Brilliant Energy
Brilliant Energy is a Houston-based retail electricity provider that was founded in 2007 and serves Texas residents. They have a strong community focus, particularly on animal protection.
Our Take On Brilliant Energy
Based on our investigation into Brilliant Energy's rates, contract options, and customer reviews, we rate the company out of five stars.
Compare reviews with other suppliers.
What we like about Brilliant Energy
- Quite a wide range of contract options
- Strong focus on community
- Brilliant Energy makes information about rates (EFL, Terms of Service, YRAC document) freely available and easily found on their website (in English and in Spanish)
What made Brilliant Energy lose points
- A minimum usage fee that makes Brilliant Energy not recommended for smaller power consumers
- While we like the idea of charity products, we also want to know how much of our money is going to charity. Brilliant Energy's charity Brilliant PetLovers plan is notably short on information regarding how much is actually donated to charity
Available Plans
| Plan Type | Contract Length | Features | Early Termination Fee | Our Thoughts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate Plans | 6, 12, 24, 36 months |
|
$200 |
Recommended: 24 or 36 month plans, in order to lock in long-term fixed rates. |
Explanation of Rate Options
Fixed vs Variable Rates Options
A fixed rate does not change over the whole period of the contract, meaning that for the length of the contract (3, 6, 12, or 24 months) the price you pay for electricity in ¢/kWh does not change. In general we recommend choosing fixed rate contracts of at least 12 months or more. As electricity prices per kilowatt-hour fluctuate throughout the year, and you may actually lose money by not being able to take advantage of prices when they are low. However, because electricity prices tend to increase over time, locking in fixed rates for longer periods may prove advantageous and deliver savings. You can find more information about fixed rates in our guide.
In general, we do not recommend variable rates, as most customers report negative experiences with them. With prices not guaranteed after the first month, variable rates tend to be highly unpredictable. Find out more about variable electricity prices in Texas.
Some customers have reported savings on fixed rate electricity plans from Brilliant Energy. Fixed rate plans can often be a good deal if you are able to lock in a good rate at the right time of year.
Base Charges/Minimum Usage Fees
Base charges are flat charges that are charged every month regardless of the amount of power consumed. Minimum usage fees kick in when customer consumption is below a certain minimum monthly threshold. Brilliant Energy charges a $10.99 minimum usage fee consumption under 1,000 kWh per month.
Green Energy Plans
Brilliant Energy offers 100% green energy plans. Brilliant Energy's standard plans include 10.8% renewable content, which is just over the state average of 10.7%.
Customer Reviews for Brilliant Energy
We give Brilliant Energy a 
rating.
Positive reviews of Brilliant Energy often mention savings on monthly bills. Most negative reviews have been centered around problems with billing and customer service. Brilliant Energy has a A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, which is based on the number of complaints (very few) that have been made against it relative to its size and the length of time it has been in operation.
For more information about the customer experience with Brilliant Energy, check out our Brilliant Energy customer reviews page.
About Brilliant Energy
Brilliant Energy is privately-owned and operates solely in Texas.
Contact Brilliant Energy
Email Brilliant Energy Customer Service
You can email Brilliant Energy at [email protected].
Brilliant Energy Customer Service Phone Numbers
You can reach Brilliant Energy toll-free at (877) 789-8801, or at (713) 789-8800. Brilliant Energy's customer service hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and is closed on weekends and holidays.
Brilliant Energy's fax numbers are (713) 789-8806 (local), or (877) 789-8806 (toll-free).
Mailing Address for Brilliant Energy:
Brilliant Energy
800 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 109
Houston, Texas 77042