What is the Best Electricity Plan for an Apartment?

What are the best electricity plans for apartments?

The ideal apartment electricity plan in Texas has a simple fixed-rate without base charges, minimum usage fees, bill credits, or tiered rates, and pricing that is competitive in the 500-1000 kWh consumption range that is typical of most apartments.

Texan apartment-dwellers would also benefit from:

Fixed-rate: The same energy charge rate per kWh is locked in for the duration of the contract.
No base charges: No monthly base charge added to the bill each month.
No minimum usage fees: Some electricity plans add an extra fee to the bill when billed usage doesn’t meet a specified threshold.
Satisfaction guarantee or trial period: Electricity plans with a trial period of 30 days that allow you to switch away without paying an early termination fee.

How does apartment electricity differ from home electricity?

Electricity consumption in an apartment is very different from using electricity in a stand-alone, single-family home for several reasons, including size and square footage, shared walls and insulation, fewer and smaller appliances, and use of heating and cooling.

Size and square footage: The most obvious factor when comparing apartments to homes. Apartments are typically smaller spaces, ranging from around 700 to 1300 square feet, while the average Texas home’s square footage lands at around 1,734 according to a 2020 Energy Information Administration report. Smaller indoor spaces use less electricity on average because there’s less space to heat or cool, and there are fewer and smaller HVAC units in use.
Shared walls and insulation: In an apartment building, units are partially insulated by the surrounding units. Cooled or heated air in neighboring units acts as a buffer against the elements of the outdoors. Unlike a stand-alone home, where the exterior walls are exposed. This exposure causes HVAC units to work harder to maintain the desired indoor temperature, especially during extreme heat or cold.
Fewer and smaller appliances: A typical apartment is going to have fewer and smaller appliances compared to the average home. Homes are more likely to have full size washer and dryer, a second refrigerator or freezers, more outdoor lighting, or even a pool pump. This means that homes are drawing and using much more energy from the grid.
Heating and cooling: As already mentioned, homes will use much more power to run heating and cooling systems due to several factors.

Why these differences between apartments and homes matter

Because apartments use less electricity, there are certain types of plans that can benefit homeowners while harming apartment renters. It’s important to look for an electricity plan that is tailored to the unique needs of an apartment.

It’s especially important to watch out for bill credit plans. Apartments typically do not reach the usage thresholds that trigger the bill credit savings. They may look affordable at a glance, but they can end up costing apartment-dwellers hundreds of dollars per year that they otherwise would not have spent on a regular fixed-rate plan.

Average electric bill for Texas apartments

The average Texas apartment electric bill depends on the square footage of the unit.

Small apartments like studios, ranging from 500-750 square feet, can expect to use about 400-700 kWh monthly, which can cost around $50 to $100 depending on the rates.
Mid-size apartments with one or two bedrooms, ranging from 750 to 1,000 square feet, can expect to use between 700-900 kWh monthly, which can cost between $100 to $130, depending on the rates.
Large apartments with three bedrooms, ranging from 1,000 to 1,300 square feet, can expect to use between 900-1,200 kWh monthly, which can cost between $130 to $170 depending on the rates.

Apartment Type	Square Footage	kWh Usage	Electricity Bill
Studio	500-750 sq. ft.	400-700 kWh	$50-$100 per month
1-2 bedroom	750-1,000 sq. ft.	700-900 kWh	$100-$130 per month
3 bedroom	1,000-1,300 sq. ft.	900-1,200 kWh	$130-$170 per month

Apartment electricity consumption (kWh) and bill amount estimates can vary significantly based on location, provider, and time of year.

Does electricity plan length need to match apartment lease?

It is not required to match the apartment lease length to the term length of the electricity plan, but it can be a good idea. For example, if you’ve got a 12-month rental, then a 12-month energy plan can make a lot of sense.

At the same time, choosing a different term length can work in your favor if the rates for a longer or shorter plan are more affordable and you don’t plan on moving to a new unit any time soon. For example, if you’ve rented the same apartment for years and plan to stay there, then the electricity plan length does not necessarily matter. You can simply choose the most affordable plan.

Alternatively, if you do plan to move units or even move apartment buildings, but are staying within the same area, you can often transfer your electricity service to the new home without incurring any additional costs. Be sure to let your provider know before you move.

Fixed vs variable rate energy plans for apartments

Fixed-rate electricity plans tend to win over variable-rate plans for apartments for many reasons.

Fixed-rate plans offer stability. The energy charge is locked in for the duration of the contract.
Fixed rates protect you from upward price swings during high-demand seasons like the summer.
Apartment usage is low and steady, which favors a locked-in fixed rate.

How to compare apartment electricity plans

Apartments use much less power than stand-alone homes. The first step to comparing electricity plans for your apartment is to figure out how many kilowatt-hours you actually use.

Check your usage history with your current or previous provider, ask your apartment complex for estimated usage, or create an account on smartmetertexas.com to find your usage history.

To compare estimated bills between plans, multiply the average price by the kWh. For example, if you expect to use around 500 kWh per month and the average price is 14 cents per kWh, multiply 500 times 0.14 to get an estimated bill of $70.

Use the BKV Energy electric bill calculator for even more accurate bill estimates.

Always make sure to check the Electricity Facts Label and shop for a low Energy Charge, rather than going strictly by the average price table.

Gimmicks and charges to avoid when shopping for apartment electricity plans

Here are some useful tips to find an affordable energy plan without hidden fees or gimmicks for your apartment:

Stay away from plans with base charges that add an extra $4.95 to $14.95 to your bill.
Watch out for plans with minimum usage fees that tack on extra fees for not using “enough” power.
Avoid promotional advertising gimmicks like free nights, free weekends, and free days. The “free” part of the plan is a trick to hide an overpriced energy charge.
Be aware of bill credit plans that apply bonuses only when you reach a certain threshold. In an apartment, it’s very likely you will never use the right amount of electricity to earn the credit.

What is a good electricity rate for an apartment in Texas?

Electricity rates vary throughout the year and by region in Texas, but in 2026, a good price for a 12-month electricity plan sits between 12 and 15 cents per kWh.

If you see a plan with rates of 17 cents per kWh or higher, do not sign up for that plan. That will lead to significant overspending on your electricity bills.

Why BKV Energy’s Bluebonnet plan is great for Texas apartments

BKV Energy’s flagship plan, Bluebonnet, is the best plan for apartment dwellers in Texas because:

Low fixed rate
No base charges
No minimum usage fees
No promotional gimmicks

The Bluebonnet plan comes in a range of term lengths and green energy percentages, so you can choose the version that best fits your needs and lifestyle. All variations of the Bluebonnet plan also include benefits added at no cost.

ElectroShare: Annual loyalty payout that grows the longer you stay with us
Reduce Your Rate: Opportunities to switch to a cheaper energy charge mid-contract
VoltPoints: 25 reward points per month, use them to win prizes like gift cards, smart TVs, laptops, and more

Check out today’s rates by entering your zip code below, and don’t forget to use the discount code BKVEJOINUS50 for $50 off your third bill.

Written by Graham Lumley

Graham Lumley, Growth Product Manager at BKV Energy, leads digital and traditional marketing strategies, focusing on educating Texans about the state's deregulated energy market. With over 10 years of marketing experience, he creates content to help consumers understand and save on their energy bills, bringing a fresh and dynamic approach to the industry.