FAQs for Texas

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• Billing

  • How do I read my First Choice Power electricity bill?

    This list explains every item on your First Choice Power electric bill. If you need more help understanding your bill, call the First Choice Power customer service team at 1-866-469-2464.

    
    1. ACCOUNT INFORMATION: Includes basic account information, such as Account Number, Customer Name, Service Address, Invoice Number, Bill Date, and Service Period. This is the section you will reference should you have any questions regarding your account.
    2. IMPORTANT MESSAGES: Special messages from First Choice Power, which may include important information about your rate plan, special offers and other promotions.
    3. CONTACT INFORMATION: Lists First Choice Power's website, Emergency contact information, and Customer Service numbers for information about your bill or service.
    4. PAYMENT & DUE DATE INFORMATION: Shows the due date and the amount due (The total of Current Charges plus any Balance) that payment must be received by First Choice Power in order to avoid late payment penalties. Your account will be "past due" if payment has not been received and processed by the due date. When mailing payments, please mail 5 days prior to the due date.
    5. ACCOUNT SUMMARY: Itemization of your First Choice Power Account. Consists of the Balance and the Current Charges for electric service as disclosed in the customer's electricity facts label, including applicable taxes and fees.
       • Previous Balance: The balance from your previous statement(s).
       • Base Charge: A charge assessed during each billing cycle without regard to the customer's demand or energy consumption.
       • Energy Charge: A charge based on the electric energy (kWh) consumed.
       • Transmission Distribution Surcharges (TDU Surcharges): One or more TDU surcharge(s) on a customer's bill in any combination. Surcharges include charges billed as tariff riders by the TDU.
       • Miscellaneous Gross Receipt Tax Reimbursement: A fee assessed to recover the miscellaneous gross receipts tax imposed on retail electric providers operating in an incorporated city or town having a population of more than 1,000.
       • Sales Tax: Sales tax collected by authorized taxing authorities, such as the state, cities and special purpose districts.
    6. YOUR ELECTRIC USAGE: Shows your electricity usage and average daily use in kilowatt-hours for the current service period. It may also reflect usage information from the two latest service periods and the same service period from one year ago (if applicable). Note that depending on your tenure with First Choice Power this section may reflect usage information of one, or up to four service periods.
    7. ELECTRICITY ACCOUNT DETAILS: Shows your meter number as well as actual or estimated meter readings. The difference between the previous and current meter readings is used to determine your usage and consumption charges under "Current Charges."
    8. AVERAGE PRICE YOU PAID: The total of all fixed and variable recurring charges, excluding state and local sales taxes, reimbursement for the state miscellaneous gross receipts tax, and any nonrecurring charges or credits, divided by the kilowatt-hour consumption.
    9. OTHER WAYS TO PAY YOUR BILL: Lists the various payment options First Choice Power offers to pay your electricity bill.
    10. GLOSSARY OF TERMS: Definition of terms you'll find in your...

    11. What are the different ways I can receive my electricity bill?

        You can choose to receive your bill through the traditional mail where it will be sent to the billing address you provided when you signed up for service. You can also choose Paperless Billing so that you can receive your bill electronically at the e-mail address you provided when you signed up for service.

        You can also request to receive your bill in...

    12. When will I receive my first electricity bill after I switch to First Choice Power?

        You typically receive your first electricity bill from First Choice Power within 4 to 6 weeks after your switch to us goes into effect. You should also receive your last electricity bill from your prior retail electricity provide within 2 to 4 weeks after your switch to First Choice Power goes into effect. You will not be double-billed for usage from your prior electricity company and First Choice...

• Understanding My Bill

  • What is included in the TDU Delivery Charges? How are these delivery charges determined?

    The TDU Delivery Charge is a mix of usage based fees as well as standard monthly fees. These fees are passed through to you without markup from your local TDU. They cover the cost for maintaining the wires and for distributing your...

  • What is the PUC Assessment on my bill?

    The PUC Assessment is a fee assessed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). This fee covers the cost of the administration of the PUC Regulatory Act. It is equal to 1/6 of 1 percent of the charges on your bill, excluding sales tax.

    You'll see the PUC Assessment as a new line item on your bill. This fee is assessed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and it has always been a part of your monthly price per kilowatt hour. The reason you now see it is because we have unbundled the energy charge portion of your bill to distinguish which fees are assessed by First Choice Power and which are assessed by your local utility...

  • What are distribution charges?

    Distribution charges are the fees your local utility company assesses to deliver electricity to your home. This is a separate charge from how much energy you used in a billing cycle. Your utility company charges these fees no matter which electricity company you choose for your...

