Houston Electricity Rates, Plans & Suppliers
Recommended Houston Electricity Plans
What are Houston's Average Electricity Rates
Currently, the cheapest Houston electricity rate is 14.7 ¢/kWh, 21% lower than the average rate of 18.5 ¢/kWh.
Based on recent order data, the best electricity providers in Houston are BKV Energy, Express Energy, and TXU Energy.
43% are choosing plans with a contract length of 12 months, with 24 month contracts being the second most popular choice at 24%.
The average electric bill in Houston ranges from $170 to $280, with an average electricity usage of 1100-1400 kWh per month.Compare Houston Electricity Rates
We've researched the best providers and plans so you can find a great electricity rate in Houston
| Company | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Discount Power | 24/months | 10.7¢/kWh |
| Frontier Utilities | 12/months | 10.8¢/kWh |
| Gexa Energy | 12/months | 10.8¢/kWh |
| 4Change Energy | 24/months | 11.6¢/kWh |
| Express Energy | 24/months | 11.6¢/kWh |
| Chariot Energy | 36/months | 12.7¢/kWh |
| Constellation | 12/months | 12.9¢/kWh |
| Veteran Energy | 36/months | 13.1¢/kWh |
| TriEagle Energy | 24/months | 13.5¢/kWh |
| Amigo Energy | 24/months | 13.9¢/kWh |
Market Update
Electricity Rates are coming down in Houston
Everyone wants to know the best electricity plan to buy, and there's never an easy answer because everyone's needs are different. Do you live in an apartment, house, or mansion, because every plan has different rates at different uses.
Apartment users should look at Frontier's Saver Value 12. It's one of the few plans where the rates are cheapest the less you use. APG&E's True Classic 6 is another good one, as well as Gexa's Eco Saver Lite.
Regular sized home users have more options, but also more confusion. Bill Credits and Tiered rates can make billing complicated if you don't use a minimum amount of electricity for some of these plans. Reliant's Retail Power Savings 24 is a good plan because it has a good rate, and its bill credit is uncomplicated, just be sure to use over 1k. Cirro's Smart Value 24 is similar.
Live in a giant house on a sprawling estate? Doesn't mean you want to overspend on electricity. 4 Change's Power Maxx Saver 24 is a great plan. Constellation's 12 Month Flat Tier Product is an excellent choice. It's a flat low rate for the first 2k of usage, then a low rate for everything over 2k.
Houston's Top Electricity Companies
TexasElectricityRatings, rates the top electricity companies in Houston
| Rank | Provider | Stars | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
|
Champion Energy Services |  |
|
| #2 |
|
Payless Power | |
|
| #3 |
|
Constellation |  |
|
| #4 |
|
Gexa Energy | |
|
| #5 |
|
4Change Energy | |
|
Electricity Plans for Houston
- Fixed Rate Plans: Offer a fixed rate per kWh (monthly bill may vary based on usage) for the length of the contract, typically 12 to 36 months.
- Green Energy Plans: Source power from renewable sources such as wind, and solar.
- No Deposit Plans: Electric companies in Houston offering no deposit sometimes called prepaid electricity plans; allow customers to pay for their electricity in advance. With a no deposit electricity plan, customers can avoid credit checks, deposits, and avoid disconnection for non-payment.
- Variable Rate Plans: Usually considered as the opposite of fixed rate plans, with these plans the price per kWh will vary month to month.
- Time of Use Plans: Vary the rate per kWh based on the time of day and/or the season. Customers are often charged a higher rate during the day and a lower rate in the evening. Additionally there
- Solar Buy Back Plans: This allows Houston homeowners with solar panels earn extra money by selling their surplus electricity to their electricity provider. Often this is in the form of bill credits for electricity that would otherwise go to waste. Electricity companies offering these plans include: Chariot Energy, Rhythm Energy, and Energy Texas.
Compare Business Electricity Rates in Houston?
You have the power to choose your Commercial and Small Business Electricity Rates in Houston. The Texas Electricity Ratings commercial electricity marketplace is exclusively for business electricity customers looking to start commercial service or compare their existing commercial electricity rates.
Houston business electricity rates are some of the lowest in the US and are 20-30% less than residential rates. So, if you're starting a business in Houston or just want to compare commercial electricity rates and shop the market for a better rate, you could save thousands each year by shopping for a lower rate.
Commercial Electricity Rates in Houston
Renewable and Green Energy Options in Houston
Over 30% of the energy produced in Texas is from renewable energy resources such as solar, and wind. In fact, Texas produces more green energy than any other state. And is one of the reasons that Texas has some of the lowest electricity rates in the US.
Every Texas energy provider has about 20% green energy in their mix of energy sources. You can see this in the Fuel Mix section of any Texas Electricity Plan EFL (Electricity Facts Label).
Most Texas electricity companies have a 100% green / renewable energy plan, where 100% of the energy you buy supports renewable energy generators. Some Houston electricity companies are exclusively green, where every plan is 100% green and prices and rates support 100% green energy and renewable generation.
The 3 types of renewable energy plans to select from:
- Green energy term plans:
- These are similar to traditional 3 to 12 month term plans with 100% green energy.
- EV Charging Plans:
- Plans targeted at EV owners that are "Time of Use" where you pay low rates at night (between 11PM and 5AM) and a higher rate during the day.
