EST. 2013
Energy Ogre vs. Power to Choose - What's the Difference?
Published on Sep 15, 2024
Updated on Jul 22, 2025
If you are used to shopping for electricity in Texas, you've probably at least heard about Power to Choose. We wanted to provide a little more insight into Energy Ogre vs. Power to Choose to help you research the cost of electricity in Texas and decide what is right for you.
Here are the biggest differences between Power to Choose and Energy Ogre.
Power to Choose | Energy Ogre |
Power to Choose only lists the electricity rates advertised to them by REPs. | Energy Ogre has access to exclusive lower rates from select companies. |
Power to Choose doesn’t predict your electricity rates based off your personal electrical consumption. | Energy Ogre predicts what you’ll pay with each plan based on your electricity needs and personal consumption profile. |
Power to Choose doesn’t manage your electricity contract. | Energy Ogre can automatically enroll you in a new contract if rates drop to maximize savings. Energy Ogre also handles setting up your autopay and is always there for any questions you have about your contract or electricity in general. |
What is Power to Choose?
Powertochoose.org is the state's online marketplace where retail electricity providers (REPs) can post their available offers. Oftentimes, the details of the plan make how much you would be billed more complicated than the advertised rate. As the market becomes more competitive, shopping for electricity and comparing Texas electricity rates on Power to Choose gets even more confusing and time-consuming. What a lot of Texans believe they are getting could be drastically different from reality.
What is Energy Ogre?
Energy Ogre is a subscription-based electricity management service for Texans that uses advanced algorithms to analyze your personal energy usage, search thousands of plans from over 135 providers, and automatically enroll you in the most cost-efficient option. For a monthly or annual fee, Energy Ogre continuously monitors the electricity market, handles switching and renewals, and provides unbiased recommendations without financial ties to any provider, allowing members to save money and avoid the hassle of comparing complex plan details on their own.
Understanding the Different Types of Texas Electricity Plans
Before you can make the most of services like Energy Ogre or platforms like Power to Choose, it's important to understand the types of electricity plans available in Texas. The deregulated Texas energy market offers a variety of electricity plans tailored to different budgets and lifestyles. Here’s a breakdown to help you navigate your options more confidently and choose the plan that suits your needs best.
Fixed-Rate Electricity Plans
Fixed-rate plans lock in a set electricity rate for the duration of your contract—often 12, 24, or even 36 months. This type of plan offers:
- Price stability: Your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) will not change, even if market prices fluctuate.
- Predictable bills: Easier budgeting thanks to consistent pricing.
- Protection from market spikes: You’re shielded from sudden price increases during periods of high demand.
These plans are ideal for households that prefer predictability and plan to stay at their residence for a while.
Variable-Rate Electricity Plans
Variable-rate plans do not lock in your rate. Instead, the price you pay per kWh can change each month based on wholesale electricity prices and market trends.
- Flexible contracts: Usually month-to-month without long-term commitments.
- Potential for savings: Rates may drop in periods of low demand.
- Market risk: Prices can also rise unexpectedly, leading to higher monthly bills.
Variable-rate plans are suitable for those who value flexibility or anticipate moving in the near future.
Prepaid Electricity Plans
Prepaid plans allow you to pay for electricity upfront, similar to a prepaid phone. When your balance runs low, you'll receive a notice to add more funds.
- No deposits or credit checks: Great for those without established credit.
- Budget-friendly: Easier to monitor usage and spending in real time.
- Potential service interruptions: If you forget to add funds, your power could be temporarily disconnected.
Prepaid plans are especially attractive to renters or people seeking more control over their energy spending.
Green or Renewable Energy Plans
These plans source some or all of their electricity from renewable resources such as wind and solar. Features include:
- Eco-friendly: Lower your carbon footprint with sustainable energy.
- Variety: Available in both fixed-rate and variable-rate options.
Green plans are perfect for environmentally conscious consumers who want Texas electricity providers that support renewable energy.
Choosing the Right Plan
Understanding these plan types will help you make informed decisions as you compare options on Power to Choose and evaluate membership services like Energy Ogre. Consider factors like your household size, usage patterns, budget, and long-term plans for your residence before signing up for a new electricity plan. Selecting the right plan type is the first step to saving money and avoiding headaches in the Texas electricity market.
How Does Power to Choose Work?
You have the ability to shop plans available in your zip code. You can then narrow down your results by filters such as plan type, contract length, etc. While their comparison tool does give you some bullet points to consider, it doesn't show you how well a plan would work for the way you use electricity.
How Does Power to Choose Determine Electricity Rates?
REPs advertise their current rates, listing the price per kWh at three discrete disclosure levels of 500, 1000, and 2000 kWh. Power to Choose Texas also provides plan information, such as the delivery charges and all associated fees, in a document called the Electricity Facts Label (EFL).
A Power to Choose plan can be structured to seem competitive at the advertised price points, but the price per kWh in between those exact points can fluctuate significantly.
In reality, the average rate per kWh is not a very good way of judging an electricity plan. Most of the offers are actually offer curves. The price is almost always different for each kWh of consumption. Additionally, the rates are often structured with energy or consumption credits (free nights & weekends). That results in a low point on the price curves. This all adds up to lower than realistically achievable rates. For this reason, the credits and breakpoints often happen at usage amounts the consumer will not reach or amounts they’ll easily surpass. So in reality, the rate you think you are buying isn't exactly what you end up buying.
The price curve you are buying can often look very different from the straight line you thought it was.
How Do I Use Power to Choose?
