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Houston

Written by:

Electricity Match

Published Jun 21, 2024

Houston Electricity & Energy Guide

  1. Houston Electricity Rates
  2. Houston Electricity Price Trends
  3. Find the best Energy Plan in Houston
  4. How to setup Houston Utilities
  5. How to switch Houston Electricity Providers
  6. Houston Retail Electric Providers
  7. Houston No-Deposit Electricity Plans
  8. Houston Business Electricity Plans
  9. Houston Utility Contacts
  10. Houston Zip Codes
  11. Houston Electricity FAQ

Whether you’re moving to Houston Texas or shopping for lower rates, this guide will help you find the best electricity plan plus details for your other utilities.

Houston Electricity Rates

Houston is a deregulated electricity market which means you have the power to choose your electricity provider.

ElectricityMatch is a free service that provides comparison to help Houston residents save money by choosing the best electricity plans for their home.

Our rates are direct from the Electricity Providers so you see the same rates on their websites.

Electricity Providers submit their rates and we display them in a comparison rate table that you can sort and filter to compare energy plans in a clear and transparent comparison.

Many Energy companies use deceptive marketing like hidden fees to trick consumers into bad plans that look good. We filter those plans out of our platform so you never see them here. ElectricityMatch shows real prices side by side so you know what you’re getting.

These CenterPoint Energy rates are live and updated daily. Pricing shown is for 2000kWh (Medium-Large Homes).


Houston Electricity Providers are deregulated, which means you have the Power to Choose your provider! Energy consumers can shop for lowest rates, long term locked rates, variable rate plans, and much more.

Most of the other states don’t get the power to choose, they are stuck with a monopoly style energy provider that charges generally higher rates.

Electricity Deregulation broke up the monopolies and consumers get the benefits of having some of the lowest rates in the nation. Houston Electricity Providers compete for your business, they generally get customers by having the best rates, but the lowest advertised rate may not always be the best rate because of hidden fees and gimmicks built into the plan. ElectricityMatch takes the time to remove those energy plans, showing only real rates.

Dozens of Retail Electricity Providers in Houston want your business, using our comparison engine you can choose the best rate.

Courtesy of EIA.GOV

Data compiled from EIA.GOV

The average cost per kWh for Texas Electricity was 11.71 cents in 2020, the average bill was $132.59 for the same period. You can find electricity rates for 12+ months fixed-rate as low as $0.08 on electricitymatch.com.

Click To Compare


Find the best energy plan in Houston

Most consumers don’t know their electricity consumption without opening their bill. Before you can choose your best electricity plan you will need to know your monthly usage. Many electricity plans have different rates for different usage tiers and all plans in our electricity comparison engine show rates for 500kWh, 1000kWh and 2000kWh.

What do the different usage tiers mean?

  • 500kWh – Small Apartment, maybe mid-sized apartments with average electricity needs.
  • 1000kWh – Large Apartment or Medium Houses with average electricity needs.
  • 2000kWh – Large Houses, 2000kWh is generally the largest tier covering everything over 2000kWh.

Average Electricity Usage also requires an explanation. Older houses and apartments will use a little more electricity to heat and cool than newer structures. Some of us will run our air conditioner at 70 degrees through the whole summer while others are comfortable at 78 degrees.

If your usage is close to one of the tiers (500kWh, 1000kWh etc) each month it’s pretty easy to compare plans. If your usage fluctuates up and down it’s more difficult to compare. For example if your usage falls into the 500kWh tier during the winter and the 1000kWh tier during the summer you will pay different rates between the winter and summer.

Comparing rates can be more difficult than you think.

The easiest way to get your monthly average usage is to total your yearly usage then divide it by 12. From there see which tier you fall into (Small Apartment 500kWh, Medium Home 1000kWh, Large Home 2000kWh) and compare those rates.

Electricity Match makes it easy to compare the different tier rates. If you are in the Small Apartment usage tier you can check the box on the left side filter to sort our plans by Small Apartment.

If you have a large variance in your monthly usage you may need to count the number of months you will fall into different tiers then compare the most common tier prices.

All plans have some additional fees built into them. By reading the EFL for each plan you’ll be prepared. Our real rates available in our comparison engine have already included those fees in them, and we are showing you the real rate you will pay.

Don’t waste hours of time with a calculator or spreadsheet trying to find the best plan, use our comparison engine to see your real rates based on the size of your home.

