Texas Electricity Ratings

Should You Pick a Less Than 12 Month Plan? Do the math! Find out if a less than 12 month electricity plan fits your needs and helps you save more on your Texas utility bills. When shopping for an electric provider , you might notice that some of the cheapest rates come with contracts that last less than 12 months. These shorter plans, often around eight to ten months, can have appealingly low electricity prices . But they also come with both perks and trade-offs. Depending on your energy habits and timing, a shorter plan could help you lock in savings. Or they could expose you to higher rates later. Before signing, it’s important to weigh what works best for your situation. The Upside of Less Than 12 Month Power Contracts Flexibility is one major advantage of a less than 12 month plan. You can switch sooner without being locked into a long-term contract. That’s helpful if you think rates might go down after winter or if you plan to move in the next year. Another upside is th...

How Will the NRG Gas Power Plant Impact Texas? While NRG Energy will build a new natural gas power plant near Baytown, solar and batteries handled a lot of load this summer. Learn how Texans benefit from all kinds of power right now. NRG Energy recently secured a $562 million loan from the Texas Energy Fund (TEF). Because of this, the company is now moving forward to build a new gas power plant in Baytown, TX. This new plant, expected to generate 721 MW, will replace older gas units and provide more flexible power. And that’s great for the ERCOT grid! The TEF deal covers 70% of the project’s cost, with NRG contributing the rest. As a result, this gas power plant joins other TEF-backed projects to support reliable power and maintain cheap electricity for Texans. Baytown and Other TEF Power Plant Projects Work on the Baytown project is expected to begin soon. So, the power plant should come online within a few years. TEF already supports other gas projects in the state, incl...

Is Rising Load A Problem? Learn why Texas still faces a rising load problem and what you can do to help lower everyone's rates. Texans had a cooler summer in 2025, which helped keep energy use lower than expected. ERCOT reported that even with more people and growing energy hungry data centers, the Texas grid avoided summer emergencies . From June through August, solar power supplied 15 percent of all ERCOT demand, peaking at 50 percent at one point. Batteries also helped, setting 10 new records this summer. These resources helped Texans enjoy cheap electricity even as the summer saw load demand rising about 10 percent compared to last year. Remember, green energy saved Texas in 2023. And it should help us in the future!   Electricity prices also stayed low last year. Wholesale prices did not go above $200 per megawatt from late July to late August, and residential bills rose less than two percent year over year. Still, this calm summer does not mean Texans can relax. ERCO...

Will You Install Upgrades In Time? End of year tax credit deadlines for home energy upgrades are only a few months off. Learn how you can qualify to cut your taxes and future energy bills. If you are a Texas homeowner, now is the time to think about home energy upgrades. Tax credit deadlines for upgrades like heating and cooling systems, solar panels, insulation, windows, doors, and water heaters are coming soon. Most of these credits expire on December 31, 2025. Making upgrades now can also help you save on Texas power costs year-round. What to Know Before Tax Credit Deadlines To qualify, most home upgrades must be installed and “placed in service” by the end of this year. If you haven't started time is a-wasting! So, here is what you must know about major home updates, what work they take, and how much they might cost in Texas. Heating and Cooling Systems : Replacing an older air conditioner means installing new equipment and even updating ducts or wiring. Replacing an ...

How Will Solar Cycle 25 Impact Texas? While Texas installed more 3.8 GW of solar power this year, its grid could be hit flares and disruptions as this solar cycle reaches its peak. Learn how space weather affects your Texas electricity. Texas has seen a big boost in solar this year. ERCOT added 3.8 gigawatts of new solar capacity . That extra power helps meet daytime demand and makes the grid cleaner. For homeowners, it also gives more choices when doing an energy comparison for a new plan. But there is a catch. The sun that drives these gains is entering a busy phase known as Solar Cycle 25. That makes space weather more active, which can affect satellites and the power grid here on Earth. What Is Solar Cycle 25? Solar Cycle 25 began around 2019. Scientists now expect it to peak in 2025 or 2026. During a peak, the sun produces more sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These bursts can send charged particles toward Earth. When storms arrive, they can produce colo...

How Can Houstonians Stay Cool Cheaper? Fall in Texas is running hot this year so use our tips to help you stay cool and pay cheaper electric bills. Summer may be fading, but in Houston, hot days can stretch well into the October forecast . That means your AC will still be working, even as you hope for a break on your bills. Luckily, there are several ways to stay cool cheaper without sacrificing comfort. These strategies work not just for Houstonians but for Texans across the state who want to keep their homes comfortable, cut down on Texas electricity costs, and avoid sticker shock when the bill arrives.  Tips to Stay Cool Cheaper This Fall You don’t have to crank up the AC to beat the lingering heat. Try these easy tips to stay cool cheaper while keeping your Texas power bill under control: Pre-cool your home in the evening. Take advantage of cooler nighttime lows by running your AC in the early morning or late evening. This builds a cushion of cool air so your system ru...