You can choose from multiple electricity providers due to the deregulated energy market in Abilene, Texas. By selecting a no-surprise plan that suits your needs, you can potentially lower your energy bills while gaining more flexibility and predictability in your budget. The current average across the nation is 16.63, according to August 2024 data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Based on our review, Reliant Energy is one of our top-ranked providers in Abilene. The company offers many plan types, making it our recommendation for personalized plan options.
Best Abilene Electricity Rates in December
Below, you can compare the best electricity rates in Abilene. Avoid plans with variable rate structures or bill credit offerings, which can lead to unpredictable rate increases. You may get the best deal for your energy needs by choosing a plan with slightly higher rates but more predictable monthly energy costs.
Provider | Plan Name | Est. Monthly Bill | Rate (¢/kWh) | % Renewable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Frontier Utilities | Frontier Saver Plus 12 Plan | $122 | 12.2 | 30% |
Gexa Energy | Gexa Eco Saver Plus 12 Plan | $122 | 12.2 | 100% |
Frontier Utilities | Frontier Budget Saver 12 | $165 | 16.5 | 30% |
Rhythm Energy | Simply Select 12 | $175 | 17.5 | 100% |
Rhythm Energy | PowerShift EV 12 | $168 | 16.8 | 100% |
Payless Power | 12 Month - Prepaid | $195 | 19.5 | 26% |
Frontier Energy | Frontier Saver Premier 12 | $219 | 21.9 | 30% |
Gexa Energy | Gexa Light Saver 12 | $174 | 17.4 | 100% |
Reliant Energy | Reliant Power On 24 Plan | $163 | 16.3 | 20% |
TXU Energy | Simple Rate 12 | $192 | 19.2 | 100% |
Consider the TriEagle Savvy Value 36 for long-term price protection and predictable monthly energy costs. It offers a $30 bill credit at 2,000 kWh per month, so it’s best for large homes that regularly consume a lot of electricity.
The Gexa Energy Saver 24 is ideal for Texans who want green energy without compromising bill predictability. Its consistent rates help with electricity budgeting, while 100% renewable energy reduces your home’s carbon footprint.
Bill Predictability vs. Low-Rate Energy Plans in Abilene
Bill predictability refers to your rate’s consistency from month to month, regardless of your energy usage. Consistent rates lead to predictable monthly energy costs. Fixed-rate energy plans with no gimmicks yield predictable energy bills.
Meanwhile, many low-rate energy plans in Abilene offer cheap rates through bill credits. Bill credit plans promise low rates through usage-based account credits. You’ll save big when your monthly energy consumption meets the minimum usage threshold. However, your energy rates will increase in months when your consumption falls below that threshold, leading to unpredictable monthly energy prices.
Consider what’s more important to you — consistent billing versus the potential to save with a low-rate plan — and choose your plan and provider accordingly.
Choosing an Energy Plan in Abilene
When comparing electricity rates in Texas, consider your potential bill predictability, contract lengths and the provider’s reputation for customer service to secure the best average electric bill for your needs. Start by determining your home’s energy usage.
Step 1: Identify your Electricity Usage Needs
Analyze past bills for an entire year to determine how much energy your household typically consumes each month. You can also pull your exact historic usage via Smart Meter Texas.
Abilene electric companies advertise average energy rates at the following set usage levels: 500 kWh for apartments, 1,000 kWh for small homes, and 2,000 kWh for large houses. Knowing your typical usage helps you assess plans at the appropriate rate threshold.
Step 2: Review Plan Details and Rates
Compare plans in your ZIP code to ensure you’re only considering options that are available near you. Assess contract length, additional fees, and plan type.
Popular plan types include fixed-rate, variable-rate, renewable energy, bill credit, and no-deposit plans (prepaid plans). Prepaid plans typically don’t require a credit check.
Common fixed-rate term lengths include 12, 24, or 36 months. Many providers offer month-to-month, no-contract plans. However, we don’t recommend them unless you need a short-term energy solution. For example, a month-to-month plan may work for you if you’re renting in the area temporarily and can’t commit to a full year or even a six-month contract.
Step 3: Switch To Your New Provider
You can compare providers, evaluate plans side-by-side, and switch to your new electric company using our simple tool. Enrolling online takes five minutes or less.
The Best Electricity Companies in Abilene
We ranked Reliant Energy, Green Mountain Energy, and TriEagle Energy as the top energy providers in Abilene in our review of more than two dozen companies.
On average, we found that the cheapest Abilene energy providers are 4Change Energy, Frontier Utilities and Gexa Energy. However, price shouldn’t be your only consideration when searching for the best Abilene electric companies. Other important factors include the variety of plans they offer, provider reputation, and the quality of customer service.
