Texas electricity · Evidence guide
How do I know if my electricity plan is actually good?
A good electricity plan fits the household's usage, timing, contract, and risk—not just one advertised rate or provider name.
Last reviewed 2026-08-21 · Readiness: READY_AFTER_INTEGRATED_STAGING
30-second answer
The answer depends on the full formula.
A plan is good only relative to the household and a defined decision date. It should produce a competitive total cost at representative usage, avoid harmful mismatch with credits or time windows, fit the contract horizon, and remain supported by current evidence.
You cannot determine that from provider reputation or one EFL column. Use the bill, exact EFL and TOS, usage history, contract expiration and ETF, service territory, and current comparable alternatives. If one of those can change the answer and is missing, the correct label is NEEDS_INFORMATION.
Key facts
What is known—and on what basis
Household-relative
The same plan can produce different cost and risk for different usage levels and time patterns.
Evidence-relative
A conclusion is only as current and complete as the bill, contract, location, and alternative evidence behind it.
Not a provider verdict
A provider can offer multiple plan structures; evaluate the exact product rather than declaring the company good or bad.
Why
Why the general answer can reverse
Cost is necessary but not sufficient. A plan that is slightly cheaper under one assumed usage shape may be fragile near a bill-credit cliff, unsupported after a short term, or inappropriate when time-of-use data is missing.
Timing can reverse action. A current plan can be expensive yet still support WAIT if a verified near-term contract boundary avoids a fee; a competitive current plan can support KEEP even when shopping pages show lower headline rates.
Evidence quality must be visible. Official terms, observed bills, calculations, Eyebiss analysis, inference, and unknowns should not be blended into one confident paragraph.
Evidence
What to check in the actual situation
- Exact current EFL/TOS/YRAC, plan version, service territory, contract expiration, ETF, and renewal state.
- At least one complete bill and preferably representative monthly usage; interval evidence for time-of-use products.
- All recurring plan and TDU charges, conditional credits or fees, and non-recurring bill items kept separate.
- Current eligible alternatives with authoritative documents, freshness, and comparable contract horizons.
- Sensitivity to usage changes, missing evidence, and what would make the conclusion reverse.
Decision framework
When each Eyebiss label could apply
| Label | Condition |
|---|---|
| KEEP | Supported current-plan economics remain competitive for the household after all represented charges and constraints are included. |
| WAIT | A known timing boundary, such as contract expiration, makes later reconsideration better supported than action now. |
| SWITCH | Complete, current evidence shows a better household outcome after fees, remaining term, and comparable plan mechanics are included. |
| NEEDS_INFORMATION | The bill, EFL, contract, usage history, location, or current alternative evidence is missing, stale, or conflicting. |
Worked example
Use a decision packet, not a vibe
A complete evaluation joins four evidence groups: current plan, household usage, location and delivery, and current alternatives.
- Reconstruct the current plan from its exact documents and reconcile it with observed bills.
- Apply representative usage and keep time-of-use assumptions explicit.
- Compare only current eligible alternatives over compatible horizons, then include ETF and decision timing.
- Name the action, evidence, limitations, and reversal conditions—or abstain.
Edge cases
Where the answer needs more care
- A new home, EV, solar system, battery, or occupancy change can make historical usage unrepresentative.
- Non-competitive service areas do not support the same REP-switch decision.
- A good historical plan can expire into an unknown future product; do not extend old terms past their supported horizon.
Sources
Evidence used on this page
- PUCT Substantive Rule 25.475: General Retail Electric Provider Requirements and Information DisclosuresPublic Utility Commission of Texas
The contract documents include the TOS, EFL, and YRAC. The rule defines fixed-rate and variable-price products. The EFL uses standardized price disclosures, including specified usage levels. Contract-expiration notices must describe termination penalties and applicable timing.
Retrieved 2026-08-21 · Texas · primary source · freshness highConsumers should verify the current rule and their own TOS, EFL, YRAC, and expiration notice before acting. - Power to Choose User GuidePublic Utility Commission of Texas
Power to Choose is an official PUCT resource for comparing competitive electricity plans. Its plan filters include usage, contract term, minimum-usage fees or credits, tiered rates, and time-varying pricing. Household electricity usage varies seasonally.
Retrieved 2026-08-21 · Texas · primary source · freshness mediumA plan listing is not a household-specific recommendation and must be read with its contract documents. - Transmission and Distribution Service ProvidersElectric Reliability Council of Texas
TDSPs own or operate transmission or distribution equipment and facilities. TDSPs are distinct from competitive retail providers. PUCT sets regulated TDSP service rates.
Retrieved 2026-08-21 · ERCOT region, Texas · primary source · freshness mediumDelivery territories and tariffs can change and require current verification. - How Eyebiss reasons from electricity evidenceEyebiss
Eyebiss preserves official facts, observations, calculations, analysis, inference, and unknowns as distinct provenance classes. Eyebiss may abstain when evidence is missing, stale, or conflicting.
Retrieved 2026-08-21 · Texas · primary source · freshness highThis methodology describes the public knowledge architecture and does not claim live statewide market coverage.
Check your actual situation
Check the plan against the household evidence
Upload supported bill evidence or start with a preliminary Quick Check. A verified household action requires exact plan, usage, contract, geography, market, and projection evidence.