Free Nights and Weekends Electricity Plans in Texas (Explained)

Free nights and weekends or “nights and weekends” electricity plans are time-of-use (TOU) plans that can charge as low as $0 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) during designated off-peak hours (typically overnight or on weekends), and a higher rate during the day. Depending on the retail energy provider (REP) you still may need to pay for electricity delivery fees charged by your local utility during the free and not free periods.

These plans are designed for people who can shift energy use away from high-demand daytime hours, which can reduce strain on the ERCOT-managed power grid. If you can move most of your energy use to those free periods, the plan can lower your total bill; if not, the elevated daytime rates may cost you more than a standard fixed-rate plan.

In Texas, “free nights and weekends” or “nights and weekends” electricity plans let you use electricity at no or very low charge during designated off-peak hours. However, you will still be responsible for paying TDU delivery fees. These plans are popular with consumers who can shift most of their power usage to evenings or weekends, but they can backfire if your usage remains high during the day.

How Free Nights and Weekends Plans Work

• Plan Type: These are time-of-use plans, meaning your electricity rate changes depending on the time of day and day of the week.
• Free Periods: You may pay as little as $0 per kWh during specific hours.
• TDU Delivery Charges: You pay these fees during free and non-free electricity periods (this depends on the REP and the electricity plan).
• Peak Periods: Daytime hours carry higher rates to offset the cost of the “free” energy.
• Billing Impact: If most of your usage occurs during paid hours, your total monthly cost could exceed that of a standard fixed-rate plan.

Estimated Monthly Cost Scenarios (vs. Fixed 14.0¢ Plan @ 1,000 kWh)

These estimates illustrate how your off-peak usage share (the percentage of energy used during “free” hours) affects your average rate and total bill. The plans below aren’t plan tiers; they show potential savings depending on your lifestyle.

How to read this table: “Off-Peak Usage” is the share of your monthly electricity you can move into the plan’s free hours; the higher that share, the lower your effective cost, so if you can’t shift enough (think laundry, dishwasher, EV charging at night or on weekends), a “free” plan can actually cost more than a simple fixed rate. Use the table to see how bills drop as off-peak rises, noting that many homes need roughly half or more of usage in free hours to beat a 14.0¢ fixed plan. Estimates assume 1,000 kWh/month; your actual results depend on your EFL.

Why Energy Companies Offer These Plans

Electricity demand in Texas peaks during daytime business hours when offices and factories are open. Nights and weekends see far lower demand, leaving excess generation capacity on the ERCOT-managed grid.

These plans work because electricity demand in Texas drops significantly overnight. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the state’s power grid, tracks real-time energy supply and demand to help set wholesale electricity prices. Retail providers use these pricing patterns to design plans that encourage customers to shift usage to off-peak hours when the grid is under less strain. To balance those discounts, daytime or “peak” rates are higher.

Who Benefits Most

“Nights and Weekends” and “Free Nights and Weekends” plans aren’t for everyone, if most of your electricity use happens during the day, you may end up paying more overall. But for Texans who can shift their energy use to off-peak hours, these plans can deliver meaningful savings and flexibility.

• Night Owls and Shift Workers: If you’re already up and active at night, it’s easy to take advantage of the free hours when rates drop to or close to $0/kWh.
• Smaller Homes with Solar Panels: If your solar system doesn’t generate enough excess power to benefit from a buy-back electricity plan, you can get a free nights electricity plan and use solar energy during the day and rely on free electricity at night.
• Smart Homes: Automation tools like smart plugs, thermostats, and appliance timers can help schedule heavy usage, like laundry or EV charging, during free periods.
• Cost-Conscious Households: Families willing to adjust routines slightly can see meaningful long-term savings by taking full advantage of free-hour or almost free usage windows.

Less Ideal For:

• Remote workers running A/C, computers, and appliances all day.
• Families with kids at home during the day.
• Households are unable to automate or schedule appliance use.

In Texas, free nights and weekends electricity plans offer the appeal of paying “nothing” for electricity during designated off-peak hours. But the real savings depend heavily on how (and when) your household uses power. For many Texans, the elevated daytime rates can cancel out the benefits unless you can shift a significant portion of your energy use to the free periods.

1. Potential for Lower Bills (for the Right Households)

If you’re away during the day or can run appliances overnight, these plans can reduce your monthly costs. Day-shift workers, night owls, and EV owners who charge vehicles overnight often see the most benefit.

2. Encourages Smart Energy Use

Time-of-use pricing helps Texans become more energy-conscious. By shifting laundry, dishwashing, or EV charging to free hours, you’re rewarded for conserving energy when the grid is most strained.

3. Works Seamlessly with Smart Home Technology

Smart plugs and programmable thermostats can automate off-peak energy use. This allows homes to capture savings without major lifestyle adjustments.

4. Supports Grid Reliability

When consumers move energy use away from high-demand daytime hours, it reduces strain on the ERCOT-managed Texas power grid, especially valuable during summer months when air conditioning demand peaks.

