Canonical definitions
Texas electricity terms, defined once.
These definitions are reused across answer pages so REP, TDU, EFL, effective rate, and the decision labels do not drift from page to page.
Retail electric provider
A company authorized to sell and bill retail electricity customers in a competitive Texas service area.
TDU · TDSPTransmission and distribution utility
The company that owns or operates local electricity delivery infrastructure in a service territory.
Electric Reliability Council of TexasERCOT
The independent system operator that manages the ERCOT grid and administers wholesale and retail-market functions in its region.
PUCT · PUCPublic Utility Commission of Texas
The state commission that regulates Texas utilities and retail electric providers and operates Power to Choose.
DefinitionPower to Choose
The PUCT's official resource for shopping competitive retail electricity plans in eligible Texas areas.
EFLElectricity Facts Label
A standardized disclosure that summarizes a retail electricity product's price, contract terms, sources, and environmental information.
TOSTerms of Service
The contract document that states the terms governing retail electric service.
YRACYour Rights as a Customer
A required disclosure describing customer rights and retail-provider responsibilities.
DefinitionFixed-rate plan
A term retail product whose price remains fixed under the rule's definition, subject to allowed changes such as TDU charges or regulatory fees.
DefinitionVariable-rate plan
A month-to-month retail product whose price may change according to the provider's disclosed method.
usage-credit plan · threshold-credit planBill-credit plan
A plan that applies a bill credit only when stated conditions, often a usage threshold or window, are met.
DefinitionMinimum-usage fee
A charge triggered when usage falls below a plan's stated minimum condition.
TOU · time-varying planTime-of-use plan
A plan whose price varies according to the time of day or day of the week when electricity is used.
DefinitionFree nights
A time-of-use design with a stated no-energy-charge or discounted overnight window, subject to the plan's actual terms.
DefinitionFree weekends
A time-of-use design with a stated no-energy-charge or discounted weekend window, subject to the plan's terms.
DefinitionBase charge
A recurring fixed charge that can apply independently of the number of kWh used.
delivery charge · TDSP chargeTDU delivery charge
A regulated charge for transmitting and distributing electricity through the local delivery system.
ETF · cancellation feeEarly termination fee
A contract charge that may apply when a customer ends a term plan before the applicable contract end condition.
contract end date · plan expirationContract expiration
The point when the initial term contract is completed under its stated end condition.
DefinitionSwitching
Changing the retail electric provider or product serving an eligible service address.
DefinitionRenewal
The continuation or replacement of retail electricity service when an existing product approaches or reaches expiration.
Electric Service Identifier · ESIIDESI ID
The identifier assigned to a point of electricity delivery in the Texas retail market.
DefinitionService address
The physical location where electricity is delivered.
headline rate · advertised cents per kWhAdvertised electricity rate
A rate presented in an advertisement, listing, or standardized reference scenario rather than the household's realized bill cost.
realized rate · all-in rateEffective electricity rate
A calculated cost per kWh for a defined bill or modeled period, using a stated numerator and usage denominator.
DefinitionUsage level
The amount of electricity used during a defined period, usually measured in kWh.
kWh · kilowatt hourKilowatt-hour
A unit of electrical energy used to measure household consumption.
Definition500 kWh
One of the standardized monthly usage levels used in Texas EFL price disclosures.
Definition1,000 kWh
One of the standardized monthly usage levels used in Texas EFL price disclosures.
Definition2,000 kWh
One of the standardized monthly usage levels used in Texas EFL price disclosures.
DefinitionKEEP
The available evidence does not support changing the current arrangement now.
DefinitionWAIT
The evidence supports revisiting the decision at a specific time or after a known condition changes.
DefinitionSWITCH
Complete, current evidence supports changing the arrangement after relevant costs, timing, and constraints are included.
needs information · insufficient evidenceNEEDS_INFORMATION
An explicit abstention because evidence is missing, stale, conflicting, or too weak for a responsible decision.