Compare Dallas Electricity Rates (2024 Best Prices & Providers)

Compare Dallas Electricity Rates (2024 Best Prices & Providers)

Here’s a quick overview of Dallas electricity rates:

  • Current average rate of retail electricity: 14.58 cents per kWh
  • Average monthly electric bill: $162.17
  • Average energy usage: 1,178 kWh
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Each product and or company featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

Whether you’re moving to the area and looking for power connection or simply shopping for the best electricity rates in Dallas, EcoWatch is here to help. We’ve narrowed down the top clean-energy providers in the city, and by using this tool or clicking the links below, you can compare prices and find the right plan for you.

Dallas has a “deregulated energy market,” which gives consumers the power to choose their own electricity provider. While the idea seems simple enough, deregulated energy can be a confusing industry to understand, and many consumers wind up paying way too much. Let’s compare electric rates in Dallas so you don’t overpay for energy.

Dallas Electricity Rates

Dallas has had a deregulated energy market since 2002, allowing residents to shop for their own electricity providers.1 There are over 100 different energy companies — and more still popping up — competing for your business. Looking at energy rates and plans can help you narrow down your choices.

The city’s retail electricity providers (REPs) offer plans that vary in price, contract terms, quality and environmental impact. On top of paying your REP, you’ll be charged an additional fee from your transmission and delivery utility company (TDU) to cover the cost of delivering electricity, meter reading, wiring and more.

If you live in or near the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, your TDU is likely Oncor.2 Oncor’s current rates are about $0.045 per kWh of power usage, plus a monthly charge of $4.23. You’ll pay these charges no matter what energy plan or provider you choose, and they’ll be baked into the monthly bill from your provider.

Let’s dive into how to find the best electricity rates in Dallas, the differences in electricity providers and price points, and how to best navigate Texas’ deregulated energy market.

To find the best electricity rates, we recommend comparing prices from a few companies. As a trusted energy information source, EcoWatch is often able to secure discounted rates for our readers. You can use this tool or click below to be connected with local energy providers near you.

Compare the Cheapest Dallas Electricity Rates

The cheapest Dallas electricity plan is “Bill Credit Bundle 24” from Discount Power. As of this writing, the rate per kWh is 10.9 cents. You can reduce your carbon footprint and still save money by going with the second cheapest electricity plan, “Gexa Eco Saver Plus 12” from Gexa Energy, which has per-kWh rates of just 11.3 cents, and the plan uses 100% renewable energy.

Here at EcoWatch, we strive for a more sustainable planet and encourage our readers to do their part when feasible. As such, we’ve chosen to highlight some of the best electric companies in Dallas that offer 100% renewable energy.

The chart below shows renewable energy plans and prices available throughout the Dallas area. Keep in mind that these prices may not be exact, as rates can change daily.

Plan

Term (months)

Rate (¢/kWh) (1,000 kWh plans)*

Gexa Eco Saver Plus 12

12

11.3

Gexa Eco Saver Plus 24

24

11.3

Green Mountain Energy Pollution Free e-Plus 24 Preferred

24

15.8

Rhythm Clear Choice 36

36

15.8

Rhythm Clear Choice 12

12

16.1

Rhythm Clear Choice 24

24

16.1

TriEagle Green Eagle 36

36

16.2

TriEagle Green Eagle 24

24

16.2

TriEagle Green Eagle 12

12

16.8

Gexa Saver Freedom 36

36

17.1

Flagship Power Windsurfer 24

24

17.9

Flagship Power Windsurfer 12

12

17.9

TXU Energy Free Nights and Solar Days 12

12

18.5

TXU Energy Free Nights and Solar Days 24

24

18.6

Gexa Eco Saver Advantage 12

12

19.0

Gexa Eco Saver Lite 12

12

19.5

Gexa Eco Saver Premium 12

12

20.2

Gexa Eco Saver Premium 24

24

20.2

Gexa Solar Buyback Saver 12+

12

23.5

*Rates will vary based on your TDU. You’ll see the above rates if your TDU is CenterPoint Energy. These rates include the utility’s current charge of $0.04 cents per kWh. Rates are according to Texas’ Public Utilities Commission and are subject to change.3

On average, a non-renewable plan might cost around 1 cent per kWh less than a clean energy plan. If you use 1,000 kWh per month, that will be about a $10 difference. If you’re outside of Dallas, you can check out this page for electricity rates around Texas.

