Electricity in Plano, Texas: What You Need to Know About Rates and Choosing Providers

If you’re new to Plano or just realized your electricity contract is about to expire, you might be wondering how the whole system works here. The good news? You get to choose your electricity provider—something not every Texas city can say.

Plano sits in the heart of Texas’ deregulated electricity market, which means you’re not stuck with whatever company happens to serve your street. You can shop around, compare rates, and pick the plan that makes the most sense for your household. Whether you’re in a downtown apartment or a 3,000-square-foot home in West Plano, understanding how this works can save you a few hundred dollars a year.

This guide walks you through everything: how the system actually works, what you should expect to pay, and how to compare plans without getting overwhelmed by marketing jargon.

How the Electricity System Works in Plano

Texas split its electricity system into three parts back in 2002, and Plano residents have been able to choose their providers ever since. Here’s how it breaks down.

You Have Two Companies, Not One

Oncor delivers your electricity. They’re the transmission and distribution utility (TDU) that owns all the poles, wires, and infrastructure. When there’s a storm and the power goes out, you call Oncor—not your retail provider. They handle the physical delivery of electricity to your home, and everyone in Plano uses them regardless of which company you choose.

Your retail provider supplies your electricity. This is the company you choose from a list of over 100 options. They generate or purchase the electricity and sell it to you under whatever plan terms you’ve agreed to. They send your monthly bill and handle customer service for billing questions.

On your bill, you’ll see charges from both: energy charges from your chosen provider and TDU delivery charges from Oncor (which are the same for everyone).

Why Two Companies?

The state designed it this way to create competition. Infrastructure stays regulated and consistent (Oncor’s delivery charges are set by the Public Utility Commission of Texas), while the supply side competes for your business. In theory, this competition drives down prices and gives you more options.

Does it work? Sometimes. You can definitely find better rates by shopping around, but the system also creates confusion—which is probably why you’re reading this guide.

What Plano Residents Actually Pay for Electricity

Let’s talk real numbers. The Texas average is around 14.6 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as of early 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Plano typically runs close to that—somewhere between 13.8 and 15.2 cents per kWh depending on your plan.

But here’s what makes this confusing: your actual rate depends heavily on how much electricity you use each month.

Usage Tiers Change Your Rate

Most Texas electricity plans use tiered pricing. A company might advertise “11 cents per kWh!” but that’s only if you use exactly 1,000 kWh per month. Use 500 kWh? You might pay 16 cents. Use 2,000 kWh? Maybe 13 cents.

This is why you need to know your usage before you compare plans. Check your most recent Oncor bill to see how many kWh you used last month. If you don’t have a bill yet (maybe you’re moving into a new place), estimate based on your home size:

• Small apartment (500-800 sq ft): 500-700 kWh/month
• Medium apartment or small house (1,000-1,500 sq ft): 800-1,100 kWh/month
• Average house (1,800-2,500 sq ft): 1,100-1,500 kWh/month
• Large house (3,000+ sq ft): 1,600-2,200+ kWh/month

Plano homes tend to be newer and more energy-efficient than Houston or Dallas averages, so you might use less than you’d expect—especially if you have good insulation and a modern HVAC system.

Summer vs. Winter Usage

July and August are brutal in Plano. Your AC will run constantly, and your usage could double compared to April or October. If you use 900 kWh in spring, don’t be surprised to hit 1,500-1,800 kWh in summer.

This matters because some plans have “free nights” or bill credits that only kick in if you hit certain usage thresholds. A plan that works great in March might be terrible in July.

Can You Actually Choose Your Provider in Plano?

Yes, completely. Every address in Plano is deregulated, which means you have full control over your retail electricity provider.

Not every Texas city has this. Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso all have municipal utilities where residents don’t get to choose. You take whatever rate the city-owned utility sets. Plano is different—you have the same freedom to shop that Houston and Dallas residents have.

What This Means Day-to-Day

• You can switch providers whenever your contract expires (usually 12, 24, or 36 months)
• You can compare over 100 different plans from dozens of companies
• Your contract isn’t tied to your lease (renters can have different electricity contract lengths than their lease)
• If you move within Plano, most providers let you transfer your existing plan to your new address

The flip side? It’s on you to pay attention to when your contract expires. If you forget and let it auto-renew, you’ll often get stuck with a much higher rate than if you’d taken 20 minutes to shop around.

Major Electricity Providers in Plano (and What They’re Known For)

You’ll see the same big names that dominate the Texas market, plus some smaller regional players. Here’s a quick rundown of who’s who, listed alphabetically:

4Change Energy – Known for renewable energy plans if you’re trying to go greener. They offer 12, 24, and 36-month contracts with fixed rates.

Cirro Energy – A Texas-based company with straightforward pricing. They keep things simple and don’t usually have complicated bill credit structures.

Direct Energy – One of the larger providers with a ton of plan options. They offer everything from prepaid to long-term fixed-rate contracts.

