Comparing the Best Energy Companies in Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville electric rates are low, but there are still ways to save on your electric rates. In this article, we will explore the Brownsville energy market, the average residential electric rate, how energy price is affected by different factors, and overall, how you can reduce your spending on utilities, irrelevant of your lifestyle and home size. Even if you are a business owner looking to move to Brownsville, there are always ways to save and invest in your future. 

Brownsville Electricity Rates

Average Brownsville power rates revolve around $0.12 per kWh. This is relatively low, compared to the Texas average electric rate of $0.1418, and the national average of $0.1547. If you live in Brownsville, the odds are that you are already saving on your monthly bill. However, considering that the lowest rate we could find is just above $0.09 per kWh, there is still some space to save. Here are the top 20 most popular electric plans in Brownsville, TX: 

Average Electric Bill in Brownsville, Texas

The average electric bill in Brownsville, TX is around $180. With the average rate of $0.12 per kWH, this translates to some 1,200 kWh that an average resident consumes. This is more than the average US residential energy use that an average person can consume, but this is easy to understand if we compare home sizes: 

The average home size in the US is just above 2,000 square feet. In Texas, the average home size is around 10% higher – 2,170 square feet. This means that an average Texan already uses around 10% more power for lights and HVAC. Add to this the extremely hot summers, and you’ve got yourself the reason your Brownsville energy bill is higher than the national average, despite the lower electric rate. Here, we will help you choose an energy provider, and better understand how to account for energy prices. We will also explore the electric companies, utilities, energy plans, and whether switching is worth it or not. 

Brownsville Electric Companies

There are well over a dozen power companies working in Brownsville. The electric companies working in the area all compete for their customers because they know that switching is easy and that customers are not easy to keep. Most of these companies will assist you with the switch, will offer low early termination fees, and will send you a decent monthly bill, especially if you are on a fixed-rate energy bill. The biggest advantage of a deregulated energy market is all the competition. Here are the most popular energy providers working in Brownsville: 

• 4Change Energy,
• Amigo Energy,
• Cirro Energy,
• Constellation,
• Direct Energy,
• Discount Power,
• Flagship Power,
• Frontier Utilities,
• Gexa Energy,
• Green Mountain,
• Just Energy,
• New Power Texas,
• Payless Power,
• Pulse Power,
• Reliant,
• TXU Energy, and 
• Tara Energy.

Factors That Affect Electricity Rates

Your electricity bill in large part depends on the current electricity rates, especially if you are on a variable-rate plan. With this in mind, you may start wondering why Brownsville electricity rates differ so much from one electricity provider to the next. Well, the situation is not as simple as it may first seem. In fact, the electric rates that your energy provider pays change several times a day, depending on several factors. These factors are: 

• Fuels, 
• Power plans prices, 
• Transmission and distribution area system, 
• Area regulations, and 
• Weather conditions. 

Each of these factors then depends on another set of factors, all of which can influence the price of electricity you pay as an end consumer. As a lot of the factors and conditions are difficult to predict, it is always a good idea to stick to a fixed-rate plan and secure the electricity price you will be paying. This is the right energy plan type because it allows you to lock in a low rate of electricity for the contract terms. The electricity rates you will be paying will not be subject to unreasonable sways in energy prices. Let’s now consider each of the factors that affect energy rates in more detail. 

Fuels

Every power plant out there uses some kind of fuel to power its turbines and produce electricity. These plants can use coal, oil, and natural gas. Some ecological power plants use biomass, and residential waste (in energy-recovery plants), and it is speculated that in the near future, we could even see combinations, such as solar and hydrogen power plants, or both electricity and heat recovery power plants. Whatever type of plant may be operating in your area, it is good to know that Brownsville energy rates are impacted by the pricing of these energy sources, as even the best electricity plan will include some form of non-renewable energy. 

Geopolitical situations, supply chain disruptions, local weather events, and many more factors can influence energy source delivery and significantly impact both the availability of electricity and its price. In fact, the Texas Blackout of 2021 was a result of a complex interplay of these factors: snow made coal and oil delivery difficult, while the subfreezing temperatures froze natural gas in pipes. The only remaining electricity sources were renewable energy sources, primarily wind turbines, but they simply could not take over the supply of the entire state. 

Power Plant Prices

All fuels are burned in power plants to produce electricity. This is true irrelevant of the type of fuel used. All these plants cost a lot to build and run, maintain, and oversee. The power plants built today cost hundreds of millions of dollars. They will, however, securely produce electricity for the next 40 years at a minimum. This is a good thing to know, as the entire cost of both their building and operation will be spread out over a 40-year period and will be divided among millions of Brownsville residents. Still, it is good to know that power plant prices represent a portion of your energy bill. 