Best Electric Companies in Dallas

Badge icon

Constellation Energy

Best National Company

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Many years of experience
  • Great industry reputation
  • Award-winning company
  • No.1 producer of carbon-free energy in the U.S.
  • Makes charitable contributions

Cons

  • Charges contract cancellation fees
  • No prepaid or no-deposit plans
Badge icon

Gexa Energy

Best Rates

Statewide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Many years of experience
  • Great industry reputation
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Low rates
  • Wide variety of contract term options

Cons

  • Charges contract cancellation fees
  • No prepaid or no-deposit plans
  • Slightly high number of complaints versus competitors
Badge icon

Green Mountain Energy

Best Green Energy Options

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Green-e certified plans
  • Wide variety of contract term options
  • Low number of customer complaints
  • Many years of experience
  • Makes charitable contributions

Cons

  • Charges contract cancellation fees
  • No prepaid or no-deposit plans
  • No satisfaction guarantee
Badge icon

Reliant Energy

Best Plan Variety

Statewide Service

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Low number of customer complaints
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Award-winning company
  • Wide variety of plan options
  • Many years of experience

Cons

  • No satisfaction guarantee
  • Charges contract cancellation fees
Badge icon

TXU Energy

Energy Industry Veteran

EcoWatch rating

Average cost

Pros

  • Wide variety of plan options
  • Many years of experience
  • Great industry reputation

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not as many renewable energy options as competitors
  • Charges contract cancellation fees

What’s the Difference Between Utility Companies and Electricity Provider Companies in Dallas?

It’s easy to get mixed up when it comes to utility companies and electricity providers, but it’s important to understand the difference, especially in Texas, where the energy market is deregulated.

A utility company or electricity producer is a company that generates energy, whether that’s from burning natural resources like coal, generating nuclear power or using solar or wind farms to produce renewable energy. These utility companies produce the power and maintain delivery systems like power lines, but they don’t deliver the electricity to customers. Instead, they charge a fee per kWh to electricity providers, who act as the intermediaries between the utility companies and the retail customers.

Electricity providers don’t generate energy. Instead, they sign contracts with production companies and then charge retail customers a fee per kWh above what they pay the utility companies. The electricity providers handle marketing, billing and processing, and they compete with one another to bring down costs and offer customers options.

You can shop for your own electricity provider, but your utility company is fixed and can’t be changed.

Types of Electricity Plans in Dallas

When choosing an energy provider in Dallas, you’ll be presented with a few plan options. Here’s an overview of the types of electric plans offered in Dallas, as well as their pros and cons, so you can pick which plan works best for you.

Fixed-Rate Plans

Just as it sounds, a fixed-rate plan allows you to secure a rate that will stay the same throughout the entire duration of your contract. Note that “fixed rate” does not mean that your electric bill will be exactly the same every month. Instead, it means the rate you pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity won’t change. So, your bills will still be higher during months you use more electricity.

PROS OF A FIXED-RATE ENERGY PLAN IN DALLAS CONS OF A FIXED-RATE ENERGY PLAN IN DALLAS
You’ll have a better idea of what to expect when it comes to budgeting. If you cancel early, you could be subject to an early termination fee (ETF), unless you’re moving to a new address outside of the service area.
Your rates remain locked in if energy costs rise. Some fixed-rate plans will turn into variable-rate plans upon contract expiration. Be sure to read the fine print and ask your energy provider specific questions about length and price.
Fixed Rate vs Market Rate Electricity Rates in Dallas by Month
With a fixed-rate plan, you’ll pay the same amount month over month for each kilowatt-hour of energy you use. This ensures your rates will stay the same even when the market rate of electricity fluctuates. Some months, you’ll pay less than the market rate, and others, you’ll pay more.

