Compare Fort Worth electricity rates and plans (August 2024)

Key points

• Fort Worth’s average electricity rate has risen to 18.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

• Despite a high average, Fort Worth energy rates can cost as little as 11.4 cents per kWh.

• Green Mountain Energy is our top Forth Worth energy provider for its green energy plans.

Fort Worth residents have the power and responsibility to pick their electricity company thanks to energy deregulation. This allows for fluctuation of service options and energy cost, which means Texas electricity rates can be unpredictable.

The average cost for electricity in Fort Worth was 18.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in June, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is around 23% higher than the average Texas rate, according to the most recent data from Energy Information Administration.

Due to the free market, Fort Worth has seen a huge increase in electricity providers and plans offered. This can make picking the best electricity rates in Fort Worth a challenge. You may want to ignore the lowest prices and instead find a plan that’s more appropriate for how much energy you use per month — or perhaps you want to consume renewable energy, such as solar.

You can search providers and compare low rate electricity plans in Fort Worth with our partners at Home Energy Club. Find out how you can get the best rate below.

August electricity rates in Fort Worth

The table below lists some plans and their respective rates for some Fort Worth light providers. Plans with longer term lengths may offer lower prices, as well as longer protection from rate increases.

Energy Provider	Plan Name	Plan Length	Rate per Kilowatt-Hour
Gexa Energy	Eco Saver Plus 12	12 months	11.4 cents
4Change Energy	Maxx Saver Select 12	12 months	11.4 cents
TriEagle Energy	Sure Value 36	36 months	13.9 cents
Veteran Energy	Valor 24	24 months	14.5 cents
Rhythm Energy	Digital Discount 36	36 months	15.0 cents
Pulse Power	Pulse Texas Fixed 36	36 months	15.1 cents
Green Mountain Energy	Pollution Free e-Plus 24	24 months	17.5 cents

If you’re a Fort Worther who prioritizes billing predictability, consider plans that limit price variation among usage levels. For example, the Sure Value 36 plan from TriEagle fluctuates just 2.6 cents per kWh from 500 kWh to 2,000 kWh of monthly usage. The Pulse Texas Fixed 36 plan from Pulse Power fluctuates only 1.4 cents per kWh.

Bill predictability vs. low rate energy plans in Fort Worth 

Picking the ideal Fort Worth electricity plan isn’t just about finding the cheapest rates. Bill predictability is another critical factor when switching energy providers.

Most of the cheapest energy plans offer low rates by using bill credits or times of use, which have strict requirements for you to secure the best price. If your usage varies on a monthly basis, you may not always qualify for the discounted rates. That could mean paying as much as double the advertised price, resulting in unpredictable electricity bills.

For predictable monthly energy bills, look for straightforward plans with low rates. For help identifying plans with predictable rates across usage levels, consult the plan’s electricity facts label (EFL).

How do you choose an energy plan in Fort Worth?

In addition to cost and bill predictability, consider customer service and provider reputation before enrolling in any given energy plan. In fact, there are a variety of factors to consider, such as term length, fixed-rate protection and green energy availability.

You should also understand the major players of the deregulated energy market in Fort Worth. Just like in other deregulated cities in Texas, your energy company is not the same thing as your utility company. You choose a retail energy provider (REP), such as TriEagle Energy, to purchase energy from, and it bills you for your usage. The transmission and distribution utility (TDU) maintains the electrical infrastructure, repairs outages and distributes energy.

What are the best electricity companies in Fort Worth?

It may seem tough to differentiate among residential electricity companies in Fort Worth. While the electricity that powers your home is the same, how the companies operate can vary significantly. Price is a big factor, but Fort Worthers are also on the lookout for a brand with a quality reputation that also offers a range of plans, according to our team’s April 2024 deregulated energy survey of 1,000 Texans.

If price is your main concern, consider the many energy companies in Fort Worth that offer low electricity rates compared to the national U.S. average, which is almost 17 cents per kWh. On average, we found that the cheapest energy providers in Fort Worth are Gexa Energy and Frontier Utilities.

That said, we rank the best Fort Worth energy providers according to more than just cost — we consider factors such as plan types, term length and customer service. We also evaluate their reputation in the industry, using sources such as the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), Better Business Bureau (BBB) and their years of service. 

Below are our top picks for Fort Worth electric companies, based on our team’s review of two dozen light companies.

Retail Energy Provider	Our Rating	PUCT Rating	BBB Rating
Green Mountain Energy	4.5	4	A+
TXU Energy	4.4	5	A+
Reliant Energy	4.4	5	NR
Cirro Energy	4.3	2	A+
Constellation Energy	4.3	4	A+
Octopus Energy	4.3	2	NR
Gexa Energy	4.2	3	C
Champion Energy	4.2	5	A+
Rhythm Energy	4.2	2	NR
TriEagle Energy	4.2	2	A+
Direct Energy	4.2	4	F
Frontier Utilities	4.1	3	NR

Green Mountain Energy 

Founded in 1997, Green Mountain Energy has pioneered renewable energy in Fort Worth and across Texas. The company has built a reputation for itself not just for its pollution-free energy but also by helping pave the way for grid parity, meaning it offers renewable energy at or near rates that are standard for the industry.

