ERCOT Called for Conservation on July 13. Here's What It Means for Your Texas Bill (And Which Plans Take the Hit)

For Texas households on the Ambit Brand side (residential customers), and for VIP Energy Service Independent Consultants advising their teams.

On July 13, 2026, ERCOT asked Texans to voluntarily conserve energy from 2 to 8 pm as summer heat pushed the grid toward record demand. The appeal does not affect your per-kWh rate. What it does show is a real gap in monthly outcomes across the three main retail plan structures in Texas: fixed, free-nights, and variable. If you are on the wrong one, this summer's string of conservation events can cost you real money by the time your August statement lands.

Key Takeaways

What Did July 13, 2026 Actually Bring?

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas issued a Voluntary Conservation Notice for the ERCOT interconnection, which serves roughly 90% of the Texas electric load. The grid operator asked Texans to voluntarily reduce electricity usage during the late afternoon and early evening, when summer air-conditioning load is at its highest. Oncor, the transmission and distribution utility that serves 13 million Texans across North and West Texas, echoed the request and asked residential and business customers to reduce electricity use between 2 and 7 pm.

A Voluntary Conservation Notice does not cut power to your home. Your lights stay on and your bill is not charged extra because of the notice itself. What the notice signals is that ERCOT's projected reserve margin, the cushion between generation supply and demand, was tight enough that voluntary conservation could keep the grid out of emergency operations.

What Is a Conservation Appeal, and How Is It Different From an Energy Emergency Alert?

A Voluntary Conservation Notice, also called a Conservation Appeal, is a request. An Energy Emergency Alert is an operating condition. Understanding the difference is the difference between adjusting your thermostat and losing air conditioning to a controlled outage.

ERCOT defines a Conservation Appeal as an elevated request for Texans to reduce their energy use during peak demand periods when there is a potential to enter emergency operations due to lower reserves. Under ERCOT's protocols, the appeal is typically triggered when projected operating reserves are forecast to fall below 2,300 MW for 30 minutes or more.

An Energy Emergency Alert is a very different event. According to ERCOT's operating protocols, the three levels work as follows:

According to Doug Lewin, president of Stoic Energy Consulting and one of the most-cited independent analysts of the Texas grid, the widening gap between summer peak forecasts and installed dispatchable capacity would produce exactly this pattern. Speaking with Energy Capital HTX in June 2026, Lewin noted that ERCOT's summer 2026 peak forecast of 92,000 MW would surpass the all-time record of 85,508 MW set on August 10, 2023, by nearly 8%.

According to Pablo Vegas, ERCOT's president and chief executive, data-center load growth and record-hot summers are pulling reserves tighter than at any time in ERCOT's history, in testimony to the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee this spring.

According to Michael Webber, professor of energy resources at the University of Texas at Austin, if just 10% of ERCOT households responded to a Conservation Appeal with a 3-degree thermostat setback, the aggregate load reduction would exceed 1,500 MW, more than the capacity of most single power plants.

Why Did ERCOT Call Conservation This Week?

Texas power lines under an evening sky illustrating the ERCOT 2 to 8 pm peak conservation window
Texas transmission at dusk after a summer peak day. Photo: Lucas Gallone on Unsplash.

The immediate cause of a Conservation Appeal is always the same math: forecast demand plus a weather-driven upside is running too close to forecast supply. Summer 2026 has stacked that math against reserves for weeks. On July 3, 2026, ERCOT set a new July peak demand record above 83,000 MW for the first time. Four days later, on July 7, 2026, ERCOT logged a sudden loss of generation totaling 685 MW at 19:35, with system frequency dipping to 59.958 Hz on a load of 79,425 MW, according to ERCOT's Operations Messages log.

Extreme heat is the accelerant. Air conditioning accounts for about 60% of summer residential load in Texas, and when overnight lows stay in the 80s across Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin, air conditioners run 20% to 40% longer into the afternoon peak. ERCOT's preliminary Long-Term Load Forecast, filed with the Public Utility Commission of Texas on April 15, 2026, projects that summer 2026 peak load will fall in a range of 90,500 MW to 98,000 MW. The July 13 appeal is part of the pattern that forecast anticipated.

The Three-Plan Conservation Test: An Original Framework for Reading Your Plan in 60 Seconds

Not every retail plan responds the same way when ERCOT calls for conservation. To simplify how a conservation event actually flows through to your monthly bill, we developed an original framework we call The Three-Plan Conservation Test. This framework sorts every Texas plan on the market into one of three buckets, and each bucket reacts to a conservation week differently. Walk your own plan through the framework and you will know within 60 seconds whether the July 13 event helps you, hurts you, or leaves you neutral. This is our proprietary way of translating an ERCOT grid event into a household-bill answer.

Bucket 1: Fixed-Rate Plans (Lone Star Classic 24)

A fixed-rate plan holds your per-kWh energy charge unchanged for 24 months. Lone Star Classic 24 is the canonical example. When ERCOT calls a conservation appeal, the wholesale market often spikes 200% to 500% as scarcity pricing kicks in, but a fixed-rate customer sees 0% of that on the next statement. The rate on your Electricity Facts Label is the rate you pay, as of your plan's start date.

For households that value predictability, that is the point. You still benefit from conservation because using fewer kWh during peak lowers your usage, but the price component is 100% insulated. Plan details and rates subject to change; Subject to credit approval.

Bucket 2: Free Nights Plans (Free and Clear Nights)

Free and Clear Nights makes electricity used between 9 pm and 5:59 am free, 7 nights a week, for a full 9-hour overnight block. In exchange, daytime rates run higher than typical fixed rates, cited between 24.4 and 29.4 cents per kWh depending on term and TDU area, as of July 2026. Standard pricing disclaimers, including credit approval and Electricity Facts Label details, apply.

Kitchen appliances staged for after-peak use during an ERCOT voluntary conservation notice
Delay-start settings on modern dishwashers make peak-shift a one-touch decision. Photo: Mohammad Esmaili on Unsplash.

On a conservation-appeal day, a Free Nights household has the biggest actionable upside of the three buckets. Every kWh you can push out of the 2 to 8 pm window and into the after-9 pm free block compounds two ways: it saves the 24 to 29 cents you would have paid on the daytime rate, and it lands the same kWh in the free block at zero cost. Laundry, dishwashing, pool-pump cycles, and EV charging are the highest-leverage loads to move; a single Level-2 EV charge alone can consume 40 to 60 kWh.

Bucket 3: Variable-Rate Plans (Lone Star Flex)

Lone Star Flex is a variable, month-to-month plan with no cancellation fee. The flexibility is real, and for renters or short-term Texas residents that is often the right call. The trade-off is monthly pricing risk. When wholesale prices spike 200% to 500% during a string of conservation days, that spike can flow through to the next month's variable rate as a 15% to 40% jump on the base kWh price.

If your household is on a variable plan and July has already seen multiple ERCOT appeals, this is the summer to reprice into a fixed term before the August statement lands. Plan details and rates subject to change, and Subject to credit approval; rates and terms are not final until enrollment is confirmed.

The Four-Hour Peak Shift: What to Do Between 2 and 8 pm

Homeowner adjusting a wall-mounted digital thermostat during a Texas peak-hour conservation window
Pre-cool between noon and 2 pm, then raise 2 to 3 degrees through 8 pm. Photo: Dan LeFebvre on Unsplash.

ERCOT's residential guidance during a Voluntary Conservation Notice is straightforward, and Oncor's July 13 notice reinforced the same asks. The single window that matters is 2 to 8 pm, and inside it four moves do most of the work:

  1. Pre-cool, then hold. Drop your thermostat 2 to 3 degrees below your normal setting between noon and 2 pm, then raise it 2 to 3 degrees above normal from 2 to 8 pm. You get comfort on the front end and load reduction on the back end.
  2. Delay the big loads. Dishwasher, washer, dryer, and pool pump should run before 2 pm or after 8 pm. Modern dishwashers and washers have delay-start settings that make this a one-touch decision.
  3. Push EV charging to overnight. Schedule your EV charging to start at 9 pm or later. Most Level 2 chargers and vehicle apps support scheduled charging.
  4. Close blinds on west-facing windows. Solar heat gain through afternoon-facing windows can add 10% to 20% to your air-conditioning load during peak. A closed blind is a zero-cost shield.

Together, those four moves typically cut a peak-window household load 15% to 25% without touching comfort. Applied across the 11 million households in the ERCOT service area, even a 5% adoption rate would flatten 400 MW to 700 MW of peak demand.

When a Conservation Appeal Escalates to an Energy Emergency Alert

Most Voluntary Conservation Notices end quietly. The 2 to 8 pm window passes, demand relaxes as the sun sets, and reserves rebuild overnight. When they do escalate, though, the escalation is quick.

An appeal escalates to EEA Level 1 when actual operating reserves fall below 2,300 MW and are not expected to recover within 30 minutes. At that point ERCOT taps every available reserve program. If reserves fall further, EEA Level 2 layers on additional emergency measures. EEA Level 3, at reserves below 1,000 MW, is the stage that directs transmission utilities to begin controlled outages to prevent uncontrolled cascading failures.

Households cannot influence which stage the grid reaches, but the collective response to Voluntary Conservation Notices is one of the tools that keeps the grid from moving from stage to stage. That is the case ERCOT is making when a notice hits your phone through the Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS).

How to Check If Your Current Plan Penalizes You on Peak Days

Two documents tell you exactly where you stand. Both should be in your welcome packet or your online account.

  1. Your Electricity Facts Label (EFL). Check the pricing structure. If it lists a single rate expressed in cents per kWh with no time-of-use table, you are on a fixed-rate plan and a conservation event has no direct rate impact. If it shows a variable-rate clause or a month-to-month reset, you are exposed.
  2. Your Terms of Service. Look for a time-of-use rate structure. If the plan has a free block (like 9 pm to 5:59 am) or a discounted overnight block, you are on a shifting plan and every peak-window kWh you move is a compounding win.

If either document leaves you unclear, we can walk you through it. A quick review usually surfaces one of three outcomes: you are on the right plan and just need peak-shift habits, you are on the right structure but the term is up for renewal, or you are on a plan that is quietly penalizing you on days like July 13. Request a rate quote if you want a second set of eyes on your EFL.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an ERCOT Conservation Appeal raise my electricity rate?
No. The appeal itself does not change your rate. If you are on a fixed-rate plan, the price you pay per kWh does not move. If you are on a variable-rate plan, wholesale price spikes during a conservation event can carry over to your next monthly rate reset as a 15% to 40% jump.

How long do Voluntary Conservation Notices usually last?
Most notices target the 2 to 8 pm peak window on a specific day. Some extend across several days during a heat wave. ERCOT publishes updates through the TXANS notification system and its Public Notices page.

Can ERCOT force my house to lose power during a Conservation Appeal?
No. A Voluntary Conservation Notice is a request only. Rotating outages only happen at EEA Level 3, which is triggered when actual operating reserves fall below 1,000 MW.

What is the single most impactful thing I can do at 2 pm on an appeal day?
Raise your thermostat 2 to 3 degrees above your normal setting after pre-cooling from noon to 2 pm. Air conditioning is about 60% of a Texas home's peak load, and this move alone typically delivers most of the household reduction ERCOT is asking for.

Are conservation appeals going to keep happening?
ERCOT's preliminary 2026 to 2032 Long-Term Load Forecast projects continued peak-demand growth driven by population increases, data-center load, and industrial electrification. Analysts including Doug Lewin have argued that appeals will become more frequent through 2027 unless dispatchable capacity additions accelerate.

Plan details and rates subject to change. Rates cited above are as of July 2026. This article does not constitute an offer to sell electricity. Subject to credit approval and Electricity Facts Label. Energy facts label available at vipenergyservice.com. Ambit Energy is a licensed Retail Electric Provider in the ERCOT service area of Texas (REP #10117). Home-based business opportunity claims relating to Ambit's Independent Consultant program follow standard MLM income disclosures; individual results vary and are not guaranteed.

Many Texans are feeling the heat this summer when they open the electricity bill. Family budgets are being tested by the high cost of cooling a home through record heat, leaving households wondering how to balance the budget with keeping the A/C running. Some relief is on the way. Governor Greg Abbott recently announced a historic amount of energy assistance funding for Texas households.

Governor Abbott announced on June 9, 2026 that Texas would receive $166 million in federal energy assistance funds. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) administers these federally funded energy assistance programs. Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible Texans can receive funds to pay utility bills, weatherize homes, and upgrade heating and cooling appliances.

This post is written for Ambit Brand customers, which is Texas households and small businesses shopping for retail electricity plans on the deregulated ERCOT market. It explains what the state is funding, who qualifies, how to apply, and what a Texas family can do until the TDHCA funds become available in January.

Funding Breakdown

Texas received $166 million in federal funding from two long-standing programs. TDHCA administers both at the local level. CEAP is the LIHEAP-funded utility bill assistance program, and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funds work that makes homes more energy efficient.

Per the Governor's June 9 announcement and the follow-up notice from TDHCA, funds may be used for: assistance with utility bills (past due or future electric, gas, or propane bills), weatherization work (insulation, air sealing, duct sealing), repair or replacement of health and safety related heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment, and consumer counseling and case management for budgeting energy costs.

TDHCA does not take applications directly. Each of Texas' 254 counties has a local subrecipient agency (usually a city, county, or nonprofit community action agency) that distributes all funds. Related context: Texas utility shutoffs are rising, and knowing your relief options before a notice lands makes a real difference.

Who Is Eligible for CEAP and Weatherization Assistance

LIHEAP sets a national income ceiling of 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, and TDHCA uses that for CEAP. For 2026, a one person household is approximately $29,480; two people is $39,920; three is $50,360; and four is $60,800. For larger households, add about $10,440 for each additional person. TDHCA will release the 2027 income table before the funds become available in January.

To qualify, you do not need to already be behind on your bill. Households with a disconnection notice, a scheduled shutoff, or a documented medical need are prioritized, but any Texas family with income under the requirement may apply for help with a future bill. Both renters and homeowners qualify.

You still qualify if your income is below the limit, whether you own solar, are a customer on Texas Solar Buyback, or are on a fixed rate through 2027. The program looks at income, not what electricity plan you are on.

When and How to Apply

The best step for Texas families who believe they may qualify is to call 2-1-1 or 800-500-7074. The 2-1-1 line is a free statewide help line, and a case worker will match your ZIP code with the county CEAP provider for your location.

After finding your local agency, ask three questions. First, are you accepting CEAP or LIHEAP applications now, or should I call back after January 1, 2027? Second, what documentation do I need? That is usually a photo ID, proof of income from the last 30 days, a recent copy of your electricity bill, and Social Security cards for everyone in the house. Third, prior to the new funds opening, is there any interim assistance available right now?

Local agencies know what they have in stock. Some still have leftover funds from earlier LIHEAP cycles and can help immediately. Others will start waiting lists for the January 2027 funding. A full list of CEAP contract holders is available at tdhca.texas.gov.

Calling early will not be penalized, and there is no fee to apply. If anyone tries to charge you a fee to help you apply, it is a scam.

What Texas Households Can Do About Their Summer Bill Right Now

Waiting six months is a long time, especially when the hottest bills of the year land between July and September. Here are five practical moves any Texas household can make this week to lower the number on the next bill, no matter what your income is.

Read the Electricity Facts Label on your current plan. Every retail electricity plan in Texas comes with an EFL that lists out the energy charge, the base charge, and the TDU delivery charge by level of usage. A lot of families are on a plan that penalizes high summer usage and never notice. Plans designed for higher usage are the better choice for anyone using above 1,000 kWh per month. If you have never read one carefully, our line-by-line EFL walkthrough shows what to look for. Delivery charges specifically have moved this year, as we covered in why your Texas electric bill jumped in June 2026.

Check your contract expiration date. If your fixed-rate contract has expired and you have rolled to a month-to-month rate, your kWh price may have jumped significantly. Rolled-over month-to-month rates are often the most expensive product a retailer offers. Locking in a new fixed-rate plan like Ambit's Lone Star Classic, or moving to a straightforward variable option like Lone Star Flex, can rein that in. Our fixed vs variable guide walks through which fit which household.

Shift heavy usage into off-peak hours. The 3 to 7 p.m. window is where a lot of households run dishwashing, laundry, pool pumping, and EV charging. If your family already uses a lot of overnight or weekend electricity, a plan with free nights or free weekends may cut a meaningful percentage off your bill without changing anything about the house itself. See our free nights vs free weekends comparison to see which pattern matches your household.

Set the thermostat one to two degrees higher on days when the house is empty. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that raising the thermostat during hot weather delivers meaningful cooling savings, especially when the house is empty for eight hours a day.

Ask your current provider about a payment plan before you fall behind. Every retail electric provider in Texas has to offer a deferred payment plan under Public Utility Commission of Texas rules if you request one in good faith. Getting on a plan before a shutoff notice arrives is easier than fighting one after.

The Bigger Picture

$166 million is real help, but it is not a full solution for a Texas summer. Think of it as a safety net for the households that need it most while the rest of the state deals with rising delivery charges, a growing grid, and record peak demand. Plan choice is still the single biggest lever a Texas family controls, and the summer months are when a poorly matched plan hurts the most.

Households within the income limits should put a reminder on the calendar for January 1, 2027 and make the 2-1-1 call now to get on the local agency's list. Households above the income limits should use the summer to review the Electricity Facts Label, the contract expiration date, and the household's usage pattern. Both paths lead to the same place: a lower bill in August.

Rates and plan availability change. Plan details and Electricity Facts Labels are provided upon request as of July 14, 2026, and enrollment is subject to credit approval. Ambit Energy offers Lone Star Classic, Lone Star Flex, Free and Clear Nights, and Texas Solar Buyback plans through vipenergyservice.com. Earnings vary for Ambit consultants, and this article covers Ambit Brand plan choices for Texas customers, not the consultant opportunity.

Sources

This article is for Texas homeowners (the Ambit Brand audience) on the Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, or TNMP delivery footprint.

The summer heat is here, and with it, the start of high electricity usage and high electricity bills. Texas homeowners may notice a change between May and June billing cycles. There is a reason, and it shows up on the second to last line of the bill: the TDU delivery charge. This charge is not the result of changing plans or providers.

As of June 1, 2026, the Texas regulated delivery utilities (the wires companies, not your retail electricity provider) updated their residential delivery rates. The new schedules were published in the PUCT's TDU Rates summary and took effect at the start of the June billing cycle. The majority of homes in Oncor territory will see an increase. While the rate change itself is small in cents per kWh, summer is also when usage peaks, so the impact lands at the worst possible time of year.

This article walks through what changed, why your retail electricity provider cannot negotiate it away, how much it adds to a typical summer bill, and four practical steps Texas homeowners can still take to cushion the hit.

Changes Effective June 1, 2026

In Texas, every household in the deregulated ERCOT market sees two distinct line items on the same bill. One is the energy charge from a retail electricity provider (REP). The other is the delivery charge from the local TDU (the wires utility that owns the poles and meters in your area). Each TDU is regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), and the TDU charge is the same for every customer in that territory regardless of which REP they buy energy from.

Residential delivery rates published in the PUCT's TDU rate table, as of June 1, 2026:

The biggest mover here is Oncor. As of June 1, 2026, a jump from the March 2026 rate of about 5.6 cents per kWh up to 6.1196 cents per kWh is roughly a half cent increase on every kWh delivered to your home. That sounds small until you multiply it by a summer month usage profile. (For context on the broader Oncor rate trend earlier in the year, see our 2026 Oncor rate increase analysis.)

Note: Plan details and rates subject to change at PUCT review. Energy facts label available with every plan. The figures above are accurate as of June 1, 2026. Always check your most recent Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for the current charges that apply to your specific plan and address.

Why You Cannot Negotiate the Delivery Charge

This is the part many Texas homeowners only discover when the bill goes up. Your REP has no control over the TDU charge. When you shop for an electricity plan on a marketplace or sign up directly with Ambit, the price you compare is the energy charge plus any fees the REP itself sets. The TDU delivery charge is a regulated pass through. As of June 1, 2026, it is the same on a 7 cent plan and a 14 cent plan, and it does not move when you switch providers.

What this means in practice: if your bill jumped this month because Oncor's volumetric delivery rate went up, switching to any other Oncor area provider on the same plan structure will not undo the increase. The wires charge is the wires charge. The only place a REP can actually save you money is on the energy charge itself, on plan structure (fixed vs. variable, time of use, free nights), and on whether you stay on a competitive rate versus drifting onto a holdover or month to month rate after your contract ends.

How Much Will This Add to Your Summer Bill?

A typical Texas single family home uses somewhere between 1,400 and 2,200 kWh during a hot July or August billing cycle, depending on square footage, insulation, and how aggressively the AC runs. Using the new Oncor volumetric rate, as of June 1, 2026, of 6.1196 cents per kWh:

At the prior March 2026 rate of about 5.6 cents per kWh, the same 1,500 kWh month would have generated about $84 in volumetric charges. That is a real $8 to $10 increase on the delivery side alone, before the energy charge from your REP enters the picture. Over a four month Texas summer, that compounds to $30 or more in extra delivery costs.

That is why a $0.005 per kWh shift in a regulated rate is not a rounding error for Texas families. It is a quietly material number on the bill.

Four Things Texas Homeowners Can Actually Control

You cannot change the TDU rate. But you can change four things that determine how badly it hits your wallet this summer.

1. Confirm you are not drifting on a month to month rate

If your fixed rate contract expired and you did not renew, you may have been rolled onto a holdover or month to month rate that is often two to four cents higher per kWh than the fixed rates currently available as of June 1, 2026. Log into your account or pull out your most recent bill and check the line that says Electricity Facts Label or Plan Name. If it does not match the plan you originally signed up for, your REP rolled you. This is the single biggest, most overlooked summer bill saver.

2. Match your plan structure to your actual usage pattern

A free nights plan can be a strong fit if most of your usage is genuinely overnight (laundry, EV charging, dishwasher) and you keep daytime AC efficient. It is a poor fit if you work from home and keep the thermostat at 72 all day. Our Free Nights Electricity Plans in Texas pillar guide walks through who actually wins on those plans, and our analysis of whether free nights plans are worth it shows the math for typical Texas usage profiles.

3. Shift what usage you can to off peak hours

ERCOT's grid is most stressed (and wholesale prices spike) between roughly 3 PM and 8 PM in the summer. Even on a flat rate plan, that is when conservation requests get issued and the system is most fragile. Pre cooling the house before 3 PM, running the dishwasher and laundry after 9 PM, and avoiding oven use during peak hours all help. The 2026 summer outlook we covered in our Texas summer electricity bills guide goes deeper on the demand profile.

4. Tighten the easy efficiency wins before September

A clogged AC filter alone can add 10 to 15 percent to your cooling load. So can a thermostat set to 70 instead of 76. Closing blinds on west facing windows in the afternoon is free and meaningful. None of this is glamorous, and none of it offsets the delivery rate change one for one, but stacked together they routinely save 100 to 200 kWh per month on a typical Texas home.

Will Anything Get Better in Late 2026?

There are two storylines worth watching.

First, the PUCT continues to review distribution cost recovery factors (DCRF) and transmission cost recovery factors (TCRF) on a rolling basis, and not every adjustment is upward. AEP Texas North's June 1, 2026, rate actually decreased modestly. The TDU rate table is updated at PUCT, and rates can shift again in the fall and at year end.

Second, on June 18, 2026, the PUCT approved the first phase (Batch Zero) of ERCOT's large load interconnection framework. The headline impact is on grid reliability for data centers and other large industrial loads, but a more stable grid with better planned generation should put downward pressure on extreme summer events, which is the underlying driver of many recent rate adjustments.

Bottom Line for Texas Homeowners

The TDU delivery rate change that took effect June 1, 2026, is real. It is meaningful for households in Oncor territory in particular, and it is genuinely outside your REP's control. What Texas homeowners can control is whether they are on a current competitive rate plan, whether the plan structure matches their usage, and whether their home is running efficiently during peak hours.

If you would like a no pressure look at your current bill against the plans we offer in your TDU territory, we are happy to help. Request a quote with your ZIP code and your most recent bill, and we will walk through whether a rate or plan structure change would actually save you money under the new delivery schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Texas electric bill go up in June 2026 even though I did not change plans?

Most likely because your TDU's residential delivery rate changed on June 1, 2026. As of June 1, 2026, in Oncor territory, the volumetric delivery charge rose from the March 2026 rate of about 5.6 cents per kWh up to 6.1196 cents per kWh. That added charge appears on every kWh delivered to your home, regardless of which retail electricity provider you use.

Can I avoid the new TDU delivery charge by switching providers?

No. The TDU delivery charge is regulated by the PUCT and is identical for every customer in that TDU territory. Switching from one Oncor area REP to another does not change the delivery line on your bill. What can change is the energy charge from your REP and the structure of your plan.

Which Texas TDU had the biggest 2026 delivery rate increase?

Oncor's residential volumetric delivery rate is the biggest mover among the major TDUs. As of June 1, 2026, the volumetric charge rose from the March 2026 rate of about 5.6 cents per kWh to 6.1196 cents per kWh. CenterPoint, AEP Texas Central, and TNMP are roughly flat or modestly changed; AEP Texas North's rate moved slightly down.

Where can I see the official Texas TDU delivery rates?

The PUCT publishes the current residential delivery rates for all five Texas TDUs at puc.texas.gov in the TDU Rates summary. Your most recent Electricity Facts Label (EFL) also shows the delivery charges that apply to your specific plan and service address.

Disclosures. Plan details and rates subject to change. Energy facts label available with every Ambit Energy plan. This article addresses retail customer electricity plans and does not promote the Ambit Energy consultant business opportunity; for any reader interested in that side, earnings vary and income disclosure information is available from your Ambit Independent Consultant.

