There are many electricity rate comparison websites serving Texas residents.
One of those price comparison sites is Compare Power, a Texas-based company with Dallas headquarters. But why does Texas have price comparison websites?
The answer is that about 85% of Texas residents can choose their electric service provider because of the state’s deregulated energy market. Energy prices are a hot topic, and Texas’ deregulated energy market is attracting more interest as people look closer at their energy costs.
Let’s examine how Compare Power operates within the energy market, connecting energy companies with customers.
Compare Power: Electricity Provider or Provider of Electricity Rates?
Compare Power is an energy broker that acts as an intermediary between Texas energy companies and Texas energy consumers.
More than 130 electricity companies — known as Retail Electric Providers (REPs) — offer energy plans across the Lone Star State. Each electricity provider offers different energy plan options, which means there are hundreds of deals to browse.
Amid so much information, how do people know they’re getting the most suitable deal for their energy usage and circumstances? And who has the free time to dedicate to such detailed research?
Price comparison websites like Compare Power collate electricity rates from electricity providers and publish them in an easily comparable manner. So Compare Power simply shows the electricity rates that electric companies are offering.
What Services Does Compare Power Offer?
Compare Power’s principal service is publishing and comparing electric rates for Texas residents and businesses. The company covers residential customers and business energy plans, showing deals from energy suppliers approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT).
Other services offered by Compare Power include:
- A search tool to find, filter, and compare energy deals
- Ability to switch energy suppliers through the Compare Power website
- Blogs and articles with energy-saving, energy-efficient, and electricity-usage themes
- Offers and incentives from energy suppliers
- Complete energy plan details
- Customer service support
- Utility company contact information in case of power outages
- Analysis of many Texas electricity companies
Using Compare Power won’t improve your electricity supply’s reliability, reduce outages, or even guarantee a reduction in your electricity bill. Compare Power simply shows and compares energy prices. Also, Compare Power doesn’t offer products related to natural gas.
Where Does Compare Power Offer Its Services?
Compare Power specializes in comparing and publishing electricity prices in Texas.
Enter your ZIP Code and compare electricity rates
How Does Compare Power Make Money?
As an energy broker — also known as an intermediary — Compare Power doesn’t provide or generate electricity; the company connects customers with energy suppliers. Compare Power will not ask anyone looking for electricity rates on its website to pay a fee.
The energy companies whose deals are displayed on the Compare Power website pay Compare Power a service fee for customer referrals. Compare Power says they do not markup deals and do not give certain electricity suppliers preference in their comparison tool’s search results.
Can Compare Power Help With Texas Electricity Bills?
Compare Power’s raison d’être is to inform people about the Texas energy market and electricity rates. They do this through articles about energy efficiency and electricity usage and their price comparison tool.
Their website can help people understand their electricity bills and usage and get help in comparing energy deals across Texas.
Should I Switch My Electricity Provider With Compare Power?
Searching for a new electricity provider requires research and some knowledge of pricing — since you’ll be signing a legally binding contract. It also helps to understand your current electricity usage levels and consider whether this will change soon.
For example, are you moving to a larger home? Perhaps there’s a new baby due? Or are the kids moving out? These and other reasons may affect your energy usage and which electricity deal best suits you.
What to Know Before Using Compare Power
A knowledgeable customer is a powerful customer. That’s why we recommend studying up on your electricity bill — and the related electricity vocabulary — before switching suppliers.
Start by looking at your current energy contract to check for early termination fees. Ensure you know your current energy usage and what you’ve been paying lately for your electric bills, and take into account any upcoming changes in your circumstances.
Pricing and usage: In Texas, electric rates are advertised in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Know your monthly kWh usage and when you use electricity. For example, is your home empty during the day but energy-hungry at night? As an approximate per-month usage guide, a low figure is 500 to about 1,000 kWh, and high usage is around 2,000 kWh.
Contract length: There are pros and cons to different contract lengths, and it’s essential to think about this when looking for the best deal for you. Most companies have options ranging from six months up to five years. In general, shorter contracts bring greater flexibility but higher prices. Longer deals often offer lower kWh prices but have high early termination fees.
Special offers: So-called time-of-use contracts may provide free electricity on weekends or during evenings. Terms and conditions often stipulate that you must use a certain amount of power at a set time of day to unlock the free electricity, so make sure you can fulfill the agreement. If you have a specific high-energy need, these kinds of offers may prove especially valuable. For example, people with electric vehicles (EVs) may wish to explore free-electricity nights if they’ll be charging their EV overnight regularly.
Minimum usage: Similar to time-of-use, customers promise to use a certain amount of electricity every month to qualify for often-lower kWh prices. These deals are great for people who know their electricity usage. However, failure to meet the minimum use requirement could mean you’ll be charged a higher electricity rate.
Renewable energy: Electricity companies state the percentage of clean energy in their energy plan, ranging from 0-100%. Some detail its source, e.g., solar power or wind power. Others suggest paying a monthly green premium if you wish to reduce your carbon emissions.
Hidden fees: These fees can often come as a surprise. Be vigilant about deposits, minimum usage fees, utility fees, or other costs that may be added to your bill but are not part of the advertised rate.
Does Compare Power Show Fixed-Rate and Variable-Rate Plans?
There’s one more vital part of electricity rates that you need to understand before using the Compare Power price comparison tool: fixed-rate or variable-rate options.
- A fixed-rate plan is as it sounds; the price per kWh that you’re charged won’t change throughout the deal. These are great options for those wanting price stability on longer energy deals.
- Month-to-month or variable-rate plans are also as they sound; the price per kWh may vary at any point. However, they offer great flexibility, often don’t need deposits, and have no cancellation fees.
