Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Carter Gaddis is a senior writer at USA TODAY Homefront. He is an experienced journalist who has written about roofing, sunrooms, title insurance and other home service topics. Carter has contributed to the TODAY SHOW parenting section, CBS SPORTS and ESPN, among other publications. He lives with his family in Central Florida, where he spends most weekends at theme parks or watching English soccer on TV.
Gexa Energy is a retail electricity provider (REP) that serves every deregulated energy market in Texas. Since its inception in 2002, Gexa has focused on providing renewable energy options for its customers.
Its commitment to renewable energy sources, variety of plan choices and competitive pricing give Gexa Energy a place among the leading REPs in Texas.
About Gexa Energy
Gexa is one of the few Texas electric companies that claims all of its electricity plans are based on 100% renewable energy. Its parent company, NextEra Energy Resources, says it owns solar production facilities in 29 U.S. states — and has 119 wind farms in the U.S. and Canada.
Gexa claims its electricity plans are powered by 100% renewable energy, made possible by its purchase of renewable energy certificates to offset customers’ electricity use. It also offers what it calls “end-to-end rooftop solar solutions,” which entail installing solar panels on your home.
In addition, Gexa offers three charging plans for electric vehicle owners, provides smart thermostats to monitor and manage electricity use, and offers a Green Energy Rewards program that allows customers to earn bill credits based on the amount of energy saved.
Another unique feature Gexa offers is its Happiness Guarantee. Within 60 days of the start of your Gexa contract, you can change to a different Gexa plan with no fees or penalties.
While Gexa Energy is not the only electric company in Texas that focuses heavily on renewable energy, its variety of plan choices and green energy resources make it an attractive option for consumers whose buying decisions are driven by a desire to protect the environment and conserve energy.
Gexa offers 18 distinct plans, all with pricing based on 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of usage per month. Its pricing per kWh for some of its plans is among the most affordable we’ve found. This is particularly true for its plans with 500 to 1000 kWh usage, which range from 10.9 to 19.6 cents per kWh.
Gexa also offers one of the lowest per-kWh prices, 8.2 cents, with the 500 kWh usage version of its Gexa Battery Benefits 12 plan. This plan includes an account credit for excess energy exported to the grid from your home’s storage battery.
Based on our Homefront rating methodology, Gexa Energy scores better than the average provider. However, publicly available consumer ratings on review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot highlight Gexa’s difficulty matching other top-rated Texas electric companies when it comes to reputation.
That said, Gexa’s strong focus on renewable energy programs places it near the top regarding green energy considerations.
Below, you can compare top Texas REPs based on our ratings, their Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) complaint scorecard ratings and their BBB ratings.
Gexa Energy earned a slightly above-average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars per our review standards. Compared with the 16 prominent Texas electric companies we’ve reviewed, Gexa fared particularly well with its plan selection — where it stumbled a bit was its reputation. This can be attributed to its BBB rating of C and PUCT scorecard rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
The PUCT rating is based on the ratio of consumer complaints the agency receives about the company; the PUCT updates its consumer complaint ratings on a six-month rolling basis.
The chart below shows how Gexa stacks up against other top Texas electricity providers regarding our review categories.
In Texas, where electricity companies compete for your business, consumers have many choices for plans and rates. Here is an overview of the plan types typically available to customers:
Most of Gexa’s electricity plans feature fixed rates, and most of its named plans are available with 12- and 24-month terms.
Here are a few examples of electricity plans Gexa Energy offers to customers living in Dallas’ most-populated ZIP code — 75217. The listed rates are current as of May 9, 2024, and reflect 1,000 kWh usage per month.
Gexa, like every Texas electric company, charges a different rate for different levels of electricity use. While electricity rates can differ depending on your ZIP code, most rates are determined by the transmission and distribution utility (TDU) that oversees the power infrastructure in your area.
For example, Oncor Energy manages the power grid in Dallas–Arlington–Fort Worth. This means that customers who live in the Metroplex are affected by how much Gexa or another electric company pays Oncor. This, in turn, influences the rates consumers are charged.
