Reliant Energy

Company Overview

Here’s the truth about Reliant Energy: You’re paying for TV commercials.

Reliant launched in 2001 when Texas deregulated. They’ve spent 20+ years and hundreds of millions building brand recognition—Texans sponsorships, billboards everywhere, rewards programs, celebrity partnerships. That money comes from somewhere: your monthly bill.

Same grid. Same electricity. Same wires delivering power to your home. The only difference? Reliant charges 15-25% more than smaller companies you’ve never heard of.

Reliant is owned by NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG), a Fortune 500 company. Deep pockets, not going anywhere. NRG also owns Direct Energy and Green Mountain—same parent, different marketing, same playbook: charge more because customers recognize the name.

Like every REP in Texas, Reliant just sells you electricity. Your local utility (Oncor, CenterPoint) delivers it. Reliant doesn’t fix outages—call your utility. So what exactly are you paying extra for? Brand comfort.

Where Reliant Operates

Reliant serves most deregulated areas in Texas, including Houston (their home base), Dallas–Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Corpus Christi, and surrounding areas covered by Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, and TNMP.

Reliant does not serve municipal utility areas like Austin or San Antonio.

Plan Types Offered

Fixed-Rate Plans Standard lock-in rates for 12-36 months. This is what most customers choose.

Variable-Rate Plans Month-to-month with no contract, but rates fluctuate with the market.

Time-of-Use Plans Different rates for peak vs. off-peak hours. Good for customers who can shift usage.

Free Nights / Free Weekends Promotional plans where electricity is free during certain hours. The daytime rate is higher to compensate.

Prepaid (Reliant Flex Pay) Pay-as-you-go with no credit check and no deposit. Higher effective rates but maximum flexibility.

Green Energy Plans 100% renewable options and solar buyback programs for customers with panels.

Reliant Rewards: Worth It?

Reliant loves talking about their rewards program. Here’s the real math:

• Pay your bill on time: ~100 points/month
• Partner discounts: 5-15% at select retailers
• Seasonal promos: Extra points for signing up friends

The truth: If you actively use the rewards (redeem points, shop partners), you can get $50-$100 in value per year. If you forget about it—which most people do—you’re just paying higher rates for nothing.

Don’t pick Reliant because of rewards. Pick them if you want the app and service, and treat rewards as a bonus.

Deposit Requirements

Reliant requires credit checks for standard plans. If your credit doesn’t qualify, options include paying a deposit, providing a letter of credit from a previous provider, or enrolling in Reliant Flex Pay (prepaid).

Customer Service: The Real Story

Reliant invests in customer experience. It shows—but you pay for it.

Worth knowing:

• Their app is legitimately good. Real-time usage, easy bill pay, no crashes
• 24/7 support with reasonable hold times (usually under 15 minutes)
• Online chat actually connects you to humans

The catch:

• They will upsell you. Home security. Nest thermostats. Protection plans. It never stops.
• Renewal offers come early and often—and they’re rarely their best rates
• If your credit is shaky, deposits run $200-$400

Reliant’s tradeoff: Better experience than budget providers, but you’re paying 10-15% more for it. If service matters to you, that might be worth it. If you just want cheap power, look elsewhere.