PLAN INTELLIGENCE

Is Your Plan Actually Working?

A low rate doesn't mean a low bill. We analyze how your plan performs against YOUR actual usage--not some hypothetical average Texan.

Your Plan Performance Score tells you if you're winning, losing, or somewhere in between. Updated daily.

The "Great Rate" That Costs More

Sarah's Story (Real Customer)

What She Thought:

  • * "I got a 9.2c rate--amazing!"
  • * "Free nights plan = I save on AC"
  • * "$75 bill credit if I hit 1000 kWh"

What Actually Happened:

  • * Only 32% of usage was at night (needed 55%+)
  • * Daytime rate was 16.4c (hidden)
  • * Effective rate: 13.8c (not 9.2c)

Her "9.2c plan" cost:

$47/mo more

...than a simple 10.5c fixed rate would have

Her Plan Performance Score would have been 42. She would have known immediately.

What Your Score Tells You

Three scenarios. Three very different stories.

Excellent (80+)

92

4Change Energy

Maxx Saver 24

Expected

$142/mo

Actual

$138/mo

Rate vs Market
-0.8c
Bill Credit
100%
Usage Match
Excellent
Contract
8 mo

Needs Attention (60-79)

64

TXU Energy

Free Nights 12

Expected

$148/mo

Actual

$179/mo

Rate vs Market
+2.1c
Off-Peak Usage
38%
Bill Credit
Yes
Contract
3 mo

Better plan available:

Simple Saver 12 - Frontier

Save $34/mo

Poor Fit (<60)

38

Reliant

Truly Free Weekends

Expected

$135/mo

Actual

$198/mo

Weekend Shift
22%
Weekday Rate
18.2c
Effective Rate
15.8c
Contract Lock
10 mo

Better plan available:

Gexa Choice 12 - Gexa Energy

Save $67/mo

What Goes Into Your Score

Four factors, weighted by impact on your actual bills.

Rate vs Market

35% of score

How does your effective rate compare to what you could get today? We calculate your true all-in rate (including TDU, credits, fees) and compare it to current market options at your exact usage level.

Credit Attainment

25% of score

If your plan has bill credits, are you hitting them? Missing a $50-75 credit dramatically changes your effective rate. We track whether you're consistently hitting, missing, or at risk.

Usage Pattern Match

25% of score

TOU plan with most usage during peak? That's a mismatch. Flat-rate plan when you could shift to free nights? Missed opportunity. We analyze if your plan TYPE suits your usage PATTERN.

Contract Position

15% of score

Good rate but expiring next month? That affects your score. Bad rate but ETF makes switching costly? We factor that in. Your position matters as much as the rate itself.

How We Calculate Your Score

Real analysis, real math, real answers.

1

Analyze Your Plan Structure

We break down your plan's rate structure--base rate, credits, TDU charges, time-of-use periods, everything.

2

Match Against Your Usage

Your actual usage pattern matters. We overlay your hourly/daily usage onto your plan's pricing to see reality.

3

Compare to Market

We run your same usage through current market plans to see what you COULD be paying.

4

Calculate Your Score

Score 0-100 based on rate efficiency, credit attainment, usage match, and contract position.

5

Recommend Actions

High score? Great, keep it. Low score? Here's exactly what to do and when.

The Actual Calculations

Here's how we turn your data into a score.

Effective Rate Calculation

// Total cost breakdown
energy_charge = usage x rate
tdu_charges = delivery + meter
credits = (hit_threshold ? credit_amount : 0)
effective_rate =
(energy + tdu - credits) / usage

Score Components

// Weighted score
rate_score = market_comparison x 0.35
credit_score = credit_attainment x 0.25
pattern_score = usage_match x 0.25
contract_score = position_value x 0.15
final_score = sum(all_components)

Example: TOU Plan Analysis

1,200
kWh total
780
kWh peak (65%)
420
kWh off-peak (35%)
12.8c
effective rate

With 35% off-peak, this TOU plan underperforms. A 10.5c flat rate would save $27/mo.

Plan Myths vs Reality

What marketing says vs. what math proves.

CLAIM

"Lowest rate" means best deal

TRUTH

Lowest rate at YOUR usage is what matters. A 9c plan with hidden fees beats a 8c plan with $9.95/mo charges.

CLAIM

"Free" anything is actually free

TRUTH

Free nights/weekends means EXPENSIVE other times. The math rarely works unless you shift 55%+ of usage.

CLAIM

Fixed rate = predictable bills

TRUTH

Fixed rate means predictable RATE. Bills vary with usage, TDU charges, and whether you hit credit thresholds.

CLAIM

Bill credits save you money

TRUTH

Only if you hit them. Miss by 1 kWh and you lose $50-75. We track if you're likely to miss.

CLAIM

Your plan is working fine

TRUTH

If you don't know your score, you don't know if it's working. Most Texans overpay $200-500/year.

What To Do With Your Score

Different scores, different actions.

80+

You're Winning

Your plan is performing well. Keep doing what you're doing, but stay alert for contract expiration and market shifts.

Set contract reminders Monitor for market drops
60-79

Room for Improvement

You're not getting destroyed, but you're leaving money on the table. Look at your factor breakdown--there's likely one or two things to fix.

Check bill credit timing Review usage patterns Compare alternatives
<60

Time To Act

Your plan is costing you significantly more than it should. We've already found better options--check the "Better Plan Available" section in your score card.

View alternatives NOW Calculate ETF break-even Switch ASAP

Questions About Plan Scoring

What's a 'good' Plan Performance Score?

80+ is excellent--your plan is working well for your usage. 60-79 means there's room for optimization. Below 60 means you're likely overpaying significantly and should consider switching or changing your usage patterns.

How often is my score updated?

Daily, based on your latest usage data. Your score can fluctuate--a score of 75 might drop to 68 if you miss a bill credit one month, or rise to 82 if you shift more usage to off-peak hours.

Why did my score drop even though I didn't change anything?

Market rates change constantly. If rates drop and you're locked into a higher rate, your 'Rate vs Market' factor worsens. Or your usage pattern might have shifted (more daytime AC usage in summer), affecting TOU plan performance.

Can I improve my score without switching plans?

Sometimes. If you're on a TOU plan and scoring low because of usage timing, shifting appliances to off-peak can help. If you're missing bill credits by a small margin, we can help you hit them. But if your plan is fundamentally wrong for your lifestyle, switching is the answer.

Does a low score mean I should break my contract?

Not automatically. We factor in your remaining contract term and ETF. A score of 45 with 2 months left might mean 'wait it out.' A score of 45 with 10 months left might mean 'break it now and save $400+ net.'

How do you calculate the 'expected' cost vs 'actual'?

Expected is what your plan SHOULD cost at your usage if everything works perfectly (credits hit, optimal timing). Actual is what you really paid. The gap shows if the plan is working as advertised.

What's YOUR Score?

Most Texans don't know if their plan is working. Get your score in minutes and find out if you're winning or leaving money on the table.