Compare electricity rates in Texas
As a resident of Texas, you have a choice when it comes to your electricity provider. But how do you know if you are getting the best possible rate?
Whether you are new to Texas, switching providers, a business owner, or looking for no deposit options, this guide will teach you how to find the best rates for your specific energy usage in Texas and empower you to instantly compare rates from trusted and reliable electricity providers.
Time to read: about 7 min
Sections in this guide:
Click on a section to skip directly to it:
-
- How to find the best electricity rates in Texas
- Texas electricity plans
- Texas electricity rates chart
- Deregulation of electricity in Texas
- Power to Choose – the official electric choice website in Texas
- Business electricity plans in Texas
- Moving to Texas: Setting up electricity (how to find the right plan)
- Switching electricity companies in Texas (how to switch and save money)
- Renewable energy companies in Texas
- Texas energy companies
- Cheap electricity No-Deposit plans in Texas
- Texas electric rates
- Centerpoint electricity rates
- Oncor electricity rates
- AEP Central electricity rates
- AEP North electricity rates
- Texas-New Mexico Power electricity rates
- Texas Utilities (and how to report a power outage)
- Shop Texas electricity rates by Zip Code
- Shop electricity rates by popular Texas cities
How to find the best electricity rates in Texas
Picking the wrong energy plan without knowing your home’s energy usage can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
The #1 most important thing: Know your usage!
The key to avoid overpaying is knowing your expected usage and comparing monthly costs for each plan based on that usage amount.
With things like gasoline, the “price per gallon” you see on the sign is the price you pay no matter how many gallons you pump.
$3 per gallon. Pump 10 gallons, pay $30. Simple.
Electricity in Texas is not as simple as buying gasoline. The advertised “price per kWh” is based on a specific, exact monthly usage (usually 2000 kWh).
And, each plan has a different calculation for how your monthly bill is determined.
Your effective “price per kWh” can only be determined by calculating your monthly bill, then dividing that monthly bill by your usage.
Advertised “price per kWh” can be misleading because it’s based on a specific usage like 2000 kWh. It’s best to shop based on the total bill for your home’s expected usage.
How do you do that when the math is complex, and every plan is a little different?
ComparePower has already done all this complicated math for you.
First, we help you determine your expected monthly kWh usage. Then we show you the plans and their total monthly cost for your usage.
Only ComparePower gives you the right tools to know you’re getting a great company to go with the cheap rate.
If you’re looking for the lowest cost electricity plan you can start your search right here on this page. Simply enter your zip code and you’ll be on your way to quickly find the best electricity plan for your household’s energy usage.
Texas electricity plans
Whether you’re moving to a new home or apartment, looking to save on weekends, earn rewards, or lower your electricity bill, Texas energy companies offer an array of options to meet your household’s energy needs.
Here are a few plan types offered by Texas Retail Electricity Providers:
Fixed-Term Plans
Price protection of a fixed contract term. This is not the same as a fixed rate. Your rate could vary with your usage in accordance with the Electricity Facts Label. The terms of the EFL are fixed for the length of the contract.
Variable-Rate Plans / Month-to-Month Plans
Month-to-month plans with no long-term contracts or cancellation fees.
Prepaid Plan
Use only as much energy as you need and only pay for what you use.
Time of Use
These popular Texas energy plans, such as the TXU Free Nights and Weekends or Direct Energy Live Brighter Weekends offer free electricity for a predetermined block of time during peak hours.
Renewable (Green) Plans
Generated from 100% renewable sources.
Solar Plans
Homes with solar panels can earn and sell back bill credits for any excess electricity returned to the grid.
ePlans
Save money when you sign up for online conveniences.
Average Billing
Avoid seasonal bill spikes and make managing your monthly budget easier with average billing.
Pay-as-you-go
Pay-as-you-go electricity plans are available for customers with Smart Meters.
