Understanding Your Energy Bill

Your electricity bill can be confusing. This guide walks you through every section of a Texans Choice Power bill, explains the fees you see, and helps you know exactly what you are paying for and why.

  • How to read each section of your bill
  • What TDSP (utility delivery) fees are and why you pay them
  • The difference between supply and delivery charges
  • Definitions for every term on your bill
  • How to contact Customer Care if you have questions
Your Bill, Explained

Every section of your bill, clearly labeled

Use the numbered sample bill and the corresponding explanations to understand where to find important information on your Texans Choice Power electricity bill.

Sample Texans Choice Power residential electricity bill with numbered sections

Sample Texans Choice Power residential electricity bill. Numbers correspond to the explanations shown here.

1

Account # / Invoice # / Due Date

Located near the top of your bill. This section includes your account number, invoice number, invoice date, and payment due date. Have this information available when contacting Customer Care.

2

Billing Summary

Shows your Previous Balance, Payments or Adjustments received, New Charges for the current billing period, and your total Amount Due.

3

Meter Section

Lists your meter number, service period, previous and current meter readings, and total electricity usage measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

4

Current Charges

Provides a breakdown of the charges for the current billing period, including your electricity supply charges from Texans Choice Power.

5

Previous Charges

Shows your Previous Balance, payments received since your last bill, applicable adjustments, and any Balance Forward.

6

Total Amount Due

The total amount currently owed on your account, including current charges and any balance carried forward from a previous billing period.

7

Agreement Details

Displays information related to your Texans Choice Power electricity plan, including applicable rate and usage information for the billing period.

8

Usage History Chart

Shows your electricity usage in kWh over recent billing periods so you can compare your consumption and identify seasonal usage patterns.

9

Payment Stub

If you are paying by mail, detach and return this portion with your payment. It includes important payment information such as your account number, invoice number, due date, and amount due.

TDSP (Utility) Fees

Understanding delivery charges on your bill

Utility delivery charges, called TDSP fees, are standard for Texas electricity customers regardless of which retail electricity provider you choose. Here's what you need to know.

What TDSP fees cover

These charges go to your local utility company, such as Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, or TNMP, for services including maintaining the power grid, repairing equipment, reading your meter, and delivering electricity to your home. These charges are not set by Texans Choice Power.

Utility-set delivery rates

TDSP delivery charges are established by your local utility and passed through by retail electricity providers. Texans Choice Power does not set these utility delivery rates.

Supply vs. delivery — the key difference

Supply charges relate to the electricity you purchase through Texans Choice Power. Delivery charges cover the infrastructure and utility services used to deliver that electricity to your home.

What is a billing cycle?

A billing cycle is the period during which your electricity consumption is measured for billing purposes. A typical billing cycle is approximately one month.

Glossary

Common bill terms defined

Energy billing uses specific terminology. Here's a plain-English explanation of common terms you may see on your Texans Choice Power bill.

Account Balance
The total amount due on your account, including current charges and any previous unpaid balances carried over.
Amount Due
The amount you owe for electric service for the current billing cycle, plus any outstanding balance.
Amount Due After Date Due
The amount owed if payment is not received by the due date, including any applicable late payment penalty.
AutoPay
If your account is enrolled in automatic payment, your billing statement will indicate this. Payments are automatically processed according to your AutoPay settings.
Balance Forward
An outstanding amount from a previous billing period carried into the current bill.
Contract Number
The number assigned to your Texans Choice Power contract. Have this available when contacting Customer Care with questions about your plan.
Current Meter Read
The meter reading associated with your current billing period.
Disconnect Notice Fee
A fee associated with the administrative issuance of a service disconnection notice when applicable.
Energy Charge
A charge based on the amount of electric energy consumed during the billing cycle.
ESI ID
The Electric Service Identifier associated with your electricity service location.
Invoice #
The number identifying a specific bill. Have this available when contacting Customer Care about a billing question.
kWh (kilowatt-hour)
The standard unit used to measure electricity consumption.
Late Payment Penalty
A charge that may be assessed when payment is received after the applicable due date.
Previous Meter Read
The meter reading associated with your previous billing period.
Total Amount Due
The total amount owed for the billing cycle, including applicable charges, fees, taxes, and any previous balance.
Usage
The amount of electricity consumed at your service address during the billing period, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Questions about your Texans Choice Power bill?

Our Customer Care team is here to help.

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Saturday: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM CT
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Helpful Resources

Learn more about Texas energy deregulation and how to make informed decisions about your electricity provider

Texas Energy Savings

Tips and resources for reducing your energy consumption Visit Site

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Live updates on Texas grid conditions and system reliability Visit Site

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Latest Texas energy industry news, trends, and policy updates Visit Site

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