Reliant Energy Plans: Compare rates and customer Experiences

Discover Reliant Energy’s diverse plan selection today to find the perfect plan for your home.

Written by Christine Orlando | Reviewed By Luis Luna
Last updated August 29, 2025

Enter your ZIP code to see plans in your area

Headquartered in Houston, TX, Reliant has been one of the leading energy providers in Texas since energy deregulation made its debut. Their extensive time in the field attests to their reliability and outstanding customer service with 24/7 help.

Est. Year

2001

Service Areas

Deregulated cities like Corpus Christi, Laredo, Abilene, San Angelo, Houston, Sugar Land, Galveston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Lewisville, and Lubbock

Plan Types

Fixed Rate, Variable Rate, Prepaid, Bill Credit, Solar Buyback, Renewable, Time-of-Use, Tiered Rate

Customer Service Hours

24/7

Reliant Electricity Rates

Reliant’s electricity rates will vary depending on where you live in Texas, your usage amount, and plan type. Remember to check out each plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) before signing up to make sure you have an accurate understanding of specific plan and pricing details.

The below plans are from providers currently active on the Power Wizard’s comparison site. Enter your zip code to get rates specific to your area.

ProviderPlan¢/kWhEst. Monthly BillTermRatingCheckout Link
APG&ESimpleSaver 10 8.5¢$8510 months4.2Checkout
4Change EnergyMaxx Saver Value 128.6¢$8612 months4.9Checkout
Gexa EnergyGexa Eco Saver Plus 128.6¢$8612 months4.8Checkout
Frontier UtilitiesFrontier Saver Plus 128.6¢$8612 months4.8Checkout
Express EnergyFlash Value 128.6¢$8612 months4.7Checkout
Chariot EnergyGridEdge 129.6¢$9612 months4.4Checkout
Veteran EnergyValor 1212.5¢$12512 months4.7Checkout
CleanSky EnergyEmbrace Green 12 - New Customer Special13.0¢$13012 months3.6Checkout
*Updated on 08/29/2025, 2:03:01 AM CDT for ZIP Code 77003. Pricing and plan offerings are subject to change. Monthly bill estimates are based on 1000 kWh usage. Actual bills may vary based on usage patterns and additional fees.

About Reliant

Reliant is one of the most well known and respected energy providers in Texas. With over 1.5 million residential and commercial customers, they’ve built a strong reputation as a reliable provider with attentive customer service, diverse plans, and helpful online tools. Reliant has even won many awards for its customer service. Though founded in 2001, 9 years later Reliant was bought by NRG, a fortune 500 company that serves over 7.5 million customers nationwide. 

Reliant offers multiple programs to save energy or support the environment:

  • Degrees of Difference: this program helps you conserve energy using smart thermostats. During a degrees of difference event, your thermostat will automatically adjust to help reduce your usage. Not only is this service completely free, but signing up will earn you a $25 bill credit.
  • EcoShare: this program offers carbon offsets and support to local environmental groups by adding a small charge to your electricity bill each month.

With a 90 day satisfaction guarantee, 24/7 customer service, and various extra services, Reliant is clearly dedicated to making their customers’ lives easier. They offer HVAC maintenance and repair, moving assistance, and backup power options such as power protection, surge protection, and home generator assessments.

Reliant Review Breakdown

Customers often remark on Reliant’s attentive and responsive customer service and their unique plans that fit the needs of various lifestyles. Reviewers praise their helpful app and easy to navigate online tools. However, there have been complaints about their premium pricing and billing issues.

Overall PowerWizard Score Rating Scale (1–5)
Overall Score 5 stars 4.92
Customer Service 5 stars 4.75
Online Accessibility 5 stars 5
Product Variety & Options 5 stars 5

Plans Offered by Reliant

Reliant Energy knows that different lifestyles are going to use different amounts of electricity at different times and their plans reflect that diversity. Reliant even has added services for its customers like HVAC maintenance and repair. Customers can pay as low as $9.99 to add this service to their plan. Early Termination Fees (ETFs) depend on the type and length of which plan you choose. They range from $150-$395 for fixed rate plans and $10 per remaining month for apartment renters.

