Free nights electricity plans, also called time-of-use plans, offer free electricity during specific nighttime hours but charge higher rates during the day when energy demand peaks. Energy companies offer this plan type to reduce grid strain during busy hours and encourage you to use power when demand is lower.
These plans work best for those who can shift high-energy usage activities to evening hours, such as running your dishwasher, charging an electric vehicle (EV) and doing laundry. Those who work away from home during daytime hours might benefit most from this plan type. Read on to learn more and compare top free nights electricity companies.
How Free Nights Electricity Plans Work
Free nights plans offer zero-cost energy during specific nighttime hours and charge a set electricity rate during the day. The free power periods vary by energy provider and plan but usually fall between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The daytime rate is often more expensive than what you might pay for a fixed-rate energy plan, where you pay a flat rate per kilowatt-hour used, no matter the time of day.
When comparing free nights electricity rates, review the plan’s electricity facts label (EFL), which details rates and contract terms. The advertised rate assumes a significant percentage of your usage occurs during the free periods for the free electricity period. However, if more of your electricity consumption occurs during the daytime hours, your effective energy rate can be significantly higher than expected. Review your energy usage habits and daytime rates to understand potential costs with a “free energy” plan.
Providers track your electricity usage through your home’s smart meter, which records how much energy you use and when. This ensures accurate billing based on your actual consumption. You can make the most of your free nights electricity plan and have better control over energy costs by monitoring your consumption. Some energy companies, like Reliant Energy, offer a mobile app to monitor your usage trends.
Not all energy companies offer free nights plans, and some providers offer this plan type specifically for EV charging. For example, Gexa Energy offers SavEV plans with low rates and free electricity from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for home EV charging. You receive a credit toward your bill by registering vehicles to Gexa’s telematics platform which tracks your energy usage from nighttime EV charging. This plan won’t be as beneficial without an EV compared to other cheap energy plans on the market. Other providers, like Direct Energy, only offer free night plans with a 24-month commitment. A longer-term contract locks in your rate but may result in an early termination fee (ETF) if you switch providers or plans before the contract ends.
Understanding Peak vs. Off-Peak Hours
Peak hours are when energy demand is highest, such as between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. when you’re getting ready for work, cooking dinner, and heating or cooling your home. Off-peak hours are when demand is lower, typically between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. when you’re sleeping and using less electricity. You can save money with a free nights plan by using most of your energy during off-peak hours.
You can see an example of peak and off-peak hours in the TXU Energy EFL below.
Note the time window of the “free” time windows versus the paid times. Additionally, you should pay close attention to the energy charge in the table above, which can often be significantly higher than with a traditional postpaid plan. We captured this EFL on February 10, 2025.
Top Free Nights Electricity Providers
We rate electricity companies based on customer service, plan options, and pricing to help you find the best energy company for your needs. Use the following table to compare prices and features of top free nights electricity companies.
| Provider Name | Free Hours | Advertised Rate (cents per kWh) | Energy Charge (cents per kWh) | Notable Features | Our Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reliant Energy | 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. | 17.8 | 24.6 | 100% renewable, monitor usage and solar impact | 4.7 |
| Green Mountain Energy | 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. | 17.8 | 24.6 | 100% renewable | 4.7 |
| TXU Energy | 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. | 18.9 | 24.7 | 100% renewable | 4.3 |
| Direct Energy | 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. | 19.6 | 28 | 100% renewable, includes Amazon Prime membership | 4.3 |
| Gexa Energy | 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. | 14.9 | 12.6 | 100% renewable, track EV charging and costs in mobile app | 4.2 |
Rates in the table above were collected in February 2025 in Houston.
Reliant Energy
Reliant Energy is one of our highest-rated providers, scoring a 4.7 out of 5 compared to dozens of Texas energy companies in our review. Reliant’s Truly Free Nights energy plan offers free electricity from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and a fixed rate during daytime hours. It also offsets your electricity usage with 100% solar power without installing rooftop panels. You can use the Reliant app to review bill predictions, monitor usage, receive alerts, and pay bills.
