Reliant Energy vs Green Mountain Energy
The Verdict
- You want rewards points for paying your electric bill
- You're bundling with smart home or security services
- Green energy is nice-to-have, not a requirement
- You care more about app experience than environmental cred
- You specifically want 100% renewable and will pay extra for it
- You want the company that's been doing green energy longest
- Brand story matters to you—Green Mountain walks the talk
- You don't need rewards programs or bundle deals
Category Breakdown
Reliant's base plans are usually cheaper than Green Mountain
Green Mountain is 100% renewable by default. Reliant sells green as an upgrade.
Both have 24/7 support backed by NRG's infrastructure
Reliant Rewards is real. Green Mountain doesn't do rewards.
Green Mountain has been green since 1997. Reliant added it later.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Reliant Energy | Green Mountain Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | NRG Energy | NRG Energy |
| Years in Texas | 24+ | 27+ |
| 100% Renewable Default | ||
| Green Plan Options | ||
| Fixed-Rate Plans | ||
| Prepaid Options | ||
| Rewards Program | Yes (Reliant Rewards) | No |
| Smart Home Bundles | ||
| Deposit Required | Conditional | Conditional |
| 24/7 Support |
Overview
Why are you comparing these?
Plot twist: NRG owns both. Reliant and Green Mountain are sibling brands from the same Fortune 500 parent. You’re not comparing competitors—you’re comparing NRG’s marketing strategy.
Here’s what they don’t advertise: NRG runs multiple brands to capture different customers. Reliant gets the mainstream crowd with rewards and bundles. Green Mountain gets the environmentalists with 100% renewable since 1997. Same billing system. Same corporate parent. Different branding.
Same grid. Same wires. Same electrons (sort of). You’re choosing which NRG division gets your money.
Company Backgrounds
Reliant Energy launched when Texas deregulated in 2001. Now one of NRG’s flagship brands. Big marketing budget, rewards program, smart home bundles. They sell green plans, but it’s not their identity.
Green Mountain Energy has been 100% renewable since 1997—before Texas even deregulated. NRG bought them in 2010 but kept the brand separate. Every plan is renewable by default.
Same parent company. Same billing system. Same customer service infrastructure. The difference is what you’re buying into.
The Green Energy Question
This is where it matters.
Green Mountain: All plans are 100% renewable. Wind, solar, or a mix. You don’t have to pick a “green option”—it’s just what they sell. They’ve been doing this for almost 30 years.
Reliant: Traditional electricity by default. You can upgrade to a green plan, but it costs more and you have to ask for it. Green is an add-on, not the core product.
If green energy is a checkbox, Reliant works. If green energy is the point, Green Mountain is the obvious choice.
Pricing Reality
Neither wins on price. Both charge premiums—Reliant for the brand and rewards, Green Mountain for the environmental positioning.
Reliant typically runs 10-15% cheaper than Green Mountain for comparable plans. But their cheapest plans aren’t renewable.
Green Mountain charges more because every kilowatt is matched with renewable energy. You’re paying for that. Whether it’s worth it depends on your values.
Budget-conscious? Neither company is for you. Check Gexa or Frontier.
Rewards and Perks
Reliant Rewards is actually useful—free movie tickets, restaurant discounts, points for paying your bill. Most people don’t redeem rewards, but if you will, it’s real value.
Green Mountain doesn’t do rewards. The value proposition is environmental, not transactional. You’re not earning points; you’re supporting renewable energy.
The Verdict
Same parent company. Different priorities.
Choose Reliant if:
- You want rewards for being a customer
- Green energy is nice but not essential
- You’re bundling with smart home or security
- Price matters more than environmental story
Choose Green Mountain if:
- 100% renewable is non-negotiable
- You want a company that’s been green from day one
- You don’t need rewards or bundle deals
- You’re willing to pay the premium for values alignment
The real answer: If you want green energy at a better price, Gexa Energy sells 100% renewable plans cheaper than both.
Related Pages
Company Profiles
Best-For Categories
- Best Green Energy Companies — Green Mountain ranked #1 (100% renewable default), Reliant ranked #5
- Best Customer Service — Both have 24/7 support backed by NRG infrastructure
- Best for High Usage — Reliant ranked #3 with Power Savings bill credits
- Best Month-to-Month Plans — Reliant ranked #2 with clear variable-rate options
- Best for Same-Day Connection — Green Mountain ranked #5 with 5pm cutoff
- Best for Renters — Reliant ranked #3 for apartment-friendly transfers
- Best for Large Homes — Reliant ranked #2 for high-usage tiers
- Best for Large Families — Both featured: Reliant ranked #1, Green Mountain ranked #4
- Best for Small Homes — Green Mountain ranked #3 for simple pricing
- Best for Seniors — Reliant ranked #3 for 24/7 support
- Best Solar Buyback — Both featured: Green Mountain ranked #3, Reliant ranked #5
Related Comparisons
Company Snapshots
Reliant Energy
- Parent Company
- NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG)
- Years in Texas
- 24+
- Headquarters
- Houston, Texas
- Deposit Required
- conditional
Green Mountain Energy
- Parent Company
- NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG)
- Years in Texas
- 27+
- Headquarters
- Austin, Texas
- Deposit Required
- conditional
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Category Rankings
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Why This Page Exists
This page helps you decide between Reliant Energy and Green Mountain Energy based on who they are — not just today's prices. Prices change. Company quality doesn't.