Apartment Electricity in Texas: Why 1,000 kWh Headline Rates Overcharge Renters
A typical 1- or 2-bedroom Texas apartment uses 450 to 800 kWh per month during 9 months of the year. If you enroll in a tiered plan that requires 1,000 kWh to trigger a $100 bill credit—or a plan that charges a $9.95 minimum-usage fee below 1,000 kWh—you will pay 18¢ to 22¢/kWh instead of the 11.9¢/kWh headline rate.
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1. Why You Must Always Sort by the 500 kWh EFL Column for Apartments
Every Texas Electricity Facts Label (EFL) publishes average prices at three usage levels: 500 kWh, 1,000 kWh, and 2,000 kWh. Most comparison sites default to 1,000 kWh, allowing providers to hide high energy rates behind a $100 credit that only triggers at 1,000 kWh.
| Plan Structure (Oncor Delivery Included) | Cost @ 550 kWh (Spring/Fall Apt) | Cost @ 850 kWh (Warm Month Apt) | Cost @ 1,050 kWh (Peak July Apt) | 12-Month Renter Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Flat-Rate Plan (8.9¢ energy + $0 base + Oncor) | $86.17 (15.7¢/kWh) | $130.96 (15.4¢/kWh) | $160.82 (15.3¢/kWh) | ~$1,340/year |
| $100 Bill-Credit Plan @ 1,000 kWh (15.2¢ energy + $4.95 base + Oncor) | $125.77 (22.9¢/kWh) | $189.46 (22.3¢/kWh) | $131.92 (12.6¢/kWh) | ~$1,810/year (+$470 wasted) |
Test any two apartment plans side by side using our 500 / 1,000 / 2,000 kWh EFL Plan Comparison Calculator.
2. Aligning Contract Term Length With Your Apartment Lease
Under PUCT Substantive Rule §25.475, moving out of your apartment at the end of your lease legally waives your electricity contract’s early termination fee—even if you signed a 12- or 24-month electricity contract for a 9- or 12-month apartment lease. You simply provide your provider with a forwarding address or lease move-out confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many kWh does a 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom apartment use in Texas?
A 1-bedroom Texas apartment (650–850 sq ft) averages 400 to 600 kWh/month in spring/fall and 750 to 950 kWh/month in July/August. A 2-bedroom apartment (950–1,200 sq ft) averages 600 to 800 kWh/month in mild months and 1,000 to 1,350 kWh/month in peak summer.
What happens if I sign a 12-month electricity plan for a 6-month apartment lease?
When you move out of the apartment, Texas PUCT rules allow you to either transfer your plan to your new Texas address or cancel the contract with $0 early termination fee by submitting proof of move-out.
Related Tools, Provider Profiles & Guides
- Compare 500 kWh Apartment-Friendly Plans
- Run the Bill-Credit Cliff Calculator
- Set Up Apartment Move-In Electricity
- Look Up Your Apartment Unit ESI ID
All rate examples and TDU delivery tariffs verified November 4, 2026 from official PUCT filings and Electricity Facts Labels.