantly more than a plan ranked below it. See our step-by-step guide to using Power to Choose without falling for its default sort.
Example: Plan A is listed at 9.0¢/kWh at 1,000 kWh with a $20 bill credit. Plan B is listed at 9.5¢/kWh with no credit. At 800 kWh, Plan A's credit may not trigger — making its effective rate much higher. TexasPowerCost.com shows the real cost at your usage level.
How TexasPowerCost.com Improves on Power to Choose
TexasPowerCost.com pulls from the same Power to Choose API but uses linear interpolation across all three EFL price points — not just the 1,000 kWh advertised rate. Enter your actual monthly usage (or bedroom count as a proxy), and the calculator returns true projected monthly costs for every available plan, properly accounting for bill credits and tiered pricing structures.
Related Terms
- EFL — the document behind every plan's price points
- PUCT — the agency that operates Power to Choose
- Bill Credit — the mechanism that distorts Power to Choose rankings
- Effective Rate — the real cost per kWh after credits and fees
- REP — the providers listed on Power to Choose
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Power to Choose free to use?
Yes. Power to Choose (powertochoose.org) is the official Texas state electricity comparison website, operated by PUCT at no cost to consumers. All licensed REPs are required to list their plans there.
What is the problem with the Power to Choose "1,000 kWh" rate?
Power to Choose displays a single advertised rate that REPs optimize for 1,000 kWh usage. If your actual usage is 800 kWh or 1,400 kWh, the displayed rate may be significantly wrong. Plans with bill credits often look cheaper at 1,000 kWh but are much more expensive above or below that threshold. TexasPowerCost.com uses linear interpolation across all three EFL price points (500, 1,000, 2,000 kWh) to calculate your true bill at your actual usage.
Can I sign up for electricity directly through Power to Choose?
Yes — Power to Choose links directly to each REP's enrollment page. However, comparing plans on TexasPowerCost.com first gives you a more accurate cost calculation before you click through to enroll.