Texas homeowners reviewing electricity satisfaction guarantee policies before signing a contract

Texas Electricity Satisfaction Guarantees

Not every "satisfaction guarantee" is created equal. Some let you walk away free. Others just let you shuffle between their own plans. Here's what you get.

The Bottom Line

Best full cancellation guarantee: TXU Energy (60 days) — you can leave entirely, no fees.
Longest guarantee period: Reliant Energy (90 days) — but only for plan switching.
Minimum baseline: Every provider must give you 3 business days to cancel per PUCT §25.474.

How We Ensure Accuracy

Since 2009, the team at ElectricRates.org has helped over 5 million energy consumers find better electricity rates. Supplier information comes from state regulators, company filings, and documented customer feedback. Read the editorial standards & see our methodology.

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"Satisfaction guaranteed" sounds great in marketing. But read the fine print and you'll find a spectrum of policies ranging from genuinely consumer-friendly to basically meaningless.

The ElectricRates.org editorial team reviewed the terms of service from every major Texas electricity provider. The differences matter more than you'd think — especially if you're moving into a new home or trying a provider for the first time.

This guide is part of the ElectricRates.org Guide Hub · Texas Electricity Resources

Two Types of "Satisfaction Guarantees"

Full Cancellation

Cancel your contract entirely and switch to any other provider — no early termination fee.

This is what most people expect when they hear "satisfaction guarantee."

Plan Switching Only

Switch to a different plan within the same company — but you can't leave without paying the early termination fee.

Less flexible than it sounds. You're still locked to that provider.

Why this matters: If you sign up with Gexa and hate their customer service, their "Happiness Guarantee" lets you switch to a different Gexa plan. It doesn't let you leave Gexa. That's a big difference.

When Does Your Guarantee Clock Start?

Providers use different terminology. Know what each means:

Enrollment Date

The day you signed up — could be weeks before power actually starts. Riskiest for early sign-ups.

Service Start Date

The day electricity begins flowing to your address. More consumer-friendly timing.

Service Activation

Same as service start date — when power is actually turned on at your meter.

Contract Start Date

Varies by provider — could mean enrollment OR activation. Check your EFL to confirm.

Providers With Full Cancellation Rights

These providers let you cancel entirely and switch to any competitor — no termination fee.

TXU Energy

Starts: Service Start Date
60 Days Full Cancel

TXU Energy allows full cancellation or switching to any TXU plan. No termination fees. Market leader in consumer-friendly terms.

View terms · Verified Jan 2026

4Change Energy

Starts: Contract Start Date
60 Days Full Cancel

4Change Energy allows switching to another plan or complete cancellation. 4Change works with customers to find a better fit first.

View terms · Verified Jan 2026

Rhythm Energy

Starts: Service Start Date
30 Days Full Cancel

Rhythm's "30-Day Test Drive" allows full cancellation. After 30 days, ETF applies. Shorter window than competitors.

View terms · Verified Jan 2026

Energy Texas

Starts: Enrollment Date
30 Days Full Cancel

Energy Texas will attempt to match competitor rates first before processing cancellation.

View terms · Verified Jan 2026

Providers With Plan-Switching Only

These providers let you switch between their own plans — but leaving triggers the early termination fee.

Reliant Energy

Starts: Enrollment Date
90 Days Plan Switch

Reliant offers the longest guarantee period (90 days), but only for switching between Reliant plans. Canceling entirely still triggers ETF.

View terms · Verified Jan 2026

Direct Energy

Starts: Service Activation
90 Days Plan Switch

Direct Energy offers a 90-day window to switch to any Direct Energy plan. Full cancellation still incurs ETF. (Now owned by NRG Energy.)

View terms · Verified Jan 2026

Green Mountain Energy

Starts: Enrollment Date
90 Days Plan Switch

Green Mountain allows switching between Green Mountain plans within 90 days. Terms and restrictions apply.

View terms · Verified Jan 2026

Gexa Energy

Starts: Service Activation
60 Days Plan Switch

Gexa's "Happiness Guarantee" allows switching to eligible Gexa plans. One-time offer for new customers only.

View terms · Verified Jan 2026

Frontier Utilities

Starts: Service Activation
60 Days Plan Switch

Frontier's "Happiness Guarantee" allows plan switching within 60 days of activation. Contract resets with new plan.

View terms · Verified Jan 2026

Just Energy

Starts: Service Start Date
60 Days Plan Switch

Just Energy allows switching to any other Just Energy plan without termination fees. Full cancellation incurs ETF. (Restructured post-2021.)

View terms · Verified Jan 2026

Watch the Start Date

Enrollment date guarantees can expire before service begins.

Planning a move 60 days out? If you sign up now with a provider that counts from enrollment date, your 60-day guarantee could expire before you even get power.

Look for providers that count from service start date or activation date — your guarantee period should align with actual service, not paperwork.

The Minimum Everyone Gets: 3 Days

Forget the marketing for a second. Texas law (PUCT §25.474) already requires every provider to give you a 3-business-day rescission period when switching electricity providers.