Texas electricity rates chart
Unlike other states, Texas has a deregulated energy market. In 2002, the state deregulated the market in order to decrease prices for residential and commercial consumers. This policy change means that there are dozens of competitors for customers rather than a single provider.
The result is that a homeowner or business owner in Texas can find inexpensive rates from companies competing for new accounts. ComparePower allows you to compare rate quotes from multiple providers in one place. This online tool makes it simple to shop, select, and save on your plan.
This chart is compiled using data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA.GOV).
The average price for electricity in Texas in 2019 is 11.67 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
There are fixed-rate plans for Texas residents on ComparePower with rates as low as $0.05 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Deregulation of electricity in Texas gives you the power to choose your energy company
Throughout most of the 20’th century, energy in Texas was regulated as a public utility. In this monopoly, Texans were served by a single local provider, which owned the power plant, the power lines and handled customer service and billing. By law, electricity rates were connected to the cost of coal or natural gas.
All of this changed in 2002 when Texas lawmakers deregulated the states electricity market by passing Senate Bill 7 with the promise that an open marketplace would bring about competition and lower prices. If customers had a choice, rival electricity providers would be incentivized to reduce operating expenses in order to offer lower energy rates.
The old utilities, which were monopolies, were unbundled into three separate entities. These three entities are power plants which focus on energy generation, transmission, or the power poles and power lines, and retail, which handles customer service and billing.
A new market emerged in Texas with private power generators and multiple retail electricity providers marketing their power to Texas residents throughout the state. Only the energy transmitters (the utility companies) remained regulated as it didn’t make sense to have multiple private companies putting up power lines throughout the state.
In this free market competing electricity retailers buy electricity wholesale from private power generators to sell at retail to around 85% of Texas residents. The partnership between generators and retailers is governed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, which attempts to balance the power grid’s electricity supply and demand by purchasing small amounts of electricity at 15-minute intervals throughout the day.
In this balancing process, power generators offer a selling price for a certain amount of electricity. Once ERCOT accepts a bid it sets the price for all power producers in the state.
ERCOT is a membership-based nonprofit, governed by a board of directors, and overseen by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and the Texas Legislature. Since 1975, the PUC has provided statewide regulation of rates and services of electric utilities.
The PUC’s mission is to protect customers, foster competition, and promote high-quality infrastructure. In addition to regulating the states electric utilities and implementing legislation, the PUC offers Texas residents assistance in resolving consumer complaints. If you have a complaint with your electricity company you can go to the official PUC website and file an informal complaint.
Click here to learn more about deregulation of the electricity market in Texas.
Power to Choose – the official electric choice website in Texas
The PUC encourages all Texas energy consumers to shop around and compare plans from various providers to find the best rate and save money on their energy bill.
To facilitate a better shopping experience the PUC launched powertochoose.org, the official website that compares electricity rates from various retail electricity providers in Texas.
This online marketplace, which is run by the Texas Public Utility Commission, offers a range of competing rate and plan options in Texas sorted by price.
Any of the hundreds of retail electricity providers in the state can post their plans and rates on the power to choose website. While in theory, this should make shopping for an energy plan easy, it does the opposite by causing more frustration for energy shoppers looking for their best rate in Texas.
So why is the power to choose website so confusing? For starters, the lack of a guide coupled with the sheer number of energy companies on the site makes comparing apples to apples time consuming and difficult.
A lack of oversight allows providers to advertise energy plans with hidden and gimmicky pricing tiers, and usage-based rates, where unless you consume the exact amount of energy advertised, you end up paying much more.
Lastly, there are no phone numbers to call if you have questions or shopping tools to help you narrow down the hundreds of plan options according to your homes unique usage profile.
With all these shortcomings it is clear that powertochoose.org may end up wasting more of your time than actually helping you choose the best plan.
ComparePower was created to cut the confusion and provide true apples to apples comparison of the best energy plans from trusted and reliable electricity providers. Simply enter your zip code to get started.