Gexa Energy – Popular for 100% renewable plans. If environmental impact matters to you, they’re worth comparing.

Green Mountain Energy – Another renewable-focused option. All their plans come from wind and solar credits, and they’ve been in Texas for years.

Pulse Power – Specializes in prepaid plans with no credit check and no deposit. Good option if you’re worried about upfront costs.

Reliant Energy – Texas’s biggest provider by customer count. They have rewards programs, solar buyback options, and plans with free nights or weekends.

TXU Energy – Another massive Texas company. They pioneered the “free nights” concept and offer a huge variety of plan structures.

This isn’t everything—new providers pop up regularly, and rates change constantly. The point isn’t to memorize this list. The point is to compare what’s available right now at your usage level using a comparison tool.

How to Actually Compare Plans (Without Losing Your Mind)

Here’s the process that works.

Step 1: Find Your Usage

Dig up your last electricity bill and look for your total kWh usage. Write that number down. If you’re moving and don’t have a bill, estimate conservatively based on your new place’s square footage.

Step 2: Check the Electricity Facts Label

Every plan in Texas is required to publish an EFL (Electricity Facts Label). This document shows you exactly what you’ll pay at three usage levels: 500, 1,000, and 2,000 kWh per month.

Ignore the advertised rate. Go straight to the EFL and look at the price per kWh at YOUR usage level. This is the only number that matters.

Step 3: Calculate Total Monthly Cost

Don’t just compare rates per kWh. Some plans have high base charges that make them expensive even if the per-kWh rate looks good. Multiply your usage by the rate, add any monthly fees, and compare the total monthly cost across plans.

Example: Plan A charges 11 cents per kWh with a $9.95 monthly fee. Plan B charges 12 cents per kWh with no monthly fee. If you use 900 kWh:

• Plan A: (900 × $0.11) + $9.95 = $108.95
• Plan B: (900 × $0.12) = $108.00

Plan B wins, even though the rate looks higher.

Step 4: Read the Contract Terms

Check for:

• Early termination fee (usually $150-$300 if you leave before the contract ends)
• Auto-renewal terms (what rate do you pay if you forget to switch?)
• Bill credits that expire after a few months
• Usage requirements (some plans penalize you if you use too little or too much)

Step 5: Use Comparison Tools

The official state site is Power to Choose (powertochoose.org). It’s free and shows every plan available in your area. Other options include ElectricityRates.com and ComparePower, which sometimes have better filtering options.

Enter your ZIP code, tell it your expected usage, and sort by total monthly cost (not rate per kWh).

Switching Providers Is Easier Than You Think

If you’re already set up with a provider but found a better rate, switching is straightforward.

Check Your Contract End Date First

Look at your current bill or log into your account online. Find your contract expiration date. Most companies let you switch up to 45 days before expiration without paying an early termination fee.

If you switch too early, you’ll owe the ETF (typically $150-$300). Sometimes it’s worth it if rates have dropped significantly, but usually it’s better to wait.

Sign Up With Your New Provider

You’ll need:

• Your service address
• Your ESI ID (a 17-digit number on your bill that identifies your meter)
• The date you want service to start

The new company handles everything. They coordinate with Oncor and your old provider. You don’t have to call anyone to cancel—the new provider does that automatically.

No Service Interruption

Your power stays on the entire time. The switch happens on a meter read date, usually within one or two billing cycles. You’ll get a final bill from your old provider, then your new one takes over.

Understanding Your Plano Electric Bill (So You Know What You’re Actually Paying For)

Your bill has three main sections:

Energy charges – This is from your retail provider. It includes your usage (kWh × rate) plus any monthly base charges or fees that are part of your plan.

TDU delivery charges – This is Oncor’s portion. Everyone pays the same TDU charges regardless of which provider they chose. It’s usually around $45-50 for 1,000 kWh of usage and includes both a fixed monthly charge and a per-kWh delivery charge.

Taxes and fees – State and local taxes, plus various small regulatory fees that all Texas electricity customers pay.

For a typical month using 1,000 kWh on a 12-cent plan, your bill might look like:

• Energy charges: ~$120
• TDU delivery: ~$48
• Taxes/fees: ~$12
• Total: ~$180

The TDU charges and taxes are mostly fixed. The energy charges are where shopping around makes a difference.

Tips to Lower Your Electricity Bill

Match Your Plan to Your Actual Usage

The biggest mistake people make is choosing a plan that’s optimized for 1,000 kWh when they actually use 1,400 kWh. Check the EFL at multiple usage tiers before signing up.

Time Your Contract Renewal Strategically

Electricity rates follow seasonal patterns. Spring and fall usually have lower rates because demand is lower. If your contract expires in summer when rates are high, consider signing a shorter contract to wait for better pricing.

Don’t Ignore “Free Nights” Plans If You Can Use Them

Plans with free electricity from 9pm-6am can save you serious money if you have an electric vehicle, run your dishwasher and laundry at night, and keep your AC set aggressively during the day. But if you work from home and use electricity all day, these plans will cost you more than a standard fixed-rate plan.

