Before you switch: eligibility and timing
EIA emphasizes retail choice is territory- and class-specific. Texas competitive electric areas mandate REP relationship in TDU territories per PUC Texas; munis and co-ops excepted. Michigan limits alternative supply to 10% of load with waitlist. Virginia generally restricts typical laundromat loads unless above five megawatts or in aggregation. Georgia electric often stays bundled while gas may use Atlanta Gas Light marketers.
Time switches to avoid overlap penalties: note expiration date on current contract and required notice—often 30–90 days before renewal auto-triggers variable pricing.
| Item | Source | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Choice eligibility | State commission / utility | Avoid invalid enrollment |
| ESID or POD ID | Bill header | Correct premise switch |
| Rate class | Bill detail | Product qualification |
| Contract end date | Supplier portal | Notice window |
| Early termination fee | Current contract | Switch cost |
| 12-month supply $/kWh | Your spreadsheet | Benchmark quotes |
Electric switch sequence (choice markets)
Select REP or alternative supplier offering commercial product matching your load. Submit enrollment with ESID, legal entity name, and authorized signer. REP coordinates with TDU; switch date typically aligns with meter read cycle.
Oncor or your TDU continues delivery charges including demand kW on commercial schedules—15-minute interval peaks still bill after switch.
- Sign contract with defined price type and term.
- Receive confirmation letter with start date.
- Watch for dual supply lines on first transition bill.
- Recompute supply-only $/kWh on first full month.
- Update payment autopay if billing entity changed.
Gas marketer switch (where available)
Railroad Commission Texas regulates gas LDCs; marketer switching is not identical to ERCOT REP process. In Georgia AGL territory, enroll marketer with LDC account and meter serial aligned.
Validate commodity $/therm separately from LDC delivery $/therm after switch using the same method as calculating effective natural gas price.
What switching does not change
Consumption profile from 16.6 mean daily hours and water heating—~50% of commercial laundry primary energy per DOE—remains unless you change operations. Gas dryer therm use—0.36 per 30-pound load in California IOU testing—unchanged by supplier swap.
Procurement lowers commodity price; efficiency lowers units consumed—track both on monthly comparison spreadsheets.