5. Can Help You Have Better Returns on Your Solar Panel Investment

Can complement solar energy systems, especially for smaller homes that don’t generate a large daytime surplus. During the day, your solar panels handle most of your household’s electricity needs, reducing what you draw from the grid when rates are higher. Then at night, when your system isn’t producing power, your electricity usage often falls within the plan’s “free” window.

This combination helps homeowners maximize the value of their solar setup while keeping monthly bills predictable. It’s particularly effective if:
Your solar system doesn’t qualify for or fully benefit from buy-back programs, you’ll use your self-generated power during the day and enjoy free grid power at night.

• Your solar system doesn’t qualify for or fully benefit from buy-back programs, you’ll use your self-generated power during the day and enjoy free grid power at night.
• You’re home during the evenings or have flexible energy habits, such as running appliances or charging devices overnight.
• You use smart home automation, to schedule high-energy activities (like laundry or water heating) during free periods.

1. High Daytime Electricity Rates

To compensate for the “free” hours, providers raise the daytime rate. For most families who use air conditioning, lighting, and appliances during the day, these higher rates eliminate any off-peak savings.

2. “Free” Doesn’t Mean Fee-Free

Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) delivery fees, base charges, and taxes still apply, even during free periods. These can add up quickly. This will depend on the REP and the plan. Some REPs may create plans that cover delivery charges as well.

3. Requires Significant Habit Changes

These plans demand a disciplined approach to energy use. Households need to consistently delay laundry, cooking, or charging of vehicles until the evening or weekend.

4. Not Ideal for Remote Workers or Families Home During the Day

Households with people home most of the day (including remote workers, retirees, or parents with young children) will likely spend more on electricity than with a flat-rate plan.

5. Long Contracts and Early Termination Fees

Many “free” plans require 12 to 36-month contracts with penalties for early cancellation. If your needs change, you could face fees for ending the plan early.

A free nights or weekends plan only saves money if your energy habits align with the plan’s structure. The easiest way to find out is by reviewing your home’s actual usage data.

Are You Load Shifting?

Load shifting means using electricity during cheaper, off-peak hours rather than during the day when rates are highest. For example:

• Pre-cooling your home in the early morning (before 6:00 am depending on your plan) before rates rise.
• Running laundry or dishwashers overnight during the free period.
• Charging electric vehicles (EVs) while you sleep instead of during daytime hours.
• Automating routines with smart plugs and thermostats (like the Google Nest Thermostat, ecobee Smart Thermostat, or Kasa Smart Plug Mini) to power devices only during free times.

Tools to Estimate Your Usage

Before enrolling in a time-of-use plan, review when your household consumes the most energy. You can find that information using:

• Smart Meter Texas: The state’s official portal lets you download hourly or 30-day usage reports that show exactly when your home draws power.

If your reports show that less than 50% of your total usage occurs during the plan’s free hours, you’re unlikely to save with a free nights or weekends plan.

Calculating Your Savings When You’re On a Free Nights & Weekends Plan

Use the approach below to see if your “free” plan truly reduces your bill:

1. Analyze Your Current Electricity Usage
   • Find your average monthly consumption (in kWh).
   • Break down your energy use by time of day using smart meter data or your provider’s report.
2. Review the Electricity Facts Label (EFL): It details every rate and fee associated with your plan. Pay special attention to:
   • Free hours (exact times and days).
   • Peak rates (cost per kWh outside those hours).
   • Delivery charges (TDU fees that still apply, even when energy is free).
3. Estimate and Compare
   • Separate your usage into free and paid hours.
   • Multiply your daytime (paid) usage by the daytime (peak) rate.
   • Add base and delivery charges.
   • Compare that total to what you’d pay under a standard fixed-rate plan for the same consumption.

EFL Example:

• Monthly usage: 1,000 kWh
• 40% happens during free hours ⇒ 60% paid during the day
• Free Nights plan daytime rate: 35¢/kWh (rate includes TDU charges)
• TDU charges: $4.90 + 5.9¢/kWh
• Fixed-rate plan: 15¢/kWh (rate includes TDU charges)

Free Nights plan (pay only for daytime)

• Energy: 600 kWh × $0.35 = $210
• TDU charges during free hours: = 400 kWh × $0.059 = $23.6

Estimated total: $210 + $23.6= ≈ $233.6

Fixed-rate plan (same usage)

• Energy: 1,000 kWh × $0.15 = $150
• TDU: Already included in the rate

Estimated total: $150

Bottom line (for this example): With 40% of usage in free hours, the Free Nights plan (≈ $233) costs more than the 15¢ fixed plan (≈ $150). You’d need more of your usage in the free window for the Free Nights plan to save.

With dozens of electricity providers across Texas, it’s hard to know which “free” plan is actually the best deal for your home. Some plans sound great, but hide higher daytime rates or long-term contract traps. That’s where Power Wizard makes things easy.

Here’s How It Works

• Enter your zip code.
• View available plans.
• Filter and compare.
• Choose a plan and enroll.

It’s that simple. Start comparing Free Nights & Weekends plans today.