Green Mountain Energy Review | Rates & Deposit (2026)

Green Mountain Energy has one claim no other major Texas light company can match: they’ve been selling 100% renewable plans since 1997. Before clean energy was trendy, Green Mountain was doing it in the Texas market.

That’s a real differentiator. If you care about where your energy comes from, Green Mountain is the original. But here’s what the green branding doesn’t tell you: you’ll pay more for it, and you still have to pass a credit check to get in. If that credit check doesn’t go your way, there’s no backup plan with Green Mountain. No prepaid option. No alternative enrollment.

Here’s the full picture.

Green Mountain Energy at a Glance

Green Mountain Energy is PUCT-licensed (PUCT #10009) and has been operating in Texas since 1997. That makes them one of the longest-running light companies in the deregulated market. They’re owned by NRG Energy, the same parent company behind Reliant, so there’s serious financial backing here.

What they offer:

• Fixed-rate plans (12 and 24 month terms)
• Variable-rate plans (month-to-month, no contract)
• Every single plan is 100% renewable (wind and solar)
• Traditional post-paid billing only
• No prepaid or pay-as-you-go option

Service areas: Most of deregulated Texas, including Oncor (Dallas-Fort Worth), CenterPoint (Houston), and other major metro areas.

Contact: 1-866-785-4668 Same-day cutoff: 5 PM CT, Monday through Friday only

What Green Mountain Energy Actually Costs

Green Mountain costs more than conventional light companies. That’s the trade-off for 100% renewable energy, and there’s no way around it.

For a typical Texas home using about 1,000 units per month:

Plan Type	Approximate Monthly Cost
12-month fixed (renewable)	$110-$155
24-month fixed (renewable)	$105-$145
Variable rate (renewable)	$110-$170 (fluctuates)

Compare that to a conventional light company where the same home pays $90-$130 on a standard fixed-rate plan. The green premium works out to roughly $15-$30 more per month, or $180-$360 extra per year.

Green Mountain’s average rate sits around 18.8 cents per unit at 1,000 units of usage, which ranks them 17th out of 18 light companies in Texas. Only one company charges more. That’s a meaningful number when you’re trying to keep your light bill manageable.

Early termination fees apply to fixed-rate plans: $150 for 12-month contracts, $295 for longer terms. They do offer a 90-day satisfaction guarantee on qualifying plans, letting you switch to a different Green Mountain plan without the termination fee.

The Credit Gate

Green Mountain runs a credit check on every new customer. No exceptions. No alternative path.

Here’s what to expect based on your credit:

• 650+: Usually approved with $0 deposit
• 580-649: Deposit likely required, typically $150-$250
• Below 580: Higher deposit in the $200-$400 range, or possible denial

There’s no deposit calculator on their website. You won’t know whether a deposit is required until you go through the signup process. That’s frustrating when you’re already stressed about getting your lights on.

If a deposit is required, Green Mountain returns it after 12 months of on-time payments. It gets credited to your account per PUCT regulations. Our deposits explained guide covers the full process and your rights as a customer.

The critical gap: Green Mountain has no prepaid option. If you can’t pass the credit check and can’t afford the deposit, Green Mountain simply isn’t available to you. Most other major light companies at least have a pay-as-you-go path for customers in that situation. Green Mountain doesn’t.

How the “100% Renewable” Part Actually Works

Green Mountain doesn’t send special green electrons to your house. Your home draws power from the same Texas grid as every other customer. What Green Mountain does is purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) from wind farms and solar installations to match every unit of power their customers use.

Is that the same as your house running directly on a wind turbine? No. Is it meaningful? Yes. Those purchases fund actual wind and solar projects in Texas. Since 1997, Green Mountain customers have helped avoid over 100 billion pounds of carbon emissions. Their Sun Club program has donated more than $14 million to 164 sustainability projects across six states.

If you want your money to actively grow the renewable energy market, Green Mountain delivers on that promise. If you’re picturing a dedicated solar panel aimed at your house, that’s not what’s happening. Every light company in Texas draws from the same pool of electrons.

What Green Mountain Gets Right

The renewable commitment is real. Twenty-nine years of 100% renewable plans. No other Texas light company comes close to that track record. This isn’t a greenwashing side project. It’s their entire business.

NRG backing means stability. They’re not a scrappy startup that might vanish. NRG Energy is one of the largest energy companies in the country. Your light company isn’t going anywhere.

Fixed-rate plans protect you. Lock in a rate for 12 or 24 months and avoid the summer price spikes that hit variable-rate customers hard. Green Mountain’s fixed plans are pricier than conventional options, but they’re predictable.

