WTU Energy: An Overview of Retail Energy

Texas has a deregulated energy market that energy providers compete in to offer the best rates for every customer. However, if you haven’t shopped for energy in a while, contact your electricity provider and check: you may be overpaying for the electricity you use. WTU retail energy currently has some of the best electricity plans for residential customers. 

About WTU Retail Energy

WTU Retail Energy is a daughter company of West Texas Utilities, which existed until the energy market deregulation in 2002. Then, the company broke into two: WTU Retail Energy, an electricity provider, and the AEP Texas North, which became a utility company. WTU Retail Energy was certified by the PUC (Public Utility Commission of Texas) in 2001. Now, WTU Retail Energy offers amazing electricity plans in Texas and currently works under Direct Energy. 

Why Choose WTU Retail Energy?

WTU Retail Energy is an energy provider specializing in residential customers. Their retail energy plans are known for affordable prices and fixed-rate plans with a contract length of up to three years. This company has a long tradition in the Texas energy market and millions of satisfied customers. 

However, before choosing any of their energy plan options, make sure you understand your energy needs first. Take your monthly bill and see how much electricity you use every month. In Texas, your electricity rate is based on the power consumed and is not fixed. To avoid overpaying, understand your energy needs and purchase an electricity plan suited to you. 

Difference Between WTU Retail Energy and West Texas Utilities

WTU Retail Energy and West Texas Utilities are often confused, but they are not the same company. Before the energy market deregulation, West Texas Utilities was both a utility company and a retail energy provider. The energy was distributed and charged for by the same company. 

However, during the deregulation period, the West Texas Utilities had to break down into two companies: the WTU Retail energy, an electricity supplier, and the AEP Texas North, a local utility company. So, the West Texas Utilities company does not exist anymore. 

WTU Energy Plans and Rates

Residential

WTU Retail Energy residential plans are aimed at homeowners who would like better control over their electricity bills. This electricity supplier used to provide an electricity plan for every retail market segment. Currently, their electricity plans are not available for new customers despite the good WTU Retail Energy reviews that WTU Retail has. 

Commercial

Commercial electricity plans are available for businesses and other non-residential ventures. They are characterized by a lower price and more chances for customization. As it is known, energy companies usually offer tighter cooperation with businesses to ensure their energy needs are being met. The commercial electricity plans are usually not as numerous as residential plans. 

Green Energy

Green Energy electricity plans in Texas energy companies include 100% renewable electricity. This type of electricity comes predominantly from hydro, solar, and wind power. Considering the state of solar panels in Texas and windmills in Texas, it is likely that energy companies will start offering more renewable electricity in the future. 

A green energy plan is the best electricity plan for customers who would like electricity offered at a low rate and energy that helps protect nature. Enter your ZIP code on Electricrate.com and see what green energy plans are offered in your ZIP code. With the US Renewable Portfolio Standard in place, 100% of US electricity will come from renewable sources by 2050. Choosing a green energy plan in West Texas now is a bold first step to a greener future. 

No Deposit Plans

Depending on your energy needs, you may go for a no-deposit plan in West Texas. No-deposit plans are perfect for customers who may need Texas electricity for a short while, like a few months or periodically. They are perfect for people who want the flexibility of these plans but may also want to enjoy no credit check and usage-based metering. 

There are two kinds of no-deposit plans: 

1. Pay-as-you-go energy plans, and 
2. Prepaid energy plans. 

With a pay-as-you-go energy plan, you do not get a monthly bill. Rather, you pay a balance into your account with your electricity provider, and your actual usage is then deducted from this plan. This payment plan is much like having a debit card – only the money you’ve paid towards the card can be used. 

Prepaid electricity plans are usage-based, where you pay in advance a certain amount of electricity. As you spend electricity and it almost runs out (you’ll usually be notified via SMS), you’ll have to purchase more power and manually enter the code into your smart meter. Consumers choosing this electricity plan are those who move a lot and students. 

Community Initiatives of WTU Retail Energy

WTU Retail Energy is also known for its community initiatives. When you pay your electricity bill, you should know that you also donate to those in need and into the future of the Texas youth. Unlike many other companies, WTU Retail Energy donates to: 

• Boys and Girls Clubs of America, 
• Habitat for Humanity, and 
• Their Neighbor-to-Neighbor program. 

Boys and Girls Clubs of America empowers children to be the leaders of tomorrow. A small percentage of your monthly bill goes towards this amazing cause. The BGCA boasts that 97% of their children expect to graduate from high school and a whooping 80% start post-secondary education. 

Habitat for Humanity program provides housing for those who experience existential emergencies worldwide. WTU Retail Energy makes regular donations to the program from its profits. Whenever you pay your bills with WTU Retail Energy, you are also helping ensure that everyone has their basic accommodation needs met. 

WTU Retail Energy established the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program. The program aims to help those who experience financial emergencies cover their electricity bills. This energy provider is one of the few companies working in the USA that cares for its consumers in this way. 

WTU Retail Energy Service Areas 

WTU Retail Energy provides Texas Electricity to several areas in the state. You can check out their service area: enter your ZIP code on Electricrate.com. Also, you can check out the following shortened service area table to find your best electricity plan: 

WTU Retail Energy Power Outage 

Even if you pay the best electricity rate, you can still experience a power outage. If you experience a power outage, you can contact your utility company via phone or email and see what they can do. Since WTU Retail Energy is a power provider, they are not in charge of maintaining the lines and managing power outages. 

If you are a WTU Retail customer, you should contact AEP Texas North in a power outage. You can contact them via: 

• Phone: 877-373-4858, or
• Customer Care Representative: 1-866-258-3782. 

How To Report Power Outage?

When reporting a power outage, there are several details that you should know before making the call: 

• Your street address, 
• The ZIP code you live in, 
• Your customer number (not obligatory) and you account number, 
• Whether your house is the only one in the neighborhood experiencing the outage or more households with no electricity. 

Then, you should make a call to AEP Texas North and inform them about the outage. 

Safety Tips 

If you find yourself in a power outage, make sure to stay indoors, especially at night. During storms, some power lines may fall, and you may risk getting electrocuted even if you are several feet away from the line. In case of flooding and subsequent power outage:

1. Stay indoors, as water is a good electricity conductor and may injure you.
2. Stay connected and inform AEP Texas North about the outage.
3. Ask if they can call you back and tell you when the outage will be resolved. 

Some other safety tips on power outage survival: 

• Unplug some appliances that may get damaged if the power comes back in a sudden surge, 
• In prolonged power outages (such as those coming from maintenance, you may want to stock up on non-perishable foods and water, especially if you depend on a water pump for water delivery, 
• Plan for heating and cooling your home in advance, 
• Plan for surge protection and regularly test your circuit breakers, 
• Have emergency contact information nearby, 
• Have battery-powered light sources nearby, such as lamps and flashlights, and 
• Teach your children about the dangers of a power outage and how they can stay safe, especially if you’re not home. 

WTU Retail Energy Customer Support 

WTU Retail Energy customer support is there for you 24/7. If you have any questions about your service, fixed or variable rate plan, or their service area, you can call toll-free on 844-742-1330. They are also here for you to find out about your current bill, past bill, historical usage, and other billing details. 

Does WTU Still Provide Service? 

No, WTU Retail Energy does not provide service for new customers anymore. At the same time, existing WTU Retail Energy customers are being switched to Reliant as a new electricity provider. There is not much detail as to why this is the case, although WTU Retail has announced it would send their existing customers to mail notices 30 days before their switch. 

Who is Reliant?

Reliant is one of Texas energy companies offering electricity plans to Texas residential customers. Reliant is currently taking over existing WTU Retail Energy customers. This means that you will have to re-enroll for the service and choose the energy plan that works for you. Once the switch or the transition is over, you will get your electricity bill from Reliant and not WTU Retail Energy anymore. 

During the transition period, you will also get a transition notice from Reliant. Although you will need to re-enroll for electricity service, your Reliant retail energy plan will remain the same unless you wish to make the switch. Your bill delivery method, autopay preferences, and your contract details (including the contract end date) will remain the same. 

During the transition from WTU Retail Energy, your account number will change. The same will happen with customer service phone numbers, emails, and other ways to contact your electricity provider. The online account management will change, and so will the name of your current plan. No reason to fear since Reliant will not change your electricity rates or any of the terms and conditions of your current WTU Retail Energy contract. 

Reliant Energy Contact Information

If you would like to make the first move and contact Reliant on your own, here are their contact details: 

• Phone: 1-866-222-7100, 
• Chat, 
• Use their online email form, and 
• Mail them to Reliant, P.O. Box 3765, Houston, TX 77253-3765. 

Reliant Community Initiative 

Much like WTU Retail Energy, Reliant also gives back to the community. This electricity supplier has so far donated over $4.9 million in 2021 alone to more than 150 causes across Texas. They have also invested over 1,600 volunteer hours and have donated over $1 million to COVID-19 frontline alone. 

Reliant has also made significant investments of over $10 million for winter storm relief after the Texas blackout in the winter of 2020/2021. In doing so, Reliant has supported nonprofits that serve communities and provide water, food, and temporary housing to those whose houses got damaged. The NRG Group, the owner of Reliant Energy, has also aided their affected employees and helped relieve some of their financial challenges. 

FAQs 

Conclusion

WTU Retail Electricity is one of the oldest power providers in Texas deregulated energy market. Although they currently do not accept new customers, you can always contact them and ask about availability in your area. If you are looking to switch to a new power provider, make sure to use Electricrate to find the best match for your energy needs.

Updated on 04-15-22