How does Frontier Utilities score?
Frontier earns 62 out of 100, which we rate "fair." It gets full marks for price. It loses the most points for its contract, which has forced arbitration and six extra fees, and for two state penalties.
90–100 Excellent80–89 Very good70–79 Good60–69 FairUnder 60 Poor
Scores out of 100, from public records only, with the same formula for every company. Frontier ties Reliant for eighth of the 10. See all 10 ranked side by side.
See the evidence behind every point
| Category | Points | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints to the state | 15 / 25 | 3 of 5, the middle group, on the PUCT complaint scorecard, March 1 to August 31, 2026 |
| BBB rating | 2 / 5 | Not rated: the BBB says its file is being reviewed or updated. A missing grade earns 2 points under our rule, and we say so. Checked October 5, 2026. |
| Fines and penalties | 8 / 20 | Two PUCT penalties in 10 years: $160,000 in 2017 (Docket 46826, −8) and $88,500 in 2024 (Docket 55642, −4) |
| Contract fairness | 9 / 20 | $150 cancel fee on Power Saver 12 (5 of 5); an arbitration clause and a class-action waiver (0 of 4); six extra fees: disconnect notices, disconnection, reconnection, agent payments, paper copies and account maintenance (0 of 4); a simple fixed plan (4 of 4); no free-cancel window beyond the 3-day legal minimum (0 of 3) |
| Price | 20 / 20 | Power Saver 12 averages 12.25¢ at 1,000 kWh across Dallas (12.3¢) and Houston (12.2¢), 77% of EIA's 15.88¢ Texas average for July 2026 |
| Time in business | 8 / 10 | Licensed October 8, 2008 (4); its terms describe customer-funded bill payment assistance (2); parent NextEra Energy publishes audited financials (2) |
A simple fixed plan has one energy rate and no bill credits, usage tiers or time-of-use pricing. Power Saver 12 qualifies. Full method: how we score.
Frontier Utilities quick facts
What is Frontier's phone number?
Call 1-866-926-8192. Frontier's terms of service list customer service hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central on weekdays. For a power outage, call your utility instead. Frontier sells the power, but it doesn't own the lines.
Power out? Call the company that owns your lines
Frontier's terms say self-help payment options are free, while a payment taken by a live agent costs $5. Keep a valid email on file, too: leaving paperless or fixing a lapsed email can cost a one-time $20.
How many complaints does Frontier Utilities get?
Texans filed 32 complaints about Frontier with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) from April through September 2026. For its size, Frontier gets a middle rating from the state: 3 of 5.
The PUCT's names: billing, discontinuance, provision of service, slamming (switching your provider without permission), cramming (unauthorized charges) and all other. Source: PUCT Customer Complaint Statistics, pulled October 5, 2026.
The state ranks every provider by complaints per 1,000 customers over six months, then sorts them into five equal groups. Frontier is in the middle group.
The BBB says Frontier's file is being reviewed or updated, so it shows no grade. It lists 42 complaints in three years, and reviews average 1.21 out of 5 across 24 reviews. Reviews don't count toward any grade.
What does Frontier Utilities charge in 2026?
Frontier offers 3 home plans in Dallas and Houston. At 1,000 kWh they cost 10.6¢ to 12.3¢ per kWh, delivery included. Its 12-month plan, Power Saver 12, works out to about $123 a month in Dallas and $122 in Houston, before taxes.
Average price per kWh from each plan's fact label as listed on Power to Choose on October 5, 2026, for ZIP 75201 (Dallas) and 77002 (Houston). Prices include delivery but not taxes. Green: the plan we score.
Which Frontier plan is cheapest for my usage?
Pick your city and the usage closest to your bill. The finder ranks every Frontier plan offered in your city and shows about what you'd pay each month.
Should you pick a shorter Frontier plan?
Frontier's 3-month plan is the cheapest right now: 10.6¢ per kWh in Dallas and Houston at 1,000 kWh. But it ends in 3 months, and it still charges $150 to cancel early, the same as the 12-month plan.
Source: Frontier fact labels on Power to Choose, October 5, 2026.
Rule of thumb: a short plan saves money only if prices are still low when it ends. With a 3-month plan, you'll be shopping again before winter is over. The 12-month plan costs more each month but locks your price for a full year.
What fees does Frontier Utilities charge, and how do I cancel?
Frontier charges $150 to cancel any of its plans early, even the 3-month plan. There's no fee if you move and document it in writing.
- Three notices before your contract ends, the last at least 30 days ahead
- No cancel fee if you move and document it in writing
- The default plan after your contract can be canceled anytime with no fee
- No deposit at age 65+ if you're not behind, or with good credit under state rules
- Forced arbitration, a class-action waiver and a jury-trial waiver
- Only the legal 3 business days to cancel free after you enroll
- Six fees beyond late and returned payments
- A $20 account fee if your email lapses or you leave paperless
Want to skip the deposit entirely? See six ways to get power with no deposit. Before your contract ends, see what changes on a variable rate.
