Reliant Energy vs 4Change Energy

Overview

Does it even matter?

Same wires. Same grid. Same electrons. The electricity flowing through your walls doesn’t care whether you’re paying Reliant or 4Change. Oncor delivers it either way.

Here’s what Reliant doesn’t advertise: Their rates are 10-15% higher than 4Change. That’s $180-$300/year more for identical electricity. Where does that money go? TV commercials, Texans sponsorships, rewards points you’ll forget to redeem, and an app you’ll use twice a year.

4Change skips the marketing circus. They donate to charity instead of stadium naming rights. The electricity works exactly the same.

The advertised rate trap: Both companies quote rates at exactly 1,000 kWh. Use 800 kWh and your effective rate jumps. Use 1,500 kWh and it drops. The headline number is designed to confuse you.

The Price Gap

Let’s start with what matters most to most people: money.

4Change is usually cheaper. Expect to pay 10-15% less for comparable fixed-rate plans.

On a typical Texas home, that’s $15-$25/month savings. Over a year, $180-$300. Real money.

What you’re paying for with Reliant:

• Better app and online tools
• 24/7 customer support
• Rewards program ($50-$100/year if you use it)
• Plan variety (free nights, time-of-use, solar buyback)
• Brand stability and recognition

If you’ll actually use those features, Reliant might break even. If you won’t, you’re just overpaying.

The Rewards Math

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

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

Real value: $50-$100/year if you actively redeem points and shop partners.

The catch: Most people forget about rewards programs. If that’s you, you’re paying Reliant’s premium for nothing.

4Change doesn’t have rewards. They put the savings in the rate instead.

The Charity Question

4Change donates to charity with every plan. You pick the cause—veterans, children’s charities, breast cancer research, animal welfare.

The reality check: The actual donation is tiny. Fractions of a cent per kWh. On a $150 bill, maybe $1-3 goes to charity.

If charitable giving matters to you, here’s better math: pick the cheapest provider (probably 4Change) and donate the $180-$300 you save directly to your cause. You’ll give 10x more.

The charity angle is marketing. Nice, but not a reason to choose a provider.

Customer Experience

This is where Reliant earns its premium.

Reliant:

• Mobile app that actually works—real-time usage, easy bill pay
• 24/7 support with reasonable hold times (usually under 15 minutes)
• Online chat connects to real humans
• Proactive alerts and notifications

4Change:

• Basic website—bill pay works, not much else
• Phone support during business hours only
• Long hold times during peak periods
• Set it and forget it mentality

If you interact with your electricity company regularly, Reliant is better. If you set up autopay and never think about it, 4Change is fine.

Plan Variety

Reliant offers:

• Fixed-rate (12-36 months)
• Variable (month-to-month)
• Free nights/weekends
• Time-of-use
• Prepaid (Reliant Flex Pay)
• Solar buyback for rooftop panels
• Green energy

4Change offers:

• Fixed-rate (3-36 months)
• Variable
• Green energy

If you want specialty plans—free nights, solar buyback, time-of-use—Reliant has options. 4Change keeps it simple.

Company Stability

Reliant is owned by NRG Energy, a Fortune 500 company. Deep pockets, publicly traded, not going anywhere. NRG also owns Direct Energy and Green Mountain.

4Change is owned by Tri-Eagle Energy, part of Just Energy. Just Energy went through bankruptcy in 2021 and has restructured since. They’re operating now, but that history is worth knowing.

If corporate stability matters, Reliant has the edge.

The Upselling Factor

Fair warning about Reliant: They will try to sell you things.

• Home security systems
• Nest thermostats
• Protection plans
• Service bundles

Your inbox will fill up. Renewal offers start months before your contract ends. If aggressive marketing bothers you, Reliant might annoy you.

4Change is quieter. They don’t have much to upsell.

The Verdict

Reliant for features and experience. 4Change for savings.

Choose Reliant if:

• You’ll actually use the rewards program
• A good app and 24/7 support matter to you
• You want specialty plans like free nights or solar buyback
• Corporate stability and brand recognition have value
• You don’t mind paying 10-15% more for the experience

Choose 4Change if:

• Price is your primary concern
• You set up autopay and never call customer service
• The charity angle genuinely appeals to you (even if the donation is small)
• You want simple fixed-rate service without complexity
• You’re comfortable with a smaller company

The honest take: Most people should probably choose 4Change. The Reliant premium only makes sense if you actively use rewards and value the app/support. If you’re a set-it-and-forget-it customer, you’re just paying $200/year extra for features you don’t use.

Related Pages

Company Profiles

• Reliant Energy
• 4Change Energy

Best-For Categories

• Best Cheap Electricity — 4Change ranks among budget leaders
• Best Customer Service — Reliant ranks high for app and support
• Best Green Energy — Both offer 100% renewable options
• Best for Large Homes — Reliant’s specialty plans work for high usage

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