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Texas-based electricity provider Reliant Energy is well known across the state for offering competitive energy plans to millions of homes and businesses. To help you determine if Reliant Energy is right for your household, we’ve conducted a detailed review to help inform your decision.
Choose Texas Power rates providers based on customer service, online accessibility, and plan options. The following table shows how our experts scored this provider for each category:
Category |
Rating |
|---|---|
| Customer service | 4.9/5 |
| Online accessibility | 5/5 |
| Plan options | 3/5 |
| Overall score | 4.3/5 |
Overall, Reliant Energy scored a 4.3 out of 5 based on our rating methodology. Reliant’s rating is average for electric suppliers in Texas. The following highlights each component of our Reliant Energy review.
Your energy provider takes care of questions regarding your bill and electric account, so it’s important to consider customer service when selecting a provider. Our experts consider the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) complaint score, Google reviews, and TrustPilot when reviewing providers.
Reliant scored well overall, though its score was brought down slightly by low ratings on Google reviews. For this reason, Reliant Energy scored a 4.9 out of 5 for customer service.
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 allows you to pay your bills online, receive alerts about usage trends, and access transparent pricing. For this reason, this provider scored a perfect 5 out of 5 for online accessibility.
Having a wide variety of plan options is a valuable asset in Texas’ deregulated market, so we rate providers based on their selection. Reliant Energy offers a limited variety of contract lengths and plan types, so our experts scored this provider with a 3 out of 5 in this category.
We consult Google, TrustPilot, and the PUCT complaint score to understand real customers’ experiences with an energy provider. Reliant Energy received many positive reviews, with many customers praising its customer service and convenient online features.
However, some customers also complain about expensive bills and high cancellation fees. If you sign up for an electricity plan from Reliant, be sure to 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.
“I needed help with a payment not showing up on time. A customer service representative, Cintia, helped me quickly and thoroughly. It gave me great relief knowing she made it where I would not have a late payment. I was very happy with the service.” – Cheryl S., TrustPilot
“The representative I talked with, Miguel, was very helpful and exhibited five star customer service. He was completely knowledgeable and answered all my questions. Kudos to Miguel!!!” -Jane, TrustPilot
“The company representative did not tell me about the cancellation fee. I just found out when I switched to another company. I was unable to return to Reliant when I tried to cancel the switch.” -Will, TrustPilot
“They double-charged my account and refused to refund me. I had to argue for over an hour to get my money back. After the refund was sent, I was advised that I would have to wait 7-10 business days for a mistake they made. They didn’t care about me as a customer.” -DaNaizah M., Google
Before signing up for an energy plan with any provider, it’s important to review its Energy Facts Label (EFL) to make sure you understand its pricing. Reliant Energy’s pricing structure is similar to many other suppliers, with the most important part to understand being the electricity price section.
This section contains an average price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) according to monthly usage, and accounts for your base charge (if applicable), energy charge, usage credits (if applicable), and utility delivery fees. Keep in mind that this average price does not include local and state taxes, which are also included on your monthly bill.
Many consumers assume that bill credits apply to everyone, but bill credits come with usage requirements. In order to receive the discount, customers must use a certain amount of energy. If they don’t meet the threshold, their bill could end up higher than anticipated because they didn’t get the credit.
If you don’t understand a plan’s pricing structure or you have any questions about an estimated monthly bill, feel free to call our team to clear up any confusion.
A great way to exercise your power to choose is to compare multiple energy providers to find the best fit. Each company has benefits and drawbacks depending on your preferences. For example, Reliant Energy may be the best fit for one household, whereas TXU Energy or Direct Energy may work better for another customer.
Since Reliant Energy scores a 5 out of 5 for online accessibility, it may be a good choice for someone whose top priority is a smooth digital experience. On the other hand, TXU Energy got top scores from our experts in the plan variety category, and might appeal to someone who wants a lot of options while shopping. Similarly, Direct Energy delivers a great online experience and excellent customer service. Weighing the pros and cons of each provider could lead you to the one best suited for your preferences.
The following table compares the cheapest electricity rate and monthly bill estimate in kWh for Reliant Energy, TXU Energy, and Direct Energy. Keep in mind that rates will vary depending on your location and your monthly usage.
Provider and plan |
Rate (cents/kWh) |
Monthly bill estimate (1,000 kWh) |
Additional pricing information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliant Power Savings 24 | 13.9 cents | $139 | Receive a $50 bill credit if you use 1,000 kWh or more. |
| TXU Smart Edge 12 | 13.5 cents | $135 | Earn a $50 bill credit every month you use 800 kWh or more. |
| Direct Energy Live Brighter Lite 12 | 14.5 cents | $145 | Get your usage charge waived for usage below 1,000 kWh. |
These prices are current as of this writing. Prices are not guaranteed. Enter your ZIP code to check today’s rates.
Reliant Energy is a trusted energy company with positive online ratings, and may be a good fit if you value customer service and an easy digital experience. Compare numerous plans from this leading energy provider on our marketplace by entering your ZIP code and filtering for Reliant Energy.
TXU Energy offers slightly cheaper rates than Reliant Energy. However, prices shift often and by location in Texas’ deregulated market. Enter your ZIP code to get instant rates and find out who is cheapest near you.
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 contract length, but it ranges between $150-$295. You can find the cost of an ETF on each plan’s EFL.
Choose Texas Power makes signing up for a plan easy. Quickly sign up online by entering your ZIP code or calling the number on your screen for more assistance from our agents. Either way, you can explore all of Reliant Energy’s plans and sign up in minutes.
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