Moving to Texas? A lot of people are. It’s the number two destination for moves in the country. Use this guide to understand how to set up electricity for your new Texas home.
Key Takeaways
- Electricity Deregulation: Over 85% of Texas residents live in deregulated areas, meaning you must choose a retail electricity provider (REP) to initiate service.
- Identifying Your Utility: Use the ESID Lookup Tool to determine your local utility company and find available electricity offers for your address.
- Setting Up Service: To establish electricity service, enter your ZIP code on a comparison site like ElectricityPlans.com, select a plan based on your estimated usage, and choose a start date for service.
- Plan Selection Tips: Opt for fixed-rate “Basic Electricity” plans without gimmicks like bill credits or tiered rates to ensure consistent pricing.
- Required Information: Be prepared to provide your name, address, move-in date, date of birth, and either a Social Security Number or Driver’s License number when signing up for electricity service.
Start Electricity Service in New Home in Texas
Electricity in Texas is deregulated. Over 85% of residents have a choice of their electricity provider, and must select a provider to get lights turned on. If you move to an area of Texas with deregulated electricity, like Houston, Dallas or Corpus Christi, you have your choice of over 40 different electricity providers. Using a comparison shopping site like ElectricityPlans.com can help you compare and find the best rate.
Do I Have Texas Electricity Choice in my New Home?
To find out whether you have electricity choice, use an ESID Lookup Tool to find what electric company serves your address . The ESID is the electricity service identifier unique to your address. When you enter your address, you’ll get the name of your local utility company plus electricity offers for your home. If the tool returns address not found, you don’t have electricity
This map shows areas of Texas that are regulated vs. deregulated and is a good place to start, or use this list of deregulated cities in Texas.
How Do I Set Up New Electricity Service in Texas?
Starting electricity service in Texas is actually quite easy when you use the right tool, like ElectricityPlans. Here are the steps to set up electricity in your new home.
Time needed: 10 minutes
How to set up new electricity service in Texas (move-in)
- Enter your zip code on an electricity comparison website.
The state-sponsored website is PowertoChoose.org, or use a tool like ElectricityPlans that makes shopping easier.
- Use selection tools to pick your estimated monthly usage.
Electricity rates are advertised at 500, 1000 and 2000 kWh. ElectricityPlans lets you shop based on your average usage, which reveals what you’ll actually pay. You can calculate your estimated usage using 6.77 kWh per square foot, which is based on average Texas electricity usage.
- Select plan type.
We recommend selecting a plan that is Basic Fixed Rate Electricity and sort by Price: Low to High. Basic electricity plans gives you a fixed rate per kWh for your energy charges. Avoid complex rate structures like bill credits, tiered rates or free electricity. You’ll want to fully understand your usage at your new home before you shop these types of plans.
- Select the cheapest plan for your home.
Unless you want to choose a specific brand, you should select the cheapest electricity plan for your home.
- Schedule your move-in
During the enrollment process, select “move-in” or “start service at a new home” and select your start date. You can schedule service up to 60 days in advance, or request same-day electricity. Since you can’t pick the time of day your service starts, we recommend scheduling the power to start the day before you move in.
Tip: We always recommend no gimmicks fixed rate electricity plans. In our Advanced Search, you’ll find these called “Basic Electricity.” No bill credits, no tiered rates, no free electricity. Just the same price for every kilowatt hour of energy, no matter how much you use.
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Is There a Set-Up Charge to Start Electricity Service?
Your retail electricity provider does not charge any fee to start electricity service, but the utility company that delivers power to your home may charge a fee. Below is a chart of move-in fees for each utility area.
- Standard Move-in is when you schedule service to start at least 48 hours in advance.
- A Priority Move-in is when you schedule service to start within the next 48 hours.
| TDU Utility | Move-in | Priority Move-In |
|---|---|---|
| CenterPoint | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Oncor | $3.20 | $10.35 |
| AEP Central | $6.00 | $13.00 |
| AEP North | $2.00 | $7.00 |
| TNMP | $54.00 | $79.00 |
What Information Do I Need to Sign Up for Electricity in Texas?
