Reliant Energy?
Posted by jw1299@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 34 comments
So my bill, for a 650ft square foot one bedroom apartment, has been around 130 each month for most of the last year. I'm enrolled in average billing with them, and I have no clue if it's helping or hurting me. I used 473.0 kWh last month.
Is 130-140$ crazy high? normal? Should I switch? Any suggestions?
Ok-Tension439@reddit
I’m with relint and have a 300 light bill when I know I don’t use that much energy. It says I’m at 800 something kWh I guess I don’t know how to choose plans very well
Acceptable-Ad8823@reddit
I live in an older 1800 SF house in Arlington. I have Reliant and we used 280 KW and was charged $160 for the month.
Rude-Athlete-8149@reddit
First rule of electricity shopping is never go with Reliant or TXU. They are so much more expensive than other providers on the market.
Second rule is don't use average billing, it will only bite you in the ass during shoulder months.
Third rule is make sure you're on a simple fixed rate plan without a setup fee, usage fee, or base charge, or some gimmicky BS like free nights or free weekends.
jw1299@reddit (OP)
yeah i’m learning that the hard way now. thank you for that
Careless-Ad-6328@reddit
This doesn't strike me as abnormally high since you're using a cost averaged plan.
I'd wager your electricity use is WAY higher in the hot months and the AC is running 24/7.
truth-4-sale@reddit
I prefer a no frills plan. No fancy nights and weekends, and lunar eclipses, etc. free.
You should sign up for the FREE Oncor "Smart Meter Texas" site where you can see what your electricity kWh usage has been in the past, by 15 minute increments, and by day, and by monthly totals. At least you can see where your usage spiked... https://www.smartmetertexas.com/home
I am happy with Rhythm Energy. I joined several years ago>
COMPARING PLAN PRICING at PowerToChoose.org
Per the "Electricity Facts Label" for a Plan:
"ENERGY CHARGE" is --ONLY-- what your REP is charging you for the kWh used.
"REP BASE CHARGE" -- CAN BE $0.00 - $10.00/mo.
"TDU DELIVERY CHARGE" is the ONCOR pass thru charge for kWh used, which can vary each month.
"TDU BASE CHARGE" -- This ONCOR charge can vary. Has been between $2.00-$4.00 for me.
Then, you have the TOTAL CHARGE for your Bill. It's the TOTAL CHARGE amount that you want to compare Plans with.......
For Example, my 36 month Plan with RHYTHM ENERGY in 2023 was:
$0 REP (RHYTHM ENERGY) BASE CHARGE
$7.391¢/kWh RHYTHM ENERGY CHARGE
$3.589¢/kWh TDU ONCOR ENERGY CHARGE
$3.91 TDU ONCOR BASE CHARGE
So, I paid ----OVERALL---- $11.4¢/kWh for my electricity for a month's usage. My Rhythm Plan is "Simply Choose 36" which began in Jan. of 2023.
You generally get the best prices when you are signing up as a New Customer vs when you are re-newing your service after the term of your plan ends.
If you want to get a $100 Credit from Rhythm, you can use my Rhythm Referral Code as you sign up online: https://www.gotrhythm.com/raf?referralCode=fZuGPBiQ3p&utm_source=raf&utm_medium=my-account
t33po@reddit
That’s outrageous for that usage. That’s about double what you’d pay for a 12 month fixed rate. If this is supposed to be the same every month, then even if you use 1000kWh in the summer you’re barely on par with a good fixed plan. You should be building up credit during the mild months and reaping the benefits during high months.
No_Locksmith9690@reddit
You're probably on a plan with a higher usage. Those of us that use under 1000 kwph pay a higher price per kwh.
Electrical_Feature12@reddit
It’s very high, but apts tend to be. That would cost $50 tops in a house with a good plan
jw1299@reddit (OP)
damn. i’ve been trying to cut back majorly on expenses because of how crazy high rent is. guess non livable life is the norm these days.
Electrical_Feature12@reddit
Do you get to choose the plan or is that handled by the apartment complex?
jw1299@reddit (OP)
i just transferred it over from my old apartment without looking at it. apparently it’s a 2 year plan that expires 6/26 and 250 early termination. i think i owe 150$ in average billing account balance.
Electrical_Feature12@reddit
If the same company offers a better plan you May be able to change it. Takes a little research but worth it. You know how much you use already which is key
ChillnScott@reddit
Seems high. Remember to always sign up for energy contracts in winter months for best rates.
jb4647@reddit
I’ve been using https://www.energyogre.com/ for years to find and switch to the best electric plans. Before using them, my monthly bill was $80-100 higher, so their $10/month service fee (which has remained the same for years) is well worth it. They currently have me on CleanSky energy, but before that, it was PowerNext.
