Should You Pay the Fee and Break Your Electricity Contract?
One bill, three numbers, and an honest answer. We take what you're paying now, compare it against today's lowest-cost plans at your actual usage, and weigh the savings over your remaining months against the one-time fee. When the math says stay, we say stay.
Moving instead of switching?Texas customer-protection rules (16 TAC §25.475) don't allow an early-termination fee when you end a contract because you're moving and provide reasonable proof of the move — the fee only applies when you switch providers at the same address.
How the break-even math works
Breaking a contract trades a certain, one-time cost (the fee) for uncertain, recurring savings (a cheaper rate). The comparison window that matters is the months left on your current contract — after that you'd be free to switch anyway, so savings beyond that date don't justify the fee. The formula:
net = (current bill − best plan bill) × months left − fee net > 0 → switching pays off before your contract ends net ≤ 0 → stay, and shop when the contract expires
We compute your current all-in rate from a real bill (total ÷ kWh), so delivery charges, base charges, and any credits are already baked into both sides of the comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my early termination fee?
It's a required disclosure on your plan's Electricity Facts Label (EFL) and in your Terms of Service, usually listed as a 'cancellation fee' or 'early termination fee.' It can be a flat amount (e.g. $150) or scale with months remaining (e.g. $20 per month left). If you can't find your EFL, your provider's customer portal has it, or you can call and ask.
When does breaking a Texas electricity contract make sense?
When the monthly savings from a cheaper plan, multiplied by the months left on your current contract, exceed the one-time fee. If you'd save $30/month with 10 months left, that's $300 against a $150 fee — you come out $150 ahead. If you'd only save $10/month with 5 months left, that's $50 against the same $150 fee, and staying wins.
Do I owe the fee if I'm moving?
No. Texas customer-protection rules (16 TAC §25.475) prohibit a retail electric provider from collecting an early termination fee when you end a contract because you're moving, as long as you give notice and reasonable evidence of the move, such as a forwarding address. The fee only applies when you switch providers while staying at the same address.
Why does the calculator sometimes tell me to stay?
Because the math often says so. If your current rate already beats today's market at your usage, or the fee is larger than the total savings before your contract ends anyway, switching loses money. We show the arithmetic either way — the point of this tool is the honest answer, not a switch at any cost.
Are these savings guaranteed?
No. Estimates use today's ranked plans at the single usage level you enter. Your usage changes month to month, plan inventories change daily, and your actual bill depends on your plan's full fee and credit structure. Treat the result as a well-informed starting point and confirm current pricing on the provider's EFL before enrolling.