Does TXU Energy require a credit check?

Yes. TXU Energy runs a credit check on every traditional plan enrollment. Good credit usually means no deposit. Fair or low credit triggers a deposit equal to roughly two months of estimated bills. There is no way to skip the credit check on traditional TXU plans.

How much is the TXU Energy deposit?

TXU deposits are typically equal to two months of estimated bills, which runs $200-$400 for most homes. You can split the deposit into two equal installments if you qualify. After 12 months of on-time payments, you get the deposit back as a credit on your bill, plus interest.

Does TXU Energy have a prepaid plan?

TXU previously offered FlexPower, a pay-as-you-go plan with no credit check and no deposit. However, TXU has discontinued prepaid plans for new customers. Existing prepaid customers are being moved to month-to-month plans. If you need prepaid, dedicated companies like Payless Power are still available.

What does TXU's 60-day satisfaction guarantee actually cover?

It lets you switch to a different TXU plan or leave TXU entirely within 60 days of enrollment with no early termination fee. This is more generous than most satisfaction guarantees in Texas, which only let you switch within the same company. New residential customers only.

Is TXU Energy more expensive than other light companies?

Generally, yes. TXU rates run about 5-20% higher than budget light companies like Gexa or Frontier. A typical home using 1,000 units per month might pay $110-$160 with TXU versus $90-$130 with a cheaper traditional plan. You're paying a premium for brand recognition and plan features.

Can I get same-day lights with TXU Energy?

Yes. TXU Energy offers same-day service Monday through Saturday if you enroll before 6 PM Central Time. Sunday enrollments typically process the next business day. You need a smart meter at your address for the fastest activation.

TXU Energy Review | Plans, Rates & Deposit (2026)

TXU Energy is the name most Texans think of when they think of their light company. The brand dates back to 1882. Your parents probably had TXU. Your grandparents probably did too. Over 2 million Texas households get their lights through TXU right now, more than any other company in the state.

But brand loyalty doesn’t pay your light bill. TXU runs a credit check on every traditional plan. If your credit isn’t where they want it, you’re looking at a deposit of $200 to $400 before your lights come on. And their rates run higher than most competitors. Here’s what you need to know before you sign up.

TXU Energy at a Glance

TXU Energy is a PUCT-licensed retail light company in Texas (PUCT #10004). They’re owned by Vistra Corp, one of the largest power companies in the country. This is a company with serious financial backing. They’re not going anywhere.

What they offer:

Fixed-rate plans (12, 24, and 36 month terms)
Variable-rate and month-to-month plans
Free Nights plans (unlimited usage 9 PM to 7 AM)
Solar and green energy options
Season Pass plans with seasonal bill credits
60-Day Total Satisfaction Guarantee on all residential plans

Service areas: Oncor (Dallas-Fort Worth, their home turf), CenterPoint (Houston), AEP Central and North (Corpus Christi, Abilene), plus most other deregulated areas. If you’re in deregulated Texas, TXU almost certainly serves your address.

Contact: 1-800-242-9113 Hours: Mon-Fri 7 AM to 10 PM, Sat-Sun 8 AM to 8 PM Same-day cutoff: 6 PM CT, Monday through Saturday

TXU Energy Rates in 2026

TXU is a premium brand, and the pricing reflects it. Their rates consistently sit 5-20% above budget light companies like Gexa, Frontier, or 4Change Energy. You’re paying for the name, the plan features, and the customer service infrastructure.

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

Plan Type	Approximate Monthly Cost
12-month fixed	$110-$150
24-month fixed	$105-$140
Free Nights	$120-$165 (depends on usage patterns)
Season Pass	$100-$155 (lower in summer/winter)
Month-to-month	$115-$170 (fluctuates)

The lowest advertised rate starts around 12.3 cents per unit, but that number depends on your ZIP code, usage level, and the specific plan. Some TXU plans include bill credits that only kick in at specific usage thresholds. If your home uses less than the threshold, the effective rate is higher than advertised. Always check the total estimated cost at your usage level, not just the per-unit rate.

