When selecting a power company, Texas residents may find it confusing to sort through the dozens of competitors to compare plans. Payless Power provides these comparisons to help you make an informed decision and compare our plans with some of the state’s other providers, including Reliant Energy.
Reliant Energy, a subsidiary of Fortune 500 company NRG Energy, Inc., has been providing electricity to Texans for almost 20 years from their Houston headquarters. As one of the largest Texas electricity providers, Reliant Energy serves approximately 1.5 million homes and businesses across the state. Both Payless Power and Reliant Energy are top providers in Texas; we hope this comparison will help you make an informed choice as you select an affordable, reliable power company.
RELIANT ENERGY RATES VS PAYLESS POWER RATES
Reliant Energy offers a range of prepaid and traditional power plans, including month-to-month options and contracts spanning 12, 24, or 36 months. Some plans feature “free” incentives like Truly Free Nights (no energy charges from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and Truly Free Weekends (no energy charges from 8 p.m. Friday to 12 a.m. Monday). However, these promotions often come with higher per-kWh rates, which can lead to substantial costs over time.
In contrast, Payless Power provides both traditional and prepaid plans with more transparent pricing, free from promotional complexities. Our options include:
- 6-month fixed-rate plans (both standard and prepaid)
- 12-month fixed-rate plans (both standard and prepaid)
With Payless Power, you can also choose automatic payments, allowing you to set an amount to add when your balance is low, which helps prevent missed payments and keeps energy spending predictable.
Reliant’s Secure Advantage 24 plan locks customers into a two-year fixed rate, often with cancellation fees of $150 to $295 if you need to end the contract early. Payless Power’s fixed-rate plans are only 12 months, giving you more flexibility if your needs change. Additionally, most of Reliant Energy’s plans include a hefty early cancellation fee of $150 to $295 unless you provide proof of a change of address. By comparison, Payless Power’s early termination fees are only $99.
PAYLESS POWER ADVANTAGES – WHY CHOOSING PAYLESS IS THE RIGHT CHOICE
NO DEPOSIT, CREDIT CHECK, OR LONG-TERM CONTRACTS
Reliant Energy requires customers to undergo a credit check, plus pay a deposit if the customer does not meet the credit standard. They only offer one monthly plan (Clear Flex), with their other 12-to-36-month plans carrying pricey fees for early cancellation. Payless Power’s prepaid electricity, alternately, requires no credit check and no deposit from customers. With our instant approval, you won’t have to wait for a lengthy process to switch your electricity to a Payless Power plan. Payless Power believes everyone should have access to affordable electricity regardless of income or credit history, so we offer an easy process to sign up and stay on top of your bills.
SATISFIED CUSTOMERS, EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
From same day connection to personalized texts or email alerts regarding usage and costs, the Payless Power bilingual customer service representatives are committed to offering dedicated service to our customers. We take great pride in the service we deliver and the savings customers enjoy every month. Thank you for the 4.6/5.0 stars given to us by nearly 8,500 customers! See what some of our customers are saying:
“Payless Power has been my go-to electric company for a while now. Easy to set up, easy to pay, daily usage texts and wonderful customer support!” – Karen H. in Dayton, TX
“It only took a mere 10 seconds to pay the light bill. As someone with no credit, I find this method of paying easy and affordable.” – Cedriko R. in Dallas, TX
“I like that I get notified when my balance is running low and it’s so easy to make a payment!” – Jose V. in Los Fresnos, TX
“I called customer service and got help with everything I needed and was treated with kindness, payment was the easiest it’s ever been to pay a bill.” – Tyler S. in La Porte, TX
NO LATE FEES
A key benefit to switching to a Payless Power prepaid electricity plan is the elimination of late fees. With our notification process via text or email, customers can see when their account balance is low. They can either adjust power usage (by turning up the AC or turning off lights more deliberately) and save real money, or they can add to their balance on the spot or with auto pay. With pay-as-you-go electricity, the money you add to your account goes directly toward your electricity costs. Payless Power believes in clear pricing and saving customers money on their electricity bills.
DAILY USAGE ALERTS
Only want to spend a certain amount each month? Payless Power sends alerts when your account balance is low so you can either decrease your energy usage or prepay for more power? Our auto pay plans allow customers to set an amount to add to their balance when the account gets low. With our personalized text or email alerts, you can monitor your daily usage, energy costs, and account balance. At the end of the month, we send a statement detailing your prior month’s payments, charges, and savings history. Reliant Energy’s plans provide the same bill pay options, but the complexity of their plans is often confusing. Payless Power wants to ensure our customers make informed decisions that suit their varying budgets.
SELF-SERVICE PORTAL
Payless Power offers an easy-to-use self-service portal that helps you stay informed about your electricity usage. The portal is a one-stop shop where you can make payments, check your account balance, see how many kilowatt hours you consume daily and other valuable information to save you money. This level of transparency puts the power back in your hands to determine how much you are willing to spend each month. With Payless Power, you will never be surprised when paying your electricity bill again!
SAME DAY SERVICE
Ready to make the switch to prepaid electricity with Payless Power? At Payless Power, you can expect quick, easy same day connection so that you can start saving money on your electricity bill as soon as possible. Our team is here to ensure you receive power when you need it! Check out the simple steps below to switch your electricity provider.
HOW TO SWITCH FROM RELIANT ENERGY TO PAYLESS POWER
If you’re moving or simply want to switch providers in your current home, you can do so quickly and easily.
- Estimate your usage based on previous bills (the number of kWh per month). In Texas, apartments average about 600 kWh a month up to large homes using 2,400 kWh.
- Find the Payless Power plan in your zip code that fits your needs and your budget.
- Once your plan is decided, provide your address, name, and set up an account easily online or over the phone.
- Make your first Payless Power payment that goes toward the cost of your first bill.
- If you’re moving, make sure your home has a smart meter for remote activation by the power company; most Texas homes do. Then inform your current provider of the move. Most companies will waive an early termination fee if proof of the move is provided.
- If you’re switching electricity providers in your current residence, the new provider (in this case, Payless Power) will inform the previous provider of the switch.
- Set up same day connection. When possible, plan early in the day as the process can take 4-6 hours.
- Enjoy your day as you begin to start saving up to 20% on your energy bills!
CHOOSE PAYLESS POWER TODAY
When you choose Payless Power over Reliant as your Texas electric company, you’ll join a community that benefits from better energy rates and savings on their average electric bill— regardless of income or credit history. Payless Power offers the best prepaid electricity plans in Texas, featuring no deposit or credit, as well as standard plans for those who prefer a traditional electricity plan with end-of-the-month billing. As a family-owned provider, we take great pride in serving our customers with care and respect, setting us apart from larger electric companies. Choose Payless Power today and experience the difference.
