Compare Utility Providers in Houston, TX

Top 11 Internet Providers in Houston

*Not all internet providers and speeds available in all areas.

Best Electric Providers in Houston

Best Natural Gas Providers in Houston

Solar Providers in Houston

Water & Sewage Providers in Houston

Top 24 Trash and Recycling Providers in Houston

Utilities Summary for Houston, TX

Electric Companies:	45
Natural Gas Companies:	1
Water & Sewage Providers:	48
Garbage, Trash & Recycling Providers:	24
Municipal Electricity:	No

How to Set Up Utilities in Houston: Electricity, Water, Gas & Internet

As the fourth-largest city in the United States, Houston is a vibrant metropolis known for its diverse culture, thriving arts scene, and status as the energy capital of the world. Whether you’re moving into a new home or considering switching utility providers, understanding the local services is essential. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate electric, natural gas, water, trash, and internet services in Houston.

Electricity Services

In Texas, the electricity market is deregulated, giving consumers the power to choose their electricity provider. While CenterPoint Energy manages the transmission and distribution of electricity in Houston, numerous Retail Electric Providers (REPs) offer various plans to suit your needs.

Key Considerations When Choosing an Electricity Provider

• Rate Plans: Compare fixed-rate and variable-rate plans. Fixed-rate plans offer price stability, while variable-rate plans can fluctuate with the market.
• Contract Terms: Review the length of contracts and any early termination fees.
• Renewable Energy Options: Some providers offer plans that source electricity from renewable energy, supporting environmental sustainability.

5 Best Retail Electric Providers in Houston

#1 4Change Energy: Best Overall Value

Why we ranked it here: 4Change continued to post market-leading sub-11¢/kWh options in October (especially on longer terms) while keeping plans relatively clean and predictable. The trust signals stay solid, and the pro-rated ETF ($20 per remaining month) remains one of the most consumer-friendly terms in Houston.

If you want low, steady pricing without bill-credit guesswork, 4Change is still the most “set-and-forget” pick. You won’t get every perk the big brands tout, but you do get straightforward EFLs, stable bills, and fewer “gotchas”, which is what most households need.

#2 APG&E

Why we ranked it here: Through October, APG&E wasn’t always the day’s absolute cheapest like earlier snapshots, but it routinely hovered near the low end with competitive fixed-rate offers. The trade-off is a more traditional flat ETF (typically $150–$350 by term) and some variability in service feedback.

APG&E is a strong choice for shoppers focused on grabbing a good price right now and who will calendar their renewal. Read the EFL closely, pick a term that fits your horizon, and you can reliably land a below-average all-in rate.

#3 TriEagle Energy

Why we ranked it here: TriEagle’s value proposition didn’t change in October, plain fixed-rate plans, pro-rated ETF ($20 per remaining month), and a reputation for easier-to-understand bills. Pricing generally sits above the deepest discounters, but you’re paying for predictability and simple terms rather than chasing usage bands.

If you’d rather avoid bill-credit mechanics altogether, TriEagle is a great fit. It’s especially good for households whose usage varies and don’t want to obsess over hitting an exact kWh target to unlock a monthly credit.

#4 Reliant Energy

Why we ranked it here: October didn’t change the core calculus, excellent digital tools and support, strong brand stability, and wide availability, just at premium pricing versus discounters. Typical fixed plans use flat ETFs (often up to ~$295), so check your EFL before you commit.

Pick Reliant when a polished app, easier phone support, and same-day setup options matter more than squeezing every penny from your kWh. For many households that value a smooth experience, the premium can be worth it.

#5 TXU Energy

Why we ranked it here: TXU keeps a broad menu, including unique plan flavors and some $0-ETF month-to-month flexibility, but overall pricing remained premium-tier through October. Customer-review averages are mixed, so this is a features/brand buy, not a rock-bottom-rate play.

If you want a well-known provider with extras and you don’t mind paying more per kWh, TXU stays a reasonable pick. For pure bill savings, look to the top three on this list.

Why Trust Our Rankings

We built this list by pairing hard numbers with real-world signals and then cross-checking everything for clarity. Our ratings focus on CenterPoint (Houston) plans, last updated September 2025, using a standardized 1,000 kWh benchmark so you can compare apples-to-apples. We reviewed 20+ reputable sources (provider EFLs/ToS, BBB pages, independent plan trackers, and editorial roundups), read ~3,300 consumer reviews across major third-party sites, and sampled recent Reddit/forum threads to validate on-the-ground experiences and common “gotchas.”

In short, we reward providers that combine consistently competitive, non-gimmicky pricing with strong customer-satisfaction signals, clean BBB status, and consumer-friendly fees (we favor pro-rated ETFs over large flat penalties). We also open the EFLs, not just marketing pages, to verify base charges, bill-credit conditions, and how the average price shifts at 500/1,000/2,000 kWh. Pricing power matters, but transparency and predictable bills matter too.

See our full methodology for ranking REPs

Energy Efficiency Rebates

CenterPoint Energy offers energy efficiency programs, including rebates for energy-efficient appliances, home energy assessments, and incentives for upgrading to efficient heating and cooling systems.

• Appliance Rebates: Rebates are available for purchasing energy-efficient electric and natural gas appliances, such as smart thermostats, LED lighting, water heaters and furnaces.
• Home Energy Audits: CenterPoint offers assessments to identify opportunities for energy savings in your home.
• Online Marketplace: Save on energy efficient upgrades with Centerpoint’s Online Marketplace

Natural Gas Services

CenterPoint Energy is also the primary provider of natural gas services in Houston. They deliver natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, ensuring safe and reliable service.

Water and Trash Services

The City of Houston’s Public Works Department manages water and trash services for residents.

Water Services

• Water Quality: Houston’s water meets or exceeds all federal and state standards. The city sources water from rivers and lakes, treating it to ensure safety and quality.
• Conservation Programs: The city offers programs and resources to promote water conservation, including free water-efficient fixtures and irrigation efficiency check.

Trash and Recycling Services

• Solid Waste Management: The City of Houston provides weekly curbside trash pickup and bi-weekly recycling services.
• Bulk Waste Collection: Scheduled pickups are available for large items like furniture and appliances.

Internet Providers

Staying connected is crucial, and Houston offers a variety of internet service providers (ISPs) to meet your needs:

• AT&T Fiber: Provides fiber-optic internet services with high-speed connectivity up to 5 Gbps, ideal for heavy internet users and households with multiple devices. AT&T offers fiber service to nearly two-thirds of the city.
• Xfinity: The most widely available provider in Houston, Xfinity offers cable internet services with a range of speed options suitable for various online activities.
• Verizon 5G Home Internet: Offers wireless 5G home internet with competitive speeds and pricing, providing flexibility without long-term contracts.

Utility Financial Assistance in Houston

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and BakerRipley’s Utility Assistance Program offers low-income and senior residents utility assistance through the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). To qualify for assistance you must be a resident of Texas and have a household gross income of 150% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Assistance is also available from the United Way, by dialing 211 in the Houston area, and the Christian Community Service Center.

Houston Internet Connectivity

Fastest Internet Providers in Houston

Houston Drinking Water Quality Information

Clean drinking water is essential for maintaining good health and overall well-being. Safe, contaminant-free water helps prevent the spread of diseases, supports proper hydration, and ensures the body's vital functions operate smoothly.