Here are our recommendations for Abilene electric providers based on our team’s review of dozens of energy providers:
| Retail Energy Provider | Our Rating | PUCT Rating | BBB Rating |
| Reliant Energy | 4.7 | 5 | NR |
| Green Mountain Energy | 4.7 | 4 | A+ |
| TriEagle Energy | 4.7 | 3 | A+ |
| Rhythm Energy | 4.5 | 2 | NR |
| Pulse Power | 4.5 | 1 | NR |
| Shell Energy | 4.4 | NR | NR |
| TXU Energy | 4.4 | 5 | A+ |
| Champion Energy | 4.3 | 5 | A+ |
| Direct Energy | 4.3 | 4 | F |
| Cirro Energy | 4.2 | 2 | A+ |
| Just Energy | 4.2 | 2 | F |
| Frontier Utilities | 4.2 | 3 | NR |
| Gexa Energy | 4.2 | 3 | C |
| Veteran Energy | 4.1 | NR | A+ |
Our ratings and the PUCT complaint scorecard ratings are out of 5 stars. This data was last updated in December 2024.
Reliant Energy
Reliant Energy ranks as our top choice in Abilene because of its competitive rates, seemingly strong customer service and predictable energy bills. Reliant has an impressive PUCT rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
We recommend the Reliant Secure Advantage 24 plan, which offers straightforward rates for 24 months. Its consistent rate means predictable energy bills for the full two-year contract.
Reliant’s Truly Free Nights 100% Solar 12 plan is a time-of-use plan that offers $0 energy at night and 100% solar energy during the daytime. You’ll get the most out of this plan type if you can offset your energy usage to consume the most energy during the off-peak, free times. You’ll pay a steep rate per kWh if you use large amounts of energy during the day.
Green Mountain Energy
Green Mountain Energy ranks as our top-rated renewable energy provider, scoring 4.7 out of 5 in our review. It scores well for its plan offerings, predictable bills and customer satisfaction. Green Mountain is an excellent option to reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
Consider Pollution Free e-Plus 24, a 24-month plan offering long-term rate stability with renewable energy for predictable energy bills. Green Mountain also offers several solar buyback plans for Abilene residents who own solar panels, including the Renewable Rewards Solar Credits plan and the Renewable Rewards Essential.
TriEagle Energy
TriEagle Energy is the best Abilene electric company for bill credit plans. The provider scored 4.7 out of 5 in our review for its competitive rates, predictable bills and solid customer service. We don’t typically recommend bill credit plans. However, rate fluctuation caused by TriEagle’s bill credits isn’t drastic, so it’s less likely to lead to unpredictable energy bills common with other top bill credit plans..
The Savvy Value 36 offers a $30 bill credit when your usage meets or exceeds 2,000 kWh, making it a good choice for homeowners with a large house and consistently high energy usage. For Texans who want a straightforward plan, consider the Simple Savings 12 plan. This plan is all about competitive rates and predictable bills without frills or fluff.
What to Know About Moving to Abilene
Electricity rates in Abilene are charged per kWh and vary based on your usage. Also, note that things like contract lengths, early termination fees, and available discounts or promotions may all impact your energy-shopping decision. Start with the EFL, whether you’re switching providers or picking a new energy company in Abilene.
Electricity facts label
The electricity facts label (EFL) is much like a nutrition label but for your electricity plan. It tells you exactly what you’re getting into, including how much you’ll pay per kWh of electricity, how long your contract lasts, and if there are extra fees.
The EFL outlines a plan’s energy charge at the following average usage levels: 500, 1,000, and 2,000 kWh. It also details other fees, such as base charges, utility delivery fees, and early termination fees. The EFL will also tell you if a plan includes discounts, such as bill credits, tiered rates, or times-of-use.
Discounts and Promotions
Texas has a competitive, deregulated energy market, so energy companies often use discounts and special offers to get your attention. These might include a lower rate for the first few months, a sign-up bonus, or a discount for setting up automatic payments to entice you to enroll.
According to Alan Schurr, COO of Enchanted Rock, “A lot of people think that the cheapest energy plan is always the best choice, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes plans with lower up-front costs have additional fees or rates that can spike unexpectedly.”
While some deals can save you money initially, make sure you know when they expire and what the regular rate will be afterward. It’s like getting a great deal on cable TV for the first year before experiencing a substantial price hike.
Early Termination Fees
Fixed-rate plans charge early termination fees (ETFs) if you cancel your plan before your contract comes to an end. You can cancel your plan at any time, but you’ll likely owe a fee.
Always review the EFL to identify any ETFs before you enroll. Every provider charges different cancellation fees, but they typically range from $150 to $395, depending on your term length. Other providers charge a fee per month remaining in your agreement.
Rate Ranges and Tiered Rates
Tiered-rate plans provide a discount when your energy usage goes above or falls below a set kWh level. Like bill credit plans, tiered-rate plans can cause very unpredictable energy bills. We suggest avoiding tiered rates unless your usage is consistently within the appropriate range every month.
Pay attention to a plan’s rate as it ranges from the lowest usage level to the highest. Plans with a small rate range are less likely to cause bill surprises. Plans with a large price range, such as 11 cents per kWh to 22 cents per kWh, are more likely to cause unpredictable bills. Understanding how these ranges and tiers work can help you choose a plan that fits your typical energy usage.
