An Early Termination Fee (ETF) is a disclosed charge that may apply if you end an electricity plan before the contract ends. The amount and fee structure vary by Retail Electricity Provider (REP), meaning there is no single standard ETF across the Texas electricity market. You can find the exact terms in the plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) and Terms of Service (TOS).
The good news is that not every electricity plan includes an ETF, and there are some exceptions to when they apply.
What Is an Early Termination Fee on a Texas Electricity Plan?
On a Texas electricity plan, an ETF is a charge that may apply if you end a fixed-term electricity contract before its scheduled expiration date. REPs often buy power in advance to support the rate offered for the full contract term, so leaving early can disrupt that arrangement.
Texas’s deregulated electricity market gives many customers the ability to choose among competing plans and providers. That choice also creates contract-based plan options, which may include an ETF.
However, not every electricity plan includes an ETF. Here’s a closer look at:
- Fixed-rate plans usually include an ETF.
- Specialty plans, like bill/usage credit and time-of-use, often have ETFs.
- Prepaid (no-deposit) electricity plans generally don’t have an ETF, unless they have a set contract term.
- Month-to-month electricity plans typically do not have ETFs.
Whether a plan has an ETF depends on your specific contract. Always read your plan’s EFL for full details, regardless of its pricing structure.
How Early Termination Fees Work
Electricity contract ETFs in Texas generally follow one of two structures:
- Flat fee: You pay one set amount, regardless of how much time remains on the contract.
- Per-month fee: The provider charges a set amount for each month left in the agreement.
Your EFL will tell you how your plan’s ETF works. No matter the fee type, ETFs are usually added to your final bill.
When Do Early Termination Fees NOT Apply? (Texas Exceptions)
Texas rules and standard contract terms create specific situations where an early termination fee does not apply:
- ETFs do not apply if you are moving from the service address, even if your contract has not been fulfilled. You may need to provide proof of your move, such as a forwarding address or a new lease agreement, before your provider waives the fee.
- ETFs do not apply to residential customers in the last 14 days of their electricity contract. While this is true, many Texans can begin shopping and comparing electricity plans 60 to 90 days before their contract expires and schedule their new service to begin at the end of their current contract, rather than waiting until the last minute to make a decision. This allows customers to lock in a new rate and avoid an ETF.
Although not guaranteed, many REPs will also waive ETFs due to extenuating circumstances, such as losing a home in a natural disaster.
How Much Is an Early Termination Fee in Texas?
There isn’t a standard ETF across the Texas electricity market; each individual REP sets its own contract terms. Even different plans offered by the same REP often have different ETFs.
In some cases, paying an ETF may be worth the savings offered by another plan. Instead of focusing on the fee alone, compare the total cost of staying on your current plan versus moving to a new one to decide whether it makes sense to switch now or wait until your contract expires.
Below you can see ETFs for Texas electricity providers:
| Electricity company | Early termination fee |
|---|---|
| 4Change Energy | $20 per remaining month |
| Acacia Energy | No Deposit plans with no ETFs |
| Ambit Energy | $199 |
| Amigo Energy | Typically $175; Apartment Essentials 12 has no ETF |
| APG&E | $150, $250, or $350 depending on the plan |
| Atlantex Power | Typically $20 per remaining month; some plans charge $150 |
| BKV Energy | $20 per remaining month |
| Budget Power | $100, $125, $175, or $250 depending on the plan |
| Champion Energy | $150 or $250 depending on the plan |
| Chariot Energy | $15 per remaining month for the featured plan |
| CleanSky Energy | $25–$275 depending on location and contract duration |
| Companion Energy | $150 for 12 months; $295 for 24 months |
| Constellation Energy | $150 |
| Energy Texas | $20 per remaining month |
| Express Energy | $20 per remaining month |
| Frontier Utilities | $150–$295 depending on contract length |
| Gexa Energy | $150 for 12 months; $295 for 24 months |
| GoodCharlie Energy | $20 per remaining month |
| Infuse Energy | $100–$375; no ETF on variable-price plans |
| Just Energy | $0, $175, $295, or $375 depending on the plan |
| Octopus Energy | $150 |
| OhmConnect | $150 for 12 months; $250 for 24- or 36-month plans |
| Payless Power | $49–$199 |
| Pogo Energy | No Deposit plans with no ETFs |
| Revolution Energy | $100–$375 |
| Rhythm Energy | $20 per remaining month |
| Spark Energy | $100 or $200 depending on the plan |
| Stream Energy | $150–$395; variable-price plan has no ETF |
| Tara Energy | $175 or $295 depending on the plan |
| Think Energy | $200 |
| TriEagle Energy | $20 per remaining month; variable-rate plans have no ETF |
| True Power | $300 |
| TXU Energy | $150–$395; month-to-month plans have no ETF |
| Veteran Energy | $20 per remaining month |
| XOOM Energy | $150–$395 depending on contract length |
Compare Electricity Plans and ETFs Before You Commit
The easiest way to avoid an unexpected Early Termination Fee in Texas is to compare plan details before you enroll. Review each plan’s EFL to understand the contract length, ETF amount and structure, rate type, and other key terms before making your decision.
Power Wizard makes it easy to compare Texas electricity plans side by side. Enter your ZIP code to review plan details from multiple providers and find an option that meets your needs before you enroll.
Discover the best electricity rates in your area!
Frequently Asked Questions About Electricity Early Termination Fees in Texas
An Early Termination Fee (ETF) for an electricity plan is a charge for canceling a fixed-term electricity contract before the agreement ends. These fees are most common on fixed-rate electricity plans. Month-to-month, prepaid, and many no-deposit plans typically do not have one because they generally don’t require a long-term contract. Read your plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for ETF details.
There is no standard Early Termination Fee for Texas electricity plans because each provider sets its own contract terms. However, they are usually structured as a flat fee or a charge based on the number of months remaining on the contract. You can find information specific to your plan in its EFL.
An Early Termination Fee may apply if you cancel a fixed-term electricity plan before your contract ends, unless an exception applies. ETFs do not apply if you are moving, even if your contract has not been fulfilled, and ETFs do not apply in the last two weeks of your electricity contract.
No, Early Termination Fees do not apply if you are moving, even if your contract has not been fulfilled. To qualify for this exception, you may need to provide proof of your move, such as a new lease agreement or forwarding address. Be sure to notify your provider before your service end date and follow any required cancellation steps for setting up electricity when you move.
Yes, if you’re moving or in the last two weeks of your existing contract. You can start to compare electricity providers 60 to 90 days before your contract expires and schedule service to begin when your current agreement ends.
Yes. Month-to-month and no-deposit electricity plans generally do not have Early Termination Fees if they do not have long-term contracts. However, no-contract and month-to-month plans may have prices that change between billing cycles, so compare the current price, any available price history, and the EFL against fixed-rate alternatives before enrolling.
Table of Contents
Related Articles
-
July 24, 2026Where Texans Spend the Largest Share of Income on Summer Electricity
With record-breaking temperatures frequently hitting the triple digits, it’s clear that air conditioning isn’t a lux...
-
April 14, 2026Fan vs. Air Conditioner Electricity Usage in Texas: Cost, Energy & Savings Compared
When Texas heat hits, staying cool can feel like a battle between comfort and cost. Should you rely on ceiling and box f...
-
April 6, 2026Time-of-Use vs. Prepaid Electricity Plans in Texas
Prepaid and time-of-use (TOU) electricity plans take two very different approaches to rates and plan structure. Each can...