TXU Energy
The real story on TXU Energy. Big brand, big marketing budget—but are their rates worth it? What they don't advertise about deposits and ETFs.
Company Overview
TXU Energy is the brand your parents probably had. The name goes back to Texas Utilities, and they’ve been around since before deregulation opened up the market in 2002.
Here’s the truth about TXU: they’re owned by Vistra Corp (NYSE: VST), a company worth billions. They’re not going anywhere. But being big and stable doesn’t mean they’re cheap—and they know most Texans recognize their name, so they don’t have to be.
TXU sells you electricity. Your local utility (Oncor, CenterPoint, etc.) delivers it and handles outages. TXU has nothing to do with your power going out—that’s on the utility.
Where TXU Operates
TXU Energy serves most deregulated areas of Texas, including the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, Houston, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Corpus Christi, and surrounding areas covered by Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, and TNMP service territories.
TXU does not operate in regulated cities such as Austin or San Antonio, where municipal utilities control electricity service.
Plan Types Offered
Fixed-Rate Plans Lock in a rate for the contract term. Most popular option. Terms range from 12 to 36 months.
Variable-Rate Plans Rate changes monthly based on market conditions. No long-term contract, but no price protection either.
Indexed Plans Rate tied to a formula (often wholesale price plus an adder). Can be cheaper in mild months, more expensive in extreme weather.
Time-of-Use Plans Different rates for different times of day. Can save money if you shift usage to off-peak hours.
Free Nights / Free Weekends Electricity is free during specific hours, but the base rate is higher. Works well for some usage patterns, badly for others.
Prepaid (TXU Energy Express) Pay-as-you-go. No credit check, no deposit, no contract. Higher effective rates than standard plans.
Deposit Requirements
TXU requires credit checks for most plans. If your credit doesn’t meet their threshold, you may need to pay a deposit or choose a prepaid plan.
Ways to avoid a deposit with TXU include providing a letter of credit from a previous provider (12 months of good payment history), enrolling in TXU Energy Express (prepaid—no deposit required), or setting up AutoPay enrollment (some plans waive deposit with autopay).
Customer Service: The Real Story
TXU’s customer service is actually decent—24/7 phone support that answers, plus online tools that work. For a big company, they’re responsive.
Worth knowing:
- Phone wait times average 5-10 minutes, not the 30+ you’ll get with some budget providers
- Their app works for bill pay and usage tracking
- Live chat is available and usually helpful
The catch:
- They’re aggressive about renewals. Your inbox will fill with “special offers” as your contract ends
- Good luck getting them to match a competitor’s rate—they rarely do
- Deposits run $200-$400 if your credit isn’t great
The tradeoff with TXU: you’re paying for the brand and the service, not the lowest rate.
Good For
- You're staying put for 2-3 years and want rate stability
- Your credit score is 650+ (otherwise, expect a deposit)
- You actually use their 24/7 phone support—it's good
- You want options: free nights, time-of-use, prepaid, green
Avoid If
- You compare rates and pick the cheapest—TXU rarely wins on price
- You're renting and might move in 6 months (ETFs range $150-$295)
- You use under 1,000 kWh/month (their specialty plans can cost more)
- You hate sales calls—they will push renewal offers hard
Company Snapshot
Plan Types
Service Areas
Green Energy Options
Ways to Avoid Deposit
- Letter of credit from previous provider (12 months good payment history)
- Enroll in TXU Energy Express (prepaid)
- AutoPay enrollment (some plans)
Compare TXU Energy vs Other Providers
TXU Energy Rankings
See how TXU Energy stacks up in our category rankings.
24/7 support with 5-minute average call time - highest PUCT rating and 4.9/5 customer service score
20+ years in Texas, 50+ plan types, owned by Vistra (NYSE: VST)
Smart Deal plan with $50 bill credit at 1,200+ kWh, backed by 24/7 customer support
24/7 customer support with $50 bill credit at 1,200+ kWh—reliable choice for busy families
Smart Deal plan rewards high usage with $50 credit at 1,200+ kWh plus reliable 24/7 support
Flex Rewards plan with 3% cash-back loyalty rewards and maximum flexibility
TXU PowerPass prepaid with 24/7 support — pay for the brand reliability
TXU PowerPass prepaid with 24/7 customer support from established brand
Flex Rewards month-to-month plan with no contract, no cancellation fees, and 3% cash-back loyalty rewards.
6:30pm CT cutoff Monday-Saturday, established brand with 24/7 support
Budget billing options, 24/7 phone support, and payment assistance programs
Solar Spree plan offers reliable buyback with major provider backing and 24/7 support
Free Nights & Solar Days plan combines free overnight hours with weekend flexibility
Related Guides
Best Electricity Plans for EV Owners in Texas
Charging an electric vehicle adds 300-500 kWh to your monthly bill. Here's how to find the right plan structure—free nights, time-of-use, or high-usage—to keep your charging costs low.
tipsThe Best Time to Switch Electricity Providers in Texas
Timing your switch wrong can cost you hundreds. Here's when to shop, when to wait, and how to avoid early termination fees.
how-toHow to Read an Electricity Facts Label (The Only Document That Matters)
The Electricity Facts Label shows the real price you'll pay. Here's how to read it, what to look for, and how providers hide costs in the fine print.