Deposits
A retail electric provider (REP) may require a residential customer to establish and maintain satisfactory credit as a condition of providing service.
Customers must still comply with payment requirements by the due date of the bill, regardless of their creditworthiness.
Customers must still comply with payment requirements by the due date of the bill, regardless of their creditworthiness.
- Spouses who established credit during shared service within the 12 months prior to their divorce will have their creditworthiness equally applied for 12 months immediately after their divorce.
- There are five criteria for demonstrating satisfactory credit when seeking to establish service with an affiliated REP or provider of last resort (POLR):
- Being a customer of any REP or electric utility within the two years prior to the request for electric service, not being delinquent in payment of any such electric service account, and not being late in paying a bill more than once during the last 12 consecutive months of service.
- Possessing a satisfactory credit rating obtained through a consumer reporting agency.
- Being 65 years of age or older and not currently delinquent in payment of any electric service account.
- Being determined to be a victim of family violence as defined by the Texas Family Code by a qualified authority and submitting a certification letter developed by the Texas Council on Family Violence.
- Being medically indigent, as demonstrated by meeting specific criteria related to household income, medical expenses, and inability to perform activities of daily living, certified by a qualified medical professional or agency.
Contract Expiration
- A retail electric provider (REP) must include a statement in bold lettering 14 days prior to the expiration date of a contract.
- The statement must state that no termination penalty applies to residential and small commercial customers.
- Any fees or charges associated with early termination of a residential customer's fixed rate product before 14 days prior to the expiration date must be described.
- 14 days prior to the expiration date no termination penalty applies to residential and small commercial customers.
Right of Recission
- The REP or aggregator must provide required disclosures and a three-day right of rescission.
- The REP must provide the terms of service document promptly after the applicant has authorized the REP to provide service and the authorization has been verified.
- For switch requests, the REP must offer the applicant a right to rescind the terms of service without penalty or fee for a period of three federal business days after the applicant receives the terms of service document.
- The provider may assume that any delivery of the terms of service document deposited first class with the United States Postal Service will be received by the applicant within three federal business days.
- If the applicant submits an untimely notice of rescission, the REP must inform the applicant that they have a right to select another REP and will be responsible for charges from the REP for service provided until they switch to another REP.
- The right of rescission does not apply to an applicant requesting a move-in.
Texas Energy Knowledge Base
Contract Expiration
- A retail electric provider (REP) must include a statement in bold lettering 14 days prior to the expiration date of a contract.
- The statement must state that no termination penalty applies to residential and small commercial customers.
- Any fees or charges associated with early termination of a residential customer's fixed rate product before 14 days prior to the expiration date must be described.
- Net metering
Deposits
A retail electric provider (REP) may require a residential customer to establish and maintain satisfactory credit as a condition of providing service.
Customers must still comply with payment requirements by the due date of the bill, regardless of their creditworthiness.
- Being a customer of any REP or electric utility within the two years prior to the request for electric service, not being delinquent in payment of any such electric service account, and not being late in paying a bill more than once during the last 12 consecutive months of service.
- Possessing a satisfactory credit rating obtained through a consumer reporting agency.
- Being 65 years of age or older and not currently delinquent in payment of any electric service account.
- Being determined to be a victim of family violence as defined by the Texas Family Code by a qualified authority and submitting a certification letter developed by the Texas Council on Family Violence.
- Being medically indigent, as demonstrated by meeting specific criteria related to household income, medical expenses, and inability to perform activities of daily living, certified by a qualified medical professional or agency.
Electricity Rates
Types of Electricity Rates
- Fixed rate
- Variable rate
- Time-of-use rate
- Net metering
Energy Efficiency
What is Energy Efficiency?
Energy efficiency is the practice of using less energy to accomplish the same tasks. By using energy-efficient technologies and practices, you can reduce your energy consumption and save money on your energy bills.
Benefits of Energy Efficiency
- Lower energy bills
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Improved indoor air quality
- Increased home comfort
Energy Saving Tips
Ways to Save Energy
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs
- Use a programmable thermostat
- Seal air leaks in your home
- Turn off lights and electronics when not in use
- Use energy-efficient appliances
Energy-Saving Myths
There are many energy-saving myths that can actually end up costing you more money. For example, leaving your air conditioner on all day uses more energy than turning it off when you leave the house and turning it back on when you return.
Renewable Energy
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is energy that is generated from natural resources that are replenished over time, such as sunlight, wind, and water. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite resources, renewable energy sources can be harnessed indefinitely without depleting them.
Types of Renewable Energy
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Hydro energy
- Geothermal energy
- Biomass energy
Right of Recission
- The REP or aggregator must provide required disclosures and a three-day right of rescission.
- The REP must provide the terms of service document promptly after the applicant has authorized the REP to provide service and the authorization has been verified.
- For switch requests, the REP must offer the applicant a right to rescind the terms of service without penalty or fee for a period of three federal business days after the applicant receives the terms of service document.
- The provider may assume that any delivery of the terms of service document deposited first class with the United States Postal Service will be received by the applicant within three federal business days.
- If the applicant submits an untimely notice of rescission, the REP must inform the applicant that they have a right to select another REP and will be responsible for charges from the REP for service provided until they switch to another REP.
- The right of rescission does not apply to an applicant requesting a move-in.