On August 30, 1836, the city of Houston was established. Brothers Augustus C. and John K. Allen paid around $1.40 per acre for 6,642 acres near Buffalo Bayou. In honor of this great city’s 186th birthday, we’re shining the spotlight on electricity companies in Houston.
When did electricity come to Houston?
In 1882, the Houston Electric Light Co. was created. That’s 140 years ago! And did you know that Houston and New York were the first two cities to build electric power plants?
Flash forward to nearly a decade later. In 1891, Houston became the first Texas city with electric streetcars. As you can see, Houston has been on the head of energy innovation from the start.
The Energy Capital of the World
A lot has changed since those early days of energy. Houston has grown to become a leader in the industry. According to the Greater Houston Partnership, the city is home to the 4th largest concentration of engineers as well as:
- 600 exploration and production firms
- 1,100 oilfield service companies
- Many energy startups (which make up 15% of Houston’s digital tech startups)
- 44 of the country’s publicly traded oil and gas companies (out of 128)
- Solar, wind and other renewable energy companies
Plus, Houston is helping to lead the transition to clean energy. Read more about the city’s full strategy for low-carbon energy options here.
That’s quite the impressive and lasting energy presence. It’s no wonder Houston has been called the Energy Capital of the World!
Now you know about the city’s long history in energy. So, let’s dive into some of your options for electricity companies in Houston.
Can I choose my Houston electricity provider?
About 90% of Texas live in a deregulated energy market. This gives most people in the state the power to choose the Houston electric company they prefer.
To be clear, your Transmission and Delivery Service Provider (TDSP) is assigned to you. Your home or apartment’s address defines your TDSP.
However, you’re free to choose your Retail Electricity Provider (REP). And there are many electricity companies in Houston to choose from.
What is a TDSP?
A TDSP is your utility company. It owns, operates and maintains the electric poles, wires and meters. A TDSP delivers electricity over their network to homes and businesses.
In Texas, four TDSPs serve most of the state. They are AEP Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Oncor Electric Delivery and Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP).
What is an REP?
A REP buys electricity at wholesale pricing. Then, it sells it to customers. In this way, REPs compete for your business.
What TDSP serves Houston?
CenterPoint Energy is the TDSP that serves Houston. CenterPoint also delivers energy to some of Houston’s nearby areas. These include communities like:
- Bellaire
- Deer Park
- Galveston
- Humble
- Katy
- Kemah
- Missouri City
- Pasadena
- Prairie View
- Stafford
- Sugar Land
- Tomball
- And many others
What electricity companies in Houston can residents choose from?
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) regulates the state’s utilities, including electricity. The PUCT lists more than 100 REPs in Texas. Many of these REPs serve residents in Houston and nearby areas.
Try searching for electricity companies in Houston using your ZIP code. You will be able to see some great REPs offer plans in your area
What is the best electric company in Houston?
Houston offers many trustworthy electric companies to choose from; however, it’s not possible to pinpoint the “best” one. It’s all a matter of opinion.
For example, maybe the “best” energy company in Houston to you is the one that offers the lowest rate. Or, maybe the “best” Houston electricity provider is the one that offers the most renewable energy plans.
No matter what you’re looking for, there is a plan for you. The electricity companies in Houston know they have to meet your budget and needs to earn your business.
Check out these five electricity providers Houston residents can choose from. Each of these companies has stood the test of time. And they also regularly earn positive reviews. Plus, they offer electricity plan options for a variety of lifestyles.
Reliant Energy
Reliant Energy, based in Houston, has been providing energy to Texans for more than 20 years. It’s one of Texas’ most popular REPs. In fact, Reliant serves more than 1 million customers across the state.
Plans and benefits
Plan highlights from Reliant include options such as:
- Time-of-Use plans that offer free energy during specific times of the week, like nights or weekends
- Plans that come with bonus miles from airlines like United and Southwest
- 100% solar-powered plans
Some of the ways Reliant stands out from the pack include:
- 24/7 award-winning customer service and support
- A strong commitment to community, supporting a wide range of non-profits and groups
- Discounts on backup power and smart home products
- A customer referral program
- Easy-to-use account management app and other innovative ways to manage your electricity usage
Customer reviews
Consumers rate Reliant 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Customer comments include:
“We’ve been customers for 11 years. When we got solar panels, you helped make it an easy transition. Your rates are low compared to others.” – Sarah S.
“The Truly Free Weekends plan has saved us a lot of money. I occasionally brag about how low my energy bill is.” – Joshua N.
“We love the free electricity from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. We’ve saved over 30% on our electricity using the Truly Free Nights plan.” – William B.
You can learn more about Reliant Energy here.
Green Mountain Energy
Houston-based Green Mountain Energy was the first energy company dedicated to providing clean energy in Texas. Plus, they’re the nation’s longest-serving renewable energy retailer.
Enrolling in a plan from Green Mountain Energy is an easy way to make a positive impact on the planet. Also, choosing clean energy supports a cleaner grid. It also helps you shrink your carbon footprint. (That’s the amount of CO2 you release into the atmosphere through your daily activities and choices.)
