In our deregulated energy provider review, we gave 4Change Energy an overall score of 4.2 out of 5 for its solid customer satisfaction scores, predictable monthly energy bills and competitive energy rates.
4Change offers some of the cheapest advertised rates through bill credit plans. Its more straightforward plans have rates slightly higher than the Texas average but are still competitive options compared to big-name companies such as TXU Energy and Reliant Energy.
We consider 4Change Energy a great option for homes with high energy usage who want lower rates. 4Change Energy offers simple energy plans and supports local charities in Texas.
4Change Energy Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 60-day satisfaction guaranteed
- Local charities benefit from a portion of each bill
- Some straightforward plans
Cons
- Outdated website design
- 100% green plans cost extra
- Cheapest plans have confusing rate structures
4Change Energy Plans
4Change Energy provides a reasonable range of plan offerings, including fixed-rate and smart thermostat plans. Its term lengths include 12 and 24 months. Depending on where you live, 4Change also offers a variable-rate energy plan. However, 4Change doesn’t offer time-of-use plans or renewable energy, unless you pay a monthly fee to upgrade your energy plan with renewable energy certificates.
We recommend the One Rate 12 plan to lock in a stable price for an entire year.
While this plan costs more than the Maxx Saver Select and Charitable Saver options, its rate varies less between usage tiers. Whether you use 500 kWh or 2,000 kWh, the rate for your usage stays relatively consistent.
Other 4Change Energy plans offer bill credits based on your usage. For example, the Maxx Saver Select provides a $100 credit when you use over 1,000 kWh. Check past energy bills to see if your energy consumption aligns with the bill credit requirements before enrolling in a usage credit plan.
Our Thoughts on 4Change Energy
We like that 4Change Energy supports local charities by contributing 4% of its profits to Feeding Texas, the American Red Cross, Heroes for Children and the American Cancer Society. Enrolling in one of 4Change’s energy options allows you to use your energy costs to contribute to meaningful causes.
4Change Energy plans advertise some of the best electricity rates in Texas, but its cheapest prices often feature bill credits. This plan type promises a usage-based credit on your account when your monthly energy use exceeds or stays below a set kilowatt-hour amount. You may benefit from a bill credit if your monthly energy use consistently qualifies you for the bill credit. However, your energy rate can skyrocket if your usage often dips below or rises above the required usage level. The variance in energy rates across usage levels makes for unpredictable monthly energy bills.
The 60-day satisfaction guarantee allows you to switch plans within 60 days of enrollment if the first plan you pick doesn’t fit your needs, all with no early termination fee (ETF).
If you want other plan types, such as time-of-use plans, you’ll have to look to other Texas electricity companies. 4Change offers 100% renewable energy plans. However, they charge an extra $6.95 per month for a renewable energy upgrade, which you must request in your online account.
How 4Change Energy Scores in Our Review
4Change Energy scored a 4 out of 5 in our review, ranking slightly below the average.
| Rating Category | Rhythm Energy Rating (Out of 5) | Average Rating (Top Providers) |
| Our overall rating | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Plan offerings | 4.0 | 4.1 |
| Customer satisfaction | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Bill predictability | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| 4Change Energy rates and monthly pricing | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Plan Offerings
4Change Energy’s weakest category is its plan offerings. The energy company only offers seven plans and two contract lengths: 12 or 24 months. That’s why 4Change scored a 4.0 out of 5 for plan offerings, just below the average of other providers. Energy companies with higher scores in this category offer a wider selection of plans, like 100% green energy plans, time-of-use rates and 36-month options.
Customer Satisfaction
We rated 4Change Energy a 4.3 for customer satisfaction, slightly lower than the average. We based this score on their 20-plus years of business experience, positive online reviews and customer service availability.
Bill Predictability
Bill predictability is 4Change’s highest-rated category, with a 4.5 out of 5. Depending on the plan, you can secure stable rates and predictable bills.
Cost
4Change earned a 4 out of 5 for the cost category, which is about average among the competition. You can secure a low rate from 4Change, but you must ensure the rate aligns with your typical usage. Providers with higher scores in this section have more affordable rates.
How 4Change Energy Ranks Against the Competition
Based on our rating methodology, 4Change Energy compares favorably to top providers, like TXU Energy and Gexa Energy. Additionally, for a straightforward energy plan, such as the One Rate 12, 4Change offers better rates than similar competitors.
| Factor | 4Change Energy | TXU | Gexa |
| Our overall rating (out of 5) | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Number of plans available | 5 | 10 | 16 |
| Top 12-month plan | One Rate 12 | Simple Rate 12 | Energy Saver 12 |
| Best feature | Bill predictability | Customer satisfaction | Plan options |
Where Is 4Change Energy Available?
4Change Energy serves cities throughout deregulated areas of Texas, including the Lubbock. Here’s a list of where you’ll find 4Change Energy based on your utility company.
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- AEP Central: Corpus Christi, McAllen, Victoria, Laredo, Harlingen
- AEP North: Abilene, San Angelo, Vernon
- CenterPoint Energy: Houston, Katy, Beaumont
- Oncor Electric: Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Waco, Arlington, Temple, Round Rock, Midland, Odessa
- Texas-New Mexico Power: League City, Glen Rose, Pecos, Angleton
- Lubbock Power & Light (LP&L): Lubbock
What Do Customers Say About 4change Energy?
4Change Energy scores 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews from more than 13,000 verified customer comments. Customer reviews highlight the ease of setting up the account, making payments, helpful customer service and energy savings.