Fixed Rate:

Fixed-rate plans offer a set price per kWh for the length of your contract, offering a stable and predictable option for customers. Reliant offers various fixed-rate plans, such as the Secure Advantage 12, and 24 month plan, that provide customers with consistency for the duration of their contract.

Pros:

  • Consistent electricity bills
  • Unaffected by marketplace spikes
  • Easy to understand billing

Cons:

  • Subject to ETFs
  • Won’t benefit from lower marketplace rates
  • Not flexible

Variable Rate:

A variable-rate plan gives customers the flexibility to switch plans or providers whenever they want, at no cost. Reliant offers the Clear Flex Plan, which would be a great option for someone who needs energy short-term and isn’t ready to settle down with a provider just yet.

Pros:

  • No ETFs
  • Flexibility to switch plans or providers whenever you want
  • Benefits when market prices drop

Cons:

  • Bills are inconsistent and can be confusing
  • Rates increase if market prices rise
  • Not great for someone looking for stability

Bill Credit:

Bill credit plans reward customers for using electricity above a set threshold by providing them with credits that go towards their bills. Reliant’s Power Savings 12 month plan gives customers bill credits for the use of 1000kWh or more, and the Power Savings 2000 kWh 24 month plan provides bill credits when customers reach or exceed 2000kWh.

Pros:

  • Great for high usage homes
  • Rewarded for large energy consumption
  • Can help you save money

Cons:

  • Not ideal for low consumption households
  • Must pay an ETF if you cancel your contract early
  • No benefits unless you surpass the baseline amount

Time-of-Use:

Time-of-use plans reward customers who are able to shift their energy usage to off-peak hours, when the price per kWh will be cheaper. Reliant provides its customers with Truly Free Nights and Weekends plans that also offer customers 100% solar energy. They also offer the Flextra Credits 24 plan where customers get the two highest usage days of the week for free and $200 in bill credits to use in the months they choose.

Pros:

  • Rewards those who can shift usage to off-peak hours
  • Lower rates during off-peak hours
  • Can lower your electric bill if managed carefully

Cons:

  • Can be difficult to budget
  • Not ideal for people who are often home during peak hours
  • Higher rates during peak hours

Prepaid:

Prepaid options are no deposit plans that are perfect for people trying to avoid a credit check. Reliant offers these benefits with their Prepaid Power Plan.

Pros:

  • Avoids a credit check
  • No deposit necessary
  • Avoids Early Termination fees

Cons:

  • Must frequently monitor your account balance
  • Electricity may easily go out if your balance is low
  • You must pay before using electricity

Renewable Plans:

Their Time-of-Use plans are also 100% renewable, but for customers who are looking for a different kind of plan, Reliant also offers the “Make it Solar” upgrade that can take any plan and offset your electricity use with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for $6.99 a month.

Pros:

  • Supports sustainability
  • Can make any plan renewable
  • No rooftop panels needed

Cons:

  • Must pay a fee
  • Higher costs on top of already premium rates
  • Your power still comes from the regular grid, the provider just offsets what you use

Solar Buyback:

Solar buyback plans allow people with solar panels to earn credits from the excess solar energy they produce if they send it back to the grid. Reliant provides the Solar Payback Match 12 month plan that allows customers to maximize their return on their investment in solar panels and is great for homes with high solar output.

Pros:

  • Earn credits for excess solar energy produced
  • Supports sustainability
  • Credits can lower your electric bill

Cons:

  • Solar Panels are required
  • Might be complicated to monitor
  • Buyback rates might be low

Tiered Rate:

Tiered rates charge customers different prices based on the amount of electricity they use. For Reliant, they reward high usage customers by lowering the rates as they use more energy. With their Get More Save More 12 or 36 month plan, you can enjoy these benefits plus a $50 bill credit. 