Set a Calendar Reminder 45 Days Before Your Contract Expires

This is the most important tip. Most plans auto-renew at much higher rates if you forget to switch. Set a phone reminder, mark your calendar, whatever—just don’t let it auto-renew.

Simple Energy Efficiency Stuff Actually Helps

You’ve heard this before, but it matters in Plano summers:

• Keep your thermostat at 78°F when you’re home (every degree lower adds about 3% to your cooling costs)
• Replace AC filters monthly during summer
• Close blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day
• Run ceiling fans counterclockwise in summer to push air down

These won’t cut your bill in half, but they can shave 10-15% off your summer usage, which adds up.

Solar Panels in Plano: A Quick Overview

If you’re considering solar, Texas’s deregulated market works differently than states with mandatory net metering.

Federal Tax Credit Still Applies

The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) gives you a 30% federal tax credit on your solar installation through 2032. If your system costs $20,000, you get $6,000 back as a tax credit (not a refund—you need tax liability to use it).

Solar Buyback Plans Vary By Provider

Some retail electricity providers offer solar buyback plans where they’ll purchase your excess generation. Rates vary (usually 7-12 cents per kWh), and not every provider offers this.

You’ll still need to stay connected to the grid and have a retail provider even with solar panels. Texas doesn’t have state-level net metering, so the economics depend heavily on which provider’s buyback plan you choose.

HOA Restrictions Are Common

Many Plano neighborhoods have HOA rules about solar panel visibility. Check your HOA covenants before getting quotes—some require roof-mounted panels to be invisible from the street or limit which sides of the roof you can use.

Common Questions About Electricity in Plano

What happens if I move to a different address in Plano?

Call your current provider and ask to transfer service to your new address. Most will let you keep your existing plan and rate if you’re staying in Oncor territory (which includes all of Plano). If they won’t transfer it or you’re moving somewhere outside Oncor’s area, you might face an early termination fee.

Can I get electricity if I have bad credit?

Yes. Your options are prepaid plans (no credit check, you pay before using electricity) or paying a deposit (typically $150-$300). Several providers like Pulse Power specialize in prepaid plans that work fine—you just pay differently.

What’s the deal with deposits?

Providers run credit checks and might require a deposit if your score is below around 600. The deposit is refundable after 12 months of on-time payments. Alternatively, choose a prepaid plan with no credit check and no deposit.

Should I choose a fixed-rate or variable-rate plan?

For most people, fixed-rate is better. You lock in a price per kWh for 12-36 months and know exactly what you’ll pay. Variable-rate plans fluctuate with wholesale electricity prices and can spike unexpectedly during high-demand periods (like Texas’s winter storm in 2021).

How often should I shop for new plans?

Every time your contract expires. Most people sign 12-month or 24-month contracts, so set a reminder and shop around 30-45 days before expiration. You’ll almost always find a better rate than your auto-renewal offer.

Do “free nights” or “free weekends” plans actually save money?

Only if you can shift significant usage to those times. If you have an EV that charges overnight, work night shifts, or can run major appliances at night, you might save $30-50 per month. But if you work from home and use electricity evenly throughout the day, you’ll probably pay more than a standard plan.

If my power goes out, who do I call?

Call Oncor (888-313-4747), not your retail provider. Oncor handles all physical delivery issues, outages, and emergencies. Your retail provider only handles billing and account questions.

What’s an ESI ID and where do I find it?

Your ESI ID is a 17-digit number that identifies your specific meter. It’s on every electricity bill, usually near the top or in the account information section. You’ll need it when signing up with a new provider.

Where to Go From Here

Now you know how electricity works in Plano: you choose your retail provider from 100+ options, Oncor delivers it regardless of who you choose, and your rate depends heavily on your usage level.

The actual process of choosing a plan takes about 20-30 minutes:

1. Check your current usage from your last bill
2. Go to Power to Choose or another comparison site
3. Enter your ZIP and usage
4. Compare total monthly costs (not just rates)
5. Read the EFL before signing up
6. Set a calendar reminder for 45 days before your contract expires

If you’re moving to Plano and need to set up service, most providers can activate you same-day if you sign up before 2pm and your place has a smart meter. Otherwise, it takes 24-48 hours.

Spend the time to compare plans now, and you’ll save yourself a few hundred dollars a year—which, in a city where everything else costs money, is worth the effort.

Helpful Links and Resources

Oncor (Your Local TDU) Website: oncor.com Outage reporting: 888-313-4747 They handle all physical delivery, outages, and infrastructure

Power to Choose Website: powertochoose.org Official Texas marketplace run by PUCT for comparing plans

Public Utility Commission of Texas Website: puc.texas.gov Handles consumer complaints and regulates the electricity market

Smart Meter Texas Website: smartmetertexas.com View your actual electricity usage data if you have a smart meter