Reliant Energy rates, plans, and reviews

You can find several Reliant Energy plans on the Choose Energy marketplace, with various rates and term lengths. Here are a few popular options.

Conservation Plan 24

If you’re looking for a stable, long-term energy plan, the Conservation Plan 24 could be a great option. It has a fixed-rate and a two-year contract, with 15% of its power coming from renewable sources.

Truly Free Weekends 12

If you spend a lot of time at home on the weekends, consider signing up for the Truly Free Weekends 12. With this indexed plan, you’ll get a year-long contract and free electricity usage between 8 pm on Friday and 12 am on Monday. Like the Conservation Plan 24, 15% of this plan’s energy is renewable.

Truly Free Nights 12

The Truly Free Nights 12 is similar to the previous plan, except your free usage period is between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. every night. And like before, this is an indexed plan with a 12-month contract and 15% renewably sourced power.

We’ve broken down our scoring model into three main categories:

• Customer service
• Online accessibility
• Business history

Using these criteria, Choose Energy assigns impartial reviews to top electricity providers in Texas. To learn more about electric provider reviews, see our full list of reviews here.

Customer service: 2.0 out of 5

• P2C complaint score: 4
• Satisfaction guarantee: 0

A good P2C complaint score on the Public Utility Commission of Texas’ scorecard leads the way for Reliant in the customer service category. The company does not offer a satisfaction guarantee.

Online accessibility: 5.0 out of 5

• Online bill pay: 5
• Online chat: 5
• Access to usage alerts & trends: 5

Reliant swept the online accessibility category, where all three factors were assessed on a yes or no basis. Online bill pay, chat, and usage alerts combined to earn Reliant top marks here.

Business history: 5.0 out of 5

• Years in business: 5
• Better Business Bureau accreditation: 5

An NRG brand, Reliant boasts a lengthy track record in the deregulated energy space. It is also BBB accredited with an A+ rating. While BBB is a paid accreditation, we use it here as a measure of trustworthiness in the eyes of the consumer.

(Review updated 3/23/2021)

At Choose Energy, we only work with trusted electricity providers, such as Reliant Energy. In fact, every provider on our marketplace has been thoroughly vetted by our team, so you can feel confident that you’re purchasing from a reputable brand.

Every provider on Choose Energy must meet this criteria: 

• Dependable service
• Diverse selection of plans
• Cost-effective rates
• Reliable customer service

As one of the top energy providers in Texas, Reliant Energy excels in each of these categories. Below, find a brief summary of the types of energy services the company offers.

Reliant Energy for residential customers

Reliant Energy sells indexed, variable-rate, and fixed-rate plans, ranging from month-to-month agreements to multi-year contracts. Some plans even include free electricity usage at night or on the weekends. The company also offers electricity plans just for renters, which includes the ability to split payments with roommates and manage your account from the Reliant Energy app.

Reliant Energy for business customers

Reliant Energy provides affordable and reliable electricity plans for businesses of all sizes. The company also offers online account management tools, security systems, HVAC services, and surge protection for its commercial customers. Learn more about your options and request a customized quote for your business. 

Green energy options with Reliant Energy

Reliant Energy offers green energy plans sourced from local solar farms in Texas. You can opt into the Make It Solar program, in which the company will offset your energy usage by purchasing the equivalent amount of solar renewable energy certificates (RECs). In Texas, all electricity plans include some energy from renewable sources. You can check your plan’s Electricity Facts Label to see how much is in yours.

No deposit options with Reliant Energy

If you have a smart meter, you may be eligible for a prepaid energy plan. These Reliant Energy plans come with no deposit or long-term contracts. Instead, you pay in advance for your energy usage. When your account is running low, you’ll receive a reminder to add more to your account.

Along with its electricity plans, Reliant Energy offers several other home services, including home and business security packages, AC and heat protection, and surge protection plans.

Reliant Energy is committed to giving back to the Texas community. In 2020, the company supported more than 150 causes across the Lone Star State, donating $4.9 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charities like Big Brothers Big Sisters and the YMCA.

If you’re moving to another deregulated part of Texas, you can take your Reliant Energy service with you, if they service the area. Use one of the methods below to contact Reliant Energy to learn more about transferring your service to your new address. If you’re moving and want to switch to a new provider, you can avoid an early termination fee by providing proof of your new address.

There are several types of plans that you may come across when shopping for a new plan. Here are three of the most prevalent plan types.

• Fixed-rate plans. With these plans, you’ll pay a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity that you consume. Your rate won’t change during your contract, which offers more stability in terms of your energy costs.
• Variable-rate plans. In contrast, variable-rate plans do not have a guaranteed rate or a set contract length. Instead, your rate will vary every month depending on wholesale energy prices. 
• Indexed-rate plans. Similar to variable-rate plans, these plans change from month to month. However, if you have an indexed-rate plan, your rate is determined based on a commodity index for energy (rather than the wholesale price). Check your plan’s Electricity Facts Label to learn more about how Reliant Energy calculates its indexed-rate plans.

To see which Reliant Energy plans are available in your city, type in your ZIP code above.

Reliant Energy serves deregulated communities across the state of Texas, including the following utility service areas: 

• AEP Texas Central: This service area includes cities like Harlingen,  Laredo, and Corpus Christi.
• AEP Texas North: This service area covers areas such as San Angelo and Abilene.
• CenterPoint Energy: This service area includes Houston and its surrounding cities.
• Oncor Electric Delivery: This service area covers the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, along with other cities around the state.
• Texas-New Mexico Power: This service area spans many parts of the state, including the regions around Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.

Reliant Energy electricity rates vary depending on where you are in Texas. This is largely a result of each utility company having different transmission fees, which impact the rate that you pay for electricity. To view current pricing in your area, enter a ZIP code at the top of this page.

Don’t forget to check the Electricity Facts Label before buying a plan. The label will explain several important details about your plan, including: 

• The price you’ll pay for each kWh of electricity used
• The percentage of renewable energy contained in your plan
• Any fees for canceling your plan before the contract is up

Stress-free setup. Once you’ve signed up for a new Reliant Energy plan, there’s nothing else you need to do. Your provider will notify your utility company about the switch, and you shouldn’t notice any disruptions to your service if you’re changing from another provider.

Get familiar with your electricity bill. Your monthly energy bill will include charges from your provider, as well as your utility company. Utilities are based on your location and are responsible for handling power outages within their service area, unlike your provider, you cannot choose your utility company.

• Headquarters: Houston, Texas
• Bill pay: Log in to your Reliant Energy account here.
• Customer service: Call 1-866-222-7100.
• Outages: Contact your utility company

Will Reliant Energy charge me a cancellation fee?

It depends on your plan. If you have a month-to-month plan, you’re free to cancel at any time without penalty. But if you’re on a term plan, the early cancellation fees are $150 (for 12-month plans) or $295 (for 24-month plans).

Does Reliant Energy run a credit check?

Yes, Reliant Energy will perform a credit check before beginning service (unless you choose a prepaid plan). If you have a low score, you may be required to pay a deposit on your plan.

Do the Reliant Energy rates shown include everything?

Everything is included in the Reliant Energy rates on the Choose Energy marketplace, except for taxes.

How do I sign up for Reliant Energy service?

Enter your ZIP code on ChooseEnergy.com to see rates in your area. Then, filter for “Reliant Energy” in the left-side panel, choose the plan that’s right for you, and click “check availability.” From there, you can complete the sign-up process in minutes.

Updated: 11/12/2021