Understanding your Electricity Facts Label (EFL)

What is an Electricity Facts Label?

An Electricity Facts Label (EFL) is a document describing the details of a plan. The EFL will show the average electricity rate you will pay at certain usage levels. It will also show you other information like green percentage, base (monthly) charges and an early termination (cancellation) fee.

Where do I find my EFL?

While shopping for a plan, there should be a link labeled "EFL" above the "Sign Up Now" button. When you sign up for a plan, your EFL should also be mailed to you from your electric company.

Key EFL Terms

Usage Credit
- This is an amount credited back to your account after reaching a certain usage. If you do not meet the minimum usage, you will not receive this credit and your bill and price per kWh can be much higher. Be careful with these!
Energy Charge
- The energy charge is how much you will pay the electricity provider per kWh you use.
Base Charge
- A monthly cost appended to your bill by your electric provider. Sometimes this only applies when usage is below a certain threshold.
Transmission or Delivery Charges (TDSP fees)
- These are fees passed on to your electricity provider from your electric utility. These fees are present regardless of which company you choose.
Termination Fee
- The amount you will have to pay for cancelling your contract before your term has expired. Does not apply to month-to-month plans.

What kinds of plans are there?

"Straight Forward" Plans
- Flat rate plans are electricity plans that have the same price per kWh, regardless of how much you use. These plans tend to have higher rates at 1,000 kWh but your bill amount should directly follow your usage amount.
- View example EFL
"Tiered Rate" Plans
- Some plans have different rates at different usage amounts, or tiers. These can make your bill amount seem unstable and not weather oriented.
- View example EFL
"Bill Credit" Plans
- Bill credit plans are plans that give you credits at certain levels of usage. You will generally pay a higher rate per kWh that will be offset when you hit an arbitrary threshold. These generally make the rates look nice when right at 1,000 kWh.
- View example EFL
"Base Charge" Plans
- These plans have very high monthly charges but little-to-no usage fees up to a certain point. After you've used a certain amount of electricity you will begin being billed per kWh. They can work out nicely if your usage is consistent and right around the sweet-spot, but if your usage is generally low you should probably stay away.
- View example EFL