I never have to worry about “searching for the right plan” because they handle everything for me. They also take care of the payments to the electric provider, eliminating the need to send my credit card or bank information to multiple electric providers annually, which puts my financial information at risk. Additionally, I don’t have to create user names and passwords for multiple electric provider sites since I can access all the information on the Energy Ogre’s website.
I compare their service to changing your car’s oil. Yes, you could do it yourself, but I’m willing to spend a few bucks and pay an expert to do it regularly rather than bother with it.
Again, I’ve been saving about $80-$100 per month compared to my previous bill, so their service is definitely worth the price.
Power to choose is a scam site that offers electric provider, middleman, and short-term teaser rate plans. They assume you’ll forget to cancel when the teaser rate expires.
https://www.energyogre.com/energy-ogre-vs-power-to-choose
Rev_Turd_Ferguson@reddit
You probably have an electric heater, and your probably paying in excess of 20. you can sign up for a plan, but it wont get much cheaper because your use is going to small (youre in a small apt). AND the price of electricity is priced to natty gas which is also much higher than has been for some time.
Welcome to Texas,.
IwasIlovedfw@reddit
Had the same plan 5 years ago. Same size apt. You're getting a deal...my bill was $178 each month.
The_Erlenmeyer_Flask@reddit
My friend Norm has asked in the past, "Where do you get your energy?" and I told him Gexa Energy because they have a pretty good plan for 55 and older.
noncongruent@reddit
Reliant is among the more expensive REPs out there. It's who Abbortt sold me to when the grid came back on in February 2021, after he scapegoated Griddy and kicked them out of the state. I never used even a single kWh from Reliant, shut my main breaker off until I could get switched to another company, and those scum kept sending me $50 electric bills anyway. They only stopped when I told them I'd see them in small claims court, basically free for me and $$$ for their legal department. Fuck Reliant. Fuck ERCOT too while I'm at it.
omar_strollin@reddit
What is your cost per kWh?
jw1299@reddit (OP)
0.153 with like a 3.18$ discount lol
Usual-Caregiver5589@reddit
That's a bit high. I'm with reliant right now and getting .09/kwh. With a 3 bedroom house at nearly triple your square footage, I paid $30 more for my February bill.
Tyforde6@reddit
I use reliant as well. $83 for 575kwh the last couple months.
I currently have a rate of 8.2c/kwh (this does not include the fees, all things included I pay about 14 cents per KWH after delivery charges)
It’s best to change providers after each yearly contract. Reliant’s renew offer was robbery like what you’re paying. I canceled my account and my wife opened a new customer account to get the rate we currently have.
If you have a roommate and you’re up for renewal, just have them make an account for the new customer rates. If you’re tied to a contract sometimes you have 60 days to make edits before you’re locked for the year. If it’s after that change period you’ll likely have to pay fee to cancel.
Seems like you signed up for a shitty plan and are just getting screwed
badlyagingmillenial@reddit
$130-140 for 473 kWh is outrageous.
Did you use more during the warm months?
AffectionateKey7126@reddit
You'll have to see what your deferred balance is.
jw1299@reddit (OP)
yeah i owe them like 160$
AffectionateKey7126@reddit
Something really doesn't sound right. You need to look at your past bills and what rate you signed up under.
slowro@reddit
I went with engery orge because I'm too simple to understand all the different rates / options and yada yada on power to choose.
They seem useful? They moved to new plan, bill went down and supposedly they are always checking and if it's cheaper to switch including fee they will swap me over.
Anywho just a suggestion if your eyes glaze over while looking at power to choose.
PumpkinCarvingisFun@reddit
You should be switching every time your contract expires. Because of the exchange, "providers" put a rock bottom rate, often at a loss, so they appear at the top of the list. They are hoping you don't switch so they can increase the price and make up for the loss in the first year.
Longjumping-Egg-7940@reddit
Check choosetexaspower.org. My electricity bill was only 85 last month because I have gas heater. Highest during summer was 350ish for 2800 sq ft
blackicerhythms@reddit
Not an expert, but your usage seems right. How does your bill break down your charges? It should be two main categories: your per kWh rate x your usage. Plus your base delivery fee.
Start with your per kWh rate.
ehandren@reddit
Our ~1400 sq ft apartment with reliant has been $200-250/month and that's even with our heat a/c essentially not running some weeks bc the temp stayed stable in our apartment around 68-69 degrees. If you find a better answer lmk bc we just bought a house and I transferred service bc after looking at everything with other companies, it seems all the companies essentially end up charging you the same even if they claim to give discounts
pacochalk@reddit
That's insanely high. My guess is that your plan has some silly rebate when you use X amount of kwh and you're not hitting that minimum usage to get the rebate.
My advice is to switch to a simple fixed rate plan and avoid these gimmicky rebate plans.
SpoonFed_1@reddit
Champion Energy cut my bills. I used to have Reliant, I hate them.
please check them out, see if that helps