  • What is a non-recurring fee?

    Non-recurring fees are assessed by the utility company for your area (also known as the Transmission and Distribution Service Provider, or TDSP). These fees may include a new service initiation fee, a connection fee, a disconnection fee, or a meter-reading fee if you requested a meter reading outside of your normal billing cycle.

    These charges are listed separately on your monthly bill, as they are not assessed by First Choice Power. However, because we are your Retail Electric Provider (REP), we are required to pass them on to...

  • What are transmission charges?

    These charges are assessed by your local utility company on your bill for the cost of moving high-voltage electricity from the company generating the electricity across the wires of your utility company and into your home. These charges are separate from the ones that assess how much energy you...

• Billing Updates

  • How do I change the name on my First Choice Power account?

    Change can be hard, but not with First Choice Power. If you're looking to change the name on your account, the current account holder must contact our Customer Care center. Only the current First Choice Power account holder or authorized representative will be able to make changes to the...

  • How do I delete my Automatic Payment Rule?

    To delete your Automatic Payment Rule, please do the following:

    1. Log into or register your Online Account Manager account at https://directenergy.com/account.
    2. Select the "Make a Payment" button from the Homepage or the Billing and Payments tab.
    3. The Payment Center will open to the "Pay My Bill" page.
    4. Select the "Automatic Payments" link from the left side menu.
    5. Select the Automatic Payment rule by clicking on the Payment ID number from the table.
    6. Press the "Delete" button.

    Note: Deleting a rule will not cancel any payments already...

  • How do I make changes to or delete my Automatic Payment Rule?

    You cannot make changes to an existing rule. You must delete the Automatic Payment Rule, update the payment method, and then add a new rule.

    Updating the payment type attached to the Rule does not update the automatic payment rule. Your Automatic Payment will continue to use the old payment information.

    To delete your Automatic Payment Rule, please do the following:

    1. Log into or register your Online Account Manager account at https://firstchoicepower.com/account.
    2. Select the "Make a Payment" button from the Homepage or the Billing and Payments tab.
    3. The Payment Center will open to the "Pay My Bill" page.
    4. Select the "Automatic Payments" link from the left side menu.
    5. Select the Automatic Payment rule by clicking on the Payment ID number from the table.
    6. Press the "Delete" button.

    Note: Deleting a rule will not cancel any payments already...

  • Is there a way to update or add a new payment method?

    Do you need to delete your debit card or credit card on file? Has your card expired? Or do you just want to update your account with a new bank account, or debit or credit card? No problem. Just follow these steps:

    To add a credit card/debit card to your account, please follow these steps:

    1. Login to your First Choice Power Online Account Manager.
    2. Hover over the Billing & Payments tab and click Payment Methods.
    3. Click the Add Payment Method.
    4. Select your Credit/Debit Card as your payment type and choose a Nickname for this payment type.
    5. Enter your preferred credit card number without dashes, expiration date, security code, and billing zip code for your credit card.
    6. If you want to make this payment type your default method, please click the check box.
    7. Click Save Payment Method to confirm this method.

    You can also click Cancel if you decide you do not want to add a new payment method.

    To change an expired credit or debit card or delete a card, follow these steps:

  • Hover over the Billing & Payments tab and click Payment Methods.
  • Click the radio button for the payment method that has expired and click the Edit button, or simply click on Delete if you want to delete it completely.
  • To continue editing, click the check box for I would like to update payment details.
  • Enter the new Expiration Date, Security Code, and Zip Code.
  • If you want to make this payment type your default method, please click the check box.
  • Click the Update button.

  You can also click Cancel if you decide you do not want to update your credit card information.

  To add a bank account (ACH) to your account, please follow these instructions:

  1. Login to your Online Account Manager
  2. Hover over the Billing & Payments tab and select Payment Methods.
  3. Click the Add Payment Method button on the right.
  4. Select your Bank Account as your payment type and choose a Nickname for this payment type.
  5. Enter your First Name, Last Name, Routing Number, and Account Number for the ACH Bank Account you want to use.
  6. If you want to make this payment type your default method, click the check box.
  7. Click Save Payment Method to confirm this method.

  You can also click Cancel if you decide you do not want to add a new payment...

  • How can I close my First Choice Power account?

    If you are moving to a new address within the First Choice Power service area, you can transfer your service to your new address in your Online Account Manager or by calling our Customer Care team at 1-866-469-2464.

    If you are switching from First Choice Power to another provider, there is no need to contact us. Your new provider will handle this transaction without disconnecting your service.

    If you are moving outside of the First Choice Power service area and you need to close your account, please call our Customer Care center toll-free at...