Reliant Energy^® Plans, Rates & Reviews (December 2024)

Reliant Energy is one of the oldest and most trusted electricity providers in Texas.

Our quality assurance team rates Reliant customer service as really strong, due to their operators being some of the best. They’re well trained and can help you choose the correct plan based on your energy usage patterns, reducing the odds of a bill surprise.

Some plans are only available by calling their special phone number and some plans on Home Energy Club are not found on their site.

To compare their electricity plans that we vetted with our TrustPlan™ process, enter your zip code above.

Want help finding the best plan for your energy needs? Call a Reliant operator (English/Spanish) at 866-735-1218.

Call a Reliant operator

Reliant Reviews & Ratings

We have compiled customer insights on Reliant from independent review sites (such as Google and Yelp), the State of Texas Public Utility Commission Complaints Statistics and other ratings and sources. In total, we have gathered over 6,000 customer inputs from Reliant Energy’s customers.

We use this information along with our opinion of the provider’s policies, customer orientation, and energy plans to determine a Home Energy Club (HEC) rating.

Reliant Energy was rated 4.62 / 5.00

Customer Ratings

Reliant has good to exceptional ratings for the reviewed categories, receiving a score of better than 4.5 in four of the five categories.

Customer Reviews

For additional information, please visit our Reliant Energy reviews page.

Compare Reliant Energy Plans and Rates

Reliant’s rates may appear higher than those of competing brands, but that’s only because they don’t try to hook you by displaying rates that seem low, but actually include gimmicks that cause bill surprises.

While they may not be the cheapest electric company, their transparent plans are more likely to produce predictable bills which build your trust and a lasting relationship.

They also have excellent operators, which is critical because a provider’s operators can help you choose the plan that’s truly best for you based on your home’s energy usage and the times of day (or days of the week) you consume energy.

Reliant has a variety of plans to provide price protection and fit your usage patterns:

• Fixed rate plans, which have locked-in rates for up to 36 months and produce more predictable bills
• Free Reliant electricity plans, such as their plans featuring free nights and free weekends
• Flex plans, which have no long-term contracts and no early cancellation fees
• Prepaid energy plans with no deposit electricity, to pay for the amount of energy you need (offered periodically)

To speak with a Reliant operator (English or Spanish) for expert help choosing a plan, call 866-735-1218.

Reliant Secure Advantage plan 12 and 24

Reliant Energy’s Secure plans are relatively simple fixed-rate plans that allow you to lock in your energy rate per kWh for the term of the plan (typically 12 or 24 months). There is no monthly usage fee as long as you use over 800 kWh in the month.

You’ll be charged the government-regulated transmission fee from the utility company. Be sure to read the Electricity Facts Label for details on these charges.

• Reliant Secure Advantage 12
• Reliant Secure Advantage 24

Prepaid Power plan (no deposit)

Reliant often offers prepaid electricity plans by phone, which are pay-as-you-go plans that offer no deposit electricity, with no credit check, instant approval, no ID required, and no contract.

If you’re looking for no credit check apartments in Texas, Reliant’s no deposit energy plan may be a fit. Call to enroll in this plan, which includes:

• No deposit
• No credit check
• Prepay for the electricity you use
• Receive low-balance alerts via text or email
• Month to month rates

For their standard plans, you may not be responsible for a deposit if you meet Reliant’s credit specifications.

Reliant Flextra Credits plan (with free electricity)

You can get a very low rate with Reliant’s free electricity plans, such as the Flextra Credits plan, depending on your energy usage patterns.

Be sure to review the Electricity Facts Label for each plan for details on the cost of non-free hours and the monthly base charges. Also, access your smart meter usage data at Smart Meter Texas to view your home’s kWh usage history, and confirm that you don’t use much energy in expensive non-free hours.

100% free electricity on multiple highest-usage days a week:

• Includes a bill credit in three months that you choose
• Up to 8 free days per month
• 100% solar power with fixed rate

Popular advertised Reliant plans with free energy time periods include:

• Reliant Truly Free Weekends
• Reliant Truly Free Nights

Reliant has a range of other popular plans, such as:

• Reliant Apartment 12
• Reliant Astros 12
• Reliant Electric Vehicle 12

Reliant Electricity Clear Flex plan

If you’re not looking for a long-term contract, you can sign up for a Flex Plan with no cancellation fees.

