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How Texans Can Lower Their Electricity Bills With Gatby (Full Guide to Deregulated vs. Regulated Cities)

How Texans Can Lower Their Electricity Bills With Gatby (Full Guide to Deregulated vs. Regulated Cities)

Managing a home in Texas means managing the heat, the A/C, and the electricity bill. With record-setting summers and volatile energy pricing, choosing the right electricity plan has become one of the biggest money-saving opportunities for homeowners.

At Guarantee Mortgage, we help Texans understand the real cost of owning a home—not just principal and interest. Electricity is one of the most overlooked recurring expenses, and if you live in a deregulated area, you can lower that bill by switching to a better plan.

That’s where Gatby, a free Texas electricity comparison marketplace, can save homeowners hundreds per year. This guide breaks down how Gatby works, where it’s available, and which Texas cities are deregulated vs. regulated.


⚡ What Is Gatby?

Gatby is a 100% free electricity comparison tool for Texans. It helps homeowners:

  • Compare fixed-rate electricity plans

  • Avoid gimmicky time-of-use or bill-credit plans

  • Switch providers instantly

  • Save up to $1,200 per year

  • Use “Autopilot” to stay on a fair rate at renewal

👉 Try it here: https://gatby.com


🌡️ Why Electricity Shopping Matters for Homeowners

Electricity is one of the largest recurring costs in Texas homeownership. A bad plan can spike your bill during summer months or high usage periods.

Using a transparent tool like Gatby helps:

  • Lock in predictable fixed rates

  • Avoid retail electricity “gotchas”

  • Prevent summer bill spikes

  • Improve monthly budgeting

For more energy-saving help, see our guide:
👉 https://guaranteemc.com/home-energy-savings-tips-during-summer-months/


🗺️ Deregulated vs. Regulated Electricity Areas in Texas

Texas is partially deregulated.
Some cities allow you to choose your electricity provider.
Others use a single city-owned utility.

Here’s the breakdown.


✅ Deregulated Electricity Cities (Gatby Works Here)

Major Deregulated Markets

  • Houston

  • Dallas

  • Fort Worth

  • Arlington

  • Plano

  • Frisco

  • McKinney

  • Irving

  • Richardson

  • The Woodlands

  • Sugar Land

  • Spring

  • Galveston

  • Corpus Christi

  • Odessa / Midland

  • Abilene

  • Lubbock (deregulated in 2024)

  • Killeen

  • Temple

  • Waco (select ZIPs)

  • New Braunfels (select ZIPs)

If you’re in one of these cities, Gatby can compare the lowest available fixed-rate plans.


❌ Regulated Electricity Cities (Gatby Does NOT Work Here)

These areas use a single city-run utility or co-op, meaning customers cannot switch providers.

Major Regulated Markets

  • Austin — Austin Energy

  • San Antonio — CPS Energy

  • El Paso — El Paso Electric

  • Bryan / College Station — BTU

  • Brownsville — BPUB

  • Denton — Denton Municipal Electric

  • Garland — Garland Power & Light

  • Georgetown — Georgetown Utility Systems

  • New Braunfels (some ZIPs) — NBPU

If you live here, your electricity rate is set by the city.


❓ Texas Electricity FAQs

How do I know if my city is deregulated?
If your home is powered by CenterPoint, Oncor, AEP Texas, or TNMP, you’re in a deregulated market.

Can switching electricity providers lower my bill?
Yes—Texans typically save $800–$1,200/year.

Is Gatby free to use?
Yes, fully free for homeowners.


🔗 Helpful Links

• Compare Texas electricity rates: https://gatby.com
• Gatby blog: https://gatby.com/blog
• Guarantee Mortgage summer energy tips: https://guaranteemc.com/home-energy-savings-tips-during-summer-months/


Want more Texas homeowner guides?

We publish tools, calculators, and cost-saving resources to help Texans manage homeownership confidently. Explore more at Guarantee Mortgage anytime.

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