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Welcome to Houston: land of humidity, hometown pride and electric bills that spike right along with the heat index. Whether you just moved to H-Town or you’re tired of guessing which plan won’t wreck your wallet, here’s the Houston electricity guide we wish everyone had.
Key takeaways
- Houston is in Texas’s competitive market, so you choose your electricity provider.
- CenterPoint Energy delivers the power no matter which provider you pick.
- Low advertised rates often depend on usage-based credits that don’t fit Houston’s big seasonal swings.
- Compare plans on your real 12-month usage, delivery charges included.
First things first: Houston is deregulated
That means you get to choose your electricity provider, which is something most Americans can’t do. Here’s how it works:
- You live in CenterPoint Energy territory. CenterPoint is your utility and delivers your power.
- You choose your retail provider from dozens of companies serving Houston.
- Each provider offers lots of plans, many with tiered pricing, credits and fine print.
That’s where Watt Panda comes in. We dig through it all and find what actually works for you.
How electricity works in Houston
| Role | Who handles it |
|---|---|
| Power delivery and outages | CenterPoint Energy (not optional) |
| Selling you electricity | The retail provider you choose |
| Contract length | Commonly 12, 24 or 36 months |
| Delivery charges | Regulated, and included in the EFL average price |
Your bill pays both your provider (for the energy) and CenterPoint (for delivery). Here’s how delivery charges work.
Common Houston plan traps
“Too good to be true” rates
Plans advertised at 8¢ or 9¢ often depend on a bill credit that only applies in a narrow usage range. Houston homes can use 2,000+ kWh in August and far less in March, so you’ll miss the window for part of the year. See how bill credit plans work.
Minimum-usage fees
Some plans charge extra if you use too little, which hurts apartments and efficient homes in the spring and fall.
Comparing the wrong number
The energy charge alone isn’t the full price. Always compare the EFL average price, which includes CenterPoint’s delivery charges.
Renewal surprises
When your contract ends, you can roll onto a pricier month-to-month rate if you don’t pick a new plan. Here’s when to start shopping.
What makes Watt Panda different
We’re a free, Houston-based service. Electricity providers pay us when we help you find a plan with them, so you never get a bill from us. We read the fine print, compare plans on your real usage, handle the switch and keep an eye on your renewal. See how we compare to Energy Ogre and Power to Choose.
Just moved to Houston? Do this
- Don’t just default to the first brand name you recognize.
- Send us your previous bill (or your new address and rough usage).
- We’ll recommend a plan that fits your home and handle the setup so your power is on by move-in day.
Helpful official resources: CenterPoint Energy · Power to Choose (official PUCT site)
Stop overpaying. Send us one bill.
We read the fine print, compare plans from our network of Texas electricity providers, handle the switch, and keep an eye on your renewal date. It’s free to you.
- $0 to you, ever
- No monthly membership
- Real people in Houston
Frequently asked questions
Who is the electric company in Houston?
CenterPoint Energy delivers power to most of the Houston area, but you buy electricity from a retail provider you choose.
How long does it take to set up electricity in Houston?
A new move-in can often be connected within a day or two, and same-day service is sometimes available for an extra fee. Setting it up a few days early is the safest bet.
What is a good electricity rate in Houston?
It depends on the current market and your usage. The best way to judge a rate is to compare a plan’s estimated yearly cost against your actual usage, delivery charges included.