Electric vehicle charging in a Texas home garage at night during a free nights electricity plan window

Texas residents with electric vehicles that charge primarily at home can use free nights electricity plans to eliminate one of the largest expenses on their power bill: charging their EV. The answer to how much you can save depends on three variables: your power provider, the amperage rating of your Level 2 charger, and whether your EV is programmed to charge during free windows. I have watched Texas homeowners save hundreds of dollars a year by getting those three pieces right, and I have watched others lose money because they signed up for a free nights plan and then ran the dishwasher at 4 p.m.

This guide walks through the decision the same way I would help a neighbor. I will explain how the rate structure actually works, how to do the break even math for an EV household, how to set up scheduled charging in the major car apps, and the hidden charges that quietly shrink the savings. By the end, you will know whether a free nights plan is the right move for your home, and if it is, how to set it up so the savings stick.

Why Free Nights Plans Were Designed for EV Drivers, Even If the Marketing Does Not Say So

Public charging stations in the United States are at least three times more expensive than home charging on a standard residential plan, so it is unsurprising that about 80 percent of all electric vehicle charging in the country happens at home (Qmerit). For a Texas household that drives an EV daily, the home meter is doing real work. According to the DFW Clean Cities Coalition, Texas crossed 491,000 registered electric vehicles by June 2026, with the bulk of that fleet concentrated in the Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio metros (DFW Clean Cities).

Free nights plans exist because the ERCOT grid produces more wind energy at night than it can sell. Modo Energy reported that ERCOT curtailed more than 8 terawatt hours of wind and solar in 2024 because the grid could not absorb it (Modo Energy). Retail electric providers (REPs) buy that surplus cheap and use the free window as a marketing hook. The catch is that they make their margin back on the daytime rate. An EV driver who pulls a big block of overnight kilowatt hours is exactly the customer who tips that trade in the household's favor.

Now here is the framework I use to decide if it actually pays.

The Ambit 9 to 9 Window Test

Before you compare a single Electricity Facts Label (EFL), run what I call the 9 to 9 Window Test. It is the fastest way to tell whether your household profile fits a free nights plan at all.

  1. Does your free window cover a continuous 7 hour charging session? Most plans run 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. or 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., which is plenty for one EV.
  2. Without changing your daily life, can at least 60 percent of your total monthly kilowatt hours be moved into that free window? An EV that needs 300 to 450 kWh a month is the easiest single appliance to shift.
  3. Does the plan's daytime rate at your usage tier stay under about 22 cents per kilowatt hour?
  4. Are you a year round Texas resident with a normal household occupancy pattern?

If you answered yes to all four, a free nights plan is probably the right call. If you answered no to any of them, I would point you to a flat rate plan or a solar buyback plan instead. We will get into the WHY behind each of these in the sections below.

Clock and calendar illustrating the free overnight window for Texas free nights electricity plans

How Free Nights Plans Actually Work in Texas

The basic structure is simple: during the free window, the energy charge and the delivery (TDU) energy charge are billed at $0 per kilowatt hour. Outside the free window, you pay an elevated rate per kilowatt hour. Most Texas residents know the flat rate model, where the cost per kilowatt hour stays the same all day. Free nights plans take a flat rate and trade it for two rates, one of them zero.

As of mid 2026, here is how the top providers structure their free windows:

Before you sign anything, there are two important wrinkles you must understand.

First, the TDU delivery base charge (a fixed monthly fee from Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, or TNMP) applies 24 hours a day. The "free" only covers the per kilowatt hour energy charge and the per kilowatt hour TDU delivery charge during the window. The base charge, typically $3 to $5 per month, is still on your bill.

Second, many free nights plans use a tiered minimum usage structure. Reliant's plan, for example, applies an extra charge when monthly usage falls below 1,000 kWh. If you travel often or live in a small apartment, that minimum can erase the free hours quickly. EV households almost never trip this threshold because the car alone pulls 300 to 450 kWh a month, but it matters if you snowbird out of Texas in the winter.

For a deeper walk through of how these plans are priced, my ultimate guide to free nights electricity plans in Texas covers the rate mechanics in more detail.

The EV Owner Break Even Math (the part comparison sites do not show you)

This section matters more than any other. The main reason most Texas households do NOT save money on a free nights plan is that they cannot shift enough of their usage into the free window. Industry data suggests you need roughly 65 percent of your total monthly consumption to land inside the free hours for the plan to beat a comparable flat rate (ElectricRates.org). For a typical Texas family that runs the AC during the day, that is a tall order.

Now look at the same math with an EV in the driveway.

A standard 1,200 kWh per month Texas household running 25 percent of its load at night (so 300 kWh during the free window) does not break even. Add a single Tesla Model Y that drives 1,000 miles per month at 3.8 miles per kilowatt hour, and you add about 263 kWh of demand. If that load shifts entirely into the free window, the household night share moves from 25 percent (300 of 1,200) to about 38 percent (563 of 1,463). Add a Ford F 150 Lightning at 600 monthly miles and 2.0 miles per kilowatt hour, and you add another 300 kWh of overnight load. Now you are at 59 percent. Pair that with running the dishwasher and laundry after 9 p.m., and you cross the 65 percent threshold without sacrificing comfort.

In dollar terms: at an Oncor zone flat rate of roughly 17 cents per kilowatt hour (ElectricityPlans.com Texas trends), 263 kWh of EV charging costs about $44.71 a month. On a free nights plan with that charging shifted to the free window, the energy and TDU energy charges for those 263 kWh are zero. Over a year, that is roughly $536 of savings on a single Tesla Model Y, before counting any kilowatt hours from dishwasher, dryer, water heater, or pool pump runs you also shift to the free window.

That is the EV advantage. The savings come from a single block of demand you can mechanically schedule to land inside the free window every night, every week, every month, without thinking about it.

Homeowner scheduling EV charging next to a blue electric vehicle in the driveway

How to Actually Set Your EV to Charge Only During the Free Window

This is where most homeowners drop the ball. They sign up for the free nights plan, plug the car in at 6 p.m., and let it charge at full price for three hours before the free window starts. Every major EV sold in Texas allows scheduled charging, but the settings differ by brand. Here is how to set them right.

Tesla (Model Y, Model 3, Cybertruck)

Use Scheduled Departure instead of Scheduled Charging. Scheduled Departure is the smarter option: you tell the car when you need to leave in the morning, and it works backwards to start charging during off peak hours. In the Tesla app, go to Charging, set Schedule, choose Departure, and set your morning departure time. Make sure Off Peak Charging is set to start at 9:01 p.m. to give the meter a one minute buffer in case the provider clock is slightly behind yours.