Pros:

  • Lower rates at higher usage
  • Great for hot summer or cold winter months
  • Predictable and consistent rates

Cons:

  • Not ideal for low usage households
  • Encourages overuse
  • ETF if you cancel early

Does Reliant Offer Business Electricity?

Reliant offers electricity for businesses of all different sizes with easy to use online tools that make the experience easy for business owners. Online features include auto-pay, online support, a live chat, and phone services. Reliant also provides surge protection, backup generators, repair services and various other features. If you are interested in a business electricity plan, visit  Power Wizard’s business electricity page to get a custom quote unique to your business today.

Reliant vs Top Energy Companies

Feature Reliant TXU Frontier Utilities
Overall Rating 5 star rating 4.92 5 star rating 4.92 4 star rating 4.83
Plan Types Fixed-rate, variable-rate, renewable, solar buyback, prepaid, and time-of-use Fixed-rate, time-of-use, green energy, EV, variable-rate, prepaid, and solar buyback Fixed-rate, variable-rate, free weekends, solar buyback, EV charging, bill credit, smart thermostat
Top 12-Month Plan Basic Power 12 Savers Choice 12 Saver Value 12
Best Feature Offers diverse electric plans, strong customer service, and is actively involved in community initiatives Known for their commitment to customer satisfaction and innovative energy solutions Simple, low-rate plans and a 60-day happiness guarantee

Reliant Service Areas

  • AEP Texas Central: Operates in parts of South Texas, such as Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, and more.
  • AEP Texas North: Covers Abilene, San Angelo, Midland, and other areas in West and Northwest Texas.
  • Centerpoint Energy: Serves the Houston metropolitan area and surrounding cities, such as Houston, Sugar Land, Baytown, Galveston, Pasadena
  • Oncor Electric Delivery: Covers most of North Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Waco, Tyler, and Odessa.
  • Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP): Serves non-contiguous areas including Lewisville, Texas City, Alvin, and Dickinson.
  • Lubbock Power and Light: Includes Lubbock, Texas.

Is Reliant Right for You?

  • You value easy to use online tools that make it uncomplicated to manage your account
  • You want a diverse set of plans to choose from
  • You value reliable customer service with 24/7 help
  • You want to be able to charge your EV for free at night
  • You’re interested in lowering electricity bills with Bill credits
  • You want a 90 day satisfaction guarantee

Reliant FAQs


Dial 866-222-7100 or use their online chat, both available 24/7!


Yes, Reliant has ETFs ranging from $150-$395 for fixed rate plans and $10 per remaining month for apartment renters. These prices depend on which plan you choose and how long the term is. If you want to avoid paying an ETF, Reliant offers a 90-day satisfaction guarantee or plans with no ETFs.  Plans with no ETFs include their variable rate and prepaid plans.


A key benefit of their service is the flexibility provided within the initial 90 days of a contract. During this period, customers can easily contact the company to switch to a plan that better aligns with their lifestyle, free of charge.

Just cancelling the plan will incur an early termination fee.


Reliant offers Prepaid Plans which avoid credit checks and having to pay a deposit. For all the other plans, a credit check will be required. Customers whose credit scores don’t meet the provider’s requirements will need to pay a deposit.


Yes! Their Free Nights and Weekends Plans, as well as their Flextra Credits plan are powered by 100% solar energy. If you’re interested in renewable energy but not the time of use plan, Reliant also offers a “Make it Solar” upgrade that offsets your electricity use with any plan with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), however, it will cost you $6.99 a month to do so.


Reliant is a well established and experienced electricity provider in Texas, serving over 1.5 million customers. They are highly rated in customer service and online features. They offer a diverse selection of plans that appeals to a wide range of customers, though it’s worth noting that there have been some reported concerns related to pricing and billing.


Reliant offers a mobile app to customers that allows them to pay bills, track usage, manage their account, and get alerts all from their phone.

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