Hi T.,
I've never heard of Ambit electric company. I just switched from Reliant to a company called First Choice Power since it was the cheapest rate I could find using the powertochoose.org website for my area, but I've heard of other people in my area getting really great deals from solicitors on the phone. We are on the "do not call" list so we don't ever get solicitations anymore. That's probably why the offers by phone are so good. As an example, I got 12.1 cents per kwh for up to 550 kwh and then 12.9 cents per kwh for all kwh over that. I was paying something like 14.9 cents per kwh with Reliant. My friend about a mile away got a deal from another company by phone for 10.1 cents per kwh regardless of how much she uses.
There are a few websites you can check out that include some important facts and terms of service for each provider in your area. You search based on your zip code usually and knowing the fine print is what's important when it comes to switching. For example, both of the companies my friend and I selected have a 12 month contract and if we cancel within that 12 months, we have to pay a penalty. Mine is $150. Of course, when the industry is completely deregulated soon, it might still be worth it to pay the penalty if electric companies really start dropping their rates as some experts have predicted. Here are the websites: www.chooseenergy.com, www.saveonenergy.com, www.electricitytexas.com and www.powertochoose.com.
I sure wish more people would switch from TXU. If everyone would switch, TXU would have to lower their rates. As it is now, with millions NOT switching, they can keep their rates high and the rest of the competitors are happy to follow suit. Good luck with your choice! :-)