Variable Rates vs. Fixed Rates
With a variable-rate plan, the price you pay per kWh can change monthly based on market conditions — so your bill will go up or down without warning. A fixed-rate plan locks in your rate for the entire contract, resulting in predictable monthly energy bills. We don’t recommend variable-rate plans, as they will likely cause unpredictable monthly energy bills.
Renewable Energy Plans
Renewable energy plans use power generated from clean energy sources such as wind, hydro, and solar power. Also called green energy plans, these offerings are a great choice to reduce your carbon footprint while securing competitive rates per kWh.
How Deregulated Energy Works in Abilene
Texas broke up utility monopolies when it deregulated the energy sector in 2002. At that time, Texans had to rely on a single entity for the generation, transmission, and sale of electricity. Deregulation led to the creation of three distinct market players: generators, electric companies, and utility companies.
Electric companies purchase power from generators in wholesale auctions that the PUCT and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) oversee. Utility companies then deliver that power to homes and businesses via the electricity grid.
Current transmission and distribution utility companies in Texas
- AEP Texas Central: Corpus Christi, McAllen, Victoria, Laredo, Harlingen
- AEP Texas North: Abilene, San Angelo, Alpine, Vernon
- CenterPoint Energy: Houston, Katy, Beaumont
- Lubbock Power & Light (LP&L): Lubbock
- Oncor Electric Delivery: Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Waco, Arlington, Temple, Round Rock, Midland, Odessa
- Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP): League City, Glen Rose, Pecos, Angletoncor
As an Abilene resident, you’ll mostly deal with your electric company. But if you have a power outage in your area, contact your utility company.
Why Electricity Rates Fluctuate in Abilene
Deregulation created a free market, which subjects energy rates to the whims of supply and demand.
Electricity rates in Abilene frequently change because of local weather issues, fuel prices and market conditions. Rates tend to spike during the warm summer months when Texans run their air conditioning units nonstop. On the other hand, in cooler months, when energy usage is lower, rates may decrease.
Extreme weather events also directly impact energy prices, such as when Winter Storm Uri shut down the power grid for several days in February 2021.
Fluctuations in the cost of natural gas, a major source of electricity in Texas, can also impact rates.
When to buy electricity in Abilene
The best time to buy electricity in Abilene is usually during mild seasons, such as fall and spring. At these times, energy demand tends to be lower, which can lead to lower electricity rates. Rates in Texas are often lower during winter, as many heating systems rely on gas instead of electricity.
Signing up for a new plan during these periods can help you lock in lower rates before the summer demand spikes. However, you should monitor the market regularly, as electricity rates fluctuate often.
Which TDU serves Abilene
AEP Texas North serves Abilene and the surrounding areas. AEP Texas North is responsible for maintaining the local electricity infrastructure, including power lines and meters, ensuring reliable electricity delivery to your home.
If you experience a power outage in Abilene, contact AEP Texas North directly, as it’s responsible for repairs. You can track outage repair progress using its outage tracker, but AEP Texas North also provides outage alerts on its website.
Note that AEP North will apply delivery fees to your monthly energy bill. AEP typically charges a flat monthly fee of [brand_field brand_list=”114760″ brand=”TDU” field=”cbf_tdu_base_charge”] and a fee per kWh of [brand_field brand_list=”114760″ brand=”TDU” field=”cbf_delivery_rate”].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest electricity rate in Abilene?
As of November 2024, the cheapest electricity rate in Abilene is [brand_field brand_list=”114760″ brand=”TDU” field=”cbf_cheapest_rate_%c2%a2_kwh”] per kWh. However rates fluctuate often in the Lone Star State. Compare different plans and consider the overall cost, including potential fees and contract terms, to find the best deal for your needs.
How can I avoid surprise charges on my electricity bill?
Choose a plan with a fixed rate and no hidden fees to reduce bill surprises. Avoid variable-rate energy plans or plans with large bill credits. These plan types typically lead to bill surprises. Be sure to read the EFL carefully to understand all potential charges. Pay attention to how your plan handles things, such as late payments or changes in your energy usage.
Many energy companies offer weekly usage reports. Actively review these reports to closely monitor your energy usage to make sure there aren’t any surprises on your monthly energy bill.
Can I switch providers at any time?
Yes, you can generally switch to Abilene electricity providers at any time. However, fixed-rate plans typically charge cancellation fees. Check your current plan’s EFL to determine if you’ll owe a fee for canceling early.
When you switch, your new provider will handle the transition, including notifying your current provider. Make sure to review the details of your new plan carefully to ensure there are no surprises. Compare rates and plans on Home Energy Club beforehand to find the best deal for your needs.
How We Rate and Review Texas Electricity Companies
With dozens of providers and hundreds of plans available in the deregulated Texas market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We created a comprehensive rating methodology to help Texans cut through the complexity and find the best electricity plan for their needs, whether they’re moving to Texas or looking to switch providers.
We’ve researched dozens of Texas electricity providers and scored them out of 5 stars based on cost, bill predictability, customer satisfaction, brand trust, and plan features. Here’s how those core factors weighed into our ratings:
- Plan features (33%)
- Customer satisfaction and brand trust (27%)
- Plan rates and pricing (20%)
- Energy bill predictability (20%)
