In Texas, you used to be able to get a special veteran energy rate or active service military electricity discount. Most of those options are no longer available. When you’re working to stretch your budget in military housing or on your retirement pay, we recommend you simply shop for the cheapest electricity rate in Texas
Companies with Electricity Deposit Waiver for Active Military
Chariot Energy offers a deposit waiver for Active military, since moving around may have impacted your credit score. Most providers require a deposit of $250-300 to start service if you have a lower credit score.
With Chariot Energy, you’ll get super competitive rates, and if a deposit is required, they’ll waive that fee. Simply sign up for service with Chariot. If you have a deposit required, email them a copy of your active military ID for a deposit waiver.
Companies That Donate to Support Military Families
Veteran Energy no longer offers a discount for veterans or active military. They have competitive rates, and donate a percentage of their profits to Operation Red Wings Foundation, Texas VFW Foundation, Combined Arms, Paws for Heroes and Fisher House.
Shop Low Cost Electricity Plans Near You
Companies With Discount Electricity for Military and Veterans
There are two other options to consider, neither of which are available through ElectricityPlans.com.
- BKV Energy offers 5% off the energy rate for veterans and active military with proof of service.
- Reliant Energy Hero Plan offers $150 in bill credits ($50 for Veterans Day/November, $50 for Memorial Day/May, and $50 Independence Day/July). You will need to call them at 833-302-3650 for pricing. Bill credit plans typically come with a higher energy charge.
Military Bases in Texas – Areas Where You Have to Shop for Power
If are active or retired military and live near any of these Texas bases, you are in an area with deregulated electricity. That means you need to shop for an electricity provider.
- Fort Cavazos / Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas (Read our full guide on Ft. Hood and Killeen Electricity Shopping)
- Fort Wolters, Mineral Wells, Texas
- Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas
- Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas
- Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas
- Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas
- Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas (Read our full guide on Corpus Christi Electricity Shopping)
- Naval Air Station Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas
- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (Carswell AFB), Fort Worth, Texas
- Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Complex, Grand Prairie, Texas
- Hensley Field, Grand Prairie, Texas
- Camp Bowie, Brownwood, Texas
- Coast Guard Air Station Houston, Houston, Texas
- Coast Guard Sector Field Office Galveston, Galveston Texas
- Coast Guard Station Aransas, Port Aransas, Texas
- Coast Guard Station Freeport, Surfside Beach, Texas
- Coast Guard Station Port O’Connor, Port O’Connor, Texas
- Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass, Port Arthur, Texas
- Coast Guard Station San Luis Pass, Galveston, Texas
- Coast Guard Station South Padre Island, South Padre Island, Texas
Stretch Your Basic Allowance for Housing
Utilities (electricity, water, natural gas) are an estimated 5-10%* of your budget. If you live off-base, your BAH is supposed to cover not only your rent, but also your utilities. The information below can help you budget for your Texas utilities as part of your BAH.
According to the EIA, the average Texan pays approximately 15.55¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and uses about 1,170 kWh per month. That means your monthly Texas electricity bill will be around $181.94.
So you can budget, here is the approximate electricity usage for various home sizes in Texas:
- Small Apartment (750 sq feet) = 750 kWh/month
- Two bedroom apartment (1000 sq feet) = 1000 kWh/monthh
- Small house (1800 sq feet) = 1250 kWh/month
- Large house (3800 sq feet) = 2200 kWh/month
Just enter your zip code at the top of this page to start shopping for discount electricity in your area.
Also look into a discount on military moves. Your service is rewarded with military discounts!
*Source: EveryDollar
