FAQ
Q: Will I be without electric service during the switch?
A: Absolutely not! All changes are made electronically and your service is still delivered via the same generation plant and the same lines and transmission methods. The only thing that changes is the company who is providing your bill. When your new provider approves your application, they electronically notify your old provider. Your old provider generates a final bill through the date of service change, and your new provider takes over billing. That’s it!
A: Retail Electric Provider. REPs sell electricity to you directly and they handle customer service and billing. They compete for your business by offering a variety of pricing options, innovative customer service or other incentives. REPs buy power wholesale from Power Generation Companies and then package the power with TDSP for sale to retail customers. The REP portion of your bill – the commodity charges and variable fees – are what Watt2Choose monitors on a daily basis.
A: Transmission Distribution Service Provider. TDSPs are responsible for maintaining the poles, wires and meter that deliver and measure the electricity you consume. They read your meter and provide the reading to your REP. They are responsible for restoring power after outages. TDSP rates are regulated by the PUC and are the same regardless of REP.
A: Your Electric Service Identifier (ESI ID) is a 17 digit number printed on your existing monthly electric bill from your current electric provider. This is not your billing account number; your Electric Service Identifier will be clearly labeled ESI ID on your bill and will only be present if you are in a deregulated area.
Q: How much will the full consultation report cost?
A: We will provide a report of your best choice plans for a nominal set fee of $40 + tax. You will know before you pay how much you’ll be able to save; this information will be on your preview report
Q: I’ve found other sites that provide comparisons and they are free. Why do you charge a fee?
A: Watt2Choose provides a unique online service. We compare your actual usage against all available options. Other sites do not do this. They simply provide a laundry list of select providers and their published rates. From there, you do all the work, which is quite time-consuming and difficult. These sites get paid by the electric companies because they are working for the electric companies; they only show you rates from companies that pay them a commission! Watt2Choose works only for you, the customer. (See The W2C Advantage for more information).
Q: What do I do after I receive my full consultation report?
A: Once you receive your report, start saving! Use the link provided in your report to sign up with your best value choice and transfer service.
Q: When do I sign up for my new, cheaper plan?
A: Rates and plans change constantly. That’s why Watt2Choose updates our database daily. To maximize your savings you should make your switch as soon as possible after receiving your report.
Q. What if I have bad credit?
A: If you have bad credit, some providers may require a reference from your current provider or a deposit/connection fee.
Q. What if I don't have all of my bill history for the past year?
A: If you do not have the past 12 months of your KWh usage and billing amounts, please provide all information that you do have including the approximate square footage of your dwelling. Our representatives will use the information you provide to estimate usage and generate your report. The more data you provide, the more specific we can make your savings report.
Q. What if I have questions or need help?
A: If you need assistance from one of our professionals simply fill out and submit the form on our contact page.
Q. What do I do if I have a power outage after I've switched providers?
A: Your new plan provider will give you contact information for your electric service. Again, your actual service and TDSP is still the same; any outages you experience would have happened with your old provider too. You still contact the TDSP to report any incidents. The REPs do not get involved in power outages. Your local TDSP will restore your power or repair your service just as they will your neighbors’ service, regardless of who your REP is. There is no special treatment or priority in service for any particular REP.
Q. How does Watt2Choose estimate your annual power usage base on one month’s data?
A: Watt2Choose has developed a proprietary usage model based on seven weather zones in Texas. When you enter one month’s data, we calculate the other months’ power based on the appropriate model. We have found that this provides a very accurate estimate of your usage.
Q. Who is responsible for cancellation charges from a REP?
A: Your existing REP will charge you a cancellation fee if you are currently under contract. If you are not under contract, you won’t have any cancellation fee. The charge will be included in the final bill the old REP provides. The highest cancellation charge on any of the current 1 year contracts is $200. It may be higher for longer term plans.
Q. Why does Watt2Choose recommend plans of a particular length?
A: This is a subjective decision and your choice may not match our recommendation. The factors to consider are the prospects for a sharp rise in pricing, the rate difference between the best plans of different lengths, and the length of time you plan to stay in the residence. For example, if a 2 year plan is a penny higher than a 1 year plan, you’ll pay less over the 2 years if you choose the shorter plan unless the price goes up by twice that much (2 cents) during the first year. Watt2Choose recommends fixed rate plans over monthly plans based on their volatility just as many people feel more secure with a fixed rate mortgage than and adjustable rate mortgage. A short term plan can be raised at any time without the REP telling the customer.