Early termination fees: $150 for 12-month plans, $295 for 24-month plans, and $395 for 36-month plans. Those are among the highest in Texas. If you’re not sure you’ll stay the full contract term, think carefully before locking into a long plan.

The Credit Gate: What Happens When You Apply

Every traditional TXU plan starts with a credit check. Here’s what the different outcomes look like:

Good credit (670+): Typically approved with $0 deposit
Fair credit (580-669): Deposit likely, usually $150-$300
Lower credit (below 580): Higher deposit, $200-$400, roughly equal to two months of estimated bills
No credit history: Treated similarly to low credit, deposit usually required

If TXU requires a deposit, that money sits as security on your account. After 12 straight months of on-time payments, you get it back as a credit on your light bill with a small amount of interest per PUCT rules. Our deposits explained guide covers the full refund process and your rights under Texas law.

TXU does offer a few alternatives to cash deposits. Qualifying customers can split the deposit into two equal installments. You may also get the deposit waived if you’re 55 or older, a victim of family violence with documentation, or medically indigent with proof. But most people searching for no-deposit lights don’t qualify for these exceptions. The practical reality: if your credit is below 670, expect to pay something.

The 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee (Better Than Most)

TXU promotes their Total Satisfaction Guarantee, and this one is actually worth paying attention to. It’s more generous than what most Texas light companies offer.

What the guarantee means: If you’re not happy within 60 days of enrollment, you can switch to a different TXU plan or leave TXU entirely for any other light company. No early termination fee. No penalty.

Why this matters: Most satisfaction guarantees in Texas only let you switch plans within the same company. TXU lets you leave altogether. That’s a real difference. If you sign up for a 24-month fixed and realize the price isn’t competitive, you have 60 days to walk away clean.

The limitations: It applies to new residential customers only. You can only use it once. And you still need to pass the credit check and pay any required deposit upfront. The guarantee doesn’t eliminate the deposit requirement. It just gives you a window to leave without the termination fee if the plan doesn’t work out.

Compare this to Reliant’s 90-day guarantee, which sounds better but only covers switching between Reliant plans. You can’t leave Reliant penalty-free under their guarantee. TXU’s version is genuinely more flexible.

What TXU Energy Gets Right

Brand you can trust. 140+ years in Texas. Vistra Corp backing. Over 2 million customers. A+ BBB rating. This isn’t a company that might fold or get acquired next quarter. For people who’ve been burned by fly-by-night light companies, that stability matters.

Plan variety. Free Nights plans let you run laundry, dishwashers, and AC overnight with no energy charges. Season Pass plans discount your summer and winter bills when usage spikes. Texas Choice gives 3% cash back. Most light companies offer fixed or variable. TXU offers options built around how people actually use power.

Customer service hours. Phone support runs 7 AM to 10 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 8 PM on weekends. That’s better than most. They also offer 24/7 support through the app and online chat. When you need to reach a human, TXU makes it easier than many competitors.

The 60-day out. Already covered above, but it’s worth repeating. Being able to leave any light company penalty-free within 60 days is rare in Texas. It lowers the risk of signing a long contract.

What TXU Energy Gets Wrong

The rates are high. You’re paying a premium of 5-20% over budget light companies for the TXU name. Over a year, a family using 1,000 units per month might pay $120-$400 more than they would with a cheaper traditional plan. That’s real money, especially when your budget is tight.

407 PUC complaints in 12 months. The industry average is around 120. TXU is more than triple that number. The most common issues: billing disputes, unexpected charges, and meter reading problems. Their billing clarity scores just 30 out of 100 on review platforms. Plans with usage credits and seasonal pricing create confusion when the actual bill doesn’t match what customers expected.

Early termination fees are steep. $150 to $395 depending on the plan length. If life changes and you need to move or switch, those fees sting. Budget light companies often charge $50-$150 for early termination. TXU charges double or more.