Plans and benefits
Plan highlights from Green Mountain Energy include options with:
- 100% renewable energy standard with every plan
- Time-of-Use plans offering free energy at night
- Solar energy plans that don’t require rooftop solar panels
Choosing Green Mountain Energy offers many benefits, such as:
- Discounts for choosing e-billing and setting up autopay
- The option to buy carbon offsets to negate CO2 emissions from your daily activities (like driving)
- Charitable giving that supports energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable solutions
- An app that lets you compare your energy usage and track your impact
- Tips to help you use less electricity and other ways to help protect the planet
Customer reviews
Consumers rate Green Mountain Energy 3.9 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Customer comments include:
“I’ve been really happy with Green Mountain Energy so far. I’m excited to know that my energy use is coming from renewable sources!” – Ryan H.
“The setup was seamless; the product is great. It feels good being green. And, I now try to be more energy-efficient, too.” – M.K.B.
“They made setup, paperless billing and AutoPay a breeze. I love the weekly usage summaries — they make budgeting a snap.” – Jet J.
You can learn more about Green Mountain Energy here.
Cirro Energy
Cirro Energy is one of the electricity companies in Houston with simple, easy and hassle-free electricity service. In fact, many customers across Texas enjoy Cirro Energy’s unique approach.
Plans and benefits
Cirro has energy options like:
- Plans that offer bill credits for keeping your energy usage below certain amounts
- Easy-to-understand monthly bills
Customers who choose Cirro also benefit from:
- Transparent pricing and terms
- Easy account management and bill pay, online or via their app
- Average billing, to make it easier to budget
Customer reviews
Consumers have rated Cirro Energy 3.8 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Customer comments include:
“[Cirro reassured me] that I was not exposed to crazy spikes in electric bills. Thank you for protecting your customers!” – Sue M.
“Wonderful customer service. Cirro has always been responsive [and] José went above and beyond to make sure the new plan was properly confirmed.” – Janice C.
You can learn more about Cirro Energy here.
Discount Power
Looking for electricity companies in Houston with no-frills home electricity? Discount Power has you covered. Founded in 2009, Discount Power prides itself on giving people great deals with no surprises. Fixed-rate plans have no hidden fees. Just low prices to fit your budget.
Plans and benefits
Discount Power offers its customers:
- Convenient enrollment and self-service options
- Friendly customer service
- Simple electricity plan options
- Budget-friendly options
Customer reviews
Consumers rate Discount Power 4.1 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews.
“Amazing, competitive prices and customer service.” – Joe W.
“I’m real pleased with Discount Power. We signed up for two years and I’m glad we did. Excellent rates and good service.” – Raghu R.
“Fair pricing, great service. Highly recommended.” – Howie B.
You can learn more about Discount Power here.
Direct Energy
Direct Energy, based in Houston, has been a trusted REP in Texas for more than two decades. The company provides practical tools and resources that fit in seamlessly with everyday life.
Plans and benefits
Direct Energy offers several plan options, including those with:
- Free nights from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- Free power on weekends
- Bonus Amazon gift cards totaling over $300
Additionally, Direct Energy customers have access to:
- Insights tool that uses your Smart Meter data to build a home profile and estimate electricity usage of key systems and appliances
- Home Protection Plan add-ons to cover heating & cooling, plumbing, water & sewer, and more
- Excellent customer service
Customer reviews
Consumers rate Direct Energy 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews.
“We are taking advantage of the free nights program. We have decreased daytime energy use. That saves us money and puts less strain on the grid.” – John N.
“When other energy companies were raising rates during the freeze, Direct Energy stated that my bill would not be raised. I love their integrity and honesty.” – Ora B.
“Good service. And the price is reasonable for our family. We enjoy our free weekend time so we can do a big bulk of laundry without running the bill up.” – Brittany D.
“My bills are lower than with my previous energy provider! I can pay my bill over the phone with ease, and I like the email reminders.” – Gabriela O.
You can learn more about Direct Energy here.
Where can I get the cheapest electricity rates in Houston?
Electricity companies in Houston, and across the state, all have unique plan offers. Really, there is no single company that provides the cheapest electricity rates in Houston or across Texas.
Plus, cheap doesn’t always mean better. Actually, you’ll have more success if you take a step back during your energy search. For example, consider all aspects of an energy plan and provider. Then, choose the one that best suits you and your family’s lifestyle and likings
Want a simple way to find an energy plan that fits your budget and meets your needs? Shop online and rapidly compare plans and rates.
How do I compare electricity rates in Houston?
In fact, it’s easier than ever to shop and compare electricity plans and rates. To view plans from trusted electricity companies in Houston, simply enter your ZIP code at Everything Energy.
From there, you can select your average monthly usage. Then, filter plans based on electricity plan term length, provider and more. Plus, you can make side-by-side comparisons of your top choices. And you can even view monthly bill estimates. Start here!