Behind on a bill? Ask Frontier about its bill payment assistance program, call 211, or ask about low-income help tied to SNAP or Medicaid.
Keep readingBill still too high? Find out why, step by stepHas Frontier Utilities been fined?
Yes, twice since 2017. The PUCT approved penalties totaling $248,500: $160,000 in 2017 and $88,500 in 2024. The 2024 case was about customer safeguards and disconnecting service.
- Retail Energy Solutions, the company behind Frontier, is licensed as a retail electric provider.
- The PUCT approves a settlement over customer-protection, switching and prepaid-service rules.
- The PUCT approves a settlement over customer safeguards and disconnection of service.
- The PUCT's complaint scorecard rates Frontier 3 of 5 for March to August 2026.
How we checked: we searched the PUCT's enforcement cases filed since October 2016 for Frontier Utilities and Retail Energy Solutions. Two cases named Frontier. Another case, Docket 49497, involved Frontier Communications, a phone company, so we left it out.
Coming up: the 2017 penalty leaves our 10-year window on March 9, 2027. That adds 8 points, raising Frontier to 70 if nothing else changes.
What do Frontier's records actually say?
We read Frontier's full terms of service and every fact label it lists on Power to Choose. Here are the key figures, with a link to each document.
Terms of service: effective November 19, 2025
| Topic | What it says |
|---|---|
| Arbitration | A section titled “Arbitration; Class Action and Jury Trial Waiver”: disputes go to small-claims court or binding arbitration under American Arbitration Association consumer rules; you can still complain to the PUCT |
| Class actions | Claims can only be brought one person at a time, and there's a separate jury-trial waiver |
| Fees | Returned payment $30, disconnect notice $25, disconnection $30, reconnection $30, agent payment $5, paper copies $2, account maintenance $20 one time, late payment 5% |
| Moving | No cancel fee on fixed plans if you move and document it in writing |
| Contract end | Three notices in the last third of the term, the last at least 30 days before the end for terms over 4 months; then a month-to-month variable plan |
| Deposits | Postpaid plans only; no more than the greater of two months of estimated bills or one-fifth of a year's estimated billing |
| Avoiding a deposit | Age 65+ and not behind, a family-violence certification, medical need, or good credit under PUCT rule 25.478 |
| Contact | 866-926-8192, weekdays 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Central |
Source: Frontier terms of service, effective November 19, 2025. Cancel fee amounts are on each plan's fact label.
PUCT enforcement orders: two cases, 2017 and 2024
Fact labels: every plan, October 2026
| Plan | Dallas, 1,000 kWh | Houston, 1,000 kWh | Term | Cancel fee | Renewable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Power Saver 12 | 12.3¢ | 12.2¢ | 12 mo | $150 | 30% |
| Frontier Power Saver 8 | 11.2¢ | 10.9¢ | 8 mo | $150 | 30% |
| Frontier Power Saver 3 | 10.6¢ | 10.6¢ | 3 mo | $150 | 30% |
Each price links to that plan's official fact label. All three plans are fixed-price with no bill credits, and thier prices are locked for the term.
Frontier vs. Gexa: which NextEra brand is better?
Gexa scores higher, 74 to 62. Both are owned by NextEra and both use forced arbitration. Gexa wins on complaints, penalties and renewable power; Frontier's 12-month plan costs about the same.
Gexa figures are from our Gexa review, updated October 5, 2026. Complaint counts aren't adjusted for company size; the PUCT rating is.
Keep readingRead our full Gexa Energy reviewDoes Frontier Utilities buy back solar power?
Yes. Frontier Sun Confidence 12 and Battery Awards 12 credit your extra power at a flat 3¢ per kWh, the same terms as its sister company, Gexa. That’s about a third of the 8.8¢ energy charge in Dallas.
From Frontier’s fact labels dated October 4, 2026 (Dallas) and September 30, 2026 (Houston), and its terms of service. Frontier’s average prices assume you send back 475 kWh a month. Credits change, so confirm them on the fact label before you sign.
Energy charge only, from Frontier’s fact labels. Delivery and base charges are extra.
Your extra kWh times Frontier’s 3¢ credit.
- No cap. Extra credits roll to your next bill.
- Credits have no cash value, and you lose them if you leave.
- You need a qualifying solar system, an interconnection agreement and a two-way meter.
- $9.95 base charge, a $150 cancel fee and paperless billing with a valid email. Battery Awards’ advertised $50 monthly battery credit isn’t on its fact label.
Frontier Utilities questions, answered
Is Frontier Utilities a good electricity provider?
It's fair, by our numbers. Frontier scores 62 out of 100 on our public-records scorecard. Its 12-month plan costs about 12.3¢ at 1,000 kWh, far below the Texas average, but its contract has forced arbitration and six extra fees, and it has two state penalties since 2017.
