If you’re renting in Texas, you might think you don’t have options when it comes to your electricity bill. After all, it’s not your house, you can’t upgrade the AC unit, and you can’t install solar panels. But here’s the good news: in Texas’s deregulated energy market, renters have more power than they think.
Texas Renters Have the Right to Choose Their Provider
Unlike many states where your electricity provider is determined by where you live, Texas’s deregulated energy market means you — the renter — can choose your own retail electricity provider (REP). You’re not stuck with whoever your landlord used before you moved in.
This is huge. It means you can shop for better rates, lock in fixed prices, and avoid the plans that take advantage of people who don’t know they have options.
The Most Common Renter Mistake
The most common mistake renters make is signing up for whatever plan is easiest or first in the list on Power to Choose — Texas’s official electricity shopping website. Those plans are often not the best deals. They’re the most advertised.
Watt Panda cuts through the noise. We analyze your actual usage (from your previous bill) and find the plan that’s genuinely cheapest for how you use electricity — not just the lowest teaser rate.
Tips Specifically for Texas Renters
Check If Electricity Is Included in Your Rent
Some Texas rental properties include electricity in the rent. If yours does, make sure the rate is actually competitive. Landlords who ‘include’ electricity sometimes mark it up significantly. It’s worth doing the math.
Set Up Service Before You Move In
Don’t wait until moving day. Set up your electricity plan a week before your move-in date so you have power from day one. Watt Panda can handle this entire process for you.
Avoid Month-to-Month Plans
Month-to-month plans typically have higher rates. If you know you’ll be in your rental for at least a year, locking in a 12-month fixed rate almost always saves money.
Request an Energy Audit
Even as a renter, you can request a free energy audit from your TDU (transmission and distribution utility). They’ll identify where your rental is losing energy and what can be done about it.
Watt Panda Makes It Easy for Renters
Moving is stressful enough. Setting up electricity shouldn’t be another headache. Watt Panda handles everything — from finding the best plan to setting up service — so you can focus on the move. And we never charge you a penny. Visit wattpanda.com to get started. 🐼