Ford (F 150 Lightning, Mustang Mach E)

In the FordPass app, open Manage EV, then Manage Charging. Set Preferred Charge Times to your free window (9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for Reliant or TXU, 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. for Just Energy). Also set a Departure Time. Some Lightning owners have reported the Preferred Charge Times feature occasionally drifting from the scheduled start, so I recommend checking the app once a week for the first month.

General Motors (Chevy Equinox EV, Silverado EV, Blazer EV, GMC Sierra EV)

GM vehicles use the Ultium Charge 360 feature inside the brand specific mobile app (myChevrolet, myGMC, myCadillac). Set a Charge Schedule that matches your provider's free window. GM also offers a Time of Use bill pay integration that lets the car cross check your provider's rate windows, but it does not yet support every Texas REP.

Hyundai and Kia (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, EV6, EV9)

In Hyundai Bluelink or Kia Connect, set the charging schedule to start at 9:01 p.m. and end at your free window's close. Some owners prefer to set it inside the car's infotainment system instead because the in car settings are more reliable when the mobile network signal is weak in the garage.

Rivian (R1T, R1S)

In the Rivian app, set a Charging Schedule under Vehicle Settings. Rivian supports a single recurring schedule, so set it once and verify it triggered the next morning by checking the charging history.

One universal tip: set the start time one to two minutes after the free window opens (so 9:01 p.m. or 9:02 p.m., not 9:00 p.m. sharp) so your provider's meter clock is past the boundary. A few minutes of full price charging at 9 p.m. on the dot can add up over a year.

For non EV homeowners who want to push more of their household consumption into the free window, my colleague's guide on how to shift your energy usage to nights walks through the appliance level moves.

Voltage and amperage meters illustrating Level 2 EV charger amperage scenarios for Texas home charging

Level 2 Amperage and the Free Window (how many kilowatt hours you can actually add)

The free window is finite. Most plans give you 9 to 11 hours overnight, and the math on what you can add depends entirely on your Level 2 charger amperage. Here is what a typical 11 hour free window (9 p.m. to 8 a.m.) actually delivers, assuming a 240 volt circuit:

For most one EV households, a 32 amp or 40 amp Level 2 charger covers a full week of driving in a single overnight session. If you have two EVs that both need charging, a 48 amp or 60 amp circuit becomes important so you can split the window between them and still finish before sunrise.

Notes on the popular Texas EVs you might be running:

The Hidden Costs That Wreck the Free Nights Math

I have walked Texas homeowners through three common ways a free nights plan goes sideways. Pay attention here, because this is where most of the "I tried it and it cost me more" stories come from.

  1. The minimum usage charge. Reliant Free Overnight has a flat monthly charge (usually around $9.95) if your monthly usage is below 1,000 kWh. If you travel half the year, work at a second home, or live in a small apartment, this charge alone can negate your free hour savings. EV households typically do not fall below 1,000 kWh because the car alone pulls 300 to 450 kWh a month, but it is the first thing to model before you sign.
  2. The daytime rate at your real usage tier. Texas EFLs show three "average price per kilowatt hour" data points: 500 kWh, 1,000 kWh, and 2,000 kWh monthly usage. Many free nights plans display their best price at the 2,000 kWh row because the free hours pull the average down. If you actually use 1,300 kWh a month, ask the provider what your blended rate looks like at your real usage, not at the marketing tier.
  3. Auto renewal at higher rates. Many Texas free nights plans automatically roll into a variable rate or a market based holdover rate at the end of a fixed term. These can run 20 to 40 percent higher than your original rate. Set a calendar reminder 30 days before your contract end date and shop again. Independent Texas energy brokers track this pattern in detail, including analysis of Texas commercial electricity contract auto renewal practices.

A fourth, smaller one: the TDU delivery base charge applies every month, including during the free window. It is small (usually $3 to $5), but it is real, and it is the reason your "free" hours never zero out the bill entirely.

The Ambit Free Nights EV Break Even Test

When a Texas EV owner asks me whether a free nights plan is right for them, I walk them through five questions. I call this the Ambit Free Nights EV Break Even Test. If you answer yes to all five, you are a fit.

  1. Window coverage: Does the plan's free window cover at least 7 continuous overnight hours, and does it include the time you usually plug in?
  2. Daytime rate sanity: At your real usage tier, does the daytime energy charge stay under about 22 cents per kilowatt hour?
  3. Minimum usage safety: Do you reliably use 1,000 kWh or more per month year round, or does the plan waive its minimum usage fee?
  4. Renewal transparency: Is the post contract rate disclosed and reasonable, not "market price" with no cap?
  5. EV charging slot: Can you commit to scheduling all your EV charging inside the free window, every night, with the apps and tools above?

If you check all five, the math will work. If you fail on one, talk to a Texas electricity broker (myself included) before you sign.

When a Free Nights Plan Is the Wrong Pick, Even for EV Owners

A few situations where I steer EV owners away from free nights and toward a flat rate or solar buyback plan:

The decision is rarely "free nights versus everything else." It is "which Texas plan structure matches my real usage profile, my EV count, and my solar setup." For a side by side of two of the most common alternatives, see my comparison of free nights versus free weekends in Texas.

FAQ

Can I really charge my EV for free in Texas at night?
Yes. On plans like Reliant Free Overnight (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and Just Energy NightsFree (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.), the energy charge and the TDU per kilowatt hour delivery charge are $0 during the free window. You still pay a small monthly TDU base charge and daytime rates for any electricity used outside the window.

What is the best free nights plan for a Tesla owner in Texas?
The best plan depends on your TDU zone (Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, or TNMP), your monthly usage tier, and the EFLs filed that month. Reliant and TXU both run 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. windows that comfortably cover a Model Y overnight charge. Just Energy adds an extra hour with its 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. window, which helps if you are charging two EVs back to back.

Does the free nights window include TDU charges?
The per kilowatt hour TDU delivery charge is included in the "free" during the window. The monthly TDU base charge (usually $3 to $5) is billed regardless.

How do I make sure my EV only charges during the free window?
Use scheduled charging in your EV's app. Tesla uses Scheduled Departure or Off Peak Charging. Ford uses Preferred Charge Times in FordPass. GM uses Ultium Charge 360. Hyundai uses Bluelink, Kia uses Kia Connect, and Rivian uses the Rivian app charging schedule. Set the start time at 9:01 p.m. or 9:02 p.m. to give your provider's meter clock a buffer.

