Best Electricity Plans for Low-Usage Homes
Find a power plan designed for low energy usage.
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Find the electric rate that’s right for you
What’s the best energy plan for low-usage homes?
Currently, the best Texas energy plan for low-usage homes is the Octo Volt 24 plan. This Octopus Energy electricity plan offers the cheapest rate for the 500-kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage tier on the Choose Texas Power marketplace. It works best for customers who consistently use between 500 kWh and 1,000 kWh per month.
Our marketplace partners with the best Texas energy companies to help shoppers choose the right option for them. If you live in an apartment or small home, explore these Texas energy plans designed for lower electricity needs.
Provider |
Plan |
Electricity rate (500 kWh) |
Est. monthly bill |
Key details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Octo Volt 24 | 14.6 cents/kWh | $73 | Powered by 100% green energy sources |
| Constellation Energy | 12 Month (No Min Usage Fee) | 14.9 cents/kWh | $75 | Straightforward fixed-rate plan lasting 12 months |
| APG&E | Rent Simple Saver 12 | 15.0 cents/kWh | $75 | $35 bill credit when you use at least 500 kWh |
| Frontier Utilities | Saver Value 12 | 13.4 cents/kWh | $67 | $50 bill credit if you use at least 500 kWh |
| TXU Energy | Smart Edge 12 | 20.4 cents/kWh | $102 | $50 bill credit when you use at least 800 kWh |
These rates are accurate at the time of writing for the ZIP code 75001. Rates can vary by location and change over time; enter your ZIP code to find the latest rates near you.
Call the number on your screen if you’d like one-on-one assistance finding a plan. Our agents can recommend a plan based on your specific energy needs and average monthly usage.
Customer favorite: 4Change Energy’s Maxx Saver Value 12
Our marketplace data shows that 4Change Energy’s Maxx Saver Value 12 plan is the most popular choice for apartment dwellers. 4Change Energy is one of the highest-rated Texas energy providers featured on our marketplace.
The Maxx Saver Value plan offers a $125 bill credit when you use at least 1,000 kWh, one of the highest available. This is a fixed-rate plan with a one-year contract. While this isn’t the cheapest Texas energy plan for the 500 kWh usage tier, it offers a very affordable electric rate for the 1,000 kWh tier.
Some residents assume they use less than 1,000 kWh each month, but actually end up using more. If that’s the case when you check your recent energy bills, this plan is for you.
Why shopping according to your energy usage matters
Shopping according to your home size helps you avoid enrolling in an overpriced plan. Texas energy providers charge electricity rates using three usage tiers: 500, 1,000, and 2,000 monthly kWh. Your home size often impacts your usage level, because larger homes require more power for heating, cooling, and lights. Smaller homes or apartments usually have lower energy needs, so they often fall into the lower usage tiers.
Our team has done a research deep-dive on how much electricity smaller homes typically consume. Read our full report on the average electricity consumption according to home size.
Home type |
Square footage (sq. ft.) |
Average monthly kWh consumption |
|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment | <800 sq. ft. | 873 kWh |
| Two-bedroom apartment or small house | 800-1,500 sq. ft. | 1,046 kWh |
How to leverage usage credit electricity plans
Usage credit electricity plans reward you with a discount on your energy bill when you use a specified amount of energy per month. The trick to saving with a bill credit plan is meeting the usage requirement every month. Check your past energy bills to estimate how much electricity you typically use. Then, shop for bill credit plans that comfortably fit within your range. If it’s a close call each month, it’s probably not a good idea to enroll in a bill credit plan because your rate could end up much higher if you don’t meet the usage requirement.
For example, if you normally use 900 kWh of electricity, search for a bill credit plan with an energy requirement of at least 500–800 kWh. Since your usage is above this limit, you can ensure you’ll earn the bill credit every month. Avoid usage credit plans that require 1,000 kWh monthly usage because this threshold is outside your typical range, and you’ll probably miss the bill credit (resulting in an expensive power bill).
Shop apartment energy plans on our marketplace
Our marketplace connects you with the best apartment energy plans for your usage patterns. Here’s how to find your match:
- Enter your ZIP code: Based on your location, we’ll provide you with a list of local Texas energy plans with accurate rates in your area.
- Filter by home size: You can filter according to home size: apartment (500 kWh), small home (1,000 kWh), or large home (2,000 kWh). Select the option that best matches your typical usage to browse compatible plans.
- Sign up: Once you find a plan that aligns with your usage, you can sign up online or over the phone. After signing up, your new provider will initiate your service.
Call our team for guidance if you’re unsure which plan is best. We can help assess your energy needs, suggest the right option, and help you switch to a new plan.
Low-usage electricity plans FAQs
How can I find my average electricity usage?
Your energy bill shows how much electricity you used in the past month. Since this could fluctuate month to month, our experts recommend checking a few bills from different seasons to estimate your average usage.
How much energy does an apartment use?
Our data shows that an 800-square-foot apartment typically uses 873 kWh. A larger apartment up to 1,500 square feet uses closer to 1,046 kWh monthly.
What is the average electricity bill for an apartment?
Assuming an apartment is 800 square feet and uses 873 kWh per month, the average bill is $136.97. We used the average Texas electricity rate of 15.69 cents per kWh to calculate this bill.
