Not all electricity plans are created equal. Some look cute up front—
but behind that shiny “9.7¢ per kWh” marketing?
🧨 Hidden fees. Traps. Fine print landmines.
At Watt Panda, we decode all of it. But if you’re shopping solo (brave soul), here are 5 red flags that should make you hit pause faster than ERCOT during a heatwave:
🚩 1. The Too-Good-to-Be-True Rate
You’ve seen the ad:
“Only 9.7¢/kWh!”
But what they don’t tell you is:
That price only applies if you use exactly 1,000 kWh—go over or under by a hair, and BOOM, it spikes to 18¢ or more.
📉 Watt Panda Fix: We compare plans based on your real usage, so you don’t get trapped in a marketing mirage.
🚩 2. Wild TDU Fees Not Included
Many plans advertise low energy rates but hide the delivery fees (aka TDU charges). That’s like ordering tacos for $5 but getting a $12 delivery fee on the receipt.
📉 Watt Panda Fix: Our rates always include TDU charges—so what you see is what you actually pay.
🚩 3. Minimum Usage Penalties
Use too little electricity? Some plans punish you for being efficient with a surcharge. Gross.
📉 Watt Panda Fix: We flag plans with minimum usage requirements and only recommend them if it actually makes sense for your lifestyle.
🚩 4. Inflated Base Charges
Some providers sneak in a “Base Fee” of $9–$20/month before usage even starts. Suddenly your “cheap” plan just got pricey doing absolutely nothing.
📉 Watt Panda Fix: We compare total monthly cost, not just the pretty rate per kWh.
🚩 5. Sketchy Contract Terms
⚠️ Watch out for:
- High early termination fees
- Intro rates that vanish after 3 months
- Auto-renew traps at ugly prices
📉 Watt Panda Fix: We break down contract terms before you sign, not after your first “surprise” bill.
🐼 Bottom Line:
| Plan Looks Like… | But It Might Mean… |
|---|---|
| 9¢/kWh! | Only at 999–1001 kWh usage |
| $0 base rate! | Hidden fees in delivery or terms |
| Low usage savings | Penalties if you’re efficient |
| Great plan upfront | Nightmare renewal on month 13 |
⚡ Let Watt Panda do the dirty work.
We don’t sell electricity—we just know which plans don’t suck.
📥 Upload your bill at www.wattpanda.com and we’ll find the plan that works for you, not the provider’s profit margins.