We recommend starting your electricity comparison journey using the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) PowertoChoose.org website. This is an independent website with similar features to Compare Power, with the goal of sharing information. The PUCT website is a public service, and no commissions are involved.
Our Power to Choose guide will show you how to navigate this website. A quick search is relatively straightforward. First, put in a ZIP code to see if your service area is deregulated. Then apply filters from the left-side panel to refine your search.
Finding Electricity Rates on Compare Power
Compare Power’s main selling point is its head-to-head price comparison search tools.
Remember, it’s important to know your current and expected energy usage. Energy providers will offer lower-priced electricity plans to heavy users. Still, you’ll only enjoy these best rates if you use the required amount of energy to qualify for these reduced prices.
Like the Power to Choose price comparison tool, the journey of finding an electricity plan on Compare Power starts with inputting a ZIP code. The purpose of this is to check if you’re eligible to switch energy providers.
Browsers then face a choice: View all plans that can be found or click “Help me choose” to narrow the options Compare Power has found. “Help me choose” asks for additional information. The questions ask if you are switching suppliers or moving to a new home and if you live in a house or apartment. It also wants to know your current energy usage in kWh and if you’re interested in a clean energy option.
Compare Power then shows featured plans that it hopes will meet your needs. More filters also appear on the search results. You can modify your search or choose the following:
- Deals that forgo credit checks or that don’t require a deposit
- Fixed-rate or variable-rate contracts
- The contract length, from six months to five years
- Renewable energy options
- The name of a specific energy provider, allowing you to shop the offerings of a particular company
Additionally, there are shortcuts similar to other price comparison websites, such as sorting by price (high to low and low to high) and contract length (short to long and long to short). There are also long-term filters and a filter for people worried about their credit rating.
What Do Compare Power’s Electricity Rates Show?
It’s time to study the offers found in more detail. Compare Power briefly describes every deal its search tool has found. The information shown includes:
- Contract length
- Price in kWh
- Percentage of renewable energy or green energy
- An estimated monthly bill based on the energy usage specified
- Deposits required, if any
- The offer’s name with a brief description
Clicking on an offer allows for greater scrutiny. You’ll see the selected energy company’s terms of service and PUCT certificate number, marking it as an official energy provider. There is also a section about Your Rights As a Customer (YRAC).
A critical section is the deal’s Electricity Facts Labels, which we strongly recommend reading before signing up for any plan. The contract details must be contained here, from minimum usage to hidden fees or cancellation fees.
Can I Sign Up With an Energy Company via Compare Power?
Compare Power allows people to sign up for a new energy deal directly from its website.
Once you’ve selected an offer, Compare Power double-checks the availability for your precise address. The company then asks for personal information like moving or switching dates, individual details, autopay options, and data for a credit check, if required.
Does Compare Power Offer Electricity Without Credit Checks?
Compare Power isn’t an electricity provider but an energy broker. It publishes energy rates from energy companies and can sign people up for these offers.
Among the many rates that Compare Power advertises are deals that don’t require credit checks. Some also offer same-day connection, no identification requirements, and no deposits.
I’ve Changed My Mind: Will Compare Power Help?
Mistakes happen. In Texas, people have three days to change their minds about switching providers — which means three days from when the process started. The time will differ for people who are just moving in and starting service for the first time.
Compare Power won’t stop a switch or a new-move connection for you. You’ll need to contact the energy provider directly.
Where Are Compare Power’s Headquarters?
Compare Power is headquartered at 1920 McKinney Ave., 7th Floor, Dallas, TX 75201.
How Can I Contact Compare Power?
Compare Power has several office locations throughout Texas, plus Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts.
People can contact the company through its website chat function, email support@comparepower.com, or call the following offices:
Compare Power Dallas, 1920 McKinney Ave., 7th Floor, Dallas, TX 75201
Call: 469-298-8045
Compare Power Houston, 708 Main Street, 10th Floor, Houston, TX 77002
Call: 281-941-5411
Compare Power Fort Worth, 420 Commerce Street, 3rd Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Call: 817-330-4116
Compare Power Irving, 5215 N O’Connor Blvd., 11th Floor, Irving, TX 75039
Call: 972-280-7014
Compare Power Austin, Pflugerville & Round Rock, 11801 Domain Blvd., 3rd Floor, Austin, TX 78758
Call: 512-355-1470
Compare Power The Woodlands, 1725 Hughes Landing Blvd., 11th Floor, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Call: 832-304-1155
Does Compare Power Offer Business Electricity Rates?
Compare Power has a dedicated price comparison search tool for businesses. It works in much the same way as for residential customers, requiring:
- Business ZIP code
- Estimated energy usage
- Whether switching suppliers or starting a new business
Compare Power also counts a team of dedicated business experts to help with more complex business electricity plan queries. These include procurement, rebate opportunities, and industrial installation design.
Business owners need to call Compare Power’s experts to discuss these topics at 469-813-8854, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Standard Time.
Compare Power: Searching for Texas Electricity Providers
Compare Power’s head-to-head price comparison website helps homeowners, renters, and businesses to evaluate and filter hundreds of Texas electricity plans.
The Dallas-based company focuses on Texas electricity rates only. Its energy rates search tool is one of many alternatives to the Public Utility Commission of Texas’ Power to Choose website. That list of Texas-based price comparison websites includes us here at EnergySavings.com.
Only some people can switch their energy providers. However, regardless of whether you can switch your energy company or not, there are steps you can take to alleviate rising electricity prices, from weatherizing your home to using thermostats.
Brought to you by energysavings.com
All images licensed from Adobe Stock.
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