Green Mountain Energy
Green Mountain Energy’s Pollution Free All Nighter plan offers free electricity every night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and a higher rate during daytime hours. This plan is powered by 100% wind energy. Green Mountain Energy is another one of our top-rated energy providers. It offers only 100% renewable energy plans, all backed by decades of service in the Texas deregulated market.
TXU Energy
TXU Energy is one of the largest energy providers in the state and is also one of our top choices for “free energy” plans. TXU Energy’s Free Nights and Solar Days plan offers free electricity from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and offsets 100% of your usage with solar energy. You can use TXU’s app to track your usage, monitor spending and adjust habits for savings. While TXU’s plan offers one hour less of free electricity at a more expensive rate than Reliant and Green Mountain, TXU Energy ranks higher in our reviews for brand trust and customer satisfaction.
Maximizing Savings with Free Nights Plans
Knowing your energy usage habits is key to saving money on a free night’s electricity plan. Consider the time of day you spend most of your home hours and what appliances you use. Identify patterns of high-energy tasks and see if you can shift your usage to match the free electricity period.
For example, running dishwashers, washing machines, or charging an EV during free hours can stack up savings over time when shifting from daytime usage. Combining these strategies with energy-efficient appliances can help reduce total usage and increase savings. Using smart thermostats and programmable devices can make shifts simpler to get the benefits of free nights plans without extra effort.
Here are a few additional ways to shift electricity usage for savings on a free nights electricity plan:
- Schedule appliances: Use timers on dishwashers, washing machines and dryers to schedule cycles during free electricity periods.
- Invest in smart home devices: Reducing your overall usage helps you save on energy bills. Smart home and energy-efficient devices reduce your usage during the day when energy is more expensive.
- Charge devices at night: Charge your electronics and EVs during the free period. Consider charging power banks and using them during the daytime for devices.
- Shift meal preparation: To reduce daytime kitchen energy use, batch cook the main ingredients or use slow cookers at night.
- Monitor usage: Check your energy use with mobile apps or online tools to find high energy activities you can move to free hours.
Pros and Cons of Going with a Free Nights Plan
While free nights plans might be a good fit for some households, they aren’t the best electricity plan for everyone. For example, those working from home won’t receive as many benefits as those working away from home because of expensive daytime rates. Also, those with a strict schedule might find shifting usage habits a challenge. Review the following pros and cons to decide if a free electricity nights plan fits your energy needs and lifestyle.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Free electricity during off-peak hours | Expensive daytime electricity rates |
| Can lead to savings for night-time users | May need to shift energy usage habits |
| Encourages energy-efficient habits | Unpredictable bills |
| Good fit for EV owners | Not available from all providers |
| Reduces power grid strain | Need to read the fine print to avoid gimmicks |
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Energy Plans
What hours are typically considered “free nights” in electricity plans?
Free electricity periods vary by provider but typically occur between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Demand is generally lower during this period since residents are sleeping. Free nights electricity plans specifically for EVs might have a shorter free period, such as 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Check your plan’s EFL for its exact off-peak hours.
Do free nights electricity plans really save money?
If most of your energy use occurs during the free electricity hours, you can save money with a free nights electricity plan. However, the savings depend on how much energy you use during the day, as daytime rates are more expensive than other electricity rates in Texas. We recommend comparing energy plans by ZIP code to find the best fit for your energy needs. A plan without gimmicks might help you save more money if you use electricity frequently during the day.
Can I combine free nights with other electricity plan discounts?
It depends on the energy provider and plan. For example, Direct Energy offers a discount when you enroll in AutoPay for specific plans, such as the Twelve Hour Power option. Other companies do not promote additional discounts with free nights plans, but you can ask the provider’s customer service about ways to save.
What happens if I use electricity outside of my free hours?
You’re charged a daytime rate for using electricity outside the free period. This rate is typically more expensive than the Texas average energy rate of 15.61 cents per kWh, which can lead to a higher bill if you use most of your energy during daytime hours.
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%)