Once you find the best plan for your home, click the Order Button for that plan, fill in the details and you’re done.

If you can’t find your usage history or you’re moving into a new home we have the answer for you too! Using our simple Home Size filters will show you the Electricity Plan Rates for different sized homes.

Use ElectricityMatch.com to find the best energy plan for you and your home.


Moving to Houston: How to setup your utilities

Over 2.31 Million people call the Houston area their home. It’s the largest city in Texas by population and 4th largest in the USA.

Houston is home to nearly every industry from agriculture, Oil & Gas, Shipping in Galveston, NASA and hundreds more. Houston has 6 professional sports franchises from the Texans, Adstros, Dash, Dynamo FC, Rockets & SaberCats.

Just moving to Houston? There are plenty of things to discover about Houston. Take the family out to one of Houston’s 337 parks or spend a fun day checking out the wildlife at the Houston Zoo.

Looking for a more international experience, visit Houston’s popular Chinatown and the Mahatma Gandhi District.

If arts and entertainment are more your thing, Houston’s Museum District attracts over 7 million annual visitors, and the Bayou Music Center stages live concerts, theatre productions, and stand-up comedy throughout the year.

Setting up Electricity at your new home

If you’re buying a home, ask the previous homeowner for copies of their electricity bills for the past 12 months or as many months as they have. Some providers display the last 12 months of usage on every bill. The past usage will help you choose the best electricity plan.

Once you’ve selected your energy plan, sign-up instantly – it’s that simple. Electricity Match lets you quickly switch and save at the end of a term for whatever plan you choose.


Houston, Texas, is a fascinating city with a rich history and lots of things to see and do. So if you’re looking for some fun facts about Houston, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some of the most interesting tidbits about this great city:

History:

Houston was founded in 1836. The city was founded by two real estate entrepreneurs, John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapman Allen. The brothers purchased 6,642 acres of land along the Buffalo Bayou and named their new city after Sam Houston, the president of the Republic of Texas.

Population:

As 2020 Census data shows, Houston is now the fourth-largest city in the United States, with a population of 2.3 million. The metro area has a population of 6.9 million, making it the second-most populous in the country after New York City.

Climate:

Houston has a humid subtropical climate, which means it experiences hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters.

Economy And Business:

Houston is a major center of industry and commerce. The city is home to over 2,000 energy companies, making it the largest concentration of energy companies in the world. Houston also has a thriving healthcare industry, with over 50 hospitals and nearly 200,000 employees. Furthermore, the city is home to a large number of Fortune 500 companies, including 17 of the top 50.

Culture:

Houston is known for its diverse culture and international cuisine. The city has a large population of immigrants from all over the world, and this diversity is reflected in Houston’s culinary scene. There are also many museums and cultural centers in Houston, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Zoo, and Space Center Houston.

Sports:

Houston is a major sports city. The city is home to the NFL’s Houston Texans, the MLB’s Houston Astros, and the NBA’s Houston Rockets. Additionally, Houston is home to several universities with Division I athletics programs, including Rice University, the University of Houston, and Texas Southern University.

Fun Facts About Houston, Texas

  1. With a population of over 2.3 million, Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States. Only New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago are larger.
  2. The Port of Houston is a major shipping center, and in 2013 it handled more than 212 million tons of cargo. That’s more than any other port in the United States!
  3. At over 350 acres, Sam Houston Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It’s also home to numerous museums and cultural attractions.
  4. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is the fourth-largest art museum in the United States, with more than 64,000 pieces in its collection.
  5. The Houston Zoo is home to more than 6,000 animals and has been ranked as one of the top zoos in the country.
  6. The Johnson Space Center is NASA’s center for human spaceflight and home to Mission Control. It was also the site of the first moon landing in 1969.
  7. Buffalo Bayou Park is a major park that runs through downtown Houston. It features walking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a nature center.
  8. Houston has more than 204 days of sunshine each year, making it one of the sunniest cities in the United States.
  9. The Houston Theatre District is the second-largest theatre district in the United States, with 19 theatres and more than 11,000 seats.
  10. The Astrodome was the first domed stadium ever built and was home to the Houston Astros from 1965 to 1999. It’s now a popular event venue.

Conclusion:

Houston is a city with a lot of personalities. From its rich history to its diverse culture, there’s always something new and exciting to explore in Houston. So, if you’re looking for a city that offers plenty of activities and attractions, Houston is the place for you!