It’s best to call their operator to enroll in this plan because it includes a variable rate per kWh, which can spike during extreme weather periods. Home Energy Club does not offer online enrollment in variable rate plans because we feel it’s important you speak to the energy provider’s operator about the risks of variable rates.

These plans are helpful if you’re in a short transition between houses or apartments, or you need electricity for a brief time for another reason. Here are the features:

• Month to month rates
• No contract commitment
• No cancellation fees

Reliant also often has a plan specifically designed for apartments.

Other plan types

Reliant Energy offers a special rate plan for electric vehicle owners with its Electric Vehicle Plan. The plan includes 100% renewable energy.

For business owners, Reliant’s parent company (NRG Energy) offers business electricity plans. Simply fill out a brief business plans form for a commercial quote.

Energy rates in Texas cities

The provider’s energy rates are affordable in all areas of Texas, so review our Houston rates and Dallas rates, and pricing for other cities.

In all of our Texas city pages you’ll find local information on EV charging stations, electricity rates, outage information, and links to products and services which can cut your electric bill.

Houston Plans (Centerpoint Zone)

Call Reliant directly for all plans at 866-735-1218.

Get Reliant expert help by phone

Dallas Plans (Oncor Zone)

Call directly for their full range of plans at 866-735-1218.

Speak with a Reliant operator

Reliant Energy Promo Codes

Check to see if a Reliant Energy promo code is featured this month on our promo codes page. These codes allow you to access special rates.

Requirements to Start Service

Sign up or renew your energy contract with Reliant Energy online, or call their top-notch operators.

Depending on your credit score or payment history, energy companies in Texas require a deposit from you before starting your service.

The provider will calculate the required deposit amount when you enroll and refund your deposit once you have made 12 consecutive, on-time electric bill payments.

For new service, you’ll need to provide some form of personal identification, such as your driver’s license or an identification document, to verify your identity.

Renewing Service

Be sure to not allow your energy contract to expire without either renewing it or switching to a new plan or provider. If you allow your contract to expire, you may be placed on a default rate that’s more expensive until you renew or switch.

Providers want to keep you as a customer and will send you an email with a renewal rate offer. If you feel the offer isn’t competitive, call an operator to see if they’ll sweeten the deal before you switch providers.

If you leave Reliant, they’ll use your deposit to pay your final bill and return the balance to you as a check in the mail.

Login and Customer Service

If you have a question or problem, call an operator or chat with one of their agents online 24/7 in English or Spanish.

And check out the Reliant app for convenient access to energy plan information. Go to the Reliant Energy login page to access your account. You can also sign up at any of their Texas retail locations.

Energy Bill Pay

Reliant offers easy-to-read billing and payment options that include paperless billing, automatic payment options, and average billing. Use the electricity bill estimator to calculate how much you’ll have to pay for electricity before you move into a new home.

Just type a few details into the estimator, and you’ll see what your energy bill will look like. Use the login link above for billing information.

Sign up for average billing, and you can pay an average amount instead of bills that vary according to the season: sometimes high, sometimes low.

Switching, Moving Out, and Cancellation Fees

Switching plans and finding the right power company with the cheapest Texas energy rates can be a difficult decision to make.

The EFL is key to choosing the right plan

Learn how to review the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for each plan using our guide to choose a plan and confirm that the average rate you’ll pay meets your expectations.

If you wish to make convenient side by side comparisons of plans and rates, use the Texas plans “Compare Table” on our home page in the filter section—simply click the “Compare Plans” button.

See our Smart Meter Guide tips on how to conveniently access your home’s kWh usage information; after reading the guide, go directly to Smart Meter Texas.

How to cancel service

If you’re canceling your service before the end of your plan’s term, you’ll typically be charged an Early Termination Fee (ETF). The amount of the fee is listed in the EFL of each plan, and usually ranges from $150 to $295.

You can find plans from other light companies by entering your zip code on this page. If you’re searching for an electricity company near you, see our list of deregulated cities serviced by Reliant.

Transferring Your Plan

If you’re relocating before your plan expires, you don’t have to cancel your plan; they’ll transfer it to your new address with a phone call. Be sure to give them a month’s notice so you can be certain there’s no lapse in your service.