Prepaid is gone. TXU previously offered FlexPower, a pay-as-you-go plan that was perfect for people who couldn’t pass the credit check. They’ve discontinued it for new customers. If you can’t pass TXU’s credit check, you don’t have a TXU option anymore. You’ll need to look at dedicated prepaid light companies or find a different traditional company that will approve you.

Who TXU Energy Works For

TXU makes sense if you:

Have good credit (670+) and will get $0 deposit
Want a legacy Texas brand with long-term stability
Like plan variety (Free Nights, Season Pass, cash back)
Live in DFW/Oncor territory (their most competitive rates)
Value the 60-day out clause in case the plan doesn’t work

TXU does NOT make sense if you:

Can’t pass a credit check and don’t want to pay $200-$400 deposit
Want the cheapest possible rate (budget companies beat TXU by 5-20%)
Need a prepaid option (TXU no longer offers one)
Hate high early termination fees ($150-$395 range)
Have SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or TANF benefits (you may qualify for deposit waivers with other light companies that are easier to navigate)

What to Do If TXU Wants a Deposit

A $200-$400 deposit from TXU doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Here’s the playbook.

Option 1: We check multiple light companies at once. Every light company in Texas has different credit rules. TXU might want $300 from you while another company says $0. We check several companies simultaneously to find which ones will approve you without a deposit. It takes minutes instead of an afternoon of phone calls. Different companies, different thresholds, different results. Check the best no-deposit light companies to see who’s approving people right now.

Option 2: Other traditional companies. Just because TXU said no doesn’t mean everyone will. Our prepaid vs traditional comparison breaks down the real cost difference. If you can get a traditional plan with $0 deposit from another company, you’ll save $500-$900 per year compared to prepaid. The path to traditional plans guide walks through the full process.

Option 3: Pay-as-you-go light companies. Since TXU no longer offers prepaid, dedicated companies like Payless Power are your best bet for no-credit-check service. Startup costs run $40-$75. Same-day lights. No contract. Rates are higher than traditional plans, but you’re in the door today. Here’s how pay-as-you-go works step by step.

Option 4: Start prepaid, switch later. Get your lights on today with any prepaid company. Use the time to stabilize. In 6-12 months, try again for a traditional plan with better rates. No penalty for leaving prepaid. Our path to traditional plans guide walks through this strategy.

TXU Energy vs No-Deposit Alternatives

Feature	TXU Traditional	No-Deposit Traditional	Other Prepaid
Credit check	Yes	Yes (we find who approves you)	No
Deposit	$0-$400 depending on credit	$0	$0
Startup cost	$0 (if no deposit)	$0	$40-$75
Monthly cost (1,000 units)	$110-$150	$90-$135	$150-$200
Contract required	Yes (12-36 months)	Yes (varies)	No
Early termination fee	$150-$395	Varies	None
Same-day lights	Yes (Mon-Sat)	1-2 business days	Often same-day
60-day guarantee	Yes (leave any time)	Varies by company	N/A (no contract)

For head-to-head comparisons, see:

Or browse our full best no-deposit light companies rankings.

The Verdict on TXU Energy

TXU Energy earned its place as the biggest name in Texas lights. 140+ years, Vistra Corp financial backing, and plan variety that most companies can’t match. The 60-day satisfaction guarantee is genuinely best-in-class. If you have good credit and want a company you can trust for the long haul, TXU is a solid pick.

But the credit check still stands between you and their plans. If your credit is a question mark, don’t waste time applying and getting hit with a $300 deposit. Start with us. We check which companies will approve you at $0 deposit, and many of them have rates that actually beat what TXU charges. If none work out, prepaid gets your lights on today with no questions asked.

Get Your Lights On

If TXU wants a deposit you can’t afford, we check multiple light companies to find you a $0 deposit option. Many people find one. If not, prepaid is always available. No credit check, no deposit, same-day lights.

Find No-Deposit Light Companies

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