The table below shows Gexa Energy’s rate ranges for 500-, 1,000 and 2,000-kWh plans in Texas’ 20 largest deregulated energy markets. Note that the best rates reflect plans that feature solar buybacks and stored energy bill credits.
Based on publicly available reviews and PUCT ratings, Gexa Energy’s reputation with consumers is a concern. Reputation is the one area where Gexa falls short compared with its major competitors — prominent Texas electric companies such as Green Mountain, Reliant Energy and TXU Energy.
As mentioned, Gexa Energy receives several critical customer reviews on consumer review sites such as BBB and Trustpilot. It also receives a relatively high number of consumer complaints through the PUCT’s consumer complaints site.
Gexa’s BBB page includes an alert that cites “an emerging pattern of complaints/reviews which included billing and customer service issues” starting in early 2022. That said, Gexa holds a BBB customer rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, indicating that its BBB customer reviews have been favorable overall.
Since April 2023, consumers have left 30 BBB reviews, all of which rated Gexa 1 out of 5 stars. Many unfavorable reviews were answered by a Gexa Energy representative seeking to clear up the issue.
Most unfavorable reviews during the past year relate to unexpectedly high monthly electric bills. In a 1-star review posted in October 2023, Maria A. wrote that she switched to Gexa after agreeing to a rate of 10.3 cents per kWh for 1,000 kWh usage, but her first monthly bill was almost $358. A customer service rep then informed her that the originally cited rate was an “average” and that she was actually billed 18.57 cents per kWh. The rep said Gexa even included a $125 credit, indicating the original bill was nearing $500.
The biggest difference between consumers who want to switch between deregulated electric companies and those new to deregulated energy is familiarity with the process, contract language and industry terms.
If you are a new deregulated energy customer in Texas, you should know that many electric companies require you to use a minimum amount of electricity each month. Some charge a fee if your usage falls short of that predetermined minimum.
When an electricity contract expires, some companies automatically renew every month. This can affect your rate, so familiarize yourself with renewal policies.
Most Texas electric companies charge an early cancellation fee — also called an early termination fee — if you decide to switch companies before the end of your contract.
Some electric companies require a security deposit, sometimes spread out in payments over time and almost always refundable. Providers might waive the deposit if your credit history is favorable. However, an electric company might require an upfront deposit paid in full if your payment history is inconsistent.
As you shop for electricity plans in Texas, consider the following factors.
The cost for every plan is based on the rate per kWh. Residential energy costs in Texas hovered around 14.3 cents per kWh in April 2024, according to the Energy Information Administration. A fixed-rate plan locks in your rate for a specific time period, while a flexible rate can change monthly. Plan rates are often presented based on anticipated monthly usage (500 kWh, 1,000 kWh or 2,000 kWh).
The most prominent companies offer various plans that differ by factors such as rate, length and renewable energy options. Some plans include special coverage, such as AC and heating. Others include a smart thermostat or backup power options.
Gexa Energy offers a nice range of 18 plans. Plans vary by length, optional features, promised bill credits or factors such as the percentage of renewable energy used. All of Gexa’s plans promise 100% renewable energy sources.
Online review sites usually reflect a vocal minority. After all, when was the last time you left a favorable BBB review about your electric company? That said, it helps to look for patterns in unfavorable public reviews. For example, if you see a lot of customer service complaints, ask a representative about it.
While the electric company you select naturally influences your monthly bill, your geographic location is also a big factor. Every REP buys its power from the local TDU, and prices charged by TDUs are fairly consistent across REPs.
For example, Gexa Energy’s rates in Dallas are influenced by the delivery charges levied by Oncor Energy. By contrast, Gexa’s rates in Houston are influenced by what the company pays that local TDU, CenterPoint Energy.
Your location’s TDU can be found on the electricity facts label (EFL) associated with your electricity plan.
The chart below shows average electricity rates per kWh for 20 Texas cities.
All electric companies must provide an EFL with every plan description they offer customers. The EFL is a legal document, normally presented in PDF format online, that discloses details about the plan’s price, features, requirements and restrictions.
Sections in Gexa Energy’s EFL:
Switching to a new electric company in Texas is as simple as following the steps you took when deciding on your current electricity provider and plan. If you decide to make a change, be aware that your current company might charge you an early termination fee.