Transmission and Distribution Area System

The local transmission and distribution area system also has a say in the electricity prices you will be paying on your electricity bill every month. These costs are directly related to the grid and its operation, control, maintenance, and modernization. These operations are necessary to ensure a reliable and punctual service with as little downtime as possible. 

The operation of the grid is a backstage operation. It includes overseeing, and controlling different energy generators and monitoring energy usage over a wide area to ensure that there is always just enough electricity in the grid to satisfy all the needs. A bit less, and generators pop their breakers. A little too much electricity in the grid, and the breakers in your home pop. It is a constant balancing game. 

Maintenance of the grid means repairing all the fallen power poles, snapped power lines, used-up transformers, and all else that is needed to keep the grid operating smoothly. Think of it as cleaning your home: it is a complex job and it requires constant work. Finally, modernization of the grid means expanding the grid and its capacity to accommodate the changing needs of Brownsville residents. It also means changing regular, outdated, energy meters for smart meters and enabling customers free energy advising, audits, and 24/7 customer and maintenance service. 

Area Regulations

The local area regulations are also an important factor to consider when trying to understand Brownsville energy prices. These regulations oversee the energy market, to ensure fair game and high-quality service. This means that not everyone will be able to be an electricity provider and that they will not be able to charge you whatever rates they want, which is an important factor to consider for all the customers on variable-rate plans. The electricity rates are kept in check by regulatory bodies, but they cost to have and do their job. 

Weather Conditions

Last, but not least, the local weather conditions also have an important role in how high the Brownsville electric rates will be. The electricity rate you pay is in general determined by the energy supply and energy demand. In both these cases, the local weather conditions have a say. Energy usage rises during the weather extremes, both hot and cold – this is most obvious during the cold winter days and hot summer days. 

In these cases, Brownsville residents crank up their HVAC systems to ensure their homes are kept at a reasonable temperature all day long. This, in turn, causes the demand for electricity to skyrocket, leaving the entire system vulnerable to increasing prices. For this reason, the electricity prices are at their lowest (and this is also the best time to purchase a new energy plan) during the spring and the autumn time. In addition to mild temperatures, high precipitation rates can also influence energy production, by allowing more water to pass over turbines in hydro dams. 

This intermittency phenomenon can also be seen with renewable energy sources: solar, wind, and tidal energy. In all these cases, there is a strong intermittency that can reduce or increase your local electricity rate. Sunny days, with a lot of wind and waves on the shore, are known to produce more renewable energy than overcast, calm days, and calm seas. Your electricity plans will reflect this change. 

Types of Electricity Plans in Brownsville

All the factors that affect Brownsville electricity rates are not the only reason you can see such a diversity of energy prices on Electricrate. Namely, the type of plan you are considering purchasing also has a big say in how much you will be paying for your electricity. Since there are several types of energy plans, each with its own pros and cons, let’s consider them all in more detail. Here are the basic types of energy plans: 

• Fixed-rate plans, 
• Variable-rate plans, 
• Prepaid energy plans (no deposit energy plans), 
• Business energy plans (commercial energy plans), and 
• Green energy plans (or renewable energy plans). 

Fixed-Rate Plans

Fixed-rate plans are our favorite kind. These plans are usually priced slightly above some other types of plans, but for a cent or so more per kWh, they offer you peace of mind of knowing that your electric rates are locked in for the duration of the contract term. This means that you will always be paying the same for electricity and will not have the negative experience of getting energy bills that are much higher than usual, especially during the winter time. 

The thing with rates that are locked in is that they provide extra security against all the factors that could affect the electricity rates. They do cost a bit extra, but this extra is well worth knowing that you will never receive a $17,000 electricity bill unless you yourself decide to heat an Olympic pool of water. You can sign these contracts for a maximum period of 5 years. 

Variable-Rate Plans

Variable-rate plans are a common type of plan that is purchased, although we do not recommend them. These plans offer much lower energy rates, especially during the autumn and spring seasons. However, an important thing to consider here is that this type of energy plan also comes with much higher energy rates during the winter and the summer seasons, when your energy use will normally be much higher. That being said, it is important to note that the price increase during the winter period can mean that you pay more money than you can save during spring and autumn. 

So, all in all, variable-rate plans mean that you will have to consider the price fluctuations which have a seasonal character and are difficult to predict. Also, you will be able to save money on your electricity bill during spring and autumn but will have a higher bill to take care of during the summer and the winter. This may work for some people, while others may find this to be too much of a hassle. Whatever your case may be, we do not recommend this type of energy plan. 

Prepaid Energy Plans

Prepaid energy plans are also known as no-deposit energy plans or no-credit check energy plans. They offer electricity at somewhat higher prices per kWh and are very likely to be much costlier in the long run, when compared to fixed or variable plans. The electricity rates, however, are cheaper for a variety of reasons, such as no credit check, no deposit, and no contract term. They are a perfect solution for all those looking for ways to avoid a long contract term, especially as you may have to move soon or may not live in your Brownsville residence all year long. 