Business electricity rates in Texas
If you’ve got business in Texas, you’re in good company. Texas is home to a significant number of small and large companies and is a thriving state to run a business.
Well-known companies and organizations already call Texas home, including Exxon Mobile, General Motors, Texas Health Resources, AT&T, and Dell Technologies just to name a few.
To lower your energy costs, you need to compare rates from competing providers.
Open competition can drive prices lower and lower, and that’s important to you as a business owner.
Because energy at scale is our only focus, we are typically capable of securing lower rates than individual businesses can.
Additionally, many energy companies will not sell directly to a business without the help of a commercial energy broker.
ComparePower bridges the gap between your business and energy companies by inviting various energy companies to compete for your business in a sealed bid process.
You submit your information once and the companies will present their bids. You to choose the best rate. Simple, quick, and easy.
Click here to get competing quotes for your business electricity.
Moving to Texas: Setting up Electricity
Important: If this is your first time setting up electricity service in Texas, it is helpful to have the electrical usage of your property from the previous year.
Your property’s previous owner should be able to find usage statistics on their billing statements. This research may take a little time, but the effort could save you money down the road.
ComparePower crunches the numbers instantly to help you meet your home’s usage pattern.
If you can’t obtain usage statistics, utilize the ComparePower “Help Me Choose” tool to evaluate your usage. The site also provides reminders for your upcoming switch from an old contract to a new contract.
If you do not have any usage history:
Click here to use our kilowatt-hour calculator to estimate and shop with your anticipated usage.
Switching electricity companies in Texas
Your current electric provider may take the end of your current energy contract as a chance to increase your rates.
This means that you should search for affordable electricity rates each year. You may save hundreds of dollars each year by switching providers.
Switching is easy because your new electricity company handles everything including cancellation.
As you switch, you don’t need to worry about representatives coming to your home or any disruption in your power.
The switch only takes minutes and you could realize savings in the first month.
There is no loss of power when you switch. Electricity in Texas is all delivered by your local Transmission and Distribution Utility.
The wires and poles that deliver electricity to your home remain the same no matter your provider.
Click here to learn more about switching electricity companies in Texas.
Here is some food for thought about switching plans:
- Texas law allows early contract cancellation within 14 days of the contract’s end without penalty.
- Some plans allow you to arrange your next contract within 60 days of your current contract’s conclusion.
- You may find a new energy provider with a rate that makes early cancellation worthwhile even if you pay a penalty.
Renewable energy companies in Texas
In 2006 Texas surpasses California in wind-power production, to become the top wind-producing state in the US. The state set renewable energy goals in 1999, and again in 2005, which it has since far surpassed. Today Texas generates more renewable wind power than most countries.
The prices of energy derived from wind are less volatile than gas and oil prices thereby offering some stability when compared to the more traditional fossil fuels.
Many cities in Texas benefit from renewable energy sources. In fact, the city of Georgetown, Texas with a population of 50,000, powers itself entirely with renewable energy.
If you are looking for a renewable energy plan ComparePower has great plans from leading companies such as Green Mountain Energy.
Texas energy companies
Are you trying to find an excellent electricity company in Texas?
You can sign up for service with great electricity providers such as TXU Energy, Reliant, Direct Energy and more.
To sign up, learn more, or view current rates, click on the company of your choosing.
| Energy Companies | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| 4Change Energy | 855-550-6663 |
| Direct Energy | 855-307-6915 |
| First Choice Power | 888-458-6877 |
| Green Mountain | 844-854-2257 |
| Discount Power | 855-236-1309 |
| Reliant | 855-887-2194 |
| Frontier Utilities | 866-763-5084 |
| Cirro Energy | 844-417-7179 |
| Constellation | 855-798-2889 |
| Gexa Energy | 855-639-8210 |
| TXU Energy | 844-359-7999 |
| Payless Power | 855-854-8482 |
| Pulse Power | 888-853-4522 |
| Just Energy | 866-802-1835 |
Cheap electricity No-Deposit plans in Texas
Need to find an energy plan in Texas that doesn’t require a deposit?