What is Frontier Utilities' phone number?
Call 1-866-926-8192, weekdays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central, per its terms of service. For outages, call your utility instead, such as Oncor at 1-888-313-4747 or CenterPoint at 713-207-2222.
Who owns Frontier Utilities?
Frontier is owned by NextEra Energy, which also owns Gexa Energy, according to Frontier's filings with the PUCT. The PUCT lists the company as Retail Energy Solutions, LLC, doing business as Frontier Utilities.
Does Frontier have forced arbitration?
Yes. Its terms send disputes to small-claims court or binding arbitration, bar class actions and waive a jury trial. You can still file a complaint with the PUCT.
How much does Frontier charge to cancel?
$150 on every plan, even the 3-month Power Saver 3. There's no fee if you move and document it in writing, and no free-cancel window beyond the legal 3 business days.
What is Frontier's cheapest plan?
At 1,000 kWh, Power Saver 3 is cheapest, at 10.6¢ in Dallas and Houston, but its price lasts only 3 months. Power Saver 12 costs 12.3¢ in Dallas and 12.2¢ in Houston.
How many complaints does Frontier get?
The PUCT logged 32 complaints about Frontier from April through September 2026, with billing the top issue at 14. For its size, Frontier earns a 3 of 5 complaint rating. The BBB shows 42 complaints over three years.
Has Frontier Utilities been fined?
Yes, twice since 2017. The PUCT approved a $160,000 penalty in 2017 and an $88,500 penalty in 2024, the second over customer safeguards and disconnections.
What fees does Frontier charge?
Beyond late and returned payments, Frontier lists six fees: $25 disconnect notices, $30 disconnection, $30 reconnection, $5 agent payments, $2 paper copies and a one-time $20 account maintenance fee.
Is Frontier better than Gexa?
On our scorecard, Gexa scores 74 and Frontier 62, and NextEra owns both. Their 12-month plans cost about the same, but Gexa is 100% renewable, has a better complaint rating and has fewer extra fees.
Sources and updates
Sources (13)
- Frontier Utilities, Terms of service (effective November 19, 2025): arbitration, fees, deposits and contract-end notices.
- Frontier Utilities, Power Saver 12 fact label, Dallas (via Power to Choose, October 5, 2026).
- Frontier Utilities, Power Saver 12 fact label, Houston.
- Power to Choose (PUCT), plan listings and fact labels: every plan for ZIP 75201 and 77002, captured October 5, 2026.
- Public Utility Commission of Texas, Customer Complaint Statistics: complaint counts, April 1 to September 30, 2026.
- Power to Choose (PUCT), Retail Electric Provider Complaint Scorecard: the September 2026 size-adjusted complaint ratings and license dates.
- Better Business Bureau, Frontier Utilities, LLC profile, checked October 5, 2026.
- Public Utility Commission of Texas, Docket 46826 order (March 9, 2017): the $160,000 penalty.
- Public Utility Commission of Texas, Docket 55642 order (February 1, 2024): the $88,500 penalty.
- Public Utility Commission of Texas, Frontier semi-annual report (2022): NextEra Energy named as its ultimate parent.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: the Texas average residential price of 15.88¢ per kWh, July 2026.
- Frontier Utilities, Sun Confidence 12 fact label, Dallas, October 4, 2026.
- Frontier Utilities, Sun Confidence 12 fact label, Houston, September 30, 2026.
Changelog · last updated October 5, 2026 · 3 updates
- October 5, 2026 (solar update): Added a solar buyback section: every Frontier solar plan and its credit in Dallas and Houston, a calculator for what your extra power earns, and a chart comparing credits with what you pay. Each company in the 10-company chart now links to its review. Frontier’s score is unchanged.
- October 5, 2026 (update): Gexa rose from 72 to 74 and Green Mountain from 68 to 70 after we confirmed their terms describe a bill-help fund, so we updated the 10-company chart. We updated the Gexa comparison to 74 to 62. Frontier’s score is unchanged.
- October 5, 2026: Review published. Score: 62 out of 100. Prices from Power to Choose fact labels for ZIP 75201 and 77002, captured October 5, 2026.
How to cite this page: The Day Company, "Is Frontier Utilities any good? Our 2026 review", published October 5, 2026, https://theday.company/tx/frontier-utilities-review.
Scores use public records only and the same formula for every company; see how we score. Prices are Frontier's own fact-label averages for the ZIP codes shown and change often; your price depends on your address and plan. The Day Company is not affiliated with Frontier Utilities, NextEra Energy or any retail electric provider. No company pays for placement or a better score, and we earn no referral fees from this review.
Does Frontier Utilities have a solar buyback plan?
Yes. Frontier Sun Confidence 12 and Battery Awards 12 credit extra solar power at a flat 3¢ per kWh, the same terms as sister company Gexa. Extra credits roll to your next bill but have no cash value, and you lose them if you leave. This isn’t part of our score.