Cheapest Electricity in Houston

Posted on Feb 2, 2010 by Paul White

If you live in Pearland or Houston then you most likely are in the Centerpoint Energy Service area.  Even though right now your electric bill probably isn't the top of your worries, come summer time you will surely be wishing you had a low fixed rate.  I just got done with my 12 month contract with Stream Energy.  After some googling I found a state run site that displays all the power companies and their rates.  Not sure who's idea this was, but I applaud the idea. For once I am a huge supporter of the government getting involved.  The rates displayed on this blog were AS OF March 10th, 2010 ( I updated them recently ).  Keep in mind these rates may change often, so be sure to check back at powertochoose.org.  Just think what would happen to the cost of healthcare if a similar site was created.  I switched to Brilliant Energy, and got my rate locked in at 10.7 cents/ KWH for 12 months.  Now it appears rates go for as low as 10.6 Cents / KWH for 12 month fixed. There were cheaper rates but the last thing I want is to come out of contract in the middle of summer, then have to renew when its 100 degrees outside.  A buddy of mind did the month by month thing, and the result was it was cheap in the winter months, but they raised his rates to 26 cents / KWH in the summer.  Its a good idea to lock in your rate in the winter when rates are low.

Keep in mind these prices were based on my zip code of 77584. ( Pearland, Texas ). But I suspect the rates won't vary much for other nearby Houston zipcodes.  So if you live anywhere in Houston, These rates might apply to you as well.  Also if you are thinking about switching, don't fall for all that marketing crap that the higher priced guys try to get you with ( about service and reliability ).  Centerpoint still owns the lines and the grid.  The way it works is your electric company has to provide electricity to the grid to match whatever you are taking out of the grid.  Think of it like an ocean of electricity.  Centerpoint owns the Ocean, and when you drink a glass of electricity, you utility company has to pour a glass into the ocean to match what you took out.  If you loose power its because the lines are down, not because of your power company.  So don't think that since you are paying 20 cents / KWH with some fancy marketing company that you will have power when everyone paying 9 cents variable won't.  If they don't have power you won't either  The only way around that is to get yourself a home generator. There is practically no reason not to switch to the cheapest provider. 
For the most recent prices check out PowerToChoose.org.  Whoever in the state government put together this site, needs to run for president.  I don't care what party you are ( Republican, Democrat, or Socialist ) you got my vote for whatever you run for.  The site was created by the Texas Public Utility Commission.  They oversee electric and telecommunicationsutilities in Texas. The mission of the PUC is to protect customers,foster competition and promote high quality infrastructure.  They just got my vote for the most important Government group in Texas.

