Reliant Energy vs Discount Power

Overview

Does it even matter?

Same wires. Same grid. Same electrons. Oncor or CenterPoint delivers the power to your home—not Reliant, not Discount Power. They’re billing companies with different overhead.

Here’s the math Reliant hopes you won’t do: Their rates run 15-20% higher than Discount Power. On a $150 monthly bill, that’s $25-$30 extra. Over a year, $300-360 funding TV commercials, Texans sponsorships, and a rewards program you’ll forget exists.

Discount Power does what the name says. No marketing budget to speak of. No billboards. No stadium deals. Just cheap electricity.

The uncomfortable truth: That polished Reliant app you’ll open twice a year? Those rewards points you’ll never redeem? You’re paying $300/year for features you won’t use. The electricity is identical.

Company Backgrounds

Reliant Energy launched in 2001 and has been building brand recognition ever since. Texans sponsorships. Billboards. Rewards points. Owned by NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG), which also owns Direct Energy and Green Mountain.

Discount Power is owned by US Retailers LLC, which also runs Cirro Energy, Pennywise Power, and a few other brands. Same company, different marketing. In business since the mid-2000s, no corporate parent with deep pockets.

Reliant has Fortune 500 stability. Discount Power is independent but has an 18-year track record.

Plan Variety

Reliant offers everything:

• Fixed-rate (12-36 months)
• Variable rates
• Free nights and weekends plans
• Time-of-use options
• Prepaid (Reliant Flex Pay)
• Green energy and solar buyback

Discount Power keeps it basic:

• Fixed-rate (1-24 months)
• Variable rates
• Prepaid plans

No free nights. No green energy. No specialty plans. Discount Power sells cheap electricity, period.

Deposit Policies

Both run credit checks and both have prepaid alternatives.

Reliant: Credit check required. Deposits range $200-$400 if you don’t qualify. Reliant Flex Pay (prepaid) skips the deposit entirely.

Discount Power: Same structure. Credit check, deposit if needed, or go prepaid to avoid it.

Neither is easier on deposits. If credit is your issue, both have prepaid options that work.

Customer Experience

This is where Reliant justifies its premium.

Reliant:

• 24/7 phone support with reasonable wait times (usually under 15 minutes)
• A mobile app that actually works—real-time usage, easy bill pay
• Reliant Rewards worth $50-$100/year if you use it
• The catch: constant upselling on home security, thermostats, protection plans

Discount Power:

• Phone support exists but expect 30+ minute waits
• Website is functional but dated
• No rewards, no app worth downloading
• The upside: they don’t try to sell you anything

If you’re the type who calls customer service when something goes wrong, Reliant is worth the extra money. If you set up autopay and never think about your electricity company, Discount Power saves you cash you’d otherwise waste.

The Verdict

Reliant for experience. Discount Power for savings.

Choose Reliant if:

• You’ll actually use Reliant Rewards (be honest with yourself)
• You want a good app and real customer support
• Green energy or specialty plans matter to you
• Brand recognition helps you sleep at night
• You’re bundling with home services

Choose Discount Power if:

• Price is your primary factor—everything else is noise
• You set up autopay and forget about your electricity company
• You don’t need green energy or free nights plans
• You’re fine with basic service and longer hold times
• You want prepaid and just need the cheapest option

The honest take: Reliant charges a 10-20% brand premium. On a $150 bill, that’s $15-$30 per month, or $180-$360 per year. Is a good app, rewards you might forget to use, and shorter customer service waits worth $200-$300 annually? For some people, yes. For most, probably not.

If customer service is important, the premium might be worth it. If you just want cheap electricity, Discount Power delivers.

Related Pages

Company Profiles

• Reliant Energy
• Discount Power

Best-For Categories

• Best Cheap Electricity — Discount Power ranked #2 with budget-focused rates
• Best No-Deposit Options — Discount Power ranked #2 with low deposits
• Best Customer Service — Reliant ranked #2 with 24/7 support
• Best for High Usage — Reliant ranked #3 with Power Savings bill credits
• Best for Renters — Reliant ranked #3 for apartment-friendly transfers
• Best for Apartments — Discount Power ranked #2 for budget apartments
• Best Green Energy Companies — Reliant ranked #5 with renewable options
• Best for Large Homes — Reliant ranked #2 for high-usage tiers
• Best for Large Families — Reliant ranked #1 for family-sized plans
• Best for Seniors — Reliant ranked #3 for 24/7 support
• Best Solar Buyback — Reliant ranked #5 with buyback options

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