Constellation vs Reliant Energy

Overview

Does it even matter?

Same wires. Same grid. Same electrons. Both companies charge premium prices. Neither will save you money compared to Gexa, Frontier, or 4Change.

Here’s what separates them: Reliant spends millions on Texans sponsorships, TV commercials, rewards programs, and smart home bundles. You’re funding all of it.

Constellation barely advertises. They’re Exelon’s retail brand—Fortune 100 backing, nationwide presence, just electricity. No rewards to forget about. No bundles to upsell.

The real question: If you’re paying premium prices anyway, do you want the extras (Reliant) or simplicity (Constellation)? Or should you question why you’re paying a premium at all?

The Marketing Difference

This is really what separates them.

Reliant markets aggressively. You’ve seen the ads. They have a rewards program, an app, partnerships with smart home companies, bundle deals. Being a Reliant customer is supposed to feel like something.

Constellation barely markets. They’re a serious energy company that happens to sell retail electricity. No rewards, no bundles, no lifestyle branding. Just power.

Some people like the extras. Some find them annoying.

Pricing Reality

Neither is cheap.

Both companies charge premium rates because they’re big corporations with overhead. Reliant might be slightly more expensive because you’re funding their marketing and rewards programs.

If price is your priority, neither company is for you. Look at Gexa, Frontier, or 4Change.

Rewards and Perks

Reliant wins by default—Constellation doesn’t compete here.

Reliant Rewards gives you points for paying bills, free movie tickets, restaurant discounts. Worth maybe $50-100/year if you actually redeem them. Most people don’t.

Reliant’s smart home bundles let you package electricity with Nest thermostats, home security, connected devices. Convenient if you want one company for everything.

Constellation offers none of this. Their value proposition is straightforward electricity from a stable company. That’s it.

Customer Service

Reliant has better support infrastructure.

24/7 phone lines, a polished mobile app, multiple contact channels. NRG has invested in customer experience.

Constellation’s support is adequate but not exceptional. Business hours, standard channels, functional but not impressive.

Corporate Stability

Both are rock-solid.

Constellation is backed by Exelon, a Fortune 100 company. They operate nuclear plants and serve millions of customers across America.

Reliant is backed by NRG Energy, a Fortune 500 company. They’re one of the largest power producers in the US.

Either company will be around for decades. This shouldn’t factor into your decision.

Plan Options

Reliant has more variety:

• Fixed-rate plans
• Prepaid electricity
• Time-of-use options
• Green energy upgrades
• Smart home bundles

Constellation keeps it simple:

• Fixed-rate plans
• Some green options

If you want prepaid or specialized plans, Reliant is the only choice here.

The Verdict

Reliant for perks. Constellation for simplicity.

Choose Constellation if:

• You don’t want rewards programs or bundles
• You prefer a lower-profile company
• Straightforward electricity is all you need
• The Exelon backing appeals to you

Choose Reliant if:

• You want rewards for being a customer
• Smart home bundles interest you
• You prefer a polished app experience
• 24/7 support matters to you

The honest take: Both are premium corporate options. Reliant gives you more stuff—whether you want it or not. Constellation is simpler. If you’re paying premium prices anyway, Reliant’s extras might be worth it.

Related Pages

Company Profiles

• Constellation
• Reliant Energy

Best-For Categories

• Best Green Energy Companies — Constellation ranks #2 for actual carbon-free generation
• Best Electricity Companies in Texas — Reliant ranks #2 as NRG’s flagship brand
• Best Customer Service — Reliant ranks #2 with 24/7 support and polished app
• Best for High Usage — Reliant offers competitive rates at 2,000+ kWh
• Best Month-to-Month — Reliant ranks #2 with flexible plans
• Best for Large Families — Reliant ranks #1 with $50 bill credits at 1,000+ kWh

Related Comparisons

• Constellation vs TXU
• Constellation vs Direct Energy
• Reliant vs TXU
• Reliant vs Gexa
• Reliant vs Green Mountain