Variable-Rate Plans

If you prefer paying month-to-month instead of being locked into a length-based contract, you may consider a variable-rate electric plan. Variable rate means — you guessed it — the price you pay is based on variables in the energy market. The price per kWh will increase or decrease depending on supply and demand.

PROS OF A VARIABLE-RATE ENERGY PLAN IN DALLAS CONS OF A VARIABLE-RATE ENERGY PLAN IN DALLAS
If the price of energy drops, there may be some months where a variable-rate electric customer will be paying less per kWh than someone on a fixed-rate plan. Variable rates can be very risky given the extreme weather or other factors that can suddenly — and drastically — increase the price of electricity.

We saw the biggest risk of the variable-rate plan during the winter storm of February 2021, when millions were in the dark due to a massive power outage. Texans who kept their lights on paid the price, with at least one customer facing an electric bill over $16,700.6 Texas power companies were reportedly overcharged $16 billion dollars by the electric grid operator.

Variable Rate vs Market Rate Electricity Rates in Dallas by Month
With a variable-rate plan, prices change each month based on the market rate of electricity. Some months, you’ll pay less than homes with fixed-rate plans, and others, you’ll pay more. You may also see surprisingly high bills during extreme fluctuations.

No-Deposit and Prepaid Energy Plans

Many power plans require a deposit upon signing a contract to protect the REP from losses should a customer be unable to pay their energy bill. However, certain companies will offer a no-deposit electricity plan option so long as the customer passes a credit check. If the customer doesn’t have a high enough credit score for a no-deposit plan, they can still avoid paying a deposit by opting for a prepaid, or “pay-as-you-go,” electricity plan.

With a prepaid plan, the customer pays in advance for a set amount of electricity. The good news is that the customer is able to track their electricity usage online and can reload the account when it runs low. However, rates are not fixed in a prepaid plan, so it can be harder to plan out expenses.

PROS OF A PREPAID ENERGY PLAN IN DALLAS CONS OF A PREPAID ENERGY PLAN IN DALLAS
The obvious — no deposit. All of the money you pay to the energy provider goes directly toward powering your home. You’ll have to pay for your electricity upfront and remember when to top up your meter.
You have total control over how much you spend on your electricity. Your power will be automatically shut off if you hit the threshold of electricity you paid for (this can be avoided by actively monitoring your usage or enrolling in an auto-pay plan).
You don’t have to sign a contract that may come with cancellation fees. You’ll pay a higher rate per kWh compared to other plans (in most cases).

Green Energy Plans

Green energy plans are those that supply electricity from renewable energy sources. That’s going to be primarily wind and solar energy in Texas.7

Some REPs may have Green-e Verification or a similar certification to ensure that the electricity is responsibly generated, transmitted and distributed. Non-green energy plans, at least in Texas, rarely meet 25% of their total energy from renewable sources.8 Most green energy REPs will still offer variable- and fixed-rate plan options; the main difference is where their energy comes from.

PROS OF A GREEN ENERGY PLAN IN DALLAS CONS OF A GREEN ENERGY PLAN IN DALLAS
You can feel good about where your electricity is coming from. On average, renewable plans cost around 1 cent per kWh more than non-renewable plans. (If you use 1,000 kWh per month, that will be about a $10 difference.)
You can support clean energy without the large upfront investment of solar or wind. They’re not offered by all energy companies, so you’ll have more limited options when choosing a provider.

Business Energy Plans

Not all REPs will provide commercial electricity. If you’re looking for a supplier for your business, you’ll want to make sure the provider offers business energy rates. Business energy plans may also apply to industrial sectors, schools, government buildings and churches.

Most business energy providers will offer variable or fixed-rate electricity services.

If you’re not sure which plan is right for you, can use this tool or click below to be connected with local energy providers who can help.