Business Energy Plans

Business or commercial energy plans are offered to all business owners in the area. These plans include electricity at much lower per kWh rates than conventional, residential, energy plans. They also provide a lot of security for businesses in the area and are likely to provide a means of cheaper operations and more competitiveness on the market, whatever industry you may be in. 

In reality, these plans are one of the best ways there is to secure a stable electricity supply to your Texas business. As most energy providers avoid placing their commercial energy pricing on their websites, you will have to contact the energy providers working in your area, to see what their custom rates are. This way, you will also have a chance to inquire about any freebies, such as free energy audits, consultations, your personal energy advisor, etc. 

Green Energy Plans

Green energy plans are the type of energy plan that is gaining in popularity the fastest. This type of energy plan provides electricity from renewable energy sources, such as nearby hydropower plants, solar panel farms, wind turbine farms, etc. Wherever the energy may be coming from, you will always have access to it and will be able to reduce your carbon footprint, regardless of your home size or your electricity service. 

Green energy plans also help mitigate climate change and its negative impacts on your neighborhood. In fact, there are two ways switching to a green electricity plan can help you mitigate climate change: by sourcing the electricity from renewable energy sources, or by purchasing RECs (Renewable Energy Credits). Both ways, the money ends up in the hands of those who take care of nature. 

Time-of-Use Tariffs

Time-of-Use tariffs or energy plans offer cheap or free electricity during a certain part of the week or the day. Typically, with a plan like this, you will pay less or even at night for electricity consumed during a certain part of the day. This way, you can save hundreds every year by: 

• Running your dishwasher at night, 
• Doing your laundry during weekends, if your plan also means having free electricity during weekends, 
• Installing timers on electricity-operated major appliances, and
• Using a slow cooker. 

These energy plans are the next best thing to having a good old fixed-energy plan, and can only be topped by installing your own solar panels on the roof. 

Energy Deregulation in Texas

Texas was the first state to introduce energy deregulation back in 2002. This meant that the customers could choose their provider among many energy companies that have entered the market. Energy deregulation is a long process that provides Brownsville residents with plenty of chances to choose energy providers and to choose the energy rates and solutions according to their needs. 

The energy deregulation meant that Brownsville electric rates went down and that the electric rates were now available with freebies and other incentives that may not have been available before. It also increased competition in the area, so that the residents can now enjoy many other perks, such as better customer service, a better overview of how much energy they consume, online payments solutions, freebies, and other solutions that providers have come up with in the search for a better service to offer. 

How To Find the Best Energy Plan?

The best electricity plan for your household will help you reduce electricity bills even if your electricity usage stays the same. The thing with choosing the best plan is that all electricity providers offer different options and Brownsville electric rates. Choosing the plan that will help you save money through your electricity rate is not as simple as choosing a new plan with the absolute lowest electric rate, especially as you may overpay the fixed part of your energy bill, leading to a higher utility bill despite a lower rate. Still, here are some tips which will help you choose the best electric plan for your household: 

• Analyze your current energy usage – knowing your energy needs, both month-per-month and yearly will help choose the right tier, 
• Analyze your energy habits – as this will help you better estimate the type of energy plan you may need, 
• Review your current contract and the plan. Pay special attention to the energy rate, and try to see what your NOMINAL (stated), and EFFECTIVE (with the fixed expenses included) energy rate is. 
• Use Electricrate – simply enter your ZIP code in Brownsville, and start browsing energy plans. Advanced filter options will allow you to choose a specific type of plan, contract term, and other characteristics that you would like to see, 
• Compare energy plans, and choose the best option for you and your family. 

How To Switch Your Electricity Provider?

So, once you have the electricity rates that you would be comfortable paying and once you understand how much energy you spend in a month, it may be the best moment to contact your old energy provider and see if they can match the offer that the new provider has for you. In this case, you should be open to negotiation and know that offers of this kind are best made close to the end of your existing contract term. In case your old provider cannot match the offer made by the potential new provider, you should contact the new provider. 

They will usually be able to make the switch with just a few pieces of information. In general, you should provide information about the desired energy plan, your energy usage, and your current customer number. Your address, the ZIP code, and some more information may be required, but they are mostly reflected on your last energy bill. After this, it is going to be easy to switch, and you will have to do virtually nothing – in most cases, a single phone call is enough. To avoid any energy scams, you should avoid getting new contracts and a new utility bills from travel agents, as everything is done online nowadays. 

FAQs

Conclusion

When trying to choose your energy provider in Brownsville, TX, you should know that there are ways to save. There is over a dozen electric companies working in the area, so choosing the right one and switching to them can be a hassle. For this reason, we’ve made this guide, where we explained energy plan types, energy sources, and factors that affect energy rates, so that you could make an informed decision when you shop for your next plan. 

Updated on 09-12-23