Spark Energy

Company Overview

Here’s the truth about Spark Energy: They’ve been around forever, but that doesn’t mean clean hands.

Spark Energy started in Houston in 1999—26 years of operating in Texas, publicly traded (NASDAQ: VIA), 17-state footprint. Those are real credentials. The company isn’t going anywhere.

But here’s the catch: Spark has nearly 100 BBB complaints and isn’t BBB-accredited. Customer reports mention aggressive door-to-door sales tactics, renewal rates that spike without adequate notice, and cancellation fee surprises. Not everyone has problems—plenty of customers are fine—but the complaint volume is higher than companies like Gexa or Frontier.

The value proposition is real: their flat-rate plans can save money for low-usage customers, and carbon-neutral natural gas is a genuinely unique offering. But Spark requires more homework than most. Read your contract carefully, document renewal terms, and set calendar reminders for when your contract ends.

Where Spark Energy Operates

Spark serves deregulated Texas markets including Houston (their home base), Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin-area communities, Corpus Christi, and regions covered by Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, and TNMP.

They’re also active in 16 other states, making them one of the larger multi-state electricity and natural gas companies.

Plans & Pricing

Fixed-Rate Plans Standard lock-in rates from 6 to 36 months. They offer some interesting variations:

• Traditional fixed rates
• Flat-rate plans that reward lower consumption (you pay the same whether you use a little or a lot—good if your usage is low)
• Plans with no monthly service fees

Variable-Rate Plans Month-to-month options with rates that fluctuate based on market conditions.

Green Energy 100% renewable electricity options plus carbon-neutral natural gas. The dual green offering (electricity and gas) is somewhat unique.

What They Don’t Offer:

• Prepaid plans
• Free nights/weekends
• Time-of-use pricing
• Rewards programs

Deposits & Credit

Spark runs credit checks for enrollment. Good credit means no deposit. Otherwise, you’ll likely need to put money down or provide documentation from a previous electricity company.

Standard Texas rules apply: deposits earn interest and are refundable after 12 months of on-time payments.

No prepaid alternative means credit-challenged customers need to look elsewhere.

Customer Service

This is where Spark gets complicated. Their service quality is genuinely mixed.

The good:

• 26 years in business—they know electricity
• 2,000+ Google reviews with a decent aggregate rating
• Online and phone support available
• Publicly traded company with financial transparency

The serious catch:

• Not accredited by the Better Business Bureau
• Nearly 100 BBB complaints and alerts about sales tactics
• Some customers report steep cancellation fees and unresponsive service
• Reports of renewal rates jumping significantly without adequate notice
• Persistent phone sales calls reported by non-customers

The Verdict

Spark Energy is a veteran company with baggage. 26 years in Texas means they’re not a fly-by-night operation, and their flat-rate plans offer genuine value for low-usage customers. The dual electricity and natural gas service is convenient if you need both.

But the BBB complaints and sales tactic concerns are real. Some customers have great experiences; others report feeling misled or pressured. That’s a wider variance than you’ll see with companies like TXU or Reliant.

If you’re considering Spark:

• Read your contract carefully, especially renewal terms
• Document everything
• Set calendar reminders for contract expiration (renewal rates may spike)
• Know the cancellation policy before you sign

For customers who do their homework and read the fine print, Spark can work fine. For anyone who prefers a “set it and forget it” electricity relationship, the complaint history suggests looking at companies with cleaner track records.