Houston “Power to Choose” plans are offered by the official electric choice website of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. While Houston residents can compare electricity plans and providers on the website, there are problems you need to be aware of.
On the site, homeowners are offered plans which have gimmicks included Houston electricity plans. The site has allowed energy suppliers to list unvetted plans that may seem appealing based on the rates displayed, but they can create bill surprises because the rates are generally not applicable to the customer’s home energy usage levels.
For the best gimmick-free electricity rates in Houston, consumers need to have transparency from their power companies, quick access to their energy usage information, and the ability to choose from the plans which match their home’s usage patterns. Home Energy Club is your one-stop shop for everything you require to get a good deal on electricity.
Key Takeaways
- Homeowners living in Houston, Texas have the power to choose their electricity plan and energy provider.
- Houston’s deregulated energy sector allows you to save on energy bills and get better service.
- Use our plan chooser to fetch your usage and view the best plans based on your energy consumption.
- Customers can purchase electricity plans based on the contract length and green energy percentage.
8 Gexa Energy Plans & Discount Rates in Houston
| Plan Name | Plan Length | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gexa Eco Saver Plus 12 | 12 Months | 12.4 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Eco Saver Plus 24 | 24 Months | 12.4 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Energy Saver 24 | 24 Months | 17.4 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Saver Freedom 36 | 36 Months | 18.9 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Eco Saver Lite 12 | 12 Months | 20.5 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Eco Saver Advantage 12 | 12 Months | 20.6 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Eco Saver Premium 12 | 12 Months | 21.4 ¢/kWh |
| Gexa Eco Saver Premium 24 | 24 Months | 21.5 ¢/kWh |
- Rates as of 12/07/2023 at 10:35 AM. Based on 1000 kWh. Enter your zip code above for rates in your area.
Get expert help from a Gexa operator at 855-639-8212. Mention promo code “GexaTX” for discount rates.
6 - Reliant Electric Rates for Houston
| Plan Name | Plan Length | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Reliant - Basic Power 24 | 24 Months | 16.2 ¢/kWh |
| Reliant - Conservation 24 | 24 Months | 16.5 ¢/kWh |
| Reliant - Basic Power 12 | 12 Months | 16.8 ¢/kWh |
| Reliant - Conservation 12 | 12 Months | 16.9 ¢/kWh |
| Reliant - Truly Free Weekends 100% Solar 12 | 12 Months | 18.2 ¢/kWh |
| Reliant - Truly Free Nights 100% Solar 12 | 12 Months | 18.8 ¢/kWh |
- Rates as of 12/07/2023 at 10:35 AM. Based on 1000 kWh. Enter your zip code above for rates in your area.
Call Reliant directly for all plans at 866-735-1218.
Get Reliant expert help by phone
Alternatives to Power To Choose Houston
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Home Energy Club presents a highly trusted alternative to Power to Choose in Houston. We aren’t an energy provider but rather a consumer advocate and comparison site that works with top providers and eliminates gimmicky plans to help you find legitimate deals and cut electric bill shocks.
Our plan chooser technology fetches your residence’s actual energy usage from Smart Meter Texas or the Transmission Distribution Utility (TDU), to calculate the cost of each plan, so you can choose the exact best energy plan for your home in Houston. To help you make a well-informed decision, we also provide objective information about the providers, and you can lock in cheap electricity rates on our website or with operator assistance.
To get started on finding the lowest electricity rates in Houston, all you have to do is:
- Input your zip code to see all plans, or click on the button of our plan chooser to deliver custom bargains for your home.
- Refine your search according to your preferred electricity companies and term lengths.
- Learn more about each plan’s features, such as its renewable energy percentage and early cancellation fees, by opening up the plan details window or accessing our reviews of electricity providers.
Deregulated Energy in Houston
Nearly 400 Texas cities and towns are energy-deregulated, including Houston. Broadly, that means these areas have opened up their energy sector to the free market, allowing multiple companies to compete to provide electricity to consumers. So you, as a Houston resident, can choose your energy supplier.
With that power to choose in Houston comes several upsides for energy users. Below are some of the primary benefits of having deregulated energy:
Savings
The primary way that energy providers compete with one another is through energy rates. If all else is equal, the companies that offer the lowest rates will likely attract the most customers. For Texas homeowners, that can translate into big savings as long as you shop and compare the energy rates of the different providers in your area and choose the best plan base on your home’s usage.
Improved Customer Service
When a single company provides energy to an entire area, residents have no choice but to work with that monopoly if they want to keep the lights on. Knowing this, the company has limited incentive to optimize the customer experience. With competition, however, customer experience becomes a point of differentiation for all providers in a given energy market.
Environmental Friendliness
A deregulated energy market also allows consumers to choose where their energy comes from. They can opt for green sources, such as solar and wind, empowering them to reduce their carbon footprint simply by selecting an energy provider.
How To Choose an Energy Provider in Houston
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The criteria for the best energy provider in Houston depend on several variables. Keep the following questions in mind when you compare electricity providers and make your final decision:
- What type of energy do you need? If you’re looking for plans sourced with traditional energy which may be cheaper, or renewable energy which helps combat climate change, confirm whether the provider offers your preferred energy source in Houston.
- How do you cut your electric bill? Determine how much you’re currently spending to establish your baseline. Then use our energy plan chooser to review the annual and average monthly cost of each plan based on your home’s actual energy usage.
- What is the provider’s history and reputation? Deregulation has led to an increase in the number of energy providers in Houston, and some of them have been known to mislead consumers with hidden charges or rates that increase over time. Make sure to look at our electricity company reviews to know which ones have the highest customer satisfaction scores.
How To Buy Energy in Houston
Whether you’re switching providers or getting started with comparing electricity rates in Houston, follow these steps to identify and purchase the most affordable plans from trusted providers:
1. Determine Your Home’s Energy Usage
With Home Energy Club’s energy plan chooser you can conveniently review your home’s energy usage per month and total annual usage in an easy-to-read chart. Our energy chooser technology will help you choose the lowest cost plan based on your actual usage history.
You can also manually calculate your monthly usage from old electricity bills. Then use your usage information to manually select a plan from all the plans on the site by entering your zip code and reading our Electricity Facts Label guide for help.
2. Select a Preferred Contract Length
Save money and reduce the risk of rate hikes by signing up for a specific fixed-rate term length commitment (typically 12, 24, or 36 months). If you own a home or are otherwise certain of your long-term residency, longer contract terms may be the better choice. We recommend against selecting risky variable rate plans, which can cause huge bill surprises; however, if you need a plan for a very short period, a low-cost variable rate may make sense.
3. Review a Plan’s Renewable Energy Percentage
Decide whether you want to enroll in a plan offering 100% renewable energy, which may cost a bit more. If you do, that may narrow your options when searching for providers.
Houston Power To Choose FAQ
Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about choosing an energy provider in Houston:
How many times am I allowed to switch energy providers?
You can switch energy providers as many times as you like, though you may incur an early termination fee (ETF). The idea behind energy deregulation is that you, the consumer, should have the final say in your choice of provider.
Is it possible to switch energy providers if I’m under a contract?
It is possible, but you may have to pay additional charges to terminate your contract before the end of its term. To make sure, review your contract terms or get in touch with your current energy provider.
Can energy providers go out of business? If so, what happens to my energy service?
Energy providers can go out of business, especially smaller companies. As a customer, however, you will not be without energy service. Usually, your provider will give you 30 days’ notice, giving you sufficient time to change providers. Otherwise, your service will switch automatically to the Provider of Last Resort designated by the PUTC. From there, you can stay with the POLR or switch to another provider.
