Compare the Best Houston Electricity Rates
Current Houston electric rates
| Company | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Chariot Energy | 36/months | 10.2¢/kWh |
| Gexa Energy | 12/months | 10.3¢/kWh |
| 4Change Energy | 24/months | 10.8¢/kWh |
| Frontier Utilities | 12/months | 10.8¢/kWh |
| Discount Power | 12/months | 11.4¢/kWh |
| Cirro Energy | 12/months | 11.4¢/kWh |
| Amigo Energy | 24/months | 12.6¢/kWh |
| Think Energy | 12/months | 12.6¢/kWh |
| Just Energy | 24/months | 12.6¢/kWh |
| Tara Energy | 24/months | 12.6¢/kWh |
Power to Choose Houston
Houston customers have had the power to choose their own electricity provider for over 20 years. Houston is a part of Texas's deregulated electricity market. This means that Houston Residents and business owners are no longer forced to buy electricity from the monopoly utility company. You can exercise electricity choice and compare and sign up online using the Texas Electricitty Rates marketplace.
Moving to Houston?
Considering a move to Houston? Howdy there! You've chosen a state with some of the lowest electricity rates in the country. While we do experience hot summers and unpredictable weather, the upside is that Texas electricity companies are in competition for your business. Texas boasts one of the most active deregulated electricity markets in the US. Simply input your zip code, compare, and set up your new home service within minutes.
In Texas, electricity companies compete for your business unlike in other states. You have the power to choose the optimal electricity plan. Your power is distributed by local utility companies such as: Oncor Energy in Dallas-Fort Worth and north Texas, Centerpoint Energy in Houston, AEP North in West Texas, AEP Central in Corpus Christi and South Texas, or TNMP. These companies read your meter, maintain the poles, and restore power during storms or blackouts.
Activating your power in Houston is a simple process. If your residence has a smart meter, providers can have your lights on within 4-6 hours with "Same Day Turn-on". Just enter your zip code to begin.
Switching your electricity company in Houston
Follow our tips to get a great Houston electricity rate.
- Check your usage. Plans are based on how much you use with breaks at 500, 1000 and 2000 kWh
- Check your contract end date. You have 14 days prior to your contract end to switch providers.
- Understand ETFs (Early Termination Fees) Switching prior to the end of a contract may save you money.
- Watch out for renewing rates that increase your rate. Sticking with your old provider is nice, but watch out for rate increases.
Understanding Texas Energy Plans
The Texas electricity market is full of plans that have cheap rates but some of those only kick in when you use a certain amount of electricity. And if you don't hit that amount, you could pay extra.
Low rate plans aren't always the best deal. The best deal is the plan that best matches how you use electricity. That means understanding your usage is critical to shopping the best plans for your needs.
Because not everyone has the same needs, there are several basic kinds of plans:
- Fixed rate plans have stable rates for the length of the plan; usually from 3 to 36 months. The upside is that you're protected from rising rates. The downside is if rates fall while you're locked in the plan. Early termination fees make it harder to leave them.
- Variable rate plans last only a month. The upside is that they have no contract and no early termination fee. Their downside is that their rate fluctuates with market prices which can spike.
- Prepaid plans let you pay ahead for your electricity. The upside is there's no credit check or long contract and you know how much electricity you can use. The downside is they tend to have a higher market rate which restricts the amount of electricity you can afford.
- If you want to cut your carbon footprint and support clean green energy that helps the environment, 100% Renewable Energy plans are powered by wind and solar sources. These plans also use REC (Renewable Energy Credits) to offset 100% of the energy generated by non-green sources. Renewables now make up almost 1/3 of Texas generation. In fact, 100% green plans are highly competitive and are available as fixed or variable rates.
How to Choose the Best Plan
Houston Electricity Outage and Utility 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
AEP Central/AEP North: 866-223-8508
Contact the Texas Public Utilities Commission with any other concerns:
PUC Customer Protection, P.O. Austin, TX 787111-3326.
Call 1-888-782-8477
Email the PUCT at customer@puc.texas.gov
Compare Houston Electricity Rates for Business
You have the power to choose your Commercial and Small Business Electricity Rates in Houston. The Texas Electricity Rates 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 Energy Incentives in Houston
Renewable energy is more affordable than ever before. And Texas electricity consumers now have more ways that they can save money by supporting sustainable green energy sources.
Residential Solar Panels. By far, one of the best ways to save money and support green energy is to invest in solar panels for your home. Federal tax credit programs make it easy for homeowners to reduce their income taxes when they install solar panels on their primary home. The tax credit can also cut the installation costs, putting this investment well within the reach of many homeowners.
Residential solar owners can also take advantage of net metering programs to cut their costs when they sell their excess solar energy to the Texas grid. Only a few (about 15) retail energy providers offer this opportunity. These include:
- Gexa Energy
- Green Mountain Energy
- Just Energy
- Pulse Power
- Reliant
- TXU Energy
For this reason, it's very important for consumers with residential solar to shop carefully for solar buyback plans.
- Examine terms and rates for solar buyback plans. These vary from provider to provider.
- Compare the rate you pay for importing electricity with the amount you are paid for your exported power.
- Note the prices for the time of day when you import/export electricity.
The four major Texas utilities do not offer rebates or net metering programs. However, they can help guide customers and installers about interconnection requirements.
Of course, the easiest way to support green energy in Texas is to sign up with a renewable energy plan. For 20 years, Texas electricity companies have led the nation in renewable energy development. Now green sourced electricity is part of all retail plans. Renewable energy plans with 100% clean, green electricity are competitively priced and often beat out mixed fuel plans. In this way, electricity customers can not only shop the cheapest rates but also help support a cleaner and more sustainable environment.