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Your electricity in zip code 78702 is delivered by Austin Energy. This area is served by a regulated utility.
Residents and businesses in the 78702 zip code — covering East Austin in Travis County — receive electricity service exclusively through Austin Energy (AE), the City of Austin's municipally owned utility. Unlike most of Texas, this area is not part of the deregulated ERCOT retail market, meaning you cannot shop among competing retail electric providers. Instead, Austin Energy sets your rate, currently averaging around 12.8¢/kWh as of March 2026. While choice is limited, understanding your rate structure, time-of-use options, and efficiency programs can still meaningfully reduce your monthly electricity costs. Travis County's population of nearly 1 million and a median household income of $75,413 reflect a dense, growing urban market where energy costs are an important budget consideration.
As of March 2026, Austin Energy customers in the 78702 zip code pay an average rate of approximately 12.8¢/kWh. This figure includes both the energy supply charge and the regulated delivery (wires and poles) component — both of which are set by Austin Energy and approved by the Austin City Council. Unlike deregulated Texas markets where energy and delivery charges are billed separately, Austin Energy bundles these into a single tiered rate structure. Seasonal demand — particularly during Austin's intense summer months — can push consumption higher, making spring an ideal time to audit your usage habits before peak billing season arrives.
Because 78702 is served by a municipal utility rather than a competitive retail market, traditional contract comparisons (6-month vs. 12-month vs. 24-month plans) do not apply here. Austin Energy does not offer fixed-term retail contracts. Instead, customers are enrolled on a standard tariff. However, Austin Energy does offer a Value Rate (time-of-use pricing) that rewards customers who shift consumption away from peak hours (typically 2–7 PM on weekdays). For households with flexible schedules, smart thermostats, or EV charging, enrolling in a time-of-use plan can serve as an effective substitute for rate shopping.
The 78702 zip code has no retail electricity competition. Providers such as Reliant, TXU Energy, Green Mountain Energy, Gexa Energy, and Rhythm Energy — which operate in deregulated Texas markets — are not available here. Austin Energy is the sole provider, regulated at the municipal level. This means your focus should shift from provider comparison to program optimization.
Austin Energy (AE) serves the entirety of the 78702 zip code and manages both electricity generation/supply and the local distribution network (wires, poles, and meters). Because AE is vertically integrated, there is no separate TDSP delivery charge to compare across providers — the full rate is set by one entity. Enrollment changes, billing questions, and outage reports are all handled directly through Austin Energy at austinenergy.com or by calling 512-494-9400.
Neighboring zip codes 78701 (Downtown Austin), 78703 (Tarrytown/Clarksville), 78704 (South Congress), and 78705 (UT area) are all similarly served by Austin Energy under the same municipal rate structure. Residents across these Austin zip codes share the same 12.8¢/kWh average and the same lack of retail provider competition. This distinguishes central Austin significantly from suburban areas like Pflugerville or Cedar Park, which fall under Oncor or Pedernales Electric and do have retail provider choice. If you move outside Austin city limits, you may gain access to the competitive market.
Enroll in Austin Energy's Value Flight time-of-use rate plan and shift high-energy tasks — laundry, dishwashing, EV charging — to before 2 PM or after 7 PM on summer weekdays to avoid peak pricing that can double your effective per-kWh cost.
Apply for Austin Energy's free weatherization program if your household income qualifies. Eligible residents can receive no-cost attic insulation, air sealing, and HVAC tune-ups — upgrades that can cut annual cooling costs by 15–25% in Austin's demanding Central Texas climate.
Install a programmable or smart thermostat and set your AC to 78–80°F when away. Austin Energy offers rebates up to $85 for qualifying smart thermostat models, and the utility's free online Home Energy Reports tool benchmarks your usage against similar nearby homes.
Consider Austin Energy's rooftop solar incentive program, which offers a rebate of $2,500 per kilowatt of installed capacity (up to 10 kW). Paired with the federal solar tax credit, a typical Austin home can achieve payback in 6–9 years while locking in long-term energy independence against rising tiered rates.
Austin Energy is a municipally owned utility, which means it operates outside of Texas's deregulated electricity market. The City of Austin governs its rates and services, so residents in 78702 are not eligible to shop for a retail electric provider.
The average electricity rate in 78702 is approximately 12.8¢/kWh as of March 2026. This rate is set by Austin Energy and includes both energy supply and delivery charges in a single bundled rate approved by Austin City Council.
Consider enrolling in Austin Energy's time-of-use Value Rate, applying for the Customer Assistance Program (CAP) if income-eligible, installing a smart thermostat, or taking advantage of AE's free energy efficiency audits and rebate programs.
No. Unlike deregulated Texas markets where TDSP delivery charges appear as a separate line item, Austin Energy bundles supply and delivery into one unified rate. You won't see a separate Oncor or CenterPoint delivery charge on your Austin Energy bill.
Neighboring zip codes 78701, 78703, 78704, 78705, and 78718 are all served by Austin Energy under the same rate structure. Residents throughout central Austin share the same municipal utility and are equally unable to shop for competing retail providers.
Yes. Austin Energy offers a Value Rate time-of-use plan that charges lower rates during off-peak hours. Customers who run dishwashers, laundry, and EV chargers after 7 PM on weekdays can see meaningful savings compared to the standard flat rate.