When you sign up for electricity for your new home in Texas you’ll need the following:
- Name
- Address
- Move-in date (start date)
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number or Driver’s License (depending on the REP)
The REP will run a soft-hit credit check. If your credit is below their minimum threshold, you’ll need to pay a deposit, or you can get the deposit waived if you qualify. Deposit waiver is available if you’re over 65, qualify for government assistance programs or can provide a good payment history from your previous utility or provider. You can also get electricity with no deposit with prepaid electricity service.
If you are renting, your landlord may require proof that utilities have been set up in your name before you can get the keys to your new place. Your REP will email you a confirmation of your enrollment. Just print that off or screen shot it to show your landlord on move-in day.
Moving to Texas? Shop Electricity Rates by Zip Code
Moving to Texas FAQs
Check out “Moving To Texas Reddit” and you’ll see all sorts of information about the topic, both good and bad! Below, we gathered answers to some of the most common questions on Reddit moving to Texas.
Yes, you can get your electricity service turned on the same day as your move. The cut-off time for same day electricity in Texas varies by provider. Check our resource list for provider, phone number and cut-off time for same day electricity.
If you live in Texas and are moving before your electricity contract expires you have two options: (1) keep your contract and transfer it with you, if you are moving within the same utility area and the price is competitive or (2) cancel your contract with no penalty by scheduling a move-out and providing a forwarding address for your final bill. In either case, your current REP can either schedule the Transfer or the Move-out for you.
You may be required to pay a deposit for electricity depending on your credit history. When you enroll for new service, your electricity provider they will run a soft hit credit check. You will need a minimum of 600 on your credit score to avoid paying a deposit, typically $250-350. You can get a deposit waiver if you can provide good payment history, if you’re over 65 or if you’re low income. You can also consider a no-deposit electricity plan which is prepaid electricity.
Apartment renters don’t have to pick a specific electricity company for their apartment, despite what your landlord pushes you toward. Your leasing agent may recommend a specific plan, which is likely to be 20-30% higher than what you can get by shopping. Review your options for apartment electricity in Texas.
Most apartments require proof of electricity service in your name before they will let you move in. Simply enroll online and provide the leasing agent with a copy of your confirmation email.
No, your electricity contract term does not need to match your lease. Most people sign a 1 year lease. But feel free to pick the cheapest electricity rate you can find, even if it’s a 2 or 3 year contract.
That’s because under Texas law, your electricity company can’t charge you an early termination fee when you move. Just provide them with notice that you are moving out, and a forwarding address for your last bill. That’s it. Here’s more about moving before your electricity contract expires.
The average electricity bill in Texas is around $178.20 per month. That’s based on data from the Energy Information Administration assuming an average rate of 15.55 cents per kWh and typical 2,000 square foot Texas home that uses 1,146 kWh a month.
Assuming a 750 square foot apartment, energy use around 750 kWh/month and 14.8 cents per kWh, the deposit would be around $220. Deposits vary by the provider you pick. Or you can choose no deposit electricity plans.
Assuming a 1000 square foot apartment, energy use around 1000 kWh/month and 14.8 cents per kWh, the deposit would be around $296. Or you can choose no deposit electricity plans.
- Average electricity rate in AEP Texas Central: 15.75¢ per kWh
- Average electricity rate in AEP Texas North: 17.28¢ per kWh
- Average electricity rate in CenterPoint Energy: 15.20¢ per kWh
- Average electricity rate in Lubbock Power & Light: 16.59¢ per kWh
- Average electricity rate in Oncor: 15.60¢ per kWh
- Average electricity rate in TNMP: 17.49¢ per kWh
Shop Electricity Rates for Your New Texas Home
Additional Resources
Here are some great resources on moving to Texas:
- If you are looking for a moving company to move to Texas, check out Consumer Advocates. Their guide to finding the best moving companies is a comprehensive review.
- Bookmark our Pinterest boards on Moving to Texas, Moving Tips to Save Money and Military Move Tips and Checklist.
- Register your car, then get your driver’s license. You have 30 days to register your car and 90 days to get a new driver’s license.
- Check our Moving to Texas Memes, so you know what you’re getting into.
- Don’t forget the other essential utilities for your home! Check this list so you don’t forget anything.
Shopping for a new provider? Read our step-by-step guide to shopping for Texas electricity.
