Rhythm Energy
Rhythm Energy is the anti-TXU: transparent pricing, no hidden fees, best-in-class solar buyback. 5 years old—but doing it right.
Company Overview
Here’s the truth about Rhythm Energy: They’re what happens when people who know the industry’s tricks decide to stop using them on customers.
Rhythm launched in 2021, founded by energy industry veterans tired of the games. While TXU buries fees in tiered pricing and Reliant makes you decode their EFLs with a calculator, Rhythm shows you exactly what you’ll pay. Revolutionary? No. Surprisingly rare? Yes.
Five years old is young for an electricity company. TXU has contracts older than Rhythm. But so far, they’re doing it right: transparent pricing, an app that actually works, and solar buyback rates that beat the big names by a significant margin.
The risk is real—they’re venture-backed, not Fortune 500. But if you’re tired of electricity billing that feels designed to confuse you, Rhythm is the smarter alternative.
The Transparency Difference
Most Texas electricity plans advertise one rate, then hit you with delivery charges, fees, and tiered usage games. Rhythm doesn’t play that.
What you see is what you pay: Their advertised rate includes delivery charges and fees. No surprise line items.
Real-time usage in the app: See what you’re using today, not what you used last month. Helpful for catching problems early.
Simple math: No “bill credits at 1,000 kWh” or “base charges that disappear at 2,000 kWh.” Just a rate times your usage.
Solar Buyback Program
This is where Rhythm really stands out. For customers with solar panels, Rhythm offers competitive buyback rates for excess energy sent to the grid. Their solar program is designed to actually benefit homeowners, not just meet regulatory minimums.
Where Rhythm Operates
Rhythm serves deregulated areas of Texas including Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, and regions covered by Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, and TNMP.
Plan Types Offered
Fixed-Rate Plans Transparent lock-in rates from 12-36 months.
Variable-Rate Plans Month-to-month with clear pricing that updates monthly.
Indexed Plans Rates tied to wholesale market prices for customers willing to take on variability.
100% Renewable Plans Green energy options at competitive rates.
Solar Buyback Among the best buyback rates in Texas for solar panel owners.
Deposit Requirements
Rhythm runs credit checks for enrollment. For qualified customers, no deposit is required. AutoPay enrollment can also help customers avoid deposits in some cases.
They don’t currently offer prepaid plans.
The Startup Question
Let’s address the elephant: Can you trust a 5-year-old electricity company?
The case for Rhythm:
- PUCT requires all REPs to meet financial requirements—they wouldn’t have a license otherwise
- Leadership team came from major energy companies, not fresh out of college
- They’ve grown fast while maintaining solid reviews (4.5+ stars on most platforms)
The case against:
- They haven’t survived a major crisis yet
- Venture backing can dry up
- No 20-year track record to point to
Bottom line: Rhythm is probably fine. But if “probably” isn’t good enough, stick with TXU or Reliant.
Customer Service: The Real Story
Rhythm was built for people who prefer apps over phone calls. If that’s you, great. If not, maybe not.
Worth knowing:
- Their app is genuinely excellent—best in class for Texas REPs
- Support is 100% digital (chat, email) with decent response times
- Solar customers get dedicated support that actually understands net metering
The catch:
- No phone support in the traditional sense
- No physical locations—ever
- If you’re not comfortable with digital-first service, you’ll be frustrated
Rhythm is for people who manage their bank accounts on their phone and haven’t called customer service anywhere in years. If you still want to talk to a human when something goes wrong, consider Reliant or TXU.
Good For
- You have solar panels—Rhythm's buyback rates beat most competitors
- You're tired of EFLs that require a math degree to understand
- You actually use apps and want real-time usage data
- You're okay with a newer company if the rates and service are good
Avoid If
- You only trust brands your parents used—Rhythm is 5 years old
- You need prepaid options—they don't have them
- You want a physical office to visit (100% digital)
- Startup uncertainty makes you nervous—they're venture-backed, not Fortune 500
Company Snapshot
Plan Types
Service Areas
Green Energy Options
Ways to Avoid Deposit
- Good credit approval
- AutoPay enrollment
Compare Rhythm Energy vs Other Providers
Rhythm Energy Rankings
See how Rhythm Energy stacks up in our category rankings.
No minimum usage fee - you pay exactly what you use at 500 kWh
Founded 2020, 4.7 Google rating, no hidden fees in their pricing
5-minute phone signup, no minimum usage fees for small apartments
Solar buyback at full retail rate (most pay wholesale, ~60% less)
100% Texas wind, solar buyback at retail rate (not the usual wholesale scam)
Weekly usage alerts and real-time tracking help families manage unpredictable consumption patterns
Transparent variable pricing with renewable energy focus and easy online management
Simple fixed rates at 9.1¢/kWh with 100% renewable energy
Competitive solar buyback rates with transparent pricing and no hidden fees
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