Once you've decided to research Power to Choose Texas electric rates, the process from start to finish is actually fairly simple. All you have to do is enter your ZIP Code on the front page and browse the available plans that pop up.
Once you've found a plan you'd like to go with, you can either call the specific REP phone number provided or click the sign-up link and head over to the REP's website. You then register yourself for the new contract and you're good to go.
Now you may think, "Is there a Power to Choose pay bill button too?" and the answer is no. Once you've signed up with your REP, everything is up to you as far as keeping up with your invoices and payments. Power to Choose simplifies the plan-picking process but that's where their service ends. Energy Ogre not only goes through all the REP plans to pick the best one for you, but we also register you on the REP's website and handle all of your billing chores too.
What is an Electricity Facts Label (EFL)?
Alluded to earlier, the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) is the most important document regarding an electricity rate. The EFL includes details such as the delivery charges and all associated fees for your plan.
Most consumers don't even know what an EFL is and immediately sign up for a plan just because they see a low price. Be sure to read every detail of the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for any contract you are considering when shopping for electricity on your own. Please be careful and don’t let Power to Choose fool you into thinking that a plan is good for you without knowing your actual usage average each month too.
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Still unsure if the plan you’re thinking of choosing is the right one after reading all of the details on your own? No worries, one of Energy Ogre’s specialties is cutting through the tricky wording and confusing structure of an Electricity Facts Label (EFL).
Energy Ogre: The Best Alternative to Power to Choose
Energy Ogre exists to take care of all your energy needs. Instead of having to shop for electricity each time your contract expires, our proprietary energy management systems control all aspects of the contract process and consistently monitor the market to ensure you are always on the best plan for your home.
We analyze your unique usage profile to select and enroll you in the correct plans, setting your account preferences with each new provider as well. We also handle all of the renewal activity for your account, so you never have to worry. Basically, we save you time and hassle while reducing your electricity costs as much as possible. Think of us as your butler, except we’re a big green ogre instead.
How Does Energy Ogre Determine Electricity Rates?
Energy Ogre wants you to see the real savings you can achieve—not a guess based on what seems to be a low kilowatt-hour rate on various websites. Energy Ogre's systems interpret each rate offer in its entirety, taking into account all fees, delivery charges, and taxes, to discern the actual cost per kWh at any consumption level. (So no matter the usage, there are no surprises.) This allows us to predict with a reasonable amount of certainty exactly how much an electric bill with that rate would be in dollars and cents for a given month.
For more information on how it all works here at Energy Ogre, click here.
How Much Can I Save With Energy Ogre?
As your electricity advocate, we want to make sure the plan we recommend will actually save you money. Our free Savings Calculator will show you exactly how much you could save with us! This calculator is part of Energy Ogre's ongoing effort to ensure all Texans in deregulated electricity markets are getting a fair deal at a fair price.
Run Energy Ogre's Free Savings Calculator
What Other Services Does Energy Ogre Provide?
Energy Ogre does far more than just find our members the best electricity plans available. Some of the other services we offer are
- Set up your online account with the REP.
- Enroll your account in autopay so you never have to log in and make that payment.
- Full time customer service team to answer any and all questions instead of waiting on endless holds with REPs.
Click here for an even longer list on what services we provide our members!
Business Electricity Plans
When shopping for the best Texas business electricity plans, many business owners quickly discover that the Power to Choose platform caters exclusively to residential plans and does not offer direct listing or comparison for commercial electricity rates. This makes finding, comparing, and securing the most cost-effective business energy plan a challenge. Energy Ogre solves this hassle by providing specialized services for Texas businesses seeking optimal electricity plans.
Leveraging expert analysis and proprietary technology, Energy Ogre compares thousands of commercial plans, negotiates competitive rates, and manages all aspects of your company’s electricity account—from enrollment to renewal. For businesses using less than 40,000 kWh per year, Energy Ogre charges a low, flat $10 monthly fee, while higher-usage clients enjoy custom-negotiated rates with capped broker commissions—often lower than typical energy broker fees.
Energy Ogre Reviews
Energy Ogre is currently rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google with over 2,900 reviews. Take a look at those reviews by visiting the Energy Ogre Google My Business page.
Energy Ogre Testimonials
For more testimonials and reviews check out the Energy Ogre Reviews & Testimonials page!
Power to Choose FAQs
Does Power to Choose Have Green Energy Options?
Yes, plans listed at "100% Renewable" are Green plans. Almost all plans utilize some renewable energy but only the plans that are listed at 100% are truly considered fully renewable or "Green".
Energy Ogre provides an option during sign-up to choose if you would like to be enrolled in only 100% renewable contracts for our eco-friendly members.
Why Can't Power to Choose Find Rates in My Area?
If no rates pop up when you input your ZIP Code into Power to Choose, it is most likely because you live in a regulated area. The majority of Texas, roughly 85%, is deregulated and open to retail competition in the electricity market. Most electric cooperatives ("co-ops") and municipally owned utilities are exempt and remain regulated. Living in a regulated area means that you're not able to choose your own REP and Energy Ogre or Power to Choose would not be able to service you.
Don't know if your city is regulated or deregulated? Check here!
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Does Power to Choose Have Commercial Options?
Power to Choose does not advertise commercial (aka business) rates on their website.
You can sign up for commercial service with Energy Ogre on our website just as you would for a residential account. You would use your first and last name and then the business address. Once you're signed up, we will reach out to you via email to gather your business information, such as the business name, Tax ID, and other pertinent details.
If you would like more information or assistance in signing up, feel free to call us at (832) 975-1000 to speak to a commercial representative!
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