Green Mountain appears to be well liked by customers and has solid standing with both the PUCT and BBB. It’s also the top ranked company among the two dozen that our team reviewed, with 4.5 out of 5 stars per our rankings.

Green Mountain offers several plan types using both wind and solar power. In our review standards, this provider scored the best out of the top three companies for green energy plans. The Pollution Free 24 Premier is a top plan for wind energy, with rates starting at 17.5 cents per kWh. One of its other top options is the Go Local Solar 24 Premier, which also charges 17.5 cents per kWh.

TXU Energy

The largest electric company in Texas, TXU Energy has served Fort Worth since deregulation began in 2002. This is a big selling point for TXU. According to our survey, more than 75% of respondents said that a company’s years of service are somewhat or extremely important in their energy shopping decision-making.

On top of being well established, TXU is known for high quality customer service and varied plan types. For straightforward-yet-cheap average rates, it offers the Simple Rate 12 plan. If you want a more personalized plan, it offers the Live Your Free plan, with Fort Worth energy rates of 19.8 cents per kWh.

Reliant Energy

Ranking No. 3 according to our team’s rankings, Reliant Energy could be a sound choice as your Fort Worth energy provider. The light company offers a range of plan types, such as time of use plans, green energy plans and month-to-month plans.

Reliant earned a 4.4 out of 5 stars per our review standards. The company ranks well with the PUCT, and its long years in the industry further bolster its ranking.

For predictable bills, it offers the Secure Advantage plan, with a rate of 18.2 cents per kWh. It also offers a more personalized option with its Flextra Credits 24 plan, promising free energy on your two highest usage days per week and a $200 usage credit you can use at will.

What should new residents know about deregulated energy in Fort Worth?

If you’re new to the Fort Worth area, you should know a few things about the deregulated energy marketplace. For help navigating cancellation fees, confusing rates and more, the EFL should be your starting point.

Electricity facts label

Mandated by the state, the EFL provides vital information about energy plans to help you pick the best one for your needs. 

The EFL details a plan’s rates across key usage levels of 500 kWh for apartments, 1,000 kWh for small homes and 2,000 kWh for large homes. With these usage levels, you can get an apples-to-apples comparison of a plan’s charges, making sure it matches your home’s needs. 

You’ll find other important information on the EFL, such as TDU fees, base charges, bill credits, times of use or tiered rates and early termination fees (ETFs), all of which can help you determine if said plan will work for you.

Discounts and promotions

With REPs competing for your business, it’s common to find plans with discounts or promotions, such as bill credits and times of use. Capitalizing on these can help optimize your energy bills if your usage aligns with the plans requirements.

Many Fort Worth light companies also offer personalized energy plans with features such as free charging for your electric vehicle, smart thermostat discounts or even $0 rates on your days of highest usage.

Early termination fees

Most fixed-rate plans charge ETFs. Cancellation fees range from $150 to $395-plus, although some providers charge a flat fee of $20 per month left in your contract. While you may hope to never pay an ETF, it’s smart to be aware of them, just in case you may want to cancel your plan in the future.

Variable rates vs. fixed rates

If you are trying to decide between a variable plan or a fixed-rate plan, you should keep a few things in mind. How these rate types differ could save you money on your energy bill.

Variable rates typically advertise low starting rates, but their prices are wont to increase significantly due to the volatility of the Forth Worth energy marketplace.

Meanwhile, fixed-rate plans stay locked in from the moment you enroll. That means your price per kWh won’t change during your contract, no matter how many rate spikes there are in the future. In short, they provide long-term price protection for the length of your contract.

Rate ranges and tiered rates

When reading the EFL, check to see how much a plan’s rates vary from the lowest usage level to the largest usage level. Plan’s with a large rate range, such as 14 cents per kWh, may cause bill surprises due to the rate volatility. But smaller rate ranges, such as 3 cents per kWh, may provide more predictable monthly electric bills.

Watch for plans that offer big discounts above or below a given usage cap. This is called a tiered rate. While the discounted rate may look appealing, be careful. It’s often nearly impossible to stay within a set usage level every month, so tiered rate plans may only net you a discount every once in a while. When you don’t qualify for the discounted tier, you could pay a very high effective electricity rate.

Renewable energy plans

Also called green energy plans, renewable energy is typically sourced from wind power, solar power or hydropower. Renewable energy plans have become quite popular in Texas, due in no small part to the fact that the state has the wind and solar resources to make it the biggest producer of green energy in the U.S.

Green energy adoption has also been helped along by top providers such as Green Mountain Energy and Gexa Energy, which have provided competitive prices, leading to grid parity.

What are common deregulated energy red flags?

