Spark Energy LLC vs Ironhorse Power Services: Which Provider Delivers More for Less?
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Compare Energy Plans: Spark Energy LLC vs Ironhorse Power Services vs BKV Energy
Spark Energy LLC or Ironhorse Power Services might be on your list—but don’t overlook BKV Energy. Find out why more Texans are making the switch. Enter your zip to shop rates or scroll for the full breakdown.
Energy provider comparison criteria
Energy plan comparison: Spark Energy LLC vs Ironhorse Power Services
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 |
| Ironhorse Power Services | Fixed, Base Charge |
| BKV Energy | Fixed Rate |
What contract lengths are available?
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 |
| Ironhorse Power Services | 12, 18 or Months |
| BKV Energy | 12, 24, or 36 months |
Comparing renewable plan offerings
Texas electricity providers offer a wide range of plans with varying renewable energy percentages. Compare the renewable plan options between Spark Energy LLC, Ironhorse Power Services, and BKV Energy.
| Provider | Renewable energy options |
|---|---|
| Spark Energy LLC | 6% renewable |
| Ironhorse Power Services | 5.85% renewable |
| BKV Energy | 29% to 100% Renewable |
Referral offers from energy companies
Compare the referral programs and referral rewards of Spark Energy LLC, Ironhorse Power Services, and BKV Energy.
| Provider | Referral amount | Referral limits |
|---|---|---|
| Spark Energy LLC | Give $50 get $50 (bill credit or prepaid visa card) | Unlimited |
| Ironhorse Power Services | No referral program advertised | N/A |
| BKV Energy | Give $50 get $50 (bill credit) | Unlimited |
Which cities and ZIP codes are covered?
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 |
| Ironhorse Power Services | 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 |
Usage thresholds and associated fees
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 | Spark Energy LLCUsage |
| Ironhorse Power Services | No Usage Fees |
| BKV Energy | No usage fees |
Recurring base charges by provider
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 | Spark Energy LLCBase |
| Ironhorse Power Services | No Base Charge |
| BKV Energy | No base charges |
Early exit fees and how they apply
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 |
| Ironhorse Power Services | $250 fee |
| BKV Energy | $20 per remaining month |
Company origin and growth story
Let’s compare basic company information and history for Spark Energy LLC, Ironhorse Power Services, and BKV Energy side-by-side.
| Spark Energy LLC | Ironhorse Power Services | BKV Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded 1999 | Year Founded 2021 | Year Founded 2022 |
| CEO William Keith Maxwell | CEO Peter Buell | CEO Chris Kalnin |
| CEO 10046 | CEO 10289 | 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 At IronHorse Power Services, transparency is not just a concept; it’s our commitment. Transparency means making it easy for customers to contact us, giving honest answers, and treating people with genuine respect and care. We differentiate ourselves by offering easy-to-understand, competitive rates without hidden fees. With us, what you see is what you get—no surprise rate hikes and the convenience of accessing your billing information online. This kind of transparency ensures you have a clear understanding of your energy costs, setting us apart from other electric providers. | 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
Affordable plans available, which is very helpful in the DFW area, also they are a company that values their customers and incentives them for their loyalty and makes sure they are taken care of! I’ve had a great year using the company, and just renewed for another 12 months of service with them!
Just been with BKV Energy for one month. Switch from last provider was seamless. BKV Energy website was intuitive, easy navigation. AutoPay occurred on “Due Date”. I would like to see an option for me to be able to set the auto pay to happen sooner after the invoice date, soon after I review the bill. I was with my last provider for 25 years. I hope BKV can provide me the best rates for the next 25 years.
How to switch to BKV Energy
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