Is a free nights plan worth it if I drive less than 8,000 miles a year?
It can be, but you have to model the daytime usage too. If your EV adds only 175 kWh a month and your household runs heavy daytime AC, the daytime rate may eat your savings. Run my Free Nights EV Break Even Test above first.

The Bottom Line

A free nights electricity plan paired with a Texas EV is one of the cleanest household savings setups I have seen. The savings are mechanical, predictable, and largely automatic once your charger schedule is set. The trap is that the same plan can lose you money if your household pattern does not fit, or if you skip the scheduled charging step.

If you want me to run the numbers on your real usage and your EV charging profile before you sign, request a personalized plan match through Ambit Energy and I will pull the EFLs that fit your TDU zone, your usage tier, and your vehicle. Texas families have been with Ambit since 2006, and matching the right plan to the right household is the part of the job I take most seriously.

Rates and plan structures referenced in this guide reflect publicly filed EFLs available as of June 2026. Always verify current pricing in the EFL before enrolling.

TXU Energy's Beat the Heat program just returned for 2026, and for Texas homeowners that headline is a useful signal: summer bill season has arrived. On June 8, 2026, the company announced cooling aid across more than 30 events in cities including Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, and Midland. Emergency help matters, but the households that save the most each summer are the ones who plan ahead. This guide pulls together practical Texas summer electricity bill tips every homeowner can use to stay comfortable without watching their July and August statements climb. With ERCOT projecting record demand this season, the time to review your plan is now, before the worst of the heat lands.

What TXU's Beat the Heat Program Actually Covers

TXU Energy's 2026 Beat the Heat is a charitable cooling-assistance effort, not a rate discount. The company is donating $150,000, distributing more than 5,000 box fans and over 600 window air-conditioning units, and hosting 30-plus community events across Texas this summer.

These resources go to seniors and vulnerable households most at risk during extreme heat, and the effort connects eligible Texans to bill-payment help through TXU Energy Aid, which the company says has provided more than $140 million in assistance over four decades. You can read the full announcement on PR Newswire. Programs like this exist because summer genuinely strains household budgets. The reassuring part for most homeowners is that you do not have to wait for an emergency. A few proactive moves can keep your bill manageable before the heat peaks.

Why Your Texas Summer Electricity Bill Climbs So Fast

Air conditioning is the single largest driver of summer electricity use in most Texas homes, and that load compounds quickly. Residential usage commonly rises 40 to 50 percent in peak summer, so a home that uses roughly 1,000 to 1,200 kWh in spring can climb toward 1,400 to 2,000 kWh in July and August, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data.

At today's Texas residential prices of about 14 to 16 cents per kWh, that jump can add well over $100 in a single month, pushing energy charges past $250 to $320 before delivery fees and taxes. As a rule of thumb, every additional 100 kWh you use runs about $14 to $16.

If you are on a variable-rate plan, summer carries a double exposure: you use more electricity at the same time the wholesale market tightens. ERCOT has projected the potential for record demand in 2026, with peak forecasts near 92,000 MW, which would top last year's record by close to 10 percent. That combination is exactly when an unlocked rate can move against you.

Your metro shapes the risk too. Houston homeowners deal with humidity that keeps air conditioners running longer through the day and night, which lifts total kWh. Dallas-Fort Worth homes face more extreme peak-temperature afternoons that strain the grid during the priciest hours. The same plan can perform very differently in Houston than in DFW, which is why matching your plan type to your local usage pattern matters. For solar homeowners, June through August is peak production season, so a plan with strong 1:1 solar buyback returns the most credit exactly when your panels generate the most.

Texas Summer Electricity Bill Tips Every Homeowner Should Act On

The fastest way to control summer costs is to pair a smart plan choice with a lower cooling load. We built a simple framework, the Summer Electricity Readiness Checklist, to walk through both in the right order before the heat peaks.

  1. Review your Electricity Facts Label (EFL). Confirm your energy rate, base charges, and any usage tiers so you know what you actually pay per kWh.
  2. Check your contract end date. If your term expires this summer, you may roll onto a higher variable rate. You can confirm your switching rights through the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
  3. Compare your rate type. Weigh fixed versus variable using your last three bills. June is a strong window to lock a fixed rate before the late-July peak, and you can compare offers on Power to Choose, the state's official marketplace.
  4. Evaluate Free Nights fit. If you can shift laundry, dishwashing, pool pumps, and EV charging to overnight hours, a Free Nights plan can offset roughly 30 to 40 percent of daytime cooling costs.
  5. Assess solar and battery suitability. Confirm whether 1:1 solar buyback or a home battery fits your roof and usage profile for peak summer production.

Pair the checklist with a few quick cooling habits: set your thermostat to about 78 degrees when you are home and 85 when you are away, as the U.S. Department of Energy recommends, seal air leaks, close blinds on sun-facing windows, and turn on usage alerts so a spike never catches you off guard.

Questions to Ask Your REP or Energy Consultant

Before you sign or renew this summer, a few direct questions reveal whether a plan truly fits Texas heat. The right answers protect you from surprise charges during the highest-usage months.

How Ambit VIP Energy Service Can Help

We help Texas homeowners get ahead of summer instead of reacting to it. Our role is to match your home, usage, and metro to a plan that holds up when temperatures climb.

For households that can move usage to off-peak hours, our Free Nights options turn overnight cooling and chores into savings. For solar homes, our 1:1 solar buyback returns full credit during peak June-through-August production. And no-deposit options give budget-conscious families a flexible way to start service without a large upfront cost. Rates vary by location and usage, so we always point you to the EFL for the full details before you decide. Ready to compare? Get your free energy quote and we will help you find the right fit for your home this summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Texas summer electricity bills so high?

Summer bills climb mainly because air conditioning becomes the largest load in your home. Texas residential usage often rises 40 to 50 percent in peak months, so even at the same per-kWh rate, your total bill grows with the heat. Homes with older insulation or leaky ducts feel it most.

What is the right electricity plan type for a Texas summer?

For most homeowners who want price certainty, a fixed-rate plan offers the strongest protection against summer market swings. Free Nights plans suit households that can shift big loads to overnight, and solar buyback plans reward homes producing power during peak daylight. Match the plan to how and when you actually use electricity.

Can you switch electricity providers in the middle of a Texas summer?

Yes. In deregulated areas of Texas, you can shop and switch providers year-round, though you should check your current contract for any early-termination fee. Review the EFL on any new plan and confirm the start date so you stay covered through the hottest weeks.

Do Free Nights plans really save money in a Texas summer?

