AEP Texas is a utility company in Texas that makes sure homes and businesses get power. It operates as two different transmission and distribution utilities (TDUs), AEP Central and AEP North, covering different areas of the state. AEP Texas delivers electricity to homes and businesses, while retail electric providers (REPs) sell electricity to you.
Reach out to your electricity company if you have questions about your power bill or energy plan. However, if you experience a power outage in its service area, contact AEP Texas to get your power back up and running.
AEP Texas TDU Delivery Charges
When you sign up for an energy plan, the advertised rate typically includes delivery charges from your utility company. Delivery fees are similar to those charged for shipping on an online purchase. TDU charges can change twice a year: once in the spring and again in the fall.
Utility delivery fees cover the maintenance and operation of the infrastructure that delivers electricity to your home. It’s separate from the energy supply cost but included in the price breakdown on your electricity bill. You’ll owe these fees regardless of which electricity company you pick in the AEP service area.
AEP Texas charges a flat fee per billing cycle and a cost per kWh you use. Here’s how the current rates differ for AEP North and AEP Central.
| TDU | Monthly Fee | Price per kWh |
| AEP North | $3.21 | 5.77 cents |
| AEP Central | $3.21 | 6.12 cents |
Rates and fees are accurate as of December 2024.
Which Cities Does AEP Texas Operate in?
AEP Texas delivers electricity to over one million homes and businesses in its service area.
Here’s a list of some cities and towns you’ll find in the AEP Central and AEP North service areas.
- AEP Central: Columbus, Corpus Christi, Del Rio, Edinburg, Laguna Vista, Laredo, McAllen, Taft, Placedo, San Benito, South Padre Island, Victoria, Winter Haven, Yorktown
- AEP North: Abilene, Benjamin, Cisco, Hawley, Knox City, Marfa, Putnam, Quanah, San Angelo, Sonora, Vernon, Winters
Top Energy Plans and Rates in AEP Texas
The best electricity plans offer predictable bills for your energy usage. We typically recommend 12-month, fixed-rate plans to lock in your price and enjoy stable monthly costs without hidden fees or gimmicks. The following tables display our recommended plans for AEP Central and AEP North service areas.
AEP Central Best Plans and Rates
Provider | Plan Name | Est. Monthly Bill | Rate (¢/kWh) | % Renewable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Frontier Utilities | Frontier Saver Plus 12 Plan | $114 | 11.4 | 30% |
Gexa Energy | Gexa Eco Saver Plus 12 Plan | $114 | 11.4 | 100% |
Frontier Utilities | Frontier Budget Saver 12 | $153 | 15.3 | 30% |
Rhythm Energy | Simply Select 12 | $159 | 15.9 | 100% |
Reliant Energy | Reliant Power On 24 Plan | $147 | 14.7 | 20% |
Frontier Utilities | Frontier Saver Premier 12 | $207 | 20.7 | 30% |
4Change Energy | One Rate 12 | $164 | 16.4 | 9% |
Gexa Energy | Gexa Light Saver 12 | $162 | 16.2 | 100% |
Payless Power | 12 Month - Prepaid | $193 | 19.3 | 26% |
TXU Energy | Simple Rate 12 | $184 | 18.4 | 26% |
AEP North Best Plans and Rates
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% |
Energy Plans for Low-Income AEP Texas Customers
While AEP Texas doesn’t offer specific energy plans for low-income households, reducing energy usage is a great way to lower bills. To help with this, AEP Texas offers two programs: the Targeted Low-Income Program and the Hard-to-Reach Standard Offer Program.
These programs provide financial assistance for energy-efficient upgrades like Energy Star appliances, heat pumps and insulation. Both programs help income-eligible households reduce their energy consumption.
The Targeted Low-Income Program provides up to $6,500 per home for weatherization and energy-efficient improvements. Non-profit community agencies identify eligible customers, conduct home assessments and arrange installations for households earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
The Hard-to-Reach Program follows a similar structure but requires customers to contact an approved contractor to complete upgrades like insulation and air conditioning improvements. It extends eligibility to households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or those in government assistance programs, such as Supplemental Security Income or Food Stamps.
Best Energy Providers in AEP Texas Service Area
Several energy companies offer competitive rates, dependable customer service and flexible plans in the AEP Texas service area. The following table lists the top ten Texas energy companies based on our electricity provider reviews. You’ll also find each provider’s ratings from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) scorecard and the Better Bussiness Bureau (BBB) ratings. Companies with the highest ratings offer plan option variety, predictable bills, competitive rates and high customer satisfaction.
Retail Energy Provider | Our Rating | PUCT Complaint Score | BBB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Reliant Energy | 4.7 | 5 | NR |
Green Mountain Energy | 4.7 | 4 | A+ |
TriEagle Energy | 4.7 | 4 | A+ |
Rhythm Energy | 4.5 | 2 | NR |
Pulse Power | 4.5 | 3 | NR |
Frontier Utilities | 4.4 | 3 | NR |
TXU Energy | 4.3 | 5 | A+ |
Champion Energy | 4.3 | 5 | A+ |
Direct Energy | 4.3 | 4 | F |
Cirro Energy | 4.2 | 2 | A+ |
Difference Between AEP Texas and My Electricity Provider
A utility company in deregulated areas of the Lone Star State, AEP Texas delivers power to your home or business and maintains the electric infrastructure. However, it does not buy electricity or sell energy plans directly to you.
In the deregulated energy market, electricity companies purchase power from generators in wholesale auctions managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the PPUCT. They then sell that electricity to homeowners and business owners across the state. Utility companies provide delivery services, managing the local grid and shipping power across the state.
You have the power to choose the energy company and plan that best fits your energy needs, such as Reliant or Green Mountain Energy. However, where you live in the state determines which TDU manages the power grid in your area.
AEP Texas Outages and Other Services
Since AEP Texas handles power lines and infrastructure, contact them during an outage instead of your REP. The AEP Texas website offers several online tools for easily reporting or tracking outages, receiving updates and learning about outage safety.
Here’s AEP Texas’s contact information for outages, emergencies and questions:
- Report outages: Call 866-223-8508 and visit our AEP outages resource
- Customer service phone number: Call 877-373-4858
- Website: Report an outage or safety hazard
