Reliant Energy Plans, Rates and Reviews

Reliant Energy is a Houston-based electricity provider operating in deregulated markets throughout Texas. A subsidiary of NRG Energy Inc., Reliant provides power for more than 1 million residents and businesses in the Lone Star State. Reliant Energy offers fixed-rate, variable-rate, prepaid, and green energy plans to residential and commercial electricity customers.

Ready to learn more about Reliant Energy rates and compare its offerings with other Texas electricity companies? Enter your ZIP code today on the free, independent Choose Energy marketplace.

Reliant Energy is best known for its flexible plan options and award-winning customer service. The company provides a variety of customer support options to answer your energy questions.

Reliant Energy offers: 

• Fixed-rate, variable-rate, and prepaid plans
• Plans with free nights and weekends
• Plans for residential and commercial properties

At Choose Energy, we work with trusted electricity providers to offer you the best rates and plans. We vet each provider on our marketplace so you can feel confident that you’re purchasing energy from a reputable brand.

Every provider featured on Choose Energy must meet the following criteria:

• Dependable service
• A diverse selection of plans
• Cost-effective rates
• Quality customer service

As one of the top energy providers in Texas, Reliant Energy excels in each of these categories. Keep reading to learn more about the company’s energy services.

Types of Reliant Energy plans

You may come across several types of electricity plans when shopping for a new plan or provider. Here are the most prevalent plan types you’ll encounter with Reliant Energy in Texas.

• Fixed-rate plans: With these plans, you’ll pay a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity you consume. Your rate won’t change during your contract, so you’ll have more stability and predictability in your energy costs. However, you’ll have to pay a fee to terminate your service before the contract ends unless you move out of the company’s service area.
• 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. On the plus side, you can change plans anytime you wish without incurring an early termination fee (ETF).

To find out which Reliant Energy electricity plans are available in your city, enter your ZIP code on our marketplace.

No-deposit options with Reliant Energy

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

Green energy with Reliant Energy

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

Moving or transferring service with Reliant Energy

If you’re moving to another deregulated part of Texas in Reliant Energy’s service area, you can take your existing energy plan with you. Use one of the methods on this page to contact Reliant Energy to learn more about transferring service to a new address. If you’re moving and want to switch to a new provider, you can avoid an early termination fee by providing proof that your new home is outside Reliant’s Texas service areas.

Renting with Reliant Energy

Reliant Energy’s prepaid plans are a great option for renters because they don’t require long-term contracts or security deposits. The company also offers 12-month fixed-rate plans, many of which feature competitive rates for lower usage levels and only require a 12-month contract.

Cancellation fees

Like most electricity providers, Reliant Energy charges early termination fees when customers cancel service before the end of their contract terms. These range from $150 to $295, depending on your plan. ETFs don’t apply if you have a variable-rate plan or you move to a new address outside of Reliant’s service area.

Satisfaction guarantee

If you’re unhappy with your Reliant Energy rates or plan features, you can change plans without paying a Reliant cancellation fee. Reliant offers a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. Within the first 90 days of a new plan, you can change to a different Reliant plan at no cost.

Reliant Energy business electricity

Reliant Energy provides affordable and reliable electricity plans for businesses as well as residents. Learn more about your commercial energy options with Choose Energy and request a customized quote for your business.

Other Reliant Energy initiatives

Along with its electricity plans, Reliant Energy offers several other home services:

• Home security packages: Reliant offers smart home security and automation systems.
• AC and heat protection: These plans provide insurance for your home heating and cooling, helping you avoid unexpected costs.
• Surge protection plans: Reliant’s surge protection plans can help you cover the costs of damaged electronics in the event of a power surge.
• Backup power: Reliant power solutions also include portable and whole-home power generators.

Reliant Energy is also committed to giving back to the Texas community. In 2023, Reliant and its parent company, NRG, donated more than $4.8 million to over 200 local organizations, volunteering more than 4,000 hours to give back to the community.

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

Basic Power 12 and 24

If you’re looking for a stable, fixed-rate energy plan, the Basic Power 12 or 24 plans may be a great option. These plans last one or two years. Both have an early termination fee — $150 for the 12-month option and $295 for the 24-month plan. The Basic Power plans receive 20% of their power from renewable sources.

Conservation Plan 12 and 24

The Conservation Plan 12 and 24 are good choices for those in search of a fixed-rate plan with discounted energy charges for usage below 1,000 kWh. These plans get 20% of their power from renewable sources. The 12-month option has an ETF of $150, while the 24-month plan has a fee of $295.

Power Savings 12 and 24

Reliant’s Power Savings plans work well for customers who regularly use more than 1,000 kWh per month. You’ll get a usage credit of $50 when you exceed this level of consumption, helping you save on your energy costs. Like other Reliant Texas plans, Power Savings 12 and 24 include ETFs of $150 and $295, respectively. These 12- or 24-month plans come with 20% green energy.

Reliant Energy’s Texas service areas include deregulated communities across the state. The company works with utilities in the following locations:

• 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 rates vary depending on where you are in Texas. This is largely a result of different utility transmission fees, which are included in your monthly bills. To view current pricing in your area, enter your ZIP code on this page.

At Choose Energy, we strive to provide reliable reviews for each of our trusted partners. We’ve broken down our scoring model into three main categories:

• Customer service
• Accessibility
• Plan options

Using these criteria, Choose Energy assigns impartial reviews to top electricity providers in Texas. Reliant Energy currently scores a 4.3 out of 5 overall.

Switching providers or starting a new electricity plan is easy with Choose Energy. You can search for an electricity company near you, compare plans, and sign up on our marketplace. Once you sign up for a plan, your new provider will handle the rest of the switching process without interrupting your power.

A few things to remember

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
• 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 and your utility company. Utilities are based on your location and are responsible for handling power outages within their service areas. Unlike your provider, you cannot choose your utility company.

Finding an electricity provider may seem overwhelming in a deregulated market. The Choose Energy marketplace simplifies the process so you can shop plans and sign up at no additional cost to you.

To compare cheap electricity options near you, simply enter your ZIP code. You can filter your results to match your preferences for specific plan types, contract lengths, and other factors. Compare plans directly, make your selection, and sign up in one streamlined process.

If you’re looking for effective ways to lower your energy bill, your best bet is to reduce your energy consumption. You can do that by caulking drafty windows, switching to LED lights, unplugging unused appliances, and more. For an even bigger impact, consider installing energy-efficient appliances. You may also be able to lower your costs by securing a new electricity plan with a lower rate.

NRG Energy is a large energy company responsible for acquiring a number of smaller providers over the years. It has acquired significant providers like Direct Energy, Cirro Energy, Discount Power, and Reliant Energy.

During the acquisition of First Choice Power, existing energy customers were automatically switched to Reliant Energy.

• 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 Reliant power 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 fixed-rate plan, the early cancellation fees are typically $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 but taxes is included in the Reliant Energy rates on the Choose Energy marketplace.

How do I sign up for Reliant Energy service?

Enter your ZIP code on Choose Energy to browse 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 signup process in minutes.

Which company is cheaper, Reliant Energy or TXU Energy?

Currently, Reliant Energy offers cheaper rates than TXU. However, electricity rates can change during the year. The best way to check accurate pricing in your area is by submitting your ZIP code on our marketplace.