How to Find the Best Electricity Rates in Dallas

When searching for the best electricity rates in Dallas, keep in mind that rates and the average cost of electricity can vary based on numerous factors, so you may be given a different electric rate than that of your neighbors. Here are a few things to consider:

Your Energy Usage

The amount of electricity your household consumes may affect the rate you pay per kWh. Most REPs offer tiered plans based on average energy usage. Tiered-rate energy plans are often called “V-shaped plans” because the rates are more expensive for people who use the least and most amounts of energy and are lowest for those in the middle.

For example, in a typical tiered plan, customers who use around 500 kWh or 2,000 kWh per month will pay more than those who use around 1,000 kWh per month. According to Oncor, the average customer uses 1,300 kWh per month.4

Contract Length

The length of the contract will also play a factor in the cost of your electricity. As with most things, the longer you commit to one provider, the better deal you’ll get. We’ll discuss the different types of electricity plans in the next section.

A word of caution: Read the fine print and ask questions before you sign. Many contracts come with startup fees as well as cancellation fees for early termination. And while some Dallas electricity providers advertise a $10 cancellation fee, the fine print may read that it’s really $10 per month left on the contract.

Electricity Facts Label

When shopping for energy, always ask for a provider’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL). Similar to a nutrition label you see on your favorite snacks, an EFL will give you all of the information about a company’s electricity prices, contract lengths and terms, sources of generation, and emission levels.5Here’s an example of what that’ll look like:

Electricity Facts Label for Dallas Homeowner

How to Switch Electricity Plans in Dallas

Switching electricity plans in Dallas, Texas, is simple, quick and straightforward. The entire process from start to finish should only take a few minutes and could end up saving you money every single month on energy for your home. You can follow the steps below to find a provider that works for you and make the switch today.

1. Enter Your Zip Code

First, scroll to the top of this page and enter your zip code in the box under “Find Local Providers.” This will take you to a short form, where you’ll answer questions about your home, your energy consumption and more.

Switching Dallas Electricity Plans Step 1

2. Select the Type of Service You Need

Next, choose the type of service you need. You’ll either choose “switch providers” or “new service.” If you already live in Dallas and are getting electricity service, choose “switch providers.” If you just moved to Dallas and need to get service for the first time, click “new service.”

The rates will vary in some cases based on your selection, as some companies offer introductory rates for new service customers.

Switching Dallas Electricity Plans Step 2

3. Decide How You Want to Select a Plan

Next, you’ll be asked how you want to go about choosing a plan. You have three options:

  • EnergyBot Advisor Plus+: With this option, a live representative will connect with you, discuss your needs and consumption habits, and help you make the best choice that’s likely to save you the most money over time.
  • EnergyBot Advisor: This option uses an algorithm to choose the best option for your home. It may not be as accurate in the long-term as a human representative, but it’s still likely to get you a good plan that will save you money.
  • Standard View: With this selection, you’re presented with all of your electricity plan options. You’ll have to scroll through them manually and check the terms, pricing, offers, perks and information on where the energy comes from to find the best option for your home. This selection involves the most work on your part.

Switching Dallas Electricity Plans Step 3

4. Confirm Your Plan Choice

Finally, you’ll either be given a customized plan option if you chose to have a representative or an algorithm choose for you, or you’ll be shown a list of plan options with all the data you need to make your choice manually. In any case, read through all of the details to confirm it’s the right choice for you, and then click Select Plan.

Switching Dallas Electricity Plans Step 4

5. Enroll

Finally, you’ll be given a link to the company’s website, as well as instructions on how to find and choose the right plan once you’re there.

Switching Dallas Electricity Plans Step 5

FAQ: Dallas Electricity Plans

The EcoWatch team frequently gets energy questions from readers in the Dallas area. Here are the most common questions we see, along with our answers.

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Article author
Dan Simms is an experienced writer with a passion for renewable energy. As a solar and EV advocate, much of his work has focused on the potential of solar power and deregulated energy, but he also writes on related topics, like real estate and economics. In his free time — when he's not checking his own home's solar production — he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, skiing and rock climbing.
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Expert reviewer
Melissa is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainability studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a nonprofit that’s featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.