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Confirm your address
We check the delivery company and whether your address has retail choice.
ERCOT
Texas · New service
How to start electric service in Texas
Moving, renting, or buying? Choose a retail provider, pick your start date, and get the lights on without the guesswork.
Or call now — free quote (888) 272-9921
ERCOT market
Turning on power at a Texas address
In most of Texas you start electric service by picking a retail electric provider, not by calling the company that owns the wires. You give the provider your service address and the date you want service to begin, and they arrange the connection with the local delivery company. Whether you are starting fresh in a new home, transferring service from an old address, or turning power back on at a rental, the steps are similar. A few areas, such as Austin and San Antonio, are served by municipal utilities that work differently, so confirm your ZIP first.
ImportantStart dates matter. If you wait until move-in day, scheduling can take longer, so it helps to set up service a few days ahead.
How it works
How to start service
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Choose a plan and date
Compare plans, then choose the day you want service to begin at your new address.
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Give ID and move-in details
Providers typically ask for ID and proof of occupancy, such as a lease or closing paperwork, and may ask for a deposit depending on credit.
Benefits
What to know before you start
Deposits vary
Some providers ask for a deposit based on credit. Ask what your options are, including no-deposit plans.
Renters and owners
You can set up service with a lease or with closing documents, depending on your situation.
New construction
Newly built homes may need the meter set and address recognized before power can be turned on.
Transfer when you move
Ask your current provider to end service and start a new one at your next address on matching dates.
Compare with confidence
Starting service, moving, or switching? We’ll help
Share your ZIP and whether you need new service, a transfer, or a provider switch. A licensed advisor compares ERCOT retail plans for your TDSP territory — free, no obligation.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I start electric service in Texas?
Pick a retail electric provider and plan, give them your address and start date, and they coordinate the connection with the delivery company.
How far ahead should I set up service?
Setting it up a few days before move-in is a good rule of thumb. Same-day service may be possible in some cases, but is not guaranteed.
What documents will I need?
Commonly a government ID and your service address. Some providers also ask for a lease or closing paperwork.
Will I have to pay a deposit?
It depends on the provider and your credit history. Some plans do not require one, so ask when you compare.
How is new construction different?
A new home may need the meter installed and the address registered with the delivery company before service can start. Your builder can usually help confirm this.
What is a TDSP, and who is mine in Texas?
A TDSP (Transmission and Distribution Service Provider) is the regulated utility that owns the poles, wires and meters, reads your meter and restores power after an outage. It does not sell you an electricity plan and its delivery charges are the same whichever retail provider you choose. Your TDSP depends on your service address — in some areas more than one utility serves the same city — so confirm it by ZIP code or call us for a free check.
What is a retail electric provider (REP)?
A retail electric provider (REP) is the licensed company that sells you the electricity itself: it sets the rate per kWh, the contract term and the fees on your plan, and it bills you. In the ERCOT market you can shop and switch between REPs freely, while your TDSP keeps delivering the power, so switching never means new wires, a new meter or a service interruption.
Texas coverage
Compare electricity plans across Texas
New to energy deregulation? Need help finding a plan?
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(888) 272-9921Start service with free help
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