Written by Jason Thomas
Moving to Houston or Just Switching to a Cheaper Electricity Rate?
The good news is that you have many options. Here you will find the cheapest electricity rate plans from Houston electric companies. Vault Electricity works with the leading electricity providers in Texas to put the best plans and lowest rates all in one place for you to shop and compare.
Click here to compare Houston electricity rates
There are so many options for electricity in Texas that it can be overwhelming for consumers. We’ve listed everything you need in one easy-read format so that you can compare electric plans between multiple providers.
Filter by home size, contract length, or other features so you can ensure you have the right plan.
Electricity rates in Texas update often. There is no way to know who really has the best rate in your area without comparing all the plans and providers in one place.
Featured Electricity Rates In Houston, Texas
Why Compare Electric Companies in Houston?
Many people who move to Houston from out-of-state or non-choice parts of Texas don’t realize that they have the power to choose their electric provider. It is very important to take the time to examine your options when it comes to choosing your energy provider.
Electricity rates in Texas can vary widely from one company to the next and even from one day to the next. Many people don’t realize what a large difference there can be in the prices of different companies. Even within the same company, there can be a big difference in price from one plan to the next.
Click here to compare Houston electricity rates
That’s where we come in. The best way to shop for electricity is to see all your options in one place. We’ve put all that information at your figure tips.
Even if you aren’t moving, you can save hundreds of dollars annually by switching providers when another company offers a great deal on an electricity plan.
Top Houston Electricity Rates From Each Provider
| Electric Company | Plan Name | Electricity Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Frontier Utilities | Frontier Saver Plus 24 | 11.3¢/kWh |
| BKV Energy | The Lantana 15 | 15.0¢/kWh |
| Gexa | Eco Saver Plus 24 | 11.3¢/kWh |
| 4Change Energy | Maxx Saver Select 24 | 11.3¢/kWh |
| Cirro Energy | Smart Simple 12 | 17.1¢/kWh |
| Trieagle | Sure Value 36 | 12.5¢/kWh |
| Direct Energy | Autopay Texas 12 | 16.7¢/kWh |
| Veteran Energy | Veteran Energy Valor 36 | 12.4¢/kWh |
| TXU | Clear Deal 12 | 14.9¢/kWh |
| 4Change Energy | Maxx Saver Select 12 | 12.1¢/kWh |
| Gexa | Eco Saver Lite 12 | 20.5¢/kWh |
| Express Energy | Flash 24 | 12.1¢/kWh |
| Green Mountain Energy | Pollution Free e-Plus | 17.8¢/kWh |
| Reliant | Power on 12 | 17.9¢/kWh |
| Ambit Energy | Lone Star Classic 12 | 19.5¢/kWh |
| Payless Power | Rate Lock 6 | 18.9¢/kWh |
For a more detailed real-time rate comparison, enter your zip code at the top of the page. Our rate comparison tool lets you see all providers and rates. You can filter by term length, usage level, green energy plans, no deposit plans and get you the most up-to-date pricing. The rates listed above are for the 1,000 kWh usage level. More Information on any of these plans >>>
Moving to Houston, Texas (The Energy Capital of the World)?
Here is what you need to know about the city.
With a population of over 2.3 million people, Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest city in the US by population. It was once the world’s most important hub for the oil industry. Energy is still a major industry in Houston and an important part of the local and state economies. Many of the state’s retail electricity providers are based out of Houston.
Houston is an important destination for business and is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters than any city except New York. Companies based in Houston include Phillips 66, Conoco Phillips, Halliburton, and many other companies in the energy sector as well as healthcare, transportation, and technology.
Electricity is a major expense for residents of Houston. A major part of that expense is keeping air conditioners running for the city’s 800,000+ households during the long, hot, humid summers Houston experiences every year. High temperatures above 90 °F are the norm for over three months of every year.
Houston has several major sports teams, including the Houston Texans of the NFL, the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball, and the NBA’s Houston Rockets.
It is also famous for the space industry and has been home to NASA’s Mission Control Center since before the moon landing. As such, it has earned the nickname “Space City”.
My Electricity Plan Has an EFL – What Is It?
The Electricity Facts Label (EFL) is the industry standard document that contains all the fine print about an electricity plan. In it you will find all of the components that make up the electricity rate that is advertised for that plan. You will find the rate you should expect to pay at 3 standard levels of monthly usage in Houston: 500kWh, 1000 kWh, and 2000 kWh hours.
The EFL will usually list out the TDU passthrough fees. Everyone pays these standard delivery fees to have the electricity delivered to their home. They are usually, though not always, broken out as separate line items in the EFL.
Sometimes you will see surprises in the EFL that could greatly impact the electricity rate you pay. For example, a bill credit may kick in once your usage hits 2000 kWh in a month. This has the effect of driving down the average electricity rate you would pay at 2000 kWh. But if at the end of the month, you used only 1999 kWh, your electricity bill could be much higher.
You will find other information on the EFL, such as cancelation fees and the percentage of the plan’s electricity that is sourced from renewable energy.
Always review the EFL before enrolling in an electricity plan.
You need to be very careful when shopping for electricity for your apartment. Most electricity plans are targeted for homes rather than apartments. Homes typically average closer to the 1000 or even 2000 kWh per month usage levels.
