How to Use Electricity Plan Switch Calculator
The Electricity Plan Switch Calculator simplifies the complex task of evaluating different electricity plans. It takes into account various factors like rates, fixed charges, and potential fees to provide a clear financial comparison, helping you decide if switching is beneficial.
What It Does
Use the calculator with intent
The Electricity Plan Switch Calculator simplifies the complex task of evaluating different electricity plans. It takes into account various factors like rates, fixed charges, and potential fees to provide a clear financial comparison, helping you decide if switching is beneficial.
This calculator is ideal for homeowners and renters in deregulated energy markets looking to reduce their monthly electricity bills. It's particularly useful for those whose current contract is expiring, new movers, or anyone simply wanting to ensure they have the most cost-effective energy plan available.
Interpreting Results
Start with Current Annual Cost. Then compare Candidate Annual Cost and Annual Savings before deciding what changes the answer most.
Input Steps
Field by field
- 1
Monthly Kwh
Enter monthly kWh usage, contract term, and the current and candidate plan's energy charge, fixed fees, bill credits, and time-of-use rules using the plan facts sheet. Pulling from the last 12 utility bills is better than guessing a single average month.
- 2
Contract Months
Read current annual cost, candidate annual cost, annual savings, and break-even usage. If the savings disappear after a 10%-15% usage change, the plan is fragile and the advertised rate is not telling the whole story.
- 3
Current Plan
Bill-credit plans often win only inside narrow usage bands, so households with big seasonal swings can end up overpaying. A plan that looks cheapest at 1,000 kWh but expensive at 1,300 kWh is risky if your usage fluctuates.
- 4
Candidate Plan
Match the plan to your real usage pattern instead of chasing the lowest headline rate, and avoid paying termination fees unless the annual savings clearly exceed them. Keep a copy of the plan sheet before switching.
- 5
Setup
Re-run before renewal, after a move, or after a major load change such as EV charging or a new AC unit. Track average kWh, effective cents per kWh, and whether actual bills match the model.
Run one base case and one sensitivity case before trusting a single output.
Common Scenarios
Use realistic starting points
Baseline assumptions
Monthly Kwh
760, 710, 680, 620
Contract Months
12
Current Plan
11 Current Plan values
Candidate Plan
11 Candidate Plan values
Start with current annual cost and compare it with candidate annual cost before changing anything.
Higher Monthly Kwh
Monthly Kwh
760, 710, 680, 620, 620
Contract Months
12
Current Plan
11 Current Plan values
Candidate Plan
11 Candidate Plan values
Watch how current annual cost shifts when monthly kwh changes while the rest stays steady.
Lower Contract Months
Monthly Kwh
760, 710, 680, 620
Contract Months
10
Current Plan
11 Current Plan values
Candidate Plan
11 Candidate Plan values
Watch how current annual cost shifts when contract months changes while the rest stays steady.
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FAQ
Questions people ask next
The short answers readers usually want after the first pass.
Sources & References
- Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Consumers by Sector — U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
- How to Compare Electricity Prices and Plans — Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)