Here are the steps to take when you want to switch to a new electric company:
Find the website for a retail provider that interests you. Examples can be found in our top-rated providers chart at the top of the page. Most companies provide an online form that allows you to enter your ZIP code, producing a list of the company's energy plans. Type in your ZIP code and read through the plans.
You’ll also get additional information about each plan, including the contract length, changes in cost by electricity usage, the provider’s customer rating, the cancellation fee, rate type (fixed, variable or prepaid) and the percentage of your energy that will come from renewable sources such as wind or solar.
If you find a plan that appeals to you, move on to the details. Many plans offer tiered pricing — usually lower per kWh if you use more energy. Rate tiers are often capped at thresholds of 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh per month.
Check your current electric bill for your average monthly energy usage, then use that to estimate your monthly kWh usage. The price can change based on your estimated consumption.
Once you find a plan you like, you can generally sign up immediately by providing your address and payment method. At this point, you’ll be able to initiate service.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas provides a form that allows consumers to file official complaints directly to the commission. The PUCT asks that consumers contact their electric companies to seek a resolution before filing a complaint.
Yes — if you are moving to a home in the same service area as your former home. If you are moving to another delivery area, you must sign a new agreement. You might be charged an early termination fee, as well.
During extreme weather events, such as deep freezes or heatwaves, PUCT consumer protection rules prohibit providers from shutting off the power because of nonpayment. For example, a winter moratorium is triggered if a customer’s local temperature is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for 48 hours.
Gexa Energy is known for its commitment to renewable energy, and its 100% renewable plan choices reflect that commitment. It offers something for every consumer who prefers green energy options, including electric vehicle charging deductions and end-to-end solar energy plans.
However, Gexa Energy falls short in public sentiment, particularly regarding customer service. Still, we like Gexa for its renewable energy options and the depth of its plan choices.
We review and rate retail electricity providers in Texas to provide the information you need to select the electric company that fits your budget and home energy needs. The best retail electricity providers offer a variety of plans at reasonable rates, as well as consistent, helpful customer service.
Our ratings are based on our detailed methodology. We score companies out of 100 points using review standards based on the plan types offered, the cost of those plans, the companies’ reputations and the customer service features they offer. We then divide their total scores by 20 to determine a rating out of 5 stars.
BBB, Trustpilot and PUCT customer ratings are accurate as of May 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
Erika Skorstad is an editor for USA TODAY Homefront. She covers topics ranging from home warranties to lawn care. Previously, Erika edited content about venture capital, marketing and cloud computing. She has a BS in professional writing with a minor in interactive narrative. Her fiction has been published in Marathon Literary Review, Levitate Literary Magazine and the Burlington Writers Workshop Cold Lake Anthology. Outside of work, Erika enjoys reading psychological thrillers, doing yoga, going on nature walks and spending time with her sassy black cat, Cassie. She lives in Washington.
If you live in Texas and have seen a rise in your electricity bill, it may be time to switch your energy company. That’s because Texas is one of the 14 states that has deregulated energy — meaning that instead of being locked into a power supplier that is owned and operated by the government,…
Many municipalities in Texas switched to deregulated energy in 2002, giving residents of those areas a choice among electric companies. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages about 90% of the power load for those deregulated regions, accounting for about 26 million Texans. But each Texan can choose their own electric company — also…
TXU Energy is a highly regarded electricity company in Texas, rated 4.7 out of 5 stars based on over 7,000 Google reviews. Positive reviews routinely praise the company for providing a positive customer experience and excellent communication. However, TXU has a price tag to match. According to March 2023 data from the Texas Public Utility…
The variety of Houston electricity plans reflects the spirit of competition that inspired the move to deregulated energy in Texas. But how are Houston residents to know what energy plan is right for them? Most consumers’ main goal is to find the best electricity rates. After all, a lower electric bill was the advantage Texans…
TEST Our editorial team is committed to creating independent and objective content focused on helping our readers make informed decisions. To help support these efforts we receive compensation from companies that advertise with us.
The compensation we receive from these companies may impact how and where products appear on this site. This compensation does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides within our content. We do not include all companies, products or offers that may be available.