Click here to compare Houston electricity rates
How to Use Our Website To Compare Electricity Rates in Houston, TX
Comparing electric companies in Houston, TX, can be tricky business. Our website was designed to make the job much easier. Just follow these simple steps:
- Enter Your Zip Code and click ‘Get Rates’
- You will be taken to a page the list the plans available from the top electricity providers in Texas.
- Make sure that you select your home size so that you are looking at the plan rates that apply to a home of your size. This is very important. If you live in an apartment, you do not want to be looking at the 2000 kWh rates. If you enroll in a plan based on a cheap electricity rate at the 2000 kWh level you will probably end up paying a much different rate when you use considerably less electricity than that.
- Use filters if you are looking for specific plan features such as green energy or short/long-term contract lengths.
- Make sure you review the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) of a plan before you make your final decision.
- Enroll online or over the phone
- If you are assessed a deposit check out our No Deposit Electricity information page.
- Bookmark this page and return to compare rates often
Plenty of Available Jobs at the Energy Companies in Houston
When looking for a job in the energy industry, there is no better place to be than in Houston. Houston has long been known as the ”Energy Capital of the World.” Because Houston is home to almost 4000 different energy businesses, there are always plenty of positions available for someone looking to work in the field of energy.
Here are just a few of the current job openings in Houston’s energy industry:
TriSMART Solar is looking for several Solar Electricity Advisor to educate potential customers on the electricity-saving benefits of solar power.
Marathon Oil is a publicly traded company headquartered in Houston. As one of the largest energy companies in the nation, they are constantly looking for qualified individuals in a multitude of areas within the company.
NRG is one of the largest electricity companies in the world, providing electricity generation, transmission and distribution. With Headquarters in Houston, NRG is constantly on the lookout for qualified individuals to fill dozens of needs within the electric company. Current openings include Customer Manager, SAP developer, Proposal Writer, CMSR Representative, and segment Manager.
Cathedral Energy Services, a provider of custom drilling equipment and technical expertise, is looking for an administrative assistant in their Houston office.
ENGlobal is an energy automation and engineering firm with its corporate headquarters and its engineering/construction/automation facility located in Houston. ENGlobal is currently searching for Document Control specialist.
Halliburton is one of the largest energy companies in the world. Although they have offices in over 70 countries, their headquarters is in Houston. Halliburton has dozens of energy job openings in Houston, including for their manufacturing, field operations, and professional areas.
Find Cheap Electricity with a Green Energy Plan
Many people may be surprised to learn that Texas is a leader in Green Energy. The state produces more wind energy than any other state and most other countries. The nascent Texas solar industry is poised for a takeoff, with the state being home to more solar energy potential than any other state.
It would be impossible to find any Houston electricity plan that doesn’t get at least part of its electricity from renewable energy sources. Traditionally, renewable energy has been more expensive than other energy sources. But that gap has now narrowed substantially. Green energy plans are competitive with traditional plans and often can be found with cheaper electricity rates than non-green plans.
What Will I Need to Enroll in New Electricity Service?
Whether you are moving into a new home or switching providers, the requirements are the same. Most people today prefer online enrollment, but you can also enroll over the phone. Be prepared to provide:
- Name
- Service Address
- Billing Address (if different than billing address)
- Social Security Number or Driver’s License Number
- Previous Address
- Requested service start date
- Whether you are moving or switching providers
- (Sometimes) Payment information
- (Sometimes) Deposit
Each service address in Texas is identified by a unique identifier called an ESID. The electric company can almost always get this information from your address. Under certain circumstances, however, they may ask you to provide it. If that happens, you can get your ESID from a previous bill.
Same Day Electricity Plans Have Arrived in Houston
Before the rollout of smart electricity meters, it would take several days to get the electricity turned on at a new location. The electric provider had to dispatch a technician to the address to manually activate the meter.
Fortunately, those days are behind us. Smart meters have now made it possible for the electric providers to activate the meter without a human on-site, usually within 2 hours of the request.
Not only is it easier and faster to get electricity service started, but it’s also cheaper. Depending on the TDU, it can cost less than $7 to get expedited electricity activation. Even without requesting expedited service, the electricity provider usually activates the meter within one day. For Texans, getting the cheapest electricity plan started has never been faster.
Smart Meter Information:
For information on the smart meter program in Houston, Texas, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the cheapest electricity rates in Houston?
What is the Cheapest Electricity Rate for Houston Apartments?
Since there are so many different ways electricity plans in Texas are structured, you will often find that plans designed to have their lowest average rate at 2000 kWh have a very high rate at 500 kWh.
Electricity plans that have a larger fixed price component will have higher average all in rates when you use relatively less kWhs.
How do I Get No Deposit Electricity in Houston?
How do I report a power outage in Houston?
For power outages in Houston Texas, please call CenterPoint at 1-800-332-7143.
To have underground lines located prior to digging in Houston Texas, call 1-800-344-8377. To view a map of current CenterPoint power outages, click here.
Other Utility Companies in Houston
Houston Water Utilities: 713-837-0311
Houston Trash and Waste Utility Department: 713-837-0311
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