Switching Electricity companies in Houston

If this is your first time to switch electric providers, no need to worry. It’s easier than the first signup! If you’re a pro at switching then you’ll appreciate how easy our comparison engine displays the best plans customized for you.

Do you already have a good plan? Maybe, maybe not, you can’t know how good your plan is until you compare Houston Electricity Plans. Competition between Energy Companies drives prices down and keeps them down so it’s a great idea to keep checking back here to see if you still have the right plan. Come back to Electricity Match a few weeks or a month before your current plan expires, signup for a better plan.

Compare plans before renewing your contract. That way, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal among competing electricity companies.

Switching energy plans regularly can end up saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year on your energy costs.

Switching is easy:

  • No calls to cancel your current provider
  • No service calls to your house
  • No Electricity interruptions
  • Switching only takes a few minutes

Don’t call your current provider to cancel service, for Houston Texas Electricity your new electricity provider handles the cancellation for you.

Power Outages are the worst, but you won’t have to deal with it when switching providers. The switch is seamless, you won’t feel a thing. Houston electricity is all delivered by the same Distribution Company no matter who your provider is.

Texas Electricity Deregulation allows you to change providers in the last 14 days of your current contract without any penalties or Early Termination Fees “ETFs”.

If you have a long-term power contract, check how many months remain before it expires. Most companies let you set a start date for your new plan up to 60 days in advance.

Sometimes rates go down so much that it’s financially beneficial to change providers in the middle of a contract, pay for $150 Early Termination Fee, and still save hundreds of dollars over the term of your new contract.


Houston Retail Electric Providers

Looking for the best retail electric service providers “REP” in Houston?

You can sign up for service with any number of great electricity companies like Pulse Power, Constellation, 4Change Energy, TXU Energy, TriEagle Energy and more.

Click on the company to view their rates, learn more about their service, or sign up.


No-Deposit / Prepaid Electricity Plans

Some of us don’t want to pay deposits, Electricity Match comparison engine can help with that too!

If you already know you want to a prepaid plan, you can filter our plans to show Prepaid only.

Deposits for Electric Providers is based on your credit score or lack of credit plus your history of paying your Texas Electric bill. Fair Credit scores usually never have to pay a deposit. If this is your first apartment ever, you might expect to pay a deposit or else go with a PrePaid Electricity Plan.

You shouldn’t have to pay a deposit for electricity, and if you’re using our comparison engine you won’t have to.

Often the prepaid plans are marked up a little bit higher per kWh but most of the time we have some fair priced no-deposit plans available. Check our comparison plan for Houston No-Deposit Electricity Plans.

Deposit Waiver – Texas Public Utility Commission §25.478 Credit Requirements and Deposits

A residential customer or applicant may be deemed as having established satisfactory credit if:

  1. The customer has been a customer of any REP or an electric utility within the two years prior to the request for electric service; is not delinquent in payment of any such electric service account, and during the last 12 consecutive months of service was not late in paying a bill more than once.
  2. The customer or applicant possesses a satisfactory credit rating obtained through a consumer reporting agency, as defined by the Federal Trade Commission.
  3. The customer or applicant is 65 years of age or older, and the customer is not currently delinquent in payment of any electric service account.
  4. The customer or applicant has been determined to be a victim of family violence.
  5. The customer is medically indigent.

If you satisfy PUC §25.478 requirements above and are charged a deposit you can send the waiver directly to the provider. Once your new REP receives the waiver they will confirm or deny your waiver or request documentation.


Houston Business Electricity Plans

Business Electricity works similar to Residential Electricity. For SMB (Small and Medium Business) you can use our commercial comparison engine to compare plans the same as Residential Plans.

Houston is an economic power house for Texas and the USA. They have dozens of large industries and hundreds or smaller industries supporting a skilled and diverse population. Houston Texas has one of the friendliest business environments to start a new small business.

Houston is a world-class hub for the energy industry. Sub-industries include traditional Oil & Gas, Refiners plus more modern renewables such as Wind & Solar. Houston is the Energy Capitol of Texas.

Houston’s Ship Channel has turned the city into a major import/export trade hub. Local businesses in Houston are able to ship and receive products world-wide faster and cheaper than most places in the USA.

As a Business Owner, you know your overhead costs can destroy your bottom line. Choosing the best Electricity Plan for your Small Business is one of many ways to increase your profit. Market conditions change every day, often driving energy prices lower and lower. All business owners should compare power prices frequently to make sure they are getting the best plan for their company.

