Prepaid Electricity in Texas: No Deposit, Prices, Rules
· Updated
Prepaid electricity in Texas means you buy power before you use it — no deposit, no monthly bill. Instead of a deposit, the provider asks for a connection balance of up to $75, and you top up as you go, per the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). The trade-off is price: on October 20, 2026, prepaid plans on Power to Choose cost about 16 to 17 cents per kWh at the cheapest, versus 11 to 12 cents for a simple fixed plan. And if your balance runs low, your power can be cut with little notice.
How prepaid electricity works
Per the PUCT:
- No deposit. You pay a connection balance of up to $75. Delivery-company (TDU) fees can push the first payment above $75.
- No monthly bill. The provider sends balance alerts by text, email or phone, so you need a valid phone number or email.
- You buy dollars, not kWh. How long a top-up lasts depends on your usage and the price per kWh.
- Most prepaid plans are variable-rate: the price can change daily, “just as with gasoline.”
- On request, you get a free Summary of Usage and Payment for up to 12 months.
Prepaid electricity prices in Texas today
Cheapest prepaid plan versus cheapest simple 12-month fixed plan (no usage-based bill credit), cents per kWh at 1,000 kWh a month, Power to Choose, October 20, 2026:
| City (delivery company) | Prepaid | Fixed 12-month |
|---|---|---|
| Houston (CenterPoint) | 15.9 | 11.8 |
| Dallas (Oncor) | 16.9 | 12.0 |
| Corpus Christi (AEP Central) | 16.0 | 11.0 |
| McAllen (AEP Central) | 16.0 | 11.0 |
| Abilene (AEP North) | 16.3 | 11.2 |
At 1,000 kWh a month, the gap between 16 and 12 cents is about $40 a month — nearly $500 a year. Lubbock had no prepaid plans listed.
Which companies offer prepaid electricity?
Only two providers listed prepaid plans on Power to Choose:
| Provider | Plan type | Cancel fee | Houston ¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronto Power | variable, no contract | $0 | 15.9–18.9 |
| Payless Power | fixed, 6 or 12 months | $49 | 16.9–17.3 |
Payless Power’s plans say “no credit check or deposit required” and ask for a first payment of $75. Both providers are in the PUCT scorecard’s highest-complaint group (one circle, March–August 2026). Other companies may sell prepaid service without listing it on Power to Choose; before signing, ask for the Prepaid Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Electricity Facts Label (EFL).
When can prepaid power be disconnected?
- A provider can set a disconnection balance of up to $10. Drop below it and you’re cut off.
- You must be warned one to seven days before your balance is expected to fall below that level; if you use power faster than expected, disconnection can come as little as one day after the warning.
- To reconnect, you pay any negative balance plus a new connection balance; service should return within two hours.
- If your balance reaches –$50 or more during a National Weather Service heat advisory or cold alert, or in a declared state of disaster, you can request a deferred payment plan.
Is prepaid electricity right for you?
It can make sense if you can’t or don’t want to pay a deposit, prefer to pay as you go, want to track your usage or split costs with roommates.
Think twice if:
- You get help paying your electric bill. Some assistance agencies don’t help prepaid customers, the PUCT warns; check before you switch.
- Someone at home relies on medical equipment. Prepaid service is not available to customers officially designated as critical care or chronic condition.
- You can’t watch your balance. In a Texas summer, with the A/C running, it drains fast.
No-deposit electricity without prepaid
You may not need prepaid to avoid a deposit. Under PUCT rule §25.478, no provider can require a deposit if you’re 65 or older and current on your electric accounts, or a certified victim of family violence. A good payment history or credit can also waive it. With a regular fixed plan you’d pay about 4 to 5 cents less per kWh. All five options: no-deposit electricity in Texas.
Will Venezuelan oil lower electricity bills in Texas?
With the new U.S.-Venezuela oil contracts, many expect energy in Texas to get cheaper. For electricity, the direct effect is small: the Texas grid (ERCOT) makes almost all its power from natural gas (43%), wind and solar (36%), coal and nuclear, per the EIA for January to September 2025; oil is barely used to generate electricity. Venezuelan crude does reach Texas Gulf Coast refineries, and through them gasoline, which hasn’t fallen yet either: will Venezuelan oil lower U.S. gas prices?. What lowers your bill today is picking the right plan.
What this page can’t tell you
- Tomorrow’s prices. Most prepaid plans are variable; these figures are from October 20, 2026.
- Whether you’ll be connected the same day. It depends on the provider and your delivery company — ask when you sign up.
- Which plan is right for you. This page doesn’t recommend any provider.
If you have a problem with your provider, you can file a complaint with the PUCT at 1-888-782-8477. Comparing regular plans: cheapest electricity plans in Texas, Houston and Dallas.