Report a Power Outage

Transmission and Delivery Service Providers (TDSPs) such as Centerpoint Energy and Oncor in Texas, are regulated utility companies that transmit electricity and maintain the power lines.

Retail electricity providers (REPs) like Reliant don’t correct outages. So, when you have an electricity outage, contact your TDSP to resolve the issue. See our handy Texas Electricity Glossary to help you understand the industry terminology when reading about electricity and outages.

Below are the contact numbers for utility service areas in Texas:

• Oncor: 888-313-4747
• AEP: 866-223-8508
• Centerpoint Energy: 800-332-7143
• Texas New Mexico Power (TNMP): 888-866-7456
• Sharyland Utilities: 800-545-4513

See all deregulated cities in Texas.

Zip Codes Serviced

Moving to Texas?

Check out our Moving to Texas Guide if you’re moving to the state and learn how to control your energy cost by saving energy in the heat of a Texas summer. To help protect you from bill surprises caused by gimmicky plans, Home Energy Club vets each plan displayed on the site by using the TrustPlan™ process.

About Reliant Energy

Reliant Energy is one of the largest electric companies in Texas with over 1 million residential customers.

The provider has top-notch operators, straightforward rates and award-winning customer service. Reliant is a sponsor of the Houston Texans NFL football team.

Business Information

Reliant Energy’s headquarters for Texas are located in:

910 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX, 77002

You can reach their corporate headquarters at 713-207-1111.

If you want to sign up for a plan you can either enroll online or call 866-735-1218.

Reliant Energy Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers we hope you’ll find helpful. Let us know your questions.

Is Reliant a good company?

Founded in 2000, Reliant Energy is one of the oldest and most trusted power companies in Texas. They provide straightforward, no-gimmick plans and award-winning customer service. Their well-trained operators can professionally help customers choose the best plan for their home.

How much is their deposit?

The amount of a deposit may depend on the plan you select and credit considerations.

To avoid paying a Reliant deposit, you may qualify for a deposit waiver by submitting one of the following:

• Letter of Guarantee from a current customer of Reliant Energy
• Letter of Credit from your current electric company
• Senior citizen exemption if you are over 65 years old
• Indigent status based on medical considerations based on a certification letter
• Family violence victim as established by a waiver from the Texas Council on Family Violence
• Pay-as-you-go plans do not require a deposit

Also, Reliant occasionally offers a no-deposit prepaid plan if you can’t afford a deposit.

Do they give senior discounts?

Reliant Energy does have programs for senior citizens:

• Customers who meet low income requirements can receive special rates on electricity.
• For details about senior citizen rates, call their operator.
• Reliant Energy does not disconnect electricity service for senior citizens.

Are Reliant’s free plans worth it?

Whether their time of use electricity plans are a good deal for you depends specifically on your electricity usage patterns.

• If you burn almost all of your energy when the electricity is free of charge, their “free” plan will likely save you money.
• Rates for non-free periods are usually expensive, so you must read the time-of-use pricing details for each plan.
• See the Electricity Facts Label for Reliant’s energy plans to determine if a specific plan is a good fit for your home.

Does Reliant offer renewable energy plans?

Reliant doesn’t specialize in renewable energy plans, though some of their plans have 100% renewable energy and some specifically feature solar energy.

Their sister company, Green Mountain Energy, is a well-established brand that provides an assortment of green plans.

Are their plans cheap?

While affordable, their rates may not appear to be the cheapest. This is typically only because they don’t include gimmicks which cause bill surprises:

• Note that cheap energy plans are not necessarily the best plans, as they may include deceptive elements.
• Reliant Energy’s rates and plans are transparent and gimmick free.
• Reliant’s time of use plans are cheap if you use a high percentage of your electricity during the “free” hours.

Are NRG and Reliant the same company?

NRG is the parent company of Reliant Energy. NRG is also the parent of Green Mountain Energy, Cirro Energy, Discount Power, Xoom Energy, Stream Energy and Direct Energy.

Do they charge late fees?

Like every major energy provider, Reliant charges late fees to customers who don’t make their bill payments on time. Here’s some info that may be helpful:

• It’s possible to get a payment extension, and if granted, customers are allowed extra time without having their electricity disconnected.
• Potential fees include 5% late fees, a disconnection fee (if a disconnection occurs) and a disconnect recovery fee.

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%)