• Why choose Electric Rate? Price, convenience, and LOCAL personal customer service all combine to give our customers the best experience possible.
• What customers does Electric Rate serve? We are currently serving both residential and commercial customers across Texas
• Will I still get the same reliable electric service to my home or small business? Yes. It's important to know that the TDSP will still deliver the electricity to your home or business. Existing power lines and meters will stay in place and continue to be maintained by the TDSP. You will pay your local utility's transportation and distribution charges (T&D) for using their power lines and meters which will appear on the Electric Rate Bill (we pass those charges through and DO NOT mark up the cost for that service as regulated by the PUC).
• Can you tell me about environmentally friendly or green electricity? Did you know that 80% of Texas' criteria pollutant emissions–particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and lead – come from electricity generation using fossil fuels? This means the traditional electricity we use at home and at work is impacting our environment. Electric Rate makes it easy to make a difference for our environment with our Green Earth 100% Renewable Energy Service Plan, along with other environmentally friendly energy options and tips for your home.
• Will my house or business need different metering or wires? No, Electric Rate uses the exact meter and wiring which now exists at your home, business, and in your neighborhood. The wiring and meter at your house or business are regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas, and will be operated by the same distribution line crews that have always served your area (your local TDSP).
• If you use the same wires and pay the same regulated charges, how can Electric Rate provide cheaper rates than Reliant Energy? The delivery and metering of electricity only account for about 20% of the cost to provide service. The remaining 80% of the cost is completely competitive, and different for each Retail Electric Provider. Because Electric Rate Energy does not have large corporate overhead and costly sports sponsorships or celebrity endorsement, we can keep our costs down and pass the savings onto the people that actually need the savings – YOU!
• Why is Electric Rate able to offer rates lower than Reliant Energy? Electric Rate has built its company with a focus on maintaining a very low cost structure. We do not have huge advertising and marketing costs (such as naming rights to a stadium). We have also worked hard to negotiate the purchase of wholesale power from power plant generators at very reasonable prices. By doing these things, Electric Rate is able to pass along the savings to its customers by providing lower rates.
• Is there a chance I will lose power when I switch to Electric Rate? No, there will be no interruption of service if you switch to Electric Rate.
• What is deregulation? Deregulation in Texas started back in 2002 for the retail market and made it possible for energy companies to compete for your business, breaking up the monopolies and driving prices lower for the consumer.
• What is an REP? A Retail Electric Provider (REP) is a company registered with the state through the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to sell energy directly to the public.
• Will a deposit be required for me to sign up? In some cases... yes. If you do not have much credit history or have had a few bumps in the road in the past you may be required to submit a deposit when getting started. This will be determined during the enrollment process.
• Will you check my credit when I sign up? Yes, Electric Rate will do a credit check to determine if a deposit is required.
• How long does the switch take? A switch takes up to 4-6 weeks because it works with your regular meter cycle. You will still get at least one more bill from your current provider. This timeframe is standard with all Retail Electric Providers.
• Do I need to contact my current provider when switching? NO, Electric Rate take care of all the details but it is always a good idea to refer back to your current provider's Terms of Service to see if anything specific is required from you. Our terms require 30 day notice to avoid a penalty on our Month to Month plan so your provider may have a simular stipulation, which only would affect the time it takes to complete the switch.
• What will I pay per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity based on 1,000 kWh of average monthly usage? That will vary according to your preference of variable or fixed rate plans and the area you live. Contract or month to month is also a contributing factor.
• Does this rate include everything, including the electricity cost, the transmission and distribution charges, fuel charges, if any, as well as the monthly customer charge or other fees? The average rate includes the energy charge, transmission and distribution charges, $7.95 service fee only if you are billed less than 1000 kWh on any invoice and the recurring payment discount. The average rate does not include taxes/regulatory fees, which are standard for all Retail Electricity Providers
• Is this offer a fixed rate offer or a variable rate offer? If it is a variable rate offer, how can it change and how do I find out when the rate will change? We offer both, a 12 month fixed energy rate contract and a month to month variable rate plan which you can choose based on your needs. Our variable rate is based on the market commodity of natural gas. You can view the current rates on our website daily and you will also see rate fluctuations, if any, on your invoices.
• Is there a contract and if so, how long is it? If you choose our one of our fixed plans, the terms vary anywhere from 3-36 months. We also have several month to month plans available.
• What are my payment options? You can pay online through our secure website or over the phone using Visa, Mastercard, or bank draft. You can also mail your check or money order if you prefer, but the most convenient payment option is to get set up on automatic payments. This service uses your Visa, MasterCard or bank-draft to pay your bill at the same time every month and using automatic payment qualifies you for a recurring discount of .3¢/kWh. All of our payment options are available without any "convenience fees".
• What happens when my contract period expires? You can choose to enter another fixed energy rate contract at current rates, or the account will go into month to month status with the current variable rate. Your service will not be automatically terminated!
• What if I miss a payment? Our system sends email alerts letting you know that your invoice is available to view/pay online and reminders of your invoice due date. We will also make a reminder call. Should your payment not post by the due date, you will be sent a late payment notice and will have 10 days to process payment, otherwise the account will be subject to disconnection for non-payment.
• Is there a penalty if I break the contract? If you close the account or switch away prior to completion of your contract, you will be subject to a early termination fee. Our month to month variable rate plan has no long term commitment and no cancellation fee, but does require 30 day prior written notice to take effect. Please see your Terms of Service for further details.