Frequently Asked Questions
Explore answers to common questions about WattKarma’s services, electricity plans, and more.
About WattKarma
WattKarma is a free platform that helps Texas residents and businesses compare and enroll in electricity plans with trusted Retail Electric Providers (REPs). We also offer energy management consulting, renewable energy solutions, and battery sales and installation services to optimize your energy use and reduce your carbon footprint.
WattKarma is free for users. We earn commissions from REPs when you enroll in their plans through our platform. This does not affect the prices you see, which are the same as those offered directly by the providers.
We carefully evaluate REPs before listing them to ensure they meet our standards for reliability and transparency. If your provider isn’t listed, we may not have partnered with them yet. Contact us to suggest adding your provider!
Shopping for Electricity
In Texas’s deregulated electricity market, you can choose your Retail Electric Provider (REP) and the plan that best fits your needs. WattKarma simplifies this by letting you compare plans based on price, renewable content, and contract terms. Enter your zip code to see available options.
A fixed-rate plan locks in your electricity rate for the contract term (e.g., 6–36 months), protecting you from market fluctuations but may include early termination fees. A variable-rate plan has no contract, and rates can change monthly based on market conditions, offering flexibility but less predictability.
Renewable content refers to the percentage of electricity sourced from renewable resources like wind, solar, or hydroelectric power. You can filter plans on WattKarma to prioritize high renewable content to reduce your environmental impact.
Texas’s deregulated market encourages competition among REPs, leading to a variety of plans tailored to different needs. Use WattKarma’s filters (e.g., price, term length, renewable content) to narrow down options that match your preferences.
Not everyone. Most of Texas is deregulated, allowing choice, but some areas (e.g., municipal utilities or electric cooperatives) are regulated, with a single provider. Enter your zip code on WattKarma to check if you can choose your provider.
Switching Providers
Comparing and enrolling in a new plan on WattKarma takes about 10–15 minutes. The actual switch typically occurs within 1–7 days, often at your next billing cycle, with no service interruption. New service start dates can be scheduled during enrollment.
No. Your local utility continues to deliver electricity, so switching REPs does not affect your service. Your new provider coordinates the transition seamlessly.
Yes. Texas law provides a 3-day grace period to cancel a new contract without penalty. After this period, early termination fees may apply, depending on the contract terms. Check with your provider for details, especially for new service setups.
Some utilities charge setup fees for meter reading when switching. If you’re under contract, early termination fees may apply unless you switch within 14 days of your contract’s end or move to a new address (protected by Texas law). Review the plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for details.
In Texas, you’re not charged early termination fees if you move. You can shop for a new plan at your new address using WattKarma without transferring your existing contract.
Your power won’t stop. If a provider fails, you’ll be automatically switched to a Provider of Last Resort (POLR). You can then use WattKarma to choose a new provider without interruption.
Power Outages
Contact your local utility company, not your REP, as utilities handle power delivery and outages. Check your electricity bill or WattKarma’s help center for the correct utility contact number. Common Texas utilities include:
- Oncor (Dallas-Fort Worth): 1-888-313-4747
- CenterPoint (Houston): 1-800-332-7143
- AEP Texas (North/Central): 1-866-223-8508
- TNMP: 1-888-866-7456
No. Your local utility, not your REP, delivers electricity and maintains the grid, ensuring consistent reliability regardless of your provider choice.
Billing and Pricing
WattKarma displays all plan details, including fees like base charges or minimum usage fees, in the Electricity Facts Label (EFL). Review the EFL on our platform to understand how your bill is calculated and avoid surprises.
Many plans include fixed fees (e.g., base charges) that impact the average rate per kWh, especially at lower usage levels (e.g., 500 kWh). To find your true cost, divide your bill’s total by your monthly kWh usage and compare it to plans on WattKarma for your usage level.
Check your electricity bill for a plan name (e.g., “Flex Plan” indicates no contract) or expiration date. You can also call your provider’s customer service to confirm your contract status and any early termination fees.
Many fixed-rate plans require a credit check, and a deposit may be needed based on your credit history. WattKarma offers filters for prepaid or no-credit-check plans, which require no deposit, ideal for avoiding credit checks.
Find your current rate (energy charge on your bill or total bill divided by kWh used). Compare it to rates on WattKarma for your usage level. Multiply the rate difference by your monthly kWh to estimate savings. Our platform shows transparent pricing to simplify this process.
Additional Services
WattKarma provides personalized consulting to optimize your energy usage, reduce costs, and integrate renewable solutions. Contact us to discuss your needs, from commercial energy audits to residential efficiency plans.
We offer renewable energy plans and battery sales/installation services to store solar or grid power, enhancing energy independence and sustainability. Reach out to explore options tailored to your home or business.
With your permission, we retrieve historical usage data via your Electric Service Identifier (ESIID) to provide accurate plan recommendations and quotes. This data is used solely for facilitating your enrollment and consulting services, as outlined in our Privacy Policy.
Still Have Questions?
Contact our team for personalized assistance:
Symbio Energy Partners
1923 Washington Ave. Houston, TX 77007
Email: help@wattkarma.com
Phone: (888) 571-5911
Visit our Help Center for more resources.