Spark Energy Reviews

Updated on
min reading

Spark Energy is an alternative natural gas and electricity supplier with positive customer service reviews. Many report great savings on fixed rate plans, while customers have fewer positive things to say about variable rates.

Our Thoughts

Spark Energy has high ratings for customer satisfaction, and savings can be significant on fixed rate plans as long as you lock in a competitive rate for the right length of time.

However, the company's door to door sales have been denounced by some customers as pushy or lacking in transparency. Variable rates are also not appreciated by many customers. Compare reviews with other suppliers.

Plans Available & Our Take

Plan Type Details Contract Length & Early Cancellation Fee Our Thoughts
Fixed Rate Plans
  • Rate stays the same for whole contract
  • 30 days notice required to cancel
  • Monthly Fees
    • Price protect plan: $4.95
    • All other plans: None
  • Green energy available
  • Automatically becomes variable rate at end of contract
Contracts:
  • 6, 12, or 24 months
Early Cancellation fees:
  • $50-100, depending on plan
Recommended:
  • Natural Gas: 6 or 12 months
  • Electricity: 24 months
Variable Rate Plans
  • Rate can change monthly
No contract or early termination fee Not recommended

Our Recommendations

We recommend fixed rate plans with Spark Energy, as long as you are able to lock in a competitive rate for a good period of time. For natural gas customers, we recommend plans of 12 months or less based on price trends. Electricity contracts are better deals for 18 months or longer.

Variable rate plans are not recommended, because the rate you pay for electricity per kilowatt-hour or for natural gas per therm is likely to be unstable on variable plans.

Customer Rate Experiences

Many customers report they save on fixed rate contracts with Spark Energy, in comparison to rates offered by their local utility. Customers also appreciate the stability that comes with fixed rate plans.

Consumers appreciate the availability of green energy plans.

However, some customers have reported that they did not feel informed that fixed rate plans would automatically become variable at the end of their contract term. There are reports that rates on variable plans can spike above the initial rate offered by Spark Energy, and above local utility prices as well.

Positive Customer Service Reviews

Many consumers are pleased at how responsive Spark Energy is to their concerns on social media. Additionally, phone customer service representatives are often considered to be helpful and informative by customers.

The Spark Energy website is easy to use according to some consumers, who appreciate automatic services like bill pay.

Unpleasant Sales Practices

Spark Energy uses a door to door sales model, which makes some costumers uncomfortable. Some consumers feel that contract information is not adequately disclosed at signing, and that sales agents target vulnerable residents. There are allegations that Spark Energy's sales representatives have misled customers into thinking they represent another company, like the local utility, in order to get them to sign up for service.

Other Concerns

Though some customers find customer service to be helpful, others feel that wait times to speak with a customer service representative are too longAdditionally, some consumers find the website difficult to use.

Awards & Ratings

The company has a 3.4 out of 5 star rating from the watchdog Consumer Affairs. Spark Energy does not have a rating from Better Business Bureau.

Spark Energy was ranked #2 for customer satisfaction among retail energy suppliers in the state of Texas by JD Power & Associates in 2011.

Business Information

Spark Energy is headquartered in Houston, Texas, where it was founded in 1999. The company serves over 100,000 natural gas and electricity customers in 12 US states.

Callmepower is independent and not affiliated with any supplier or utility.