Why the EFL exists
Texas deregulated its electricity market, which gave consumers choice but also created an opening for providers to advertise prices in misleading ways. A plan might advertise $0.099 per kWh in large text while burying a bill credit structure that only applies at exactly 1,000 kWh of usage. Outside that threshold, the effective rate is much higher.
The PUCT created the Electricity Facts Label to standardize what providers must disclose and how they must display it. Every plan sold in Texas must have one, and the format is consistent across all providers so you can actually compare them. Think of it like the nutrition label on food — required, standardized, and worth reading before you commit.
You can find EFLs on the provider's website or on powertochoose.org, the PUCT's official comparison tool for Texas electricity plans.
What each section of the EFL means
Price per kWh at 500 / 1,000 / 2,000 kWh
This is the most important section. Texas plans must show the average price per kWh at all three usage levels. Some plans include monthly base charges or bill credits that make the effective rate very different at each level. Always compare the 1,000 kWh column for a one-bedroom apartment. At 500 kWh or 2,000 kWh, the same plan may look quite different.
Average monthly bill
The EFL shows an estimated monthly bill at each usage level. This combines the rate with any fixed monthly charges. It's a cleaner number to compare across plans than the rate alone, because it reflects what you'd actually pay at that usage level.
Contract term
This tells you how long you're locked into the plan. Common terms are 6, 12, and 24 months. Month-to-month plans will say "variable" or "month-to-month." Fixed terms give you price certainty; variable terms give you flexibility.
Early termination fee
The amount you pay if you cancel before the contract ends. Some plans have none. Fixed-rate plans typically charge $100 to $300 as a flat fee, or a per-month amount for months remaining. If you're renting and may move before the contract ends, this number matters.
Renewable energy content
The percentage of power from renewable sources. Texas has substantial wind capacity, and many plans offer 100% renewable content at little or no rate premium. If this matters to you, it's clearly disclosed here.
Transmission and distribution utility (TDU)
This identifies your local utility — the company that owns the poles and wires delivering power to your building. You don't choose this; it's determined by your address. Oncor serves most of Dallas-Fort Worth. AEP Texas and Entergy Texas serve other parts of the state. Your REP pays the TDU charges and passes them through to you.
The rate advertised vs. the rate you actually pay
This is where a lot of renters get surprised. Some providers advertise a low per-kWh rate that only applies if you use exactly 1,000 kWh in a month. At 750 kWh or 1,200 kWh, the plan might cost noticeably more because a bill credit no longer applies.
The EFL reveals this because it shows the effective rate at all three usage levels. If you see a plan that looks cheap at 1,000 kWh but expensive at 500 kWh, that's the bill credit structure at work. For an apartment where your usage varies month to month, a plan with a consistent rate across usage levels is usually a safer choice than one that's optimal only at a specific number.
If your apartment handles enrollment for you: You'll still receive an EFL before your service is confirmed. Read the contract length and ETF sections. Even if you didn't shop the plan yourself, knowing those two numbers helps you understand what's in place for you.
Where to find EFLs for any Texas plan
Every provider is required to post current EFLs on their website. You can also find them through powertochoose.org, which is the PUCT's official comparison site. Each plan listing includes a link to the EFL. The PUCT also maintains a direct EFL database at puc.texas.gov if you want to search by provider or plan.
Before you sign up with any Texas electricity provider, read the EFL. The advertised rate rarely tells the full story. The EFL does.