Who are the best Texas electricity companies?
Many Texas electricity customers feel daunted by the multitude of providers and plans when they shop for electricity. Recently, Texas Electricity Ratings updated its provider rankings. These rankings rate companies in terms on plan offerings, rates, ease of ordering, customer service, innovation, and others.
However, because customer insight is also valuable, we also track the best Texas retail providers based on customer reviews of their experiences. And because customers benefit from other customer reviews, we’ve assembled our Peoples Choice Ratings for plans and promotions to show who are currently the best companies to get your electricity supply from.
#1 4Change Energy
4Change Energy currently sits atop the customer ratings and is all about giving back to the community. They donate 4% of annual profits to local charities. At enrollment, customers pick one of the following charities to support: American Cancer Society, Feeding Texas, American Red Cross, or Heroes For Children.
Their Generous Saver 36 plan locks in your rate for the long haul: a full three years. Only offered in the Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth areas, this plan gives customers a $25 bill credit once their usage reaches 1,000 kWh. At this usage, Houston customers pay 11.5 cents per kWh. Dallas electricity customers pay 10.1 cents per kWh at the same usage.
#2 Champion Energy Services
Champion Energy Services is rapidly expanding its footprint to be one of the largest retailers in the US. It’s more than just Texas Electricity Ratings users singing the praises of Champion Energy Services. In 2015, The company ranked “Highest in Residential Customer Satisfaction with Retail Electric Service in Texas” by J.D. Power.
Their Champ Saver-24 plan guarantees a fixed electricity rate for two years. A Houston customer using 1,000 kWh pays an average rate of 10.6 cents per kWh. Though it isn’t considered a green energy plan, it’s renewable content is 16.4%, just slightly below the average for Texas electricity plans. Make sure you can stick out the full contract term because the early termination fee is a relatively high $250.
#3 Direct Energy
Direct Energy, based in Houston, provides retail electricity and home services to customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 10 Canadian provinces. One of the largest retail energy companies in North America, they’re well known for developing new plans, products, and technology for their customers.
Their feature plan is Power on Command 24 which offers customers a two-year price lock and an Amazon Echo Dot. At 1,000 kWh of usage, CenterPoint Houston customers pay an average rate of 12.0 cents per kWh. The plan’s early termination fee is about average for two-year plans at $135. Even if you return the Echo Dot, you still have to pay the early termination fee.
#4 Tara Energy
Tara Energy, founded in 2002, it was acquired in 2011 by Just Energy, the largest green energy retailer in North America. We rated Tara Energy at 3.75/5 stars, with exceptional strength in its Texas community outreach. Customers, meanwhile, lauded them at 5.0 for customer service and billing and account management systems. Oddly enough, inspite of the high marks, Tara Energy currently offers just one fixed rate plan, Tara Web – 24, but it’s rate is all the same no matter how much electricity you use. Just 13 cents per kWh no matter if you use 500, 1,000, or 2,000. Plus, there’s no monthly charge, either. The plan does have a $175 early cancellation charge.
#5 Power Express
Power Express puts customers first by making three guarantees. First, they pledge to be completely transparent about their prices. Second, they resolve problems within two business days. Third, they treat every customer with respect.
Their #Mandarin12 plan gives Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth area customers a guaranteed fixed price for one year. The price is remarkably stable across usages with Houston customers paying between 12.6 and 13.4 cents per kWh and Dallas customers paying between 12.1 and 12.6 cents per kWh.
Find your Texas energy provider!
Finding the right electricity plan takes a little research. Fortunately, Texas Electricity Ratings has organized the most important information you need for comparing power plans from various electricity companies. Use the powerful search tools to find the plan that meets your power needs.