Choosing an energy company in Texas sounds simple. It isn’t.
On the surface, most energy plans look the same: a difficult to understand price, a contract length, maybe a promotion to get you in the door.
But many Texans end up paying more than they expect, or getting less than they assumed, because of a few details that are easy to miss.
Before you choose (or switch) an energy company, here are three things every Texan should know.
1. That low rate is often temporary, and many people never switch in time
One of the most common reasons Texans see their power bill jump isn’t higher usage. It’s their plan.
Many energy companies advertise introductory rates that last 3, 6, or 12 months. When that term ends, customers are often automatically rolled into a higher renewal rate unless they actively switch plans or providers.
If you’ve noticed your bill going up despite similar usage, this is frequently the reason.
The challenge is that switching requires attention, timing, and comparison shopping—something most people don’t want to manage every year.
How Base handles rate renewals:
Base doesn’t rely on teaser rates. We guarantee below–market-average rates at renewal, so customers don’t get penalized for staying.
Our business model is built around long-term customers, not short-term rate gimmicks, which means we’re aligned with you paying less over time, not more.
2. Reliability is the same for most energy companies
In Texas, your electricity reliability is determined by your utility, not your retail energy provider.
Utilities like Oncor and CenterPoint own and maintain the power lines, respond to outages, and restore service. That’s why you’ll always see them listed on your bill—even if you buy power from a different company.
What this means:
- Switching energy companies does not change how often the grid goes down
- It does not change outage response times
- It does not change storm-related reliability
For most plans, the only differences are price and customer service.
How Base thinks about home reliability:
Base is the only energy plan that can actually improve reliability at your home—because every Base plan includes a home backup battery. When the grid goes down, your house stays powered automatically, without fuel, noise, or manual setup, and for 90% less than the cost of a comparable generator.
3. Customer service in energy is notoriously bad—and that matters more than you think
Energy companies consistently rank poorly on customer satisfaction. Long hold times, outsourced support, and confusing billing are common complaints.
How Base approaches support:
At Base, we believe that customer service really matters. Our support team is based right here in Austin, Texas, not outsourced. We’re built for long-term relationships, not churn-driven call centers, and our best-in-class customer satisfaction reflects that.
When your power bill, service, or backup system matters, having responsive, local support isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s essential.
The bottom line
Most energy companies compete on price alone, often using short-term incentives that don’t hold up over time. Reliability is usually out of their control, and customer service is often an afterthought.
Base was built differently:
- Fair, predictable pricing over time
- Real reliability through whole-home backup
- Local, high-quality customer support
If you’re comparing energy options in Texas, those differences matter.
Curious what this would look like for your home?
You can check availability, pricing, and backup options for your address in under a minute.
See if**Base is available in your area:**
One last thing: many energy companies use high cancellation fees to discourage switching. At Base, we don’t think fees should stand in the way of affordable, reliable power, so we’ll cover them (up to $250).
Base Home Energy Plan (with whole-home backup)
Best for
Texas homeowners who want predictable pricing and automatic outage protection in one plan.
Key features
- Fixed, fair energy rate — Designed to stay below market average at renewal, not teaser-driven.
- Whole-home backup included — Battery keeps your home powered automatically when the grid drops.
- One-time install, long-term plan — Installed once, then you get energy + support as a single service.
Pros
- Below-market renewals — No gimmicks, no surprise jump after the promo ends.
- Backup built into the plan — The only energy plan that actually improves home reliability.
- $250 cancellation fees covered — We’ll cover up to $250 to switch from your current provider.
Cons
- Not for renters — Requires a home install, so apartments/tenants usually don’t qualify.
- No “energy-only” option — Energy and backup come together as one plan.
- Location-dependent service — Availability varies by utility territory and home eligibility.