Same-day lights available. Order before 5 PM CT on a weekday and most people with a smart meter get connected the same day. That matters when you need your lights on fast.

Zero service quality complaints. While Green Mountain has some billing-related PUC complaints (132 over the past year, slightly above the industry average of 120), they had zero service quality complaints filed. That’s worth noting.

What Green Mountain Gets Wrong

The rates are high. Ranking 17th out of 18 Texas light companies on price isn’t a badge of honor. For a family watching every dollar, paying 15-20% above market average adds up to real money over a year.

No prepaid option at all. If you can’t pass the credit check, Green Mountain has nothing for you. Most major light companies offer at least some path for credit-challenged customers. Green Mountain’s only door requires a credit check. Period.

Billing clarity needs work. A billing clarity score of 27 out of 100 from customer reviews is concerning. Confusing bills create distrust, especially when you’re already paying premium rates.

No weekend same-day service. If your lights go out on a Friday evening, you’re waiting until Monday for same-day connection through Green Mountain. Other light companies, especially pay-as-you-go options, connect 7 days a week.

Early termination fees bite. $150 to $295 depending on your contract length. If your financial situation changes and you need a cheaper plan, you’re paying to leave.

Who Green Mountain Energy Is Actually For

Green Mountain makes sense if you:

• Have solid credit (650+) and will get $0 deposit
• Value renewable energy enough to pay 10-20% more per month
• Want a fixed rate that protects against summer price spikes
• Plan to stay at the same address for at least 12 months

Green Mountain does NOT make sense if you:

• Have credit challenges and might face a deposit
• Need lights on right now with no credit check
• Are on a tight budget where every dollar matters
• Need weekend same-day service
• Want the flexibility of no-contract, no-termination-fee service

Honest take: If your credit is a question mark, get your lights on first with whatever option works. You can always switch to a green plan later when your credit situation improves and your budget has room for the premium. Going green is a goal. Getting your lights on today is the priority.

Before You Sign Up: Check Traditional First

If Green Mountain wants a deposit, don’t just pay it. And don’t assume prepaid is your only other option.

Every Texas light company has different credit thresholds. Green Mountain might want $250 from you while another company says $0. We check multiple companies at once to find which ones approve you without a deposit. It takes minutes, not the afternoon of phone calls you’d burn doing it yourself.

You’ll lose the 100% renewable angle with most other companies. But you’ll save the deposit AND the monthly green premium. That’s potentially $400-$600 in savings the first year. Read about all the options for getting lights with credit challenges.

If no traditional company approves you at $0 deposit, pay-as-you-go is always there. No credit check. No deposit. $40-$75 to start (that goes toward your power, not a fee). Often same-day. Our pay-as-you-go vs traditional guide breaks down exactly when each option makes more financial sense.

The path to traditional plans is real. Start with whatever gets your lights on, build 12 months of payment history, then revisit Green Mountain with better standing.

Green Mountain Energy vs the Alternatives

Feature	Green Mountain	No-Deposit Traditional	Pay-as-you-go
Credit check	Yes	Yes (we find who approves you)	No
Deposit	$0-$400 depending on credit	$0	$0
Monthly cost (1,000 units)	$110-$155	$90-$135	$145-$180
100% renewable	Yes (all plans)	Some plans available	Rarely
Contract required	Yes (12-24 months)	Yes (varies)	No
Early termination fee	$150-$295	Varies	None
Same-day lights	Mon-Fri before 5 PM	1-2 business days	Often same-day, 7 days

For a direct comparison, see our Gexa Energy vs Green Mountain Energy breakdown. Or browse the full best no-deposit light companies rankings.

The Verdict on Green Mountain Energy

Green Mountain Energy is the real deal for renewable energy in Texas. Twenty-nine years, 100% wind and solar, NRG-backed, and a genuine track record of funding clean energy projects. If your credit is solid and you want to go green, they’re the original choice.

But renewable energy is a premium product, and a credit check stands between you and those plans. If your credit triggers a deposit, you’re stacking a green premium on top of upfront costs that add up fast. Get your lights on first with the most affordable option available. You can go green later when the basics are covered.

Get Your Lights On

If Green Mountain wants a deposit you can’t swing, we check multiple light companies to find you a $0 deposit option. Many people find one. If not, pay-as-you-go is always available. No credit check, no deposit, same-day lights.

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This review is for informational purposes only. Rates and policies change. For current plans and pricing, visit greenmountainenergy.com. NoDepositLights.com is powered by Compare Power (PUCT License BR190020).