Why the cheapest advertised rate can change
Texas plans commonly show average prices at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 kWh. A Houston home may cross several usage levels during one year. A bill credit, base fee, or usage threshold can make one plan inexpensive in August and costly in a mild spring month.
Include CenterPoint delivery charges
Houston-area customers in CenterPoint’s delivery territory generally pay a fixed delivery amount per billing cycle plus a usage-based amount. These regulated charges remain part of the bill when the customer changes retail providers. A current comparison should include the applicable current tariff without adding it twice to plans that already bundle delivery.
Compare a complete seasonal year
Summer air-conditioning can make July and August very different from October or April. Using twelve months prevents a short contract that avoids expensive usage months from automatically looking less costly than a plan covering the entire summer. Interval data can also identify whether time-of-use pricing fits the household.
Look beyond the monthly average
- Which months earn or miss a bill credit?
- Does the plan require autopay, paperless billing, or another action?
- Does a short contract end during the summer shopping season?
- What is the early termination fee?
- Does the EFL match the plan name and term being considered?
Use the current offer documents
Plan availability and pricing change. Always open the current Electricity Facts Label and Terms of Service before enrolling. An estimate can improve the decision, but it cannot guarantee future savings, usage, tariffs, or available replacement offers.
Common questions
Is the cheapest advertised electricity rate always the lowest-cost plan?
No. Advertised rates use standard examples. Your estimated cost also depends on usage, delivery charges, fees, credits, time-of-use rules, and plan requirements.
How much usage history should I compare?
A full year is preferable because Houston usage changes by season. Twelve months can expose pricing that works in summer but not during milder months.
Do Houston electricity comparisons include CenterPoint delivery charges?
They should. Those regulated charges generally remain part of the bill when you switch retail providers and should not be added twice when already bundled.
Why compare contract lengths separately?
Short, standard, and long contracts have different renewal and seasonal tradeoffs. Keeping them separate makes those choices easier to see.