Reliant Energy can actually trace its roots back as far as 1882, when Emanuel Raphael and other Houston businessmen, wanted to bring electricity to their town. By 1889, the small company sold out to the larger Houston Gas Light Company.
Over the years, the company has been sold or has merged with numerous other electrical companies until 2000 when Reliant Energy was incorporated. In 2009, energy giant NRG acquired the company, which now operates as a subsidiary. 
The state of Texas deregulated the electric industry in 2002. This allows consumers to choose between the current 116 retail electric providers that offer service in their area. Reliant has approximately 1.8 million customers, making them the second largest energy provider in the state.
Reliant has provided electricity to “Beat the Heat Centers” in Texas since 2009. Partnering with local community centers, Reliant helps air condition buildings where the public can enjoy free AC, in a safe environment, throughout the summer while reducing home electricity use during the hottest days of summer.
The company introduced their own mobile phone app in 2014, which allows customers to pay their bill, view their current usage and costs, as well as control smart devices, such as thermostats, from their mobile phone. In August 2016, the company announced the sale of smart doorbells systems, which work with cameras and the cell phone app, to alert customers about activity near their front doors.
Reliant Energy currently has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Company headquarters are located in Houston, Texas. 
Reliant Energy can actually trace its roots back as far as 1882, when Emanuel Raphael and other Houston businessmen, wanted to bring electricity to their town. By 1889, the small company sold out to the larger Houston Gas Light Company.
Over the years, the company has been sold or has merged with numerous other electrical companies until 2000 when Reliant Energy was incorporated. In 2009, energy giant NRG acquired the company, which now operates as a subsidiary.
History
The state of Texas deregulated the electric industry in 2002. This allows consumers to choose between the current 116 retail electric providers that offer service in their area. Reliant has approximately 1.8 million customers, making them the second largest energy provider in the state.
Reliant has provided electricity to “Beat the Heat Centers” in Texas since 2009. Partnering with local community centers, Reliant helps air condition buildings where the public can enjoy free AC, in a safe environment, throughout the summer while reducing home electricity use during the hottest days of summer.
The company introduced their own mobile phone app in 2014, which allows customers to pay their bill, view their current usage and costs, as well as control smart devices, such as thermostats, from their mobile phone. In August 2016, the company announced the sale of smart doorbells systems, which work with cameras and the cell phone app, to alert customers about activity near their front doors.
Reliant Energy currently has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Company headquarters are located in Houston, Texas.
I accidentally overpaid (my own fault) because I had an automatic payment set up but I paid early and forgot to undo the automatic payment. What happened tho was that second payment hit and it put me in a financial bind. I requested a refund August 5, never heard anything, August 8th made another claim with Reliant, and still there was conflicting information from each person I spoke to. I was told 7-10 days from the start, that ended up being up to 30 days, this is for a simple refund. Just a refund, a reversal of funds that were sent to reliant accidentally, money that was to he returned to me. This process was stupid. They wanted me to provide proof that the money was taken from my bank yet their records indicated two payments of the same amount from bank draft. I feel that it is unethical to keep money that does not belong to you and I also feel it is unacceptable for a refund to take as long as they say it would take. They are quick to withdraw money or accept payment but take their sweet time returning money. Each time I spoke to someone different and one even had a dog barking in the background (I get it, work from home I suppose) but for everyone to tell me different things is ridiculous. When you call the recording says “recorded for training purposes” this is likely not true or nobody reviews the conversations because they cannot be consistent. The way they handle their customers money is unacceptable.
I do not have an account with you nor will I ever get one. A sales person came to my door today trying to sell your product. I told him I was not interested. He continued to harass me after I gave him my answer. Do not send anymore sales people to my address, do not call me, and do not send any mail to me. I will inform my neighbors of this incident. I will never buy your product.
Steve Stroemer
April 15, 2019
I chatted online and sent an email from the reliant.com website, earlier this week. By my own mistake, my “contract” ran out, and I’ve noticed that my rate has more than doubled in the last few months. I asked that the last 3 months be adjusted, to which both the online chat and email said could not be done. I reviewed my renewal plan options online, only to discover that they’re twice what I appear to be able to get elsewhere. The online chat told me to watch out for lower rates elsewhere as there are hidden fees. It would be very unprofessional if this was a comment to keep me at Reliant and not a known fact regarding another provider. I wonder why my renewal options are so high at Reliant, yet a new provider offers me half that rate? It seems that Reliant would want to keep its customers, instead of gauging them with higher rates. I’m of the mind that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” so I’ve stayed with Reliant. It now appears to be broken, and I feel I’ll need to look elsewhere for my electric provider.
Thank you