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Your electricity in zip code 78738 is delivered by Austin Energy. This area is served by a regulated utility.
Residents of zip code 78738 in Austin, Texas are served exclusively by Austin Energy (AE), a municipally owned and regulated electric utility operating within Travis County. Unlike most of Texas, which operates under a deregulated energy market, this area of Austin does not allow residents to choose an alternative retail electricity provider. Austin Energy handles both the generation and delivery of electricity to homes and businesses in 78738, meaning your rate structure, billing, and service are all managed through a single regulated entity. As of March 2026, the average electricity rate in this zip code is approximately 12.8¢ per kilowatt-hour. While shopping for a competing provider isn't an option here, there are still meaningful ways to manage and reduce your monthly electric costs through efficiency programs, rate plan selection, and time-of-use awareness.
The average electricity rate for Austin Energy customers in zip code 78738 is 12.8¢ per kilowatt-hour as of March 2026. This rate reflects Austin Energy's blended cost of generation, transmission, and delivery — all bundled into a single municipal utility bill. Unlike deregulated markets where energy charges and delivery charges appear as separate line items, Austin Energy customers see a consolidated rate structure. For context, the statewide average across deregulated Texas markets often fluctuates between 11¢ and 16¢/kWh depending on contract terms and market conditions, placing Austin Energy's 12.8¢ rate in a broadly competitive range — though direct comparison is difficult given the different billing structures.
Seasonal demand plays a notable role in usage costs. March represents a transitional month in Central Texas, with mild temperatures reducing cooling loads compared to the peak summer months of July and August, when household electricity consumption can spike dramatically in the Austin area.
Because 78738 is served by a regulated municipal utility, there are no competing retail providers offering short-term, medium-term, or long-term contract alternatives. Austin Energy sets rates through a regulated tariff approved by the Austin City Council. However, Austin Energy does offer rate plan options that residents can select based on their usage patterns:
Reviewing which rate plan aligns with your household's usage schedule is one of the most impactful financial decisions available to 78738 residents.
Zip code 78738 is not part of the deregulated ERCOT retail market. There are no competing retail electric providers (REPs) such as Reliant, TXU Energy, Green Mountain Energy, Gexa Energy, or Rhythm Energy available to residents in this zip code. Austin Energy holds exclusive service rights as a municipal utility, a common arrangement in many Texas cities including San Antonio (CPS Energy) and Garland (Garland Power & Light).
This differs significantly from nearby deregulated markets. Residents in areas just outside Austin's city limits — or in surrounding communities served by Oncor or Pedernales Electric Cooperative — may have access to competitive retail electricity options.
Austin Energy (AE) is the sole electric utility serving zip code 78738. As a municipal utility, AE is accountable to Austin City Council rather than the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), which regulates investor-owned utilities. There is no separate TDSP delivery charge on your bill — Austin Energy bundles all costs into its tariff rates. Switching providers is not available; however, customers can contact Austin Energy directly at 512-494-9400 or through austinenergy.com to review rate plan options, apply for bill assistance programs, or enroll in energy efficiency rebate programs.
Neighboring Austin zip codes including 78701 (Downtown), 78702 (East Austin), 78703 (Tarrytown), 78704 (South Congress), and 78705 (UT Area) are all similarly served by Austin Energy under the same regulated rate structure. Rates and billing terms are consistent across Austin Energy's service territory, meaning 78738 residents face the same 12.8¢/kWh average as most other AE customers in Travis County. The primary differences in monthly bills across zip codes come down to home size, insulation quality, HVAC efficiency, and individual usage habits — not competitive pricing differences.
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.
No. Zip code 78738 is served exclusively by Austin Energy, a regulated municipal utility. Texas electricity deregulation does not apply here, so residents cannot select an alternative retail electric provider.
The average electricity rate for Austin Energy customers in 78738 is approximately 12.8¢ per kilowatt-hour as of March 2026. This is a bundled rate covering both generation and delivery costs.
Austin Energy is a municipally owned utility overseen by Austin City Council, not a competitive retail provider. It operates outside Texas's deregulated market, meaning it sets rates through a regulated tariff rather than market competition.
Consider switching to Austin Energy's Time-of-Use rate plan, applying for efficiency rebates, upgrading insulation or HVAC systems, or enrolling in budget billing. Austin Energy also offers income-based bill assistance programs.
Austin Energy offers a standard tiered residential rate, a Value Rate time-of-use plan for customers who can shift usage off-peak, and the Green Choice renewable energy program for sustainability-focused households.
No. Unlike deregulated Texas utilities where TDSP delivery charges appear as a separate line item, Austin Energy bundles all generation, transmission, and delivery costs into a single consolidated rate on your monthly bill.