Austin electricity rates
In 2002, energy deregulation came into effect in much of Texas, allowing residents and business owners in these places to pick their electricity providers. Most cities in the Lone Star State — including Dallas and Houston — are deregulated, but some aren’t. Austin, for example, isn’t, but some of its surrounding cities are.
If you live in one of these deregulated areas, you can use SaveOnEnergy to compare electricity rates in Austin-area cities and switch energy companies. By checking rates regularly, you can make sure you’re getting a great deal on your energy plan. Get started by entering your ZIP code.
Compare Austin electricity rates
Choose your power in Austin
As an Austin-area resident, you may be able to shop around for electricity plans and sign up with the provider of your choice, depending on your location. This ability is known as the power to choose, giving you more control over your energy usage and bills.
SaveOnEnergy.com is not affiliated with Power to Choose, powertochoose.org, or the PUCT.
How to find the best electricity rates in Austin
Austin electricity rates fluctuate throughout the year. If you want to find the best deal, it’s helpful to track energy prices from time to time. Luckily, it’s easy to do this with a marketplace like SaveOnEnergy. Here’s how it works.
- Discover the cheapest electricity in Austin and the surrounding area. Our marketplace lets you find the best electricity plans in Austin suburbs to help you easily decide what’s best for your specific needs.
- Sign up quickly. Not sure which plan to choose? Want to go over the details of a specific plan? Call the number on your screen to chat with a SaveOnEnergy energy expert. Otherwise, if you’ve found a plan that you like, you can sign up online in minutes.
- Enjoy the savings. After signing up, you’ll officially switch to your new plan in as little as five days. Your new provider will set up your service; there’s no need to contact your former provider or utility company.
Cheap energy prices in Austin
Even though Austin isn’t a deregulated city, many of its nearby areas are. In these places, electricity rates rise and fall constantly based on factors like demand and seasonality. If you find a cheap rate, it’s wise to secure it while you can because it might not be there the next day.
To find out how residential rates fluctuate, check out the chart below, which is based on data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Energy providers and utility companies in Austin
In regulated cities, utility companies sell and deliver electricity to consumers. In deregulated areas, utilities deliver electricity, which is sold by providers. Utility companies also manage local electric infrastructure, including power lines, and respond to power outages.
Power outages in Austin
If your power goes out or you see a downed power line in your area, call your utility company (not your energy provider).
If your utility company is Austin Energy, you can report an outage by:
- Visiting the online outage center
- Calling 512-322-9100
- Texting OUT to 287846
If your utility company is Oncor, you can notify them of an outage by:
- Reporting it online
- Calling 888-313-4747
- Texting OUT to 66267
Electricity rates in my area
If you live or own a business in the Austin area, you probably won’t have the option to shop around for your own electricity plan. Instead, you’ll buy power from your utility company.
However, if you are in a deregulated area near Austin, you’ll have the freedom to choose a provider. It’s helpful to understand that rates can vary from city to city due to differing utility transmission charges. In other words, someone in Dallas will likely pay a different electricity rate than you do — even if you have the same plan and provider.
To find out if you live in a deregulated area or to discover the best electricity rates near you, enter your ZIP code.
Types of plans in Austin
On the SaveOnEnergy marketplace, you’ll find several different types of energy plans, including fixed-rate, no-deposit, and green electricity options. Not sure which one is right for you? Check out our guide to picking a plan or get an overview of popular plan types below.
Fixed-rate plans in Austin
Most plans on our marketplace are fixed-rate options, meaning that they come with a contract (usually 12, 24, or 36 months) and a set electricity rate that won’t change for the length of your plan. They’re worth considering if you want more predictable energy bills and protection from price hikes, but be aware that you may be hit with an early termination fee (ETF) if you cancel before your contract expires.
Variable-rate plans in Austin
Variable-rate plans don’t have contracts, fixed rates, or ETFs. Instead, your rate is determined by the current market price of electricity. This means that your rate (and your utility bills) can fluctuate quite a bit.
No-deposit plans in Austin
Normally, energy providers require a credit check before beginning service. If the results aren’t up to their standard, you may have to pay a deposit. However, some electric companies offer no-deposit plans, which might be worth considering if you have poor credit or can’t afford a deposit.
Green electricity in Austin
Texas ranks first in the nation for electricity generation from wind and second for solar energy. Every energy plan in Texas includes a percentage of renewable energy, which you can track in its Electricity Facts Label (EFL). There are also power companies in the area that only sell plans backed by green energy, such as Gexa Energy and Green Mountain Energy.
Business energy plans in Austin
Deregulation does not only apply to commercial establishments — you can also find great business electricity rates in the areas surrounding Austin. To learn more about business energy rates and how to get started, check out SaveOnEnergy business energy rates page and begin building a custom commercial energy plan.
Calculate your energy usage in Austin
Before looking for another electricity plan, you’ll want to have an approximate idea of how much energy you use each month. Understanding this will help you estimate how much you’ll pay under a new plan. Not sure how much power you use? Get an estimate with SaveOnEnergy’s calculator.