Free Nights and Weekends Electricity Plans
How “free” are free nights and weekends electricity plans actually?
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What are free nights and weekends electricity plans?
Free nights and weekends electricity plans offer free energy during off-peak hours, such as evenings. Free hours vary by provider and plan details. While free energy is an enticing feature, these plans may only work for certain customers. It’s important to review the plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to understand the fine print before you enroll.
How “free” are free nights and weekends plans?
While free electricity at night or on the weekends sounds compelling, the reality is that very few consumers actually save money with this type of plan. At the end of the day, traditional fixed-rate plans are cheaper.
Free nights and weekends plans typically cost more per kilowatt-hour (kWh) than a standard fixed-rate plan. For example, our marketplace offers fixed-rate plans starting below 10 cents per kWh, whereas free nights and weekends rates typically start around 20 cents per kWh (outside the free usage period). On top of that, most households use energy throughout the day and can’t shift enough of their usage to the free periods to offset the high rate.
Call the number on your screen if you’re curious about this option and want to speak with an energy expert.
Explore our free nights and weekends electricity plans
Choose Texas Power partners with multiple Texas energy providers to offer free nights and weekends electricity plans to our shoppers.
TXU Energy
One of our top free-usage plans is Free Nights and Solar Days from TXU Energy. This plan offers free electricity at night, fully backed by solar power with no panels required.
- Free Nights & Solar Days 12 (8 p.m.): Enjoy this plan for one year with 100% renewable power and free electricity between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. You’ll be charged a $150 early termination fee (ETF) if you end your contract before the term is up.
- Free Nights & Solar Days 24 (8 pm): Get this fully green plan for two years and take advantage of free electricity between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. You’ll owe a $295 ETF if you cancel early.
Direct Energy
Direct Energy offers the Twelve Hour Power 12 plan, which gives consumers 12 hours of free electricity in the evenings.
- Twelve Hour Power 12: Get free electricity from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. for 12 months. This plan includes a $150 ETF if you cancel before your term ends.
Reliant Energy
Choose Texas Power partners with Reliant Energy to provide the Reliant Free Overnight 12 plan. This plan offers consumers waived energy and delivery charges in the evenings.
- Reliant Free Overnight 12: Enjoy free electricity between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. every day. Reliant charges a $150 ETF if you cancel this plan early.
Call our energy experts to discuss these plans further and find out if you could benefit from a free nights and weekends plan.
How to get the most out of free nights and weekends plans
If you want to enroll in a free nights and weekends electricity plan, here are some tips from our experts to get the most value:
- Strategic home energy usage: Plan high energy-consuming tasks like dishwashing, laundry, and watching television for off-peak hours.
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging: If you have an EV, consider charging during the free usage window to reduce electricity costs.
- Smart home technology: Installing smart home devices (like a smart thermostat) automates your energy usage and can lead to more savings.
- Combine with solar: Maximize savings by using your solar panel system during the day and relying on free electricity from the grid at night.
Who might benefit from a free nights and weekends energy plan?
While our experts don’t usually recommend free nights and weekends plans for the average Texas energy consumer, there are some exceptions. You may be able to make the most of this plan if you:
- Have a work schedule that keeps you out of the house during the day.
- Want an energy plan for a secondary or vacation home that you don‘t live in full-time.
- Travel during the week and are mostly home on the weekends.
Want to talk it out with an expert? We can help you determine if this energy plan matches your circumstances. Call the number on your screen to learn more.
Free nights and weekends FAQs
Are free weekends energy plans worth it?
Free nights and weekends plans are generally not worth it because the rates are high, and most consumers use energy throughout the day. For most Texans with consistent energy needs, a traditional fixed-rate plan is a better option for savings and predictable bills.
What are the cons of free nights and weekends electricity plans?
Free nights and weekends electricity plans are typically more expensive overall because the electricity rate during non-free hours is higher than other options on our marketplace. Additionally, most consumers use energy throughout the day, and the free usage periods aren’t enough to offset the higher electricity rate.
What are some of the pros of free nights and weekends electricity plans?
The main advantage of this plan type is the free electricity at night or on the weekends. To get the best value out of this plan, your schedule should match the free usage hours. Residents who are out of the house most of the day and only use energy at night could lower their electricity bills with this option.
What are TXU Energy’s free hours?
The Free Nights and Solar Days plan offers free energy charges between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. However, this is subject to change — call our team for the latest information on this plan.