- Solar Buy Back Plans:
- Plans that allow homeowners who own their solar panels to sell excess power back to their provider or offset their electricity bill with excess power generated by their solar panels and may earn bill credits of up to .25 cents per kWh exported back to the grid.
Five Green Electric Plans for Houston
| Company | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gexa Energy | 12/months | 10.8¢/kWh |
| Chariot Energy | 36/months | 12.7¢/kWh |
| Rhythm | 24/months | 15.2¢/kWh |
| GoodCharlie Energy | 24/months | 16.1¢/kWh |
| TriEagle Energy | 24/months | 16.2¢/kWh |
What if I have Bad Credit or Cant Afford A deposit
There are several no deposit light companies in Houston that can get your lights on tonight. No deposit electricity plans require that you prepay for your electricity. You can order online, and deposit a small amount - generally $25-$75 and get your lights on in a few hours. Once youve ordered service, you download an app and that reminds you when you need to deposit more money to keep your lights on.
| Company | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Payless Power | 12/months | 16.0¢/kWh |
| Payless Power | 6/months | 16.3¢/kWh |
FAQ: Houston Rates, Plans and Providers
What is a cheap Reliant electricity rate in Houston?
- Reliant Power Savings 24 plan is the cheapest rate from Reliant. It is a 24 month plan with a rate of 13.900 cents per kWh.
You can order the Reliant Power Savings 24 plan plan here on TexasElectricityRatings without hassling with the state-run powertochoose.org website
What Houston 4Change Energy electricity plans are available?
The following rates are available from 4Change Energy
Is it true that TXU Energy has a low price in Houston?
- Clear Deal 12 is the cheapest rate from TXU Energy. It is a 12 month plan with a rate of 15.900 cents per kWh.
We recommend you compare electricity rates in Houston and see if this plan is right for you.
TXU Energy offers these plans in Houston
The following rates are available from TXU Energy
Moving to Houston?
Houston is hot, as in 100+ degrees during the summer with 90% humidity - AC is required. Houston is big (think the size of Connecticut) and includes suburban areas like Katy, Kingwood, Pearland, West U, and Sugarland, and Houston has some of the cheapest electricity rates in the country.
With all that heat and humidity come big electricity bills. So how do you get your lights turned on and get a great electricity rate? It's easy!
Texas has a deregulated electricity market. That means Houston Electricity Companies compete for your business. Just like cellphone, Internet, Insurance and credit card companies that compete for your business. And just like those businesses there are plenty of ways that Texas electricity companies can take advantage of you, so we've made it easy. We've rated, ranked, and recommend Houston's best electricity companies and electricity plans that will make your move easy.
Getting your power turned on in Houston is easy. If your home has a smart meter, we can get your power turned on in 4-6 hours. Just enter your zip code to get started.
Houston Electricity Outage Information
If you have a power outage, or any issue with your home's electrical delivery, you should contact your local electric utility for assistance, Centerpoint Energy - 713-207-2222, Oncor Energy - 888-313-4747, AEP Central/AEP North - 866-223-8508, or TNMP - 888-866-7456
Contact the Texas Public Utilities Commission with any other concerns: PUC Customer Protection, P.O. Austin, TX 787111-3326. Phone: 1-888-782-8477, Email at customer@puc.texas.gov
5 Things to Know Before You Order Houston Electricity Service
- Know your usage. Ok you don't have to "know" but you should have an idea. Are you moving into an apartment/small house, a medium size home or condo, or a large home? Home size matters and relates to the average usage. Electricity rates are based on volume and are based on 500kWh, 1000kWh and 2000kWh use per month. In other words a small house or apartment customer will generally pay a higher rate than a high usage / large house customer.
- Know your credit score. Do you have great, average or poor credit? If you have average or poor credit you'll probably be asked to pay a deposit - generally $150-$300. You can also use a no-deposit plan that you pre-pay.
- Understand Utility Charges. TDSPs are the local electricity utility company in Houston. They own and maintain the poles and wires, read the meters and get your power back on when there's a storm or power loss. About 30-40% of your bill is made up of local utility fees.
- All rates displayed on our site include Utility Charges and Fees.
- Understand Your Electricity Facts Label (EFL) The EFL sets out the rates and charges based on usages of 500, 1000 and 2000kWh.
Electricity Plan Types in Houston
Now that we have explained TDSP rates, the second thing to consider is the type of electricity plans a customer can buy. Each plan will likely end up having different rate scales. There are three types of electricity plans you can choose from when selecting an energy plan that best fits your needs.
Fixed Rate Electricity Plan in Houston
Lock in low energy rates for a period of months ranging from 9 to 36. Be aware that these contracts typically charge an early termination fee if you switch before your term ends.
Variable Rate Electricity Plan in Houston
Month to month contracts with rates that vary. You won't have to worry about deposits or early termination fees, but rates can decrease or increase from month to month.
Pre-Paid Electricity Plan in Houston
You deposit money into an account that your energy company bills directly depending on your use. Keep in mind there are often daily charges with these plans. Rates typically change from month to month.
There are other kinds of plans, such as green plans, or plans that come bundled with things like Smart Thermostats, but for the most part, these three plans are the main three kinds of choices available.