Electricity Match can help you by providing an easy and fast process to choose your energy plan and signup. We have built a unique SMB Comparison Engine that will save you hours of shopping and trying to compare. If you still have questions we are here to help, just give us a call on our Business Electricity Line 1-833-226-8993.

Many Electric providers won’t sell direct to businesses without a broker. With Electricity Match, you have more options, we can sign you up directly from our website, we can assist on the phone and we can even setup a closed bidding for your business to get the very best rate!

Click here to get competing quotes for your business electricity.


Houston Utilities

Moving into Houston doesn’t have to be difficult. Below are most of the utility contracts you need to get everything turned on.

Click To Compare


Plans for Zipcode: 77001

AP Gas & Electric

Plan Term Rate
True Classic 8
8 months
12.5 ¢ per kWh
True Classic 9
9 months
13.1 ¢ per kWh
True Classic 12
12 months
14.4 ¢ per kWh
True Classic 24
24 months
14.7 ¢ per kWh
True Classic 36
36 months
14.8 ¢ per kWh

Rhythm

Plan Term Rate
Simply Select 6
6 months
12.8 ¢ per kWh
Simply Select 14
14 months
14.47 ¢ per kWh
Simply Select 12
12 months
14.76 ¢ per kWh
Simply Select 24
24 months
14.9 ¢ per kWh
Simply Select 36
36 months
15.46 ¢ per kWh

4Change Energy

Plan Term Rate
Power Maxx Saver 12
12 months
13.4 ¢ per kWh
Power Maxx Saver 24
24 months
13.6 ¢ per kWh
One Rate 12
12 months
15.6 ¢ per kWh
One Rate 24
24 months
15.9 ¢ per kWh
Maxx Saver Select 24
24 months
16 ¢ per kWh
Maxx Saver Select 12
12 months
16 ¢ per kWh

BKV Energy

Plan Term Rate
Verbena 36
36 months
13.5 ¢ per kWh
Verbena 12
12 months
13.6 ¢ per kWh
Verbena 24
24 months
13.6 ¢ per kWh
Verbena Green 36
36 months
13.7 ¢ per kWh
Verbena Green 24
24 months
13.8 ¢ per kWh
Verbena Green 12
12 months
13.8 ¢ per kWh

TriEagle Energy

Plan Term Rate
Savvy Value 36
36 months
13.5 ¢ per kWh
Savvy Value 12
12 months
13.9 ¢ per kWh
Simple Green 24
24 months
15.9 ¢ per kWh

OhmConnect

Plan Term Rate
TexasConnect 24
24 months
14.3 ¢ per kWh
TexasConnect 36
36 months
14.3 ¢ per kWh
TexasConnect 12
12 months
14.4 ¢ per kWh
PoolConnect 24
24 months
14.5 ¢ per kWh
Half-price Nights 24
24 months
14.5 ¢ per kWh
PoolConnect 12
12 months
14.6 ¢ per kWh
Half-price Nights 12
12 months
14.6 ¢ per kWh
GreenConnect 12
12 months
14.7 ¢ per kWh
EVConnect 24
24 months
14.7 ¢ per kWh
EVConnect 12
12 months
14.8 ¢ per kWh

Veteran Energy

Plan Term Rate
Valor 12
12 months
15.2 ¢ per kWh
Secure 12
12 months
15.7 ¢ per kWh
Valor 24
24 months
15.8 ¢ per kWh
Valor 36
36 months
16.1 ¢ per kWh
Select 36
36 months
16.5 ¢ per kWh
Select 24
24 months
16.6 ¢ per kWh
Smart Thermostat 24
24 months
17.4 ¢ per kWh

Payless Power

Plan Term Rate
Rate Lock 6
6 months
16 ¢ per kWh
Rate Lock 12
12 months
16.4 ¢ per kWh

Express Energy

Plan Term Rate
Flash 24
24 months
16.1 ¢ per kWh
Flash 12
12 months
16.1 ¢ per kWh

TXU Energy

Plan Term Rate
Savers Discount 12
12 months
16.9 ¢ per kWh
Solar Saver 12
12 months
16.9 ¢ per kWh
Simple Rate 12
12 months
18.5 ¢ per kWh
Free Nights & Solar Days 12 (8 p.m.)
12 months
19.2 ¢ per kWh
Live Your Free 12
12 months
19.5 ¢ per kWh