Texas electricity true-cost calculator
A plan's advertised rate is usually its average price at exactly 1,000 kWh. Type your own monthly usage and the charges from each plan's Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to see what each plan really costs you per month and per kWh.
How to use it
- Find your monthly usage in kWh on a recent bill. For a fair comparison, try both a summer month and a winter month.
- Open the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for each plan you are considering.
- Copy the energy charge, base charge, delivery (TDU) charges and any bill credit with its usage limits into one column per plan.
- Read the true price. The lowest true price at YOUR usage is the cheapest plan for you.
Why the advertised rate can mislead
Texas rules require each EFL to show the plan's total average price at three usage levels for homes: 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh a month (16 TAC 25.475(g)(2)(C)). Plan ads and comparison sites usually quote the 1,000 kWh figure. A plan with a bill credit that starts at exactly 1,000 kWh can look cheap at that one level and cost much more at 999 kWh.
| Example plan (made-up numbers) | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy charge | 10 cents per kWh |
| Delivery charge | 5 cents per kWh plus $4 a month |
| Base charge | $5 a month |
| Bill credit | $50 when usage is 1,000 kWh or more |
| Bill at 1,000 kWh | $109.00 (true price 10.9 cents) |
| Bill at 999 kWh | $158.85 (true price 15.9 cents) |
One kWh less usage costs this example plan $49.85 more, because the credit disappears.
The formula
Monthly bill = (energy charge + delivery charge per kWh) × usage ÷ 100 + base charge + delivery charge per month, minus the bill credit if your usage is inside the credit's window. True price = monthly bill ÷ usage × 100, in cents per kWh.
See also: how to read an Electricity Facts Label and what a good rate is.
Common questions
Where do I find these numbers?
On each plan's Electricity Facts Label (EFL), which every Texas retail electric provider must publish for every plan. The energy charge, base charge, delivery charges and any bill credit are listed in its pricing section.
Why is my true price different from the advertised price?
The EFL shows average prices only at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh a month. If your usage is different, or a bill credit only applies in a usage window, your real price per kWh can be far higher or lower.
Does the calculator include taxes?
No. Like the EFL average price, it leaves out state and local sales taxes and the gross receipts reimbursement, so your actual bill will be a little higher.
Is anything I type sent anywhere?
No. The calculator runs only in your browser.
Sources
Last updated: