Spark Energy LLC or AP Gas Electric – Who Has the Better Electricity Plans?
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Compare Spark Energy LLC, AP Gas Electric, and BKV Energy – Electricity Rates & Plans
Considering Spark Energy LLC or AP Gas Electric for your next Texas electricity provider? Here’s why BKV Energy is the smarter choice. Enter your zip code to explore affordable BKV plans or scroll down to compare providers.=
Energy provider comparison criteria
Plan options: Spark Energy LLC vs AP Gas Electric
In the Texas electricity market, you can find a wide variety of plan types, including the following:
- Fixed Rate: Fixed rate plans lock in an energy charge for the duration of your contract.
- Variable Rate: The energy charge is subject to change each month based on changes to wholesale electricity prices.
- Solar Buyback: Plans that allow you to sell energy back to the grid from solar panels installed on your property.
- Bill Credit: A common electricity plan gimmick that disguises high energy charges with a bill credit.
- Time-of-Use: Time-of-use plans offer different energy charges based on the time of day or day of the week. The most common are “free nights” and “free weekends” — watch out for these gimmicky plans because free electricity at night or on the weekend often means much higher energy charges during the day or during the week.
- Base Charge: Plans that include monthly base charges. An extra fee added to your bill no matter how much electricity you consume.
- Usage Fee: Plans that include usage fees. These extra costs are added to bills when you use the “wrong” amount of energy during a billing period.
| Provider | Plan Types |
|---|---|
| Spark Energy LLC | Fixed, Base Charge |
| AP Gas Electric | Fixed, Base Charge, Bill Credit |
| BKV Energy | Fixed Rate |
Available contract lengths
Contract length is an important consideration when choosing an electricity plan. We recommend selecting a plan that allows you to renew in the spring or fall, as those months often have the best available prices.
| Provider | Term lengths |
|---|---|
| Spark Energy LLC | 5, 12, 15 or Months |
| AP Gas Electric | 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 24, 36 or Months |
| BKV Energy | 12, 24, or 36 months |
Green energy plans available
Texas electricity providers offer a wide range of plans with varying renewable energy percentages. Compare the renewable plan options between Spark Energy LLC, AP Gas Electric, and BKV Energy.
| Provider | Renewable energy options |
|---|---|
| Spark Energy LLC | 6% renewable |
| AP Gas Electric | 5% to 100% renewable |
| BKV Energy | 29% to 100% Renewable |
Customer referral incentives
Compare the referral programs and referral rewards of Spark Energy LLC, AP Gas Electric, and BKV Energy.
| Provider | Referral amount | Referral limits |
|---|---|---|
| Spark Energy LLC | Give $50 get $50 (bill credit or prepaid visa card) | Unlimited |
| AP Gas Electric | Program currently being relaunched. | TBD |
| BKV Energy | Give $50 get $50 (bill credit) | Unlimited |
Where service is available
There are six major service regions within the deregulated ERCOT market, each serviced by its own transmission and distribution utility (TDU).
- Oncor: Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Temple, Round Rock, Midland, Odessa
- CenterPoint: Houston, Beaumont
- Texas-New Mexico Power: League City, Glen Rose, Pecos, Angleton
- AEP North: Abilene, San Angelo, Vernon
- AEP Central: Corpus Christi, McAllen, Victoria, Laredo, Harlingen
- Lubbock Power & Light: Lubbock
| Provider | Service Areas |
|---|---|
| Spark Energy LLC | Oncor, CenterPoint, Texas-New Mexico Power, AEP North, AEP Central, Lubbock Power & Light |
| AP Gas Electric | Oncor, CenterPoint, Texas-New Mexico Power, AEP North, AEP Central, Lubbock Power & Light |
| BKV Energy | Oncor, CenterPoint, Texas-New Mexico Power, AEP North, AEP Central, Lubbock Power & Light |
Electricity usage fees explained
Usage fees are extra costs added to bills when kWh consumption is either “too high” or “too low” during a billing period. In the case of a minimum usage fee, if you use less than the specified kWh amount, an electricity provider may tack another fee onto your bill. It’s generally recommended to avoid electricity plans that charge usage fees.
| Provider | Usage fees |
|---|---|
| Spark Energy LLC | No usage fees |
| AP Gas Electric | No usage fees |
| BKV Energy | No usage fees |
Monthly base charges explained
Base charges are extra costs added to every bill, regardless of how much electricity is used during that billing period. We recommend finding a provider and a plan that does not include base charges in the contract.
| Provider | Base charges |
|---|---|
| Spark Energy LLC | No base charges |
| AP Gas Electric | No base charges |
| BKV Energy | No base charges |
Early cancellation fees explained
Early termination fees (or early cancellation fees) may be charged when you decide to cancel a plan before the end of the contract. Texas electricity providers typically charge ETFs in one of two ways. First, some providers will charge a flat cancellation fee that remains the same no matter how far you are into your contract. Second, other providers, like BKV Energy, will charge a cancellation fee that decreases the longer you remain a customer. This often makes switching providers less costly if you switch to a different provider early.
| Provider | Early Termination Fees |
|---|---|
| Spark Energy LLC | $100 fee |
| AP Gas Electric | Ranges from $150 to $350 depending on contract length |
| BKV Energy | $20 per remaining month |
Company background and overview
Let’s compare basic company information and history for Spark Energy LLC, AP Gas Electric, and BKV Energy side-by-side.
| Spark Energy LLC | AP Gas Electric | BKV Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded 1999 | Year Founded 2004 | Year Founded 2022 |
| CEO William Keith Maxwell | CEO Jay Harpole | CEO Chris Kalnin |
| CEO 10046 | CEO 10105 | PUCT PUCT 10323 |
| Company Bio Spark Energy was founded in 1999 in Houston, Texas — the energy capital of the world — and used its expertise to become one of the pioneers of the retail energy industry. Since then, we’ve established ourselves as one of the most dependable and trusted electricity providers and natural gas companies in the country. | Company Bio Founded by small business owners in Houston, we entered our home market of Texas in 2004 with service to homeowners and small businesses, before expanding to other markets throughout the US. Our privately-held ownership allows us to focus on the long-term, and to develop deep customer relationships rather than a financial analyst’s pressures to deliver quarterly or annual financial targets. | Company Bio BKV Energy is a Texas-based electricity provider committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy solutions to households across the state. Our business model is distinguished by the absence of monthly base charges, usage requirement fees, and gimmicky plans, ensuring straightforward, fixed-rate pricing structures. We prioritize transparency and simplicity, aiming to educate and empower consumers to make informed energy choices. Our fixed-rate plans offer price stability, aiding customers in effective energy budgeting. Additionally, we collaborate with our clientele to promote reduced energy consumption and cost savings. Notably, customers dissatisfied within the initial 30 days of service can terminate their contracts without incurring any cancellation fees. |
Why you should switch to BKV Energy
BKV Energy offers simple, transparent, and straightforward fixed-rate Texas electricity. Our Bluebonnet plan is customizable by term length and renewable energy percentage. There are no extra costs such as base charges, usage fees, or setup/bundle fees. Additionally, enjoy access to Premier+ Benefits. This program comes with amazing benefits such as:
- Reduce Your Rate: If market prices fall after you enroll, you can switch to a lower-priced plan at no cost. With Reduce Your Rate, we’ll notify you when there are opportunities to save!
- ElectroShare: Get paid every November with ElectroShare. The longer you’re a customer the more you earn.
- VoltPoints: 25 reward points per month. Enter to win daily, weekly, and monthly prizes up to $1,000.
- Save Now Pay Later: Bill payment flexibility! Skip your next bill and pay it off in equal installments over the next six months.
- Contract Consultation: Chat with a Texas energy expert to find the best BKV Energy renewable plan based on market insights including weather, seasonality, and wholesale prices.
- 30-Day Power Pilot: Try BKV Energy’s Bluebonnet plan risk-free for 30 days. No early cancellation fee in the first 30 days.
Compare more Texas electricity providers
Switching to BKV Energy is simple
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Texans love BKV Energy
So far BKV has the best rates I’ve found and no base fee. As I landlord I like the option of signing up for 3 months at locked in rate and if things go well and I get a renter in earlier it’s only a $20 month cancellation. After snowpocalypse in Texas last year people with a variable rate got astronomical bills!
BKV Energy is a good choice for electric co. I have been very pleased. They communicate via email. As busy as I am, it is nice to get emails reminding me my bill is due. Things like that. And I get rewards just for being a customer. I just received a virtual debit card worth $45. Thanks BKV.
How to switch to BKV Energy
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