If charged a deposit on your first plan selection, ComparePower will automatically show you other plans available without a deposit.
That saves you a lot of time and hassle. No more surfing the internet and calling energy companies to find out if a deposit is needed. Instead of calling around.
Working for you, we will instantly review the deposit obligations for other plans, allowing you to get power and return to your normal activities stress-free.
Click here to learn more about no deposit electricity companies in Texas.
Texas electricity rates
These live rates for Oncor Electric Delivery service area were updated on . Pricing shown is based on an exact usage of 1000 kWh.
Centerpoint electricity rates for Houston and surrounding cities
These live rates for CenterPoint Energy service area were updated on . Pricing shown is based on an exact usage of 1000 kWh.
Oncor electricity rates for Dallas and surrounding cities
These live rates for Oncor Electric Delivery service area were updated on . Pricing shown is based on an exact usage of 1000 kWh.
AEP Central electricity rates
These live rates for AEP Central service area were updated on . Pricing shown is based on an exact usage of 1000 kWh.
AEP North electricity rates
These live rates for AEP North service area were updated on . Pricing shown is based on an exact usage of 1000 kWh.
Texas New Mexico Power electricity rates
These live rates for Texas New Mexico Power (TNMP) service area were updated on . Pricing shown is based on an exact usage of 1000 kWh.
Texas Utilities (and how to report a power outage)
Your electricity company is responsible for customer service and billing. In the event of a power outage, you need to call your local Utility. Click below to access your utility website and report a power outage.
- CenterPoint
- Oncor
- Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP)
- AEP Texas North
- AEP Texas Central
- Sharyland Utilities
Shop Texas electricity providers by Zip Code
Find cheap electricity rates by zip code. Click on your zip code below to find competitive rates in your area.
Popular ZIP codes:
75001 75002 75006 75007 75009 75010 75011 75013 75015 75019 75020 75021 75022 75023 75024 75025 75028 75032 75033 75034 75035 75038 75039 75040 75041 75042 75043 75044 75046 75048 75050 75051 75052 75054 75056 75057 75058 75060 75061 75062 75063 75065 75067 75068 75069 75070 75071 75074 75075 75076 75077 75078 75080 75081 75082 75083 75087 75088 75089 75090 75092 75093 75094 75098 75101 75102 75103 75104 75109 75110 75114 75115 75116 75117 75119 75124 75125 75126 75127 75132 75134 75135 75137 75138 75140 75141 75142 75143 75144 75146 75147 75148 75149 75150 75151 75152 75153 75154 75155 75156
Shop electricity plans by popular Texas cities
Are you searching for a lower electricity rate in a different city? If so, you can find the location below, and then click to sign up for a more affordable electricity plan.
If your city is not on the list, use the zip code finder for a rate lower than what you currently pay in your city.
- Houston, TX
- Mission, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Midland, TX
- Mcallen, TX
- Pearland, TX
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Big Spring, TX
- Alvin, TX
- Katy, TX
- Abilene, TX
- Sugar Land, TX
- Arlington, TX
- Missouri City, TX
- Laredo, TX
- Loraine, TX
- Richmond, TX
- Harlingen, TX
- Edinburg, TX
- Plano, TX
- Cypress, TX
- Killeen, TX
- Humble, TX
- Friendswood, TX
- Dickinson, TX
- Grand Prairie, TX
- Mesquite, TX
- Angleton, TX
- Tyler, TX
- Eagle Pass, TX
- Allen, TX
- Spring, TX
- Austin, TX
- Eden, TX
- Belton, TX
- Carrollton, TX
- Baytown, TX
- San Benito, TX
- Mansfield, TX
- Irving, TX
- La Porte, TX
- Lewisville, TX
- North Richland Hills, TX
- Brownwood, TX
- Bay City, TX
- Big Lake, TX
- Round Rock, TX
- Teague, TX
- League City, TX