Which Texas Electricity Providers Offer Free Energy Plans?

The following Texas light companies offer free energy plans for homes. New customers are subject to a credit check. Want to avoid a deposit? Try prepaid electricity. 

Retail Electric Provider (REP)	Free Electricity Plans in Oncor Territory
Amigo Energy	Fixed Rate 12th Month Free Plan – 12 Nights Free Plan – 12 Weekends Free Plan – 12 Weekends Free Plan – 24
Champion Energy Services	Free Weekends-24
Direct Energy	Free Power Weekends 12 Free Power Weekends 24 On Us Twelve Hour Power 12 Twelve Hour Power 24 On Us
Just Energy	100% Green Nights Free Plan – 24 Fixed Rate Just Earth Rewards – 12 Fixed Rate Just400 Advantage – 24 Nights Free Plan – 12 Weekends Free Plan – 12
OhmConnect Energy	Half Price Nights 12 Half Price Nights 24
Pulse Power	Free Energy Nights 12 Free Energy Nights 24 Free Energy Nights 36 Free Energy Weekends 12 Free Energy Weekends 24
Reliant	Truly Free Flex Days 100% Solar 12 Truly Free Nights 100% Solar 12 Truly Free Weekends 100% Solar 12
Rhythm	Two Months Free 24
Tara Energy	Nights Free Plan – 12 Weekends Free Plan – 12 Weekends Free Plan – 24
TXU Energy	Free EV Miles 12 Free Nights & Solar Days 12 (8 pm) TXU Energy Season Pass 12

Using Free Electricity Plans: 3 Important Things You Must Know

Free electricity plans can greatly reduce your monthly power bill when you can take advantage of their free schedules. However, these electricity plans can also backfire if you choose one that is a poor match for your energy consumption profile. Here are 3 key factors to consider before signing up for a free energy plan:

1) Only the energy charge applied by your retail electricity provider is removed during the free schedules. The energy delivery charge applied by the local Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU charges) is still applied, regardless of the hour.

Assume you have a free nights plan with an energy charge of 25 cents/kWh, and your home is located in Fort Worth. The Oncor TDU charge is 4.4076 cents/kWh, which means you pay 29.4076 cents/kWh normally, and 4.4076 cents/kWh during free schedules. Contrary to popular belief, the price does not become 0 cents/kWh at night.

2) Free electricity plans normally charge above-average kWh prices during the paid schedules. In other words, if you choose a free electricity plan but most of your consumption is concentrated during the paid hours, your power bills can actually increase.

For example, you can expect a high daytime consumption if you work from home. In this case, a free night plan may not be the best option, since the high kWh price charged during daytime will drive up your power bills. A free nights plan can work if you’re normally away from home during the day, and your home consumption is very low.

3) Free electricity plans often include a minimum usage fee, which is applied if your consumption falls below a specified value. These fees are normally small, but they can add up if your consumption is low for several days in a row. For example, if the minimum usage fee is $1 and you were away from home for 10 days, these fees will add $10 to your next bill.

Remember, most electric companies in Texas will verify your credit before activating your account. If you have bad credit, you will be asked to pay a deposit. In this case, it would be better to choose a prepaid electricity plan.