Do You Want the Cheapest Houston Electricity?
The grass has started to turn green again, and the trees are looking fuller. Springtime has arrived in the CenterPoint service area. Though the temps are rising, electric rates haven’t skyrocketed just yet. Texas is still in the “shoulder months” where the weather is mild. So now is a great time to show the cheapest Houston electricity plans. But don’t wait around because prices have crept up since the beginning of the year.
Cheapest Houston Electricity Rates
This month’s cheapest Houston electricity contracts look highly similar to one another. Yes, they’re all bill credit plans, but no, they’re not all the same:
| Plan | Term | Rate | Avg. Bill | Bill Credit | ETF |
| APG&E SimpleSaver 14 | 14 months | 10.1 cents | $101 | $100 @ 1,000 kWh | $250 |
| Chariot Energy GridEdge 36 | 36 months | 10.1 cents | $101 | $90 @ 1,000 kWh | $15 x Months Remaining |
| APG&E SimpleSaver 12 | 12 months | 10.2 cents | $102 | $100 @ 1,000 kWh | $150 |
| APG&E SimpleSaver 18 | 18 months | 10.5 cents | $105 | $100 @ 1,000 kWh | $250 |
| Chariot Energy GridEdge 24 | 24 months | 10.5 cents | $105 | $90 @ 1,000 kWh | $15 x Months Remaining |
Tips to Find Your Best Houston Electric Plan
So, what are those key differences? If you’re a seasoned power shopper, the 14-month plan from APG&E might stick out to you. It’s odd for a plan to have a length other than 12, 18, 24, or 36 months. Then, why would a 14-month plan exist, especially with such a low price? Well, selecting this plan will save you money now, but it comes with a big drawback. If you sign up for this plan in May, your term will expire in July. And then, you’ll be shopping for power at the most expensive time of the year. And who wants to shop for anything when Houston July temps average in the low 90s?
You may also notice the early termination fee varies from plan to plan. That 14-month plan has a higher early termination fee than its 12- and 18-month companions. The retailer doesn’t want you to switch power plans before that contract expires. Because of the contract lengths and the early termination fees, most customers may enjoy the affordable flexibility in the GridEdge 36, SimpleSaver 12, and GridEdge 24.
Caution With Multiple Bill Credits
Even though the cheapest Houston electricity plans only have one bill credit each, you need to know about plans with more than one. When a plan has two bill credits, make sure your usage consistently earns them both. For example, a plan may have a $75 bill credit at 1,000 kWh and another $50 bill credit at 2,000. When you don’t earn both, you pay too much for power. So, know your normal usage pattern to find the right plan for your home.
You can find dozens more plans at http://www.texaselectricityratings.com/electric-rates. Here, you can compare prices and features to pick the plan you need.