At Choose Texas Power, we aim to provide consistent, reliable information about energy plans. Our partners do not direct our editorial content, though we may reference their products in our posts. Read about how we make money to learn more.
Texas-based energy provider Reliant Energy is well known across the state for offering competitive energy plans to millions of homes and businesses. Texas energy customers benefit from energy deregulation, but the freedom to pick your electric company can be overwhelming. Choose Texas Power rates electricity companies based on customer service, online accessibility, and plan options to provide a well-rounded review to inform your decision. The following table shows Reliant Energy ratings and scores for various categories
Category |
Rating |
| Customer service | 4.9/5 |
| Online accessibility | 5/5 |
| Plan options | 2.3/5 |
| Overall score | 4.1/5 |
Overall, Reliant Energy scored a 4.1 out of 5 based on Choose Texas Power’s rating methodology. Reliant’s rating is average for electric suppliers in Texas. The following highlights each component of our Reliant Energy review.
When choosing your Texas energy provider, quality customer service is important. If you need assistance paying your bill or have questions, you’ll want a readily available company. Reliant scored a 4.9 out of 5 for customer service based on its Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) complaint score, Google reviews, satisfaction guarantee, service options, and years in business. The Reliant Energy rating on Google reviews is the only component bringing down Reliant’s score.
ChooseTexasPower.org is not affiliated with Power to Choose, powertochoose.org, or the PUCT.
Energy companies with user-friendly online portals and transparent pricing receive higher Choose Texas Power ratings. Reliant Energy got a perfect 5 out of 5 score for online accessibility. You can pay your bills online, receive alerts about usage trends, and find transparent pricing.
In Texas’ deregulated energy market, you can choose an energy plan that best fits your usage. Companies offering various plans provide options and flexibility as your energy habits change. Reliant’s plan option score negatively impacted its overall rating with a 2.3 out of 5 due to limited contract lengths and plan types.
Based on nearly 6,000 Google reviews, many customers praise the company for its customer service while some report expensive bills and unexpected rate increases. One feature customers enjoy is the live online chat, which allows help from an agent without calling over the phone.
The main complaint is about expensive bills and cancellation fees. If you sign up for an electricity plan from Reliant, review the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to avoid any surprise fees. For example, if you cancel your energy plan before the term ends, you may pay up to $295 for the early termination fee (ETF). The EFL will also mention if your price can change during the contract period and list other fees to expect.
Depending on your preferences, paying more for electricity may be worth the higher-quality customer service. If the lowest rate is your priority, enter your ZIP code on this page and sort your options from low to high to compare the cheapest energy plans in your area.
The following sections highlight positive and negative Reliant Energy reviews from real customers.
“Reliant is a bit pricey, mainly due to the delivery charges from Oncor in the Dallas area. However, their support team is great, and once I saw a $300 electric bill, they offered me a plan that would reduce the price to $200. The support chat was a quick and smooth process to switch plans.” – Fernando Garcia
“I’ve been a Reliant customer for almost a decade. Sometimes it’s a little more expensive than other companies, though there’s almost always a promo going on and they’re more than happy to work with you. I would gladly pay a little more for the level of customer care and support they have always available. Even the chat people are helpful and nice, and when you call, it’s straightforward and quick. Definitely recommend.” – Arden Larberg
“Customer service rep on chat was friendly, polite, professional, and knowledgeable. I felt confident that I was in good hands. I had a great overall experience, and this makes me more likely to not only stick with Reliant, and recommend its services to others.” – Jerry Dimandja
“I moved to Texas five years ago and have used them all five years as a Texas resident. Over the years, I went from an apartment plan to these random supposedly ‘energy saving plans’ that have cost me more than I’ve ever spent on energy bills!” – Cara Everett
“I have been with Reliant for about 7 years. I was on a plan and always had what I thought was a reasonable bill/rate. Now my bills have gone through the roof, and they tell me I’m on a month-to-month plan. I don’t know when or how this happened, but I don’t plan to stay with Reliant.” – Sheri Brown
“We signed a contract for 24 months, and our electric bill automatically increased. Now we are stuck with them for 2 years. Our average billing was about $130 and about $200 in summer. Now it is more than $300 while our neighbors pay about $130 a month for a two-story house.” – Laura Mulligan
Reliant Energy is not the only provider in Texas. You have many other options for an electric company, such as TXU Energy or Direct Energy. Each company has its benefits and drawbacks, depending on your preferences. For example, TXU Energy is one of our overall highest-rated electricity providers. Our TXU Energy review shows it is not the lowest rate provider but has highly rated customer service. Meanwhile, our Direct Energy review shows the provider may offer a more affordable long-term option in your area but rank lower for customer service quality.
Reliant has a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, so you can cancel your plan within 90 days of enrollment without a penalty. In comparison, TXU’s satisfaction guarantee is 60 days, and Direct Energy does not offer a guarantee. With Reliant, you have more time to ensure you’re happy with your service or cancel without fees.
The following table compares a 12-month electricity plan and rates per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in Houston, Texas, from Reliant Energy, TXU Energy, and Direct Energy.
Provider and plan name |
Rate (cents/kWh) |
Monthly bill estimate (1,000 kWh) |
Additional benefits |
| Reliant Power Savings 12 | 14.9¢ | $149 | Receive a $50 bill credit for each month of 1,000 kWh or higher usage. |
| TXU Energy Smart Edge 12 | 16.3¢ | $163 | Receive a $30 bill credit each month you use 800 kWh or more. |
| Direct Energy Live Brighter 12 | 21.4¢ | $214 | N/A |
**Prices are accurate for ZIP code 77077 at the time of writing.
A good energy provider for you depends on your preferences. While Reliant offers plan options with lower rates compared to other top energy providers in Texas, make sure you read each plan’s EFL to know the contract details and potential fees. Reliant’s 90-day satisfaction guarantee provides flexibility to switch if you are unsatisfied with your plan.
Reliant Energy is cheaper than TXU Energy in Houston, but prices vary by location. Entering your ZIP code and comparing rates is the best way to find the cheapest energy company in your area.
Yes. If you cancel your fixed-rate electricity plan before the end of the contract, you will be charged an ETF unless you move outside the provider’s service area. The cost varies by plan. For example, the ETF for the Power Savings 24 plan costs $295, while the Power Savings 12 plan’s ETF is $150. You can find the cost of an ETF on each plan’s EFL.
Let us put the power in your hands with a new electricity plan.
