Best Electricity Plans for Apartments in Texas

How much electricity does an apartment in Texas use?

So before you run off and start shopping for electricity plans there are a few things you want to take into consideration and one of those is energy usage. The amount of energy your apartment uses will depend on a few factors:

Apartment size — On average, the smaller your space, the lower your usage. A 1-bedroom apartment (500–750 kWh/month) will likely have a bill under $100, while a 2-bedroom apartment (900–1,100 kWh/month) will typically run $100 or more per month.

Location — Texas weather tends to keep everyone on their toes, but the summers are no joke. Keep in mind your bill will likely be higher in the summer as your HVAC tries to keep up with the high temperatures.

Your apartment building and unit — Do some research or ask the leasing office about your building. Older buildings tend to have older insulation, which can make a real difference in your bill. Also worth asking: does your unit get a lot of direct sunlight? South or west-facing apartments heat up fast in a Texas summer.

Energy-efficient appliances — Ask your leasing office whether the unit's major appliances — HVAC, water heater, and washer/dryer — are Energy Star certified. These appliances make up around 23% of your monthly energy costs, so knowing what you're working with before you sign can help you set realistic expectations for your bill.

What to look for in an apartment electricity plan

Now, when you start shopping, you might get overwhelmed by all the different energy plans out there. Don't fret, we have a few things to look for that will keep you on the right track when shopping for electricity for your apartment.

Contract length — Top of mind should be your contract length. It's best to go with one that aligns with your lease term, for most that would be a 12-month energy plan, perfect for your standard year lease. What if you plan to live in your apartment for a longer or shorter period of time? Don't worry, you can easily find 6–24 month plans from most REPs (retail energy providers, like us). This is also completely up to you; pick the contract length you are most comfortable with, and that aligns with your lifestyle and budget.

Base Charges — Make sure you read the fine print when shopping for plans and avoid plans with base charges or high fees. Instead, look for plans with little to no base charge fees. The fees can add up over time, tacking on $5–$10 to your bill every month.

Minimum Usage plans — This is not to scare you, but minimum usage plans aren't normally what we would suggest to apartment dwellers. They are based on a usage of 1,000 kWh or more, which doesn't make them an ideal fit since most apartments will use less than that during the average billing cycle. They look super enticing because they offer bill credits for using a specific amount of energy every month, but if you don't meet the threshold, you are charged a higher rate for your energy usage, which can leave you with a not-so-happy bill.

Same Day Service — Life gets busy, and sometimes setting up electricity slips through the cracks until the last minute. The good news? Most Texas energy providers offer same-day switching, and so do we. You won't be left in the dark. That said, we always recommend setting up your electricity service 3–5 days before your move-in date just to be safe. The last thing you want after a long moving day is to walk into a dark apartment.

No hidden fees — Beyond base charges, watch out for other fees that can quietly inflate your bill. Things like late payment fees, paper billing fees, or early termination fees (ETFs). If you think there's any chance you might move before your contract ends, pay close attention to the ETF terms before signing.

The Electricity Facts Label (EFL) — Every electricity plan in Texas is required to have an EFL, think of it as the nutrition label for your energy plan. It breaks down your true rate at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 kWh of usage per month. As an apartment renter, always check the 500 kWh column first. That's the number that will closely reflect your actual usage, and it's often very different from the rate advertised on the plan. If a plan looks great at 1,000 kWh but expensive at 500 kWh, it might not be the right fit for your apartment.

What type of electricity plan is best for an apartment?

When it comes to the type of plan you are looking for, much of it depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. For the most part, we recommend the bread and butter of energy plans: the 12-month fixed-rate plan. The reason is that these often have the best rates for most usage tiers, like 500–2,000 kWh. Also, 12 months is the average length of a lease agreement, meaning you don't have to worry about any early termination fees or how to transfer your plan if you are moving.

That said, during your search, you will also come across variable-rate plans or month-to-month plans. These plans are structured to give you different rates based on current market prices. This can work in your favor when prices are low, but it can also be risky if the market fluctuates and prices rise, something that's especially common during the very cold or very hot months when energy usage and costs skyrocket. And as we mentioned above, bill-credit or minimum-usage plans might not be the best fit for an apartment since they're designed for higher-usage households.

Why 100% renewable energy makes sense for apartment renters

Renewable energy plans aren't new, but as someone who lives in an apartment, it can feel like you have limited green options. Renters normally, don't have the option of installing solar panels or heat pumps, but there is one impactful move available to you: choosing a 100% renewable energy plan. These plans source energy from wind and solar, and here in Texas, that means something. Texas is actually the largest wind energy producer in the entire country, so when you choose a green plan here, you're tapping into a genuinely robust renewable energy market.

The best part? It doesn't cost you anything extra to make the switch. At Octopus Energy, all of our plans run on 100% green energy sourced right here in Texas, so you can reduce your footprint without adding anything extra to your monthly bill.

How to set up electricity for your new Texas apartment

After everything we've covered, this is probably the easiest part. There are only a few important steps you need to take to get electricity set up at your new apartment once you have picked the right electricity plan for your apartment.

• Pick your REP like us, and a plan that best fits your needs
• Have your move-in date and zip code ready when you sign up. You can do this online or over the phone for most providers
• Set your start date. We recommend 3–5 days before you move in, so the lights are on when you walk in the door

In the end, keeping a few things in mind will make finding an electricity plan much easier: know your usage, ask your landlord or leasing team questions about your new apartment, and always read the fine print and the EFL. We hope you have a smooth move into your brand-new apartment here in Texas.