Compare Electricity Rates in McAllen, Texas

With the power to choose your retail electricity provider (REP) comes many benefits, but it can also make shopping for an energy plan feel confusing. There’s no shortage of McAllen electricity providers, each with their own terms and offerings to sort through. The Power Wizard energy experts have handpicked a few popular local providers to help fuel your search.

Since Texas deregulated most of its electricity market in 2002, some McAllen residents zoned to deregulated areas have been able to choose their electricity provider instead of being locked into Magic Valley Electric Co-op. In the deregulated areas of McAllen, this shift has opened up a competitive marketplace with dozens of providers offering a wide range of plan options. That means you can shop around for a better rate, plan type, or contract length.

Switching electricity providers in McAllen, TX, doesn’t have to be complicated. Power Wizard makes it easy to find a better plan without the headaches.

1. Check Your Current Contract: Before deciding to switch electricity providers, check your current contract to see if there’s an Early Termination Fee (ETF). In some cases, paying an ETF may be worth the money you’ll save with a new electricity plan.
2. Enter Your ZIP Code: Pop your ZIP code into the Power Wizard comparison tool to instantly view dozens of available REPs and electricity plans.
3. Filter Your Results: Use our filtering tools to make finding the perfect plan easier.
4. Choose and Enroll: Select the electricity plan and provider that best suits your needs, lifestyle, and budget, and then enroll directly through the Power Wizard website. Your new REP will handle the rest with minimal disruption to your service.

In McAllen, your electricity is handled by two different parties: a utility and a retail electricity provider. Your utility—AEP Texas Central—is in charge of delivering electricity to your home, maintaining the poles and power lines, and handling outages. You cannot choose your utility; it’s assigned by location. If you need to contact AEP Texas Central due to an outage, you can call them at 877-373-4858.

Your REP, on the other hand, is the company from which you purchase your electricity. They set your rate, offer different plan options, and send your bill each month.

If you’re living in an apartment near La Plaza Mall, your energy needs are probably a little different than a family living in a home in Sharyland. Understanding the types of electricity plans available in McAllen can help you find one that fits your lifestyle.

• Fixed-Rate Plans: Fixed-rate electricity plans lock in the price you pay per kWh for the contract term, protecting you from rate fluctuations. Your total monthly bill can still vary based on how much electricity you use and any TDSP charges.
• Variable-Rate Plans: Formally known as variable-price plans, these are month-to-month plans with rates that can change depending on the market and other factors.
• Prepaid/No-Deposit Plans: Skip the deposit and pay as you go. These plans are great if you want to avoid credit checks or have more control over your monthly energy spending.
• Time-of-Use Plans: These plans charge lower energy rates during designated off-peak hours (often nights or weekends) and higher rates during peak hours.
• Green Energy Plans: Support renewable energy by choosing a plan powered by sources like wind, solar, hydro, and more.
• Solar Buyback Plans: If you have solar panels, these plans let you earn bill credits for the excess energy you send back to the grid.

Not all electricity providers offer the same value, even if the rates look similar. Here’s what to consider when comparing providers:

• Plan Type: The type of electricity plan you choose should match your energy needs, lifestyle, and budget. Review each plan carefully before enrolling to make sure it will work for you, not against you.
• Contract Length: Look at how long the electricity plan lasts. Short-term plans offer flexibility, and long-term plans often come with lower rates. Match your contract to your living situation.
• Early Termination Fees (ETFs): If you cancel your contract early, you may be charged a fee. Make sure to check the terms before committing.
• Monthly Usage: Some plans are designed for higher or lower usage levels. Ensure the pricing structure aligns with your typical electricity usage.
• Deposit Requirements: You may need to pay a depost if you are not able to meet the credit criteria set by the REP. If you want to skip upfront costs, consider a no-deposit plan or prepaid plan that does not require a credit check.
• Green Energy Options: Many providers offer plans backed by wind, solar, hydro, or other renewable power sources. This is a good choice if you want to support renewable energy without changing your power usage habits.
• Customer Support and Reviews: Strong customer service can make a big difference when you need help. Look at each provider’s online reviews and Power Wizard score.

Moving can be stressful, and the last thing you need is to spend hours researching local utilities. The Power Wizard energy experts have put together a utility setup guide to help you settle into your McAllen home faster.

Natural Gas Service

The natural gas provider in McAllen is Texas Gas Service. For questions or to start service, you can call them at (800) 700-2443 Monday through Friday from 7 am to 7 pm CST.

Water and Sewer

Water and sewer services are provided by McAllen Public Utilities. You can set up service by calling (956) 681-1600 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm CST.

Trash & Recycling

McAllen Public Works handles residential trash and recycling services for the city. Residents can call them at (956) 681-4000 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm CST.