Texas Retail Electric Provider	Avg. Price/kWh (1,000 kWh)	Rate Type	Term (Mo.) Cancellation Fee
Mega Energy, LP 12 month "Mega Man" Plan	10.6	Fixed	12 $200.00
Southwest Power & Light "Online Enrollment Only" Spirit Of Texas Fixed Rate E-Plan with Guaranteed Savings	10.6	Fixed	12 $175.00
Brilliant Energy, LLC Brilliant Low Price 12 Month Guarantee	10.6	Fixed	12 $200.00
Potentia Energy Potentia Power 12	10.6	Fixed	12 $150.00
Champion Energy Services Savings Champ-12	10.7	Fixed	12 $150.00
StarTex Power Star "Secure" 1 Year Plan	10.8	Fixed	12 $150.00
Dynowatt 12 Month SecureRate Fixed Price Plan	10.8	Fixed	12 $25 X remaining months
Spark Energy 12 Month Spark Online Advantage	10.8	Fixed	12 $175.00
Bounce Energy Terrific 12Get Lucky with Bounce Energy Rewards and find your pot of gold at the end of your contract term with a $75 bill credit!	10.9	Fixed	12 $200.00
Gexa Energy Gexa 12	10.9	Fixed	12 $150.00
Texas Power Texas Power 12 Month Fixed Price Plan	10.9	Fixed	12 $150.00
Kinetic Energy Simple Savings One-Year	10.9	Fixed	12 $200.00
Simple Power Simple 12	11.0	Fixed	12 $150.00
YEP "Online Enrollment Only" Fixed Rate E-Plan with Guaranteed Savings	11.0	Fixed	12 $175.00
Amigo Energy Online 12-month Program - New low rate! Easy to switch/simple online billing and payment	11.0	Fixed	12 $150.00
Southwest Power & Light "Online Enrollment Only" Renewable Healthy Heart Of Texas Fixed Rate E-Plan	11.1	Fixed	12 $175.00
Cirro Energy Smart Lock 12	11.1	Fixed	12 $150.00
Kinetic Energy Simply Green One-Year	11.2	Fixed	12 $200.00
Gexa Energy Gexa 12 with 25% Wind	11.2	Fixed	12 $150.00
Abacus Resources Energy 12 Month Residential Fixed Price Product	11.2	Fixed	12 $100.00
Abacus Resources Energy 12 Month Residential Green Fixed Price Product	11.3	Fixed	12 $100.00
Dynowatt 12 Month GoGreen Fixed Price Plan	11.3	Fixed	12 $25 X remaining months
YEP 12 Month Fixed Rate Guaranteed E-Plan	11.3	Fixed	12 $175.00
YEP "Online Enrollment Only" Green Earth 100% Renewable E-Plan with Fixed Term	11.4	Fixed	12 $175.00
Tara Energy Paperless e-Plan Fixed - 12 Months	11.5	Fixed	12 $250.00
StarTex Power 12 Month Texas Wind Power Fixed Rate Product	11.5	Fixed	12 $150.00
Champion Energy Services Green Power-12	11.5	Fixed	12 $150.00
Gexa Energy Gexa Green 12	11.5	Fixed	12 $150.00
YEP Green Earth 100% Renewable E-Plan with 12 Month Fixed Term	11.7	Fixed	12 $175.00
Bounce Energy Blue Sky Fixed 12Get Lucky with Bounce Energy Rewards and find your pot of gold at the end of your contract term with a $75 bill credit!	11.7	Fixed	12 $200.00
Reliant Energy Secure -12 with 20% Wind ePlan	11.9	Fixed	12 $150.00
APNA Energy APNA Super Saver 12	11.9	Fixed	12 $200.00
Frontier Utilities Frontier Simplicity Online Your Way 12	11.9	Fixed	12 $199.00
Direct Energy Price Protection Plan 12	11.9	Fixed	12 $200.00
Stream Energy One-Year Fixed Rate	11.9	Fixed	12 $250.00
Ambit Energy Lone Star Select-1 Year Term	12.0	Fixed	12 $199.00
MXenergy Residential Fixed	12.0	Fixed	12 $150.00
Amigo Energy GoGreen 100% Renewable Energy - Fight global warming with Texas wind power	12.1	Fixed	12 $150.00
Stream Energy Green & Clean Plan (Fixed Rate)	12.1	Fixed	12 $250.00
First Choice Power Simply Better Web Advantage Green	12.3	Fixed	12 $150.00
Gateway Power Services 12 month Fixed-Rate Plan + $50 Visa Prepaid Card. Use Sign Up link below and redeem code PWR2C.	12.4	Fixed	1212.50 per month remaining
Direct Energy Pure Texas Wind Plan	12.4	Fixed	12 $200.00
Ambit Energy Ambit Certified Green-1 Year Term	12.6	Fixed	12 $199.00
TXU Energy TXU Energy Resident's Choice - Web Exclusive	12.7	Fixed	12 $150.00
Tara Energy Save & Care Green Fixed - 12 Months	12.7	Fixed	12 $250.00
Green Mountain Energy Company Pollution Free- Reliable Rate + $50 Gift Card for Online Enrollment- See Special Terms for details.	13.3	Fixed	12 $200.00
TXU Energy TXU Energy Texas Choice 12 - with Cash Back Loyalty Rewards!	13.5	Fixed	12 $100.00
Texpo Energy Texpo One Year Savings Plan	13.5	Fixed	12 $175.00
Frontier Utilities Renew Frontier Clean and Green 12	13.7	Fixed	12 $199.00
Spark Energy 12 Month Spark 100% Renewable Advantage	13.8	Fixed	12 $300.00
Texpo Energy Clear Blue Skies 100% Renewable 12 Month Plan	13.9	Fixed	12 $175.00

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