They can, when you move enough usage into the free overnight window. Shifting laundry, dishwashing, pool pumps, and EV charging to nighttime can offset roughly 30 to 40 percent of daytime cooling costs. Read the daytime rate and any minimum-usage fees on the EFL before switching.

A new federal report confirms what many Texas homeowners have been feeling on every monthly bill: Texas leads the nation in utility shutoffs as electricity prices keep climbing. With residential rates up roughly 29% since 2021 and the average Texas household paying about $210 a month, the risk of service interruption is no longer a rare event. It is a real and growing concern for families across Houston, DFW, San Antonio, and beyond. The good news: most shutoffs are preventable when homeowners understand their plan, their options, and the assistance programs already available to them.

What the Federal Report Found

According to a May 2026 federal report covered by Texas Public Radio, Texas disconnected residential customers at a higher rate than any other state, driven by a combination of rate increases, hot-summer load, and exposure to variable-rate plans. Statewide residential prices have moved from roughly 11.7 cents per kWh in 2020 to over 15 cents per kWh in early 2026, a jump of about 29%. The ERCOT Long-Term Load Forecast projects peak demand approaching 367,000 MW by 2032, with continued residential price pressure of nearly 29% through 2030.

On the policy side, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar introduced a federal utility affordability bill on May 1, 2026 (covered by the Texas Tribune) aimed at expanding consumer protections and shutoff moratoriums during extreme weather. Existing protections through the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) already require Retail Electric Providers (REPs) to offer payment plans and notice periods, but enforcement and awareness vary widely.

What This Means for Your Home Energy

If you are a Texas homeowner on a variable-rate plan, the next 90 days are the most volatile window of the year. Variable rates can adjust monthly based on wholesale ERCOT prices, and summer heat events routinely double or triple short-term wholesale costs. A fixed-rate plan locks in a single per-kWh rate for the term of your contract, which is the single biggest defense against the bill spikes that lead to shutoffs.

Your TDU (the wires company that delivers power) also matters. In Houston, CenterPoint distribution charges and summer peak exposure tend to make variable plans riskier than in DFW, where Oncor handles distribution at a slightly different rate structure. Either way, spring is the last comfortable rate-lock window before summer pricing pressure arrives. Solar homeowners benefit further: with a 1:1 solar buyback plan, every kWh you export is credited at the retail rate, lowering net usage and reducing the chance of a balance large enough to trigger a disconnect notice. Home battery owners gain another layer of protection by shifting consumption out of the 2 to 7 PM peak window, when both wholesale prices and grid stress are highest. Rates and plans vary by location and usage, so always review the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) before you sign.

The 4-Step Texas Shutoff Prevention Checklist

If you are worried about your bill or your plan, work through these four steps before the next bill comes due. Together they cover the most common causes of avoidable shutoffs and can usually be completed in under an hour.

  1. Confirm your plan type today. Pull up your latest bill or REP portal and verify whether your plan is fixed-rate, variable-rate, or month-to-month. If your last three bills show rate creep above 10% in 90 days, you are almost certainly on a variable plan.
  2. Lock in a competitive fixed rate before Memorial Day. Use the official Power to Choose tool or compare electricity rates with us directly to find a stable plan that fits your usage profile.
  3. If you are behind, call your REP before the shutoff notice arrives. Texas REPs are required by PUCT to offer payment arrangements and deferred payment plans on request. Asking early almost always preserves service.
  4. Check assistance program eligibility. The LIHEAP program (administered through Texas HHS and 211 Texas) provides one-time bill assistance for qualifying households, and most major REPs participate in disconnect-prevention programs during summer and winter.

For households shopping for a new plan, our no deposit electricity plans can be a practical alternative when cash flow is tight, and our Houston electricity plans page walks through CenterPoint-specific options.

Questions to Ask Your REP or Energy Consultant

Before you renew or switch, get clear answers to these six questions. Any reputable energy consultant should be able to walk through them in a single phone call.

  1. Is my plan fixed-rate or variable, and what is today's effective per-kWh rate at my typical monthly usage?
  2. What is the early termination fee if I switch before my contract ends?
  3. Do you offer a Free Nights or Time-of-Use plan that could lower my summer bill?
  4. What payment arrangements are available if I fall behind, and how do I request one?
  5. Is my household eligible for LIHEAP or any local utility assistance programs?
  6. If I have rooftop solar, what is your current buyback rate and how does the credit appear on my bill?

How Ambit Can Help

We work with Texas homeowners every day to find energy solutions that match how their household actually uses power. Our competitive fixed-rate plans come with no deposit required for qualifying customers, our 1:1 solar buyback plan credits every exported kWh at the full retail rate, and our Free Nights option (no charge from 9 PM to 6 AM) is built for families whose biggest loads (laundry, EV charging, dishwashers) shift naturally to overnight hours. We serve Houston, DFW, San Antonio, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Burleson, Midland, and surrounding markets. If you would like a side-by-side look at your current plan against alternatives, get your free energy quote and one of our energy consultants will walk you through the numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Texas leading the nation in utility shutoffs?

Texas residential electricity rates rose roughly 29% from 2021 to 2025, and a large share of customers remain on variable-rate plans that adjust during summer peak demand. Combined with extreme heat events that drive wholesale prices higher, families on variable plans can see bills double in a single month, leading to balances large enough to trigger a disconnect notice.

What can I do to avoid having my electricity shut off in Texas?

Three actions cover the majority of avoidable shutoffs: switch to a fixed-rate plan before summer peak pricing arrives, request a payment arrangement from your REP at the first sign of trouble, and reduce discretionary usage during the 2 to 7 PM peak window. Households with qualifying income should also apply for LIHEAP assistance through 211 Texas.

Is there financial assistance for Texas electricity bills?

Yes. LIHEAP provides one-time bill assistance for households at or below 150% of the federal poverty line, administered through Texas Health and Human Services. Most REPs offer deferred payment plans and percentage-of-income arrangements, and local nonprofits and community action agencies often have emergency utility funds. Call 211 Texas to be routed to programs in your area.

When is the best time to lock in a fixed electricity rate in Texas?

Spring is typically the most competitive window, especially the weeks leading up to Memorial Day. Wholesale prices tend to be lower before summer peak demand arrives, which means REPs price their fixed-rate offers more aggressively. Locking in during this window protects you from the rate volatility that summer load events trigger.

How does a no-deposit electricity plan work in Texas?

No-deposit plans waive the upfront security deposit that REPs typically require for new service. Eligibility is generally based on credit history, prior payment history with utilities, or a soft credit check. For households with limited cash on hand, a qualifying no-deposit plan can be the difference between keeping service active and waiting for a deposit refund cycle.

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