Oncor Electric Delivery Company is a transmission and distribution utility (TDU) serving more than 10 million Texans. It maintains power lines, meters and other equipment to keep electricity flowing to your home. Unlike retail electricity providers (REPs), Oncor doesn’t sell energy plans or send bills. However, you will find TDU charges included in your bill for power delivery. Oncor uses these charges to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure that delivers electricity to you. This guide explains Oncor’s role in electric delivery, TDU fees and how to make informed decisions about your energy plan in Texas.
Oncor TDU Delivery Charges
When comparing energy plans, the rate you see typically includes energy charges from your electricity companies and delivery fees from your utility company. TDU delivery fees add to your energy charge, or what you pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Because Oncor includes a flat monthly fee and a fee per kWh, how much energy you use will directly impact your efficiency rate per kWh. Note that these fees are subject to change per year in the spring and fall. However, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) must approve any delivery fee changes.
Check the following table for the latest Oncor fees.
TDU | Monthly fee | Price per kWh |
Oncor Electric | $4.23 | 5.19 cents |
Rates and fees are accurate as of December 2024.
Which Cities Does Oncor Operate in?
Oncor delivers electricity to 410 communities in 98 counties in Texas, with over 143,000 miles of power lines. Oncor applies the same TDU charges across all communities in its service area, though the cost may vary over time. Here are some of the major cities served by Oncor.
Top Energy Plans and Rates in Oncor
While Oncor is responsible for delivering electricity, you are responsible for choosing the right plan for your energy needs. Our top-rated plans in Oncor’s service area include 12-month fixed-rate plans from providers such as Reliant Energy, TXU Energy and Gexa Energy.
The best electricity plan for you depends on your energy usage, but we suggest plans with clear pricing and no bill credits or time-of-use rates. The following table lists our recommended plans and rates, including Oncor delivery fees.
Provider | Plan Name | Est. Monthly Bill | Rate (¢/kWh) | % Renewable |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rhythm Energy | Simply Select 12 | $154 | 15.4 | 100% |
Frontier Utilities | Frontier Budget Saver 12 | $152 | 15.2 | 30% |
Tri-Eagle Energy | Simple Savings 12 | $148 | 14.8 | 9% |
4Change Energy | One Rate 12 | $157 | 15.7 | 9% |
Veteran Energy | Secure 12 | $157 | 15.7 | 7% |
Gexa Energy | Gexa Light Saver 12 | $160 | 16 | 100% |
Reliant Energy | Reliant Power On 24 Plan | $145 | 14.5 | 20% |
Payless Power | 12 Month - Prepaid | $182 | 18.2 | 26% |
TXU Energy | Simple Rate 12 | $182 | 18.2 | 9% |
Gexa Energy | Gexa Eco Saver Advantage 12 | $198 | 19.8 | 9% |
Energy Plans for Low-Income Oncor Customers
Oncor doesn’t sell electricity plans; it delivers power. Instead, you choose a plan from an electricity company in Texas. However, Oncor offers the A/C Tune-Up Program and Weatherization Program to help income-eligible households save money by upgrading their air conditioning system. The A/C Tune-Up program gives eligible homeowners and renters up to $200 to improve efficiency, lower cooling costs and extend the life of your system.
The Low-Income Weatherization Program offers energy-saving upgrades at no cost to eligible customers. Your home must be in the Oncor service area to qualify. Additionally, your household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Oncor covers the full cost of weatherization projects, which improve home efficiency and reduce usage and energy costs. The program runs annually from February through November. Eligible customers can choose their projects and service providers from Oncor’s approved list.
Best Energy Providers in the Oncor Service Area
Reliant Energy, Green Mountain Energy and TriEagle Energy earned the highest ratings in our provider reviews of dozens of energy companies in Texas. When reviewing energy companies, we consider plan options, pricing, bill predictability and customer satisfaction to help you make an informed choice.
Below, you can compare top providers in Oncor’s service area based on our deregulated energy provider methodology, the PUCT scorecard and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings.
Retail Energy Provider | Our Rating | PUCT Score | 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 | 5 | A+ |
TXU Energy | 4.3 | 5 | A+ |
Champion Energy | 4.3 | 4 | F |
Direct Energy | 4.3 | 4 | F |
Cirro Energy | 4.2 | 2 | A+ |
Difference Between Oncor and Your Electricity Provider
Oncor is an electric utility company operating in deregulated areas of Texas. It delivers electricity to your home but doesn’t sell you your energy plan.
In the Texas deregulated energy market, your retail electric provider purchases energy from generators in wholesale auctions overseen by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the PUCT. Your light company then sells that power to you. You can switch electric companies for a better rate or service, but Oncor continues as your TDU unless you move outside its service area.
This separation between delivery and supply ensures uninterrupted power, regardless of the provider you choose. Deregulation also gives you the flexibility to shop for plans that best fit your budget and energy usage without worrying about affecting the reliability of your service.
Oncor Outages and Other Services
Your utility company handles outages and downed lines, so contact Oncor instead of your electric company if your home loses power. Oncor’s website and mobile app provide easy ways to report outages and stay updated on the status in your area. Here are some helpful Oncor resources and contact information if you’re dealing with a power outage or downed line in your area.
- Phone number: Call 888-313-4747
- Alerts: Text REG to 66267 for mobile alerts
- Website: Report power outages, streetlight outages or downed lines
- Outage map: oncor.com