Because of deregulation, energy providers and utility companies in Houston play different roles. In the past, the utility company controlled the entire process, from transmission to energy sales to distribution. Now, the utility is in charge of transmitting and delivering electricity to your home. The utility is also in charge of maintaining and repairing electrical infrastructure and restoring power when there’s an outage in your area. The utility company in Houston is CenterPoint Energy.
Energy providers in deregulated areas handle generating energy and selling it to consumers. In Houston, there are many different electric companies to choose from, including 4Change Energy, Direct Energy, and TXU Energy. With Choose Energy, you can enter your ZIP code and compare the energy rates and plans from all of the available Houston electricity providers. You can also filter by providers, reviews, term length, rate type, and much more.
Types of electricity plans in Houston
When shopping for an energy plan, there are a few different types of plans you can choose between. Here are a few of the most common types you will find on the Choose Energy marketplace:
- Fixed-rate plans. With a fixed-rate plan, your provider will charge you a single rate for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity you use each month. These types of plans protect you from fluctuations in the energy market and provide stability from month to month. Fixed-rate plans normally require you sign a contract, which typically last between 12 and 36 months.
- Variable-rate plans. Under a variable-rate plan, the rate you pay each month will change based on the wholesale cost of electricity. While you may be able to take advantage of market lows, your rate could spike during times of high energy demand. Variable-rate plans don’t require a contract, so you could switch to another plan at any time.
- Prepaid and no-deposit plans. Depending on your credit score, your energy provider might require you to pay a deposit before it will begin service. Many providers offer options for consumers who want to bypass a deposit. Prepaid electricity plans allow you to skip the deposit and instead pay for your electricity upfront. When your account begins to run low, the provider sends a reminder and you can add more to your account. This ensures you only pay for the energy you use.
All of the plan types and rates you find on Choose Energy are all-inclusive, meaning there will not be any surprise fees later on. Enter your ZIP code above to discover the types of energy plans available in Houston.
Houston green energy
Texas is a national leader in renewable energy, especially in terms of wind and solar power generation. Because green energy plans are so popular, Houston residents and business owners have a variety of renewable energy options offered by electricity companies.
Every Texas energy plan has a percentage of renewable energy in the mix. You can find the exact amount listed on the Electricity Facts Label. There are some providers that specialize in 100 percent green energy plans. These include Gexa Energy, Green Mountain Energy, and Chariot Energy.
Currently on the Choose Energy marketplace, there are green energy plans in Houston with rates as low as 6.9 cents per kWh from Gexa Energy. Enter your ZIP code above to explore the current green energy rates and plans in your area.
Houston energy for business
Choose Energy also works to provide businesses in Houston with affordable commercial energy rates. Our energy experts will compare business energy prices and deals from across the top Houston electricity providers and help you build a customized commercial energy plan to meet your needs. Visit our business energy page to learn more about how to receive an energy quote for your Houston business.
Houston electric rates in my area
When shopping for an electricity plan in Houston, it’s essential to compare the options in your area since different locations can have different rates. Utility transmission charges can change based on where you live, so residents in one part of Houston end up paying a different rate than someone in another area.
With the easy-to-use Choose Energy marketplace, you can compare accurate electricity rates and plans available in your area. Enter your ZIP code above to ensure you are checking the correct energy rates near you.
Moving to Houston?
Houston is known as the “Energy Capital of the World.” And with a population of 2.31 million, it’s no surprise that there is a growing demand for affordable and reliable energy plans.
The Houston energy market is deregulated. So, if you are moving to Houston, you will need to find an electricity plan for your new home. Choose Energy runs an unaffiliated, independent marketplace that allows you to shop and compare between all the available options in your area at no cost to you. Currently on the Choose Energy marketplace, there are Houston energy rates as low as 6.6 cents per kWh. Enter your new ZIP code above to begin exploring Houston energy plans near you.