Generally speaking, deregulation has allowed many Texans access to competitive energy prices. That said, the competition caused by the free market also means you should stay vigilant when energy shopping in Fort Worth.

Negative customer reviews: It’s expected that a provider will have a handful of negative reviews. But if a provider you’re considering has predominantly negative customer feedback despite advertising very low monthly rates, it could be a bad sign. We encourage wariness of bad customer service no matter how enticing a company’s prices might look.

Savings guarantees: Fort Worth energy rates vary based on your usage, which can be unpredictable. That makes guaranteeing savings virtually impossible. If a plan, provider or salesperson promises big savings, take caution before enrolling.

Cramming and slamming: Slamming is the act of enrolling a customer in an energy plan without their knowledge or consent. Cramming is when a provider charges you for optional services without your permission. In Fort Worth, both slamming and cramming are illegal. We advise you to avoid any electric company that uses these tactics.

How does deregulated energy work in Fort Worth?

Texas deregulated its energy marketplace in 2002, ending monopolies to encourage competition. Instead of one utility company managing power generation, transmission and marketing, there are now three entities involved in Texas electricity: Generators, (TDUs and REPs.

Generators use a variety of sources to generate electricity. REPs buy that electricity in wholesale auctions and then sell that electricity to you. According to the PUCT and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, these auctions are designed to create healthy competition, leading to fair electricity prices.

Now, you have the power to choose the energy company and the best energy plans in Fort Worth.

As a resident of Cowtown, you’ll deal almost entirely with your REP, or electric company, although TDUs are responsible for line maintenance and repairing power outages.

If you’re dealing with a power outage in your area, we recommend contacting your TDU directly for the fastest service.

Why do electricity rates fluctuate in Fort Worth?

While energy shopping, you may have noticed that electricity rates in Fort Worth fluctuate a lot. This is a direct offshoot of the free market.

Because of deregulation, a variety of factors impact the cost of energy, including supply and demand and the commodity cost of natural gas. 

Energy rates in Fort Worth are about as unpredictable as the weather — which also has a big impact on your energy costs. Flat monthly fees and rates per kWh charged by your TDU also affect Fort Worth electricity rates.

“Deregulation has led to periods of extreme price volatility, often driven by fluctuations in natural gas prices or spikes in demand due to weather conditions,” said Don Whaley, ex-president of numerous REPs in deregulated markets and an advisor to OhmConnect, a REP that services Fort Worth and other Texas cities. 

Ed Hirs, energy fellow, lecturer and energy economics expert at the University of Houston commented that “Electricity prices are increasing in Dallas because [the Electric Reliability Council of Texas] wholesale market is now the most expensive and most volatile in the nation.”

“Transmission costs are up and are being passed through because of the buildout necessary for renewable energy supplies, [and] Oncor has been required to harden their grids to service their growing communities,” Hirs added.

According to Whaley, “Despite these challenges, taking a long-term view reveals that the commodity price paid by consumers in Texas has remained remarkably stable.”

This is borne out by the fact that many Fort Worth providers still offer very competitive prices, with current energy plans starting with rates as low as 11.4 cents per kWh.

When to buy electricity in Fort Worth

You can typically find the best rates when you change energy plans or Fort Worth electricity providers in the spring or fall. Mild weather during these seasons often contributes to reduced demand and lower energy rates. If your current contract is coming to an end, it’s a good time to review your provider and its rates to see if there’s a better option for you.

Because Texas electricity rates have gone up in recent years, buying electricity at the right time may be a reliable strategy for helping you save on your energy bill.

What TDU serves Fort Worth

Oncor is the TDU that services Fort Worth, although TXU used to be the TDU for the entire DFW area. For any outage needs, contact Oncor Electric. To track outages in your Fort Worth area, use Oncor’s outage tracker.

What’s next?

Begin comparing energy rates and plans for Fort Worth. Energy marketplaces such as Home Energy Club enable you to see offerings from a variety of top power companies in your ZIP code, so that’s a great place to start.

For help finding the best plan for your needs, review your energy bills for the past year. This will help you identify how your energy consumption changes due to seasonality and pin down the right usage bracket for your monthly energy needs.

Also, check to see if your current Fort Worth electric plan has any cancellation fees. While month-to-month plans don’t charge ETFs, most fixed-rate plans do. It may be worth paying the termination fee and enrolling in the new plan if any potential savings on the new plan can offset the ETF.

Finally, while price is a big factor, don’t forget to consider the brand’s reputation, as well as the quality of its customer service.

Our methodology

We review and rate retail electricity providers in Texas to provide the information you need to select the electric company that fits your budget and home energy needs. The best retail electricity providers offer a variety of plans at reasonable rates, as well as consistent, helpful customer service.

Our ratings are based on our detailed methodology. We score companies out of 100 points using review standards based on the plan types offered, the cost of those plans, the companies’ reputations and the customer service features they offer. We then divide their total scores by 20 to determine a rating out of 5 stars.