That means if you sign up with a new provider and change your mind within 3 federal business days of receiving your contract documents, you can cancel with no penalty. Period. This applies even if the provider doesn't advertise any "satisfaction guarantee."

The catch: This only applies when switching from one provider to another. If you're activating new service at a new address, the 3-day rule doesn't apply.

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The Fine Print That Trips People Up

30 days isn't enough time

A 30-day guarantee barely covers one billing cycle. You might not even receive a full bill before your window closes. Look for 60+ days if you're serious about evaluation.

You must call them first

Just signing up with a new provider doesn't trigger the guarantee. You have to contact your current provider, reference the satisfaction guarantee, and request cancellation. Document everything.

You still pay for usage

The guarantee waives the early termination fee — not your actual electricity charges. You'll still owe for every kWh you used. No free electricity here.

New customers only (usually)

Most guarantees are one-time offers for first-time customers. Renewing your existing contract or coming back after leaving usually doesn't qualify.

When a Satisfaction Guarantee Actually Helps

Moving to a new home

You don't know your actual usage yet. A 60-day guarantee gives you two billing cycles to see if your plan fits your new home's consumption.

Trying a new provider

Customer service quality varies wildly. A guarantee lets you evaluate the full experience — billing accuracy, response times, app functionality — before committing.

Unsure about plan type

Free nights? Time-of-use? Fixed rate? If you're experimenting with a new plan structure, a guarantee gives you a real-world test without long-term commitment.

First-time Texas resident

New to deregulated electricity? The whole system can be confusing. A guarantee gives you room to learn without costly mistakes.

How to Actually Use Your Guarantee

1

Document your enrollment

Screenshot your confirmation showing the guarantee terms. Note the exact date your guarantee period starts and ends.

2

Set calendar reminders

Mark your guarantee expiration date and set a reminder 1 week before. Don't wait until the last minute.

3

Review your first bill carefully

Check that the rates match what you were promised. Compare the all-in cost per kWh against your Electricity Facts Label.

4

Call and reference the guarantee

If you're not satisfied, call customer service. Explicitly say "I want to use my satisfaction guarantee." Get confirmation in writing or via email.

5

Then sign up with your new provider

After your current provider confirms the guarantee cancellation, complete enrollment with your new choice.

Compare Texas Electricity Plans

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a satisfaction guarantee for Texas electricity?

A satisfaction guarantee lets you cancel or change your electricity plan within 30-90 days without paying early termination fees. Some let you leave entirely; others only allow switching to another plan within the same company.

Which Texas electricity providers have satisfaction guarantees?

Providers with full cancellation guarantees include TXU Energy (60 days), 4Change Energy (60 days), and Rhythm Energy (30 days). Providers with plan-switching guarantees include Reliant (90 days), Gexa Energy (60 days), Frontier Utilities (60 days), and Direct Energy (90 days). Always verify current terms in your Electricity Facts Label.

What's the difference between a cancellation guarantee and a plan-switching guarantee?

A cancellation guarantee (like TXU's) lets you cancel your contract entirely and switch to any other provider without fees. A plan-switching guarantee (like Gexa's) only lets you switch to another plan within that same company—you can't leave without paying an early termination fee.

When does my satisfaction guarantee period start?

It depends on the provider. Some start counting from your enrollment date (when you signed up), others from your service start date, and some from your activation date (when power actually starts flowing). Enrollment date guarantees can expire before service even begins if you sign up early.

Do I still have to pay for electricity I used during the guarantee period?

Yes. Every satisfaction guarantee requires you to pay for the electricity you actually consumed. The guarantee only waives the early termination fee—not your usage charges. You'll receive a final bill for any electricity used before cancellation.

What is the 3-day rescission right in Texas?

Per PUCT rules, all Texas electricity customers switching providers have 3 federal business days to cancel their new contract without any penalty after receiving their terms of service documents. This applies to everyone, not just those with satisfaction guarantees. It does not apply to new service activations.

Do I need to call my provider to use my satisfaction guarantee?

Yes. You must contact your provider directly to invoke your satisfaction guarantee. Simply signing up with a new provider without notifying your current one will likely trigger the early termination fee. Call the customer service number, reference your satisfaction guarantee, and get confirmation in writing.

Are satisfaction guarantees available to existing customers?

Most satisfaction guarantees apply only to new customers signing up for the first time. However, some providers like Reliant extend the 90-day guarantee to existing customers who sign up for a new contract. Check the specific terms before assuming you're covered.

Is 30 days enough time to evaluate an electricity provider?

Probably not. A 30-day guarantee barely gives you time to receive your first bill, let alone evaluate pricing accuracy or customer service. If you're unsure about a provider, look for plans with 60 or 90-day guarantees to give yourself more evaluation time.

Can I use a satisfaction guarantee if I moved to a new home?

Satisfaction guarantees are particularly valuable when moving because you don't know your new home's actual energy consumption. A 60-day guarantee gives you at least two billing cycles to assess whether the plan fits your usage patterns before you're locked in.

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