Kyra C. wrote about her appreciation for 4Change’s transparency. “I love that I can see weekly what my usage is, and the rates are low and affordable. They care about people, their customer service is easily accessible and helps me when needed,” she said. Other reviewers made similar comments about the helpful usage reports and affordable rates compared to other providers.
4Change Energy has only 32 reviews on Trustpilot and a 1.5 out of 5 stars. Common complaints, such as “deceptive practices” for advertised rates, can be resolved by understanding your energy usage and reviewing the plan’s electricity facts label (EFL). Providers typically advertise the lowest rate, but checking the EFL will show your actual rate based on usage.
What To Look for on 4change Energy’s Electricity Facts Label
Your plan’s EFL — a document required by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) can help you understand the charges on your monthly bill. Reviewing this document will help you avoid surprises and maximize your energy usage. Here’s an example EFL for the One Rate 12 plan in the Oncor TDU service area.
- Average price per kWh: The average price estimates your energy rates at precise usage levels, including the energy charge and TDU fees. These rates are only a guide.
- Base charge: A flat monthly fee from 4Change for using energy.
- Energy charge: This is the cost of your electric usage when you multiply the kilowatt-hours used by the rate on your EFL. In this example, the energy charge is 14.9246 cents per kWh.
- TDU delivery charges: Local utility companies charge delivery fees to cover the cost of transmitting power and maintaining the local power grid.
- Type of product: This shows whether your plan has a fixed rate, which stays the same for your contract term, or a variable rate, which can change.
- Contract term: This section shows how long your contract lasts. For example, the Maxx Saver Slect plan has a 12-month term, securing your rate for one year.
- Early termination fee (ETF): If you end your fixed-rate contract early, you might have to pay a fee. In this example, the ETF is $20 for each month left on the contract.
- Renewable content: This section shows how much of your energy comes from renewable sources like wind or solar. The average renewable content in Texas is 33%.
- Disclosure chart: This section explains how your price might change. Your energy charge stays the same when enrolled in a fixed-rate plan. However, utility delivery fees can change.
In the average price per kWh, note the variation in cost from 500 kWh to 1,000 kWh. This large variation in price per kilowatt-hour indicates this plan may cause bill predictability issues, which are common for bill credit plans such as this. A plan with a lower variation in price across usage levels (say, 13 cents to 16 cents) should be more predictable. We captured this EFL on January 13, 2025.
What Is the Best Way To Contact 4change Energy?
Need help signing up for a plan or paying your bill? You can contact 4Change Energy via the phone number or email below.
- Phone: Call 855-784-2426
- Email: service@4ChangeEnergy.com
- Outage reporting: During a power outage, contact your TDU who maintains the transmission lines. Your light company offers plans and handles billing, but your TDU can restore power.
Their website has a helpful list of the best times to call and frequently asked questions.
How Do You Move Or Transfer Service with 4change Energy?
You can transfer your 4Chagne Energy plan to your new address if it’s in 4Change’s electricity service area. To transfer your service, log in to your online account, select “Manage My Service” and request to transfer your service. Enter your new address and the date you’d like to start service. You can call customer service to transfer service over the phone instead of transferring online.
You’ll have to switch electricity providers if your new home is outside 4Change’s service area. Marketplace sites such as ours make searching and comparing electricity plans easy. Just enter your ZIP code to find available options. Your new energy provider will manage the transition to your new plan once you find one that suits your needs.
Final take: 4Change Energy Offers Straightforward Plans But Bill Credit Plans Can Cause Confusion
In our 4Change Energy review, we rated the company a 4.2 out of 5 overall and best prices for high-usage households. You can get some of the cheapest rates on the market with 4Change’s bill credit plans, but make sure it aligns with your usage habits before signing up. Bill credit plans can be unpredictable for some Texans with varying energy needs.
We usually recommend more straightforward priced plans, even though rates are slightly more expensive. Options like 4Change’s One Rate 12 plan are still typically more affordable than those offered by higher-rated providers, such as TXU Energy and Reliant Energy.
Frequently Asked Questions About 4change Energy
Will 4Change Energy charge me a cancellation fee?
Yes, you may owe a cancellation fee, or ETF, if you cancel a fixed-rate plan before your contract ends. But with variable-rate plans, there’s no fee since they’re month-to-month.
Do the 4Change Energy rates shown include everything?
Yes, the average rates listed at the top of the EFL include TDU fees and energy charges. The advertised prices only apply to specific usage levels. Your actual costs will change based on your usage. These rates often assume qualification for bill credits or tiered-rate discounts that can make the prices appear lower than your effective costs.
Does 4Change Energy run a credit check?
4Change Energy runs a credit check to determine if you owe a deposit. Credit checks are a standard practice for Texans in the deregulated energy market, and the credit check won’t impact your credit score. 4Change will return your deposit after 12 months of on-time payments.
What is the best 4Change Energy electricity plan?
We like the One Rate 12 energy plan from 4Change because of its consistent rates. However, your electricity use may determine the best plan for you. Enter your ZIP code to explore plans in your area and compare rates based on your typical usage.
How We Rate and Review Texas Electricity Companies
With dozens of providers and hundreds of plans available in the deregulated Texas market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We created a comprehensive rating methodology to help Texans cut through the complexity and find the best electricity plan for their needs, whether they’re moving to Texas or looking to switch providers.
We’ve researched dozens of Texas electricity providers and scored them out of 5 stars based on cost, bill predictability, customer satisfaction, brand trust, and plan features. Here’s how those core factors weighed into our ratings:
- Plan features (33%)
- Customer satisfaction and brand trust (27%)
- Plan rates and pricing (20%)
- Energy bill predictability (20%)
