Do I need a credit check for business electricity?

Yes — commercial accounts run a Dun & Bradstreet check or equivalent. Thin/poor business credit may require a deposit (typically 1-2 months of estimated usage) or a personal guarantee.

Can I shop providers as a business?

Yes, in deregulated Texas TDU territories (Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, TNMP). Municipal utility territories (Austin Energy, CPS, El Paso Electric) don't allow commercial shopping.

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Business · Start service

How to Start Business Electricity Service in Texas

Setting up commercial electricity in Texas is a different beast than residential. You're buying on different rate structures, getting credit-checked at the entity level, and often negotiating direct with the REP rather than picking off a marketplace.

Updated May 2026 Enri Zhulati 2 min read

Enri Zhulati 2 min read 235 words

What you'll need

Federal EIN, business address with meter ESI ID, anticipated monthly kWh usage (12-month history if you're moving from another address), authorized signer's government ID, and a commercial bank account or credit line. Some REPs require a 12-month usage projection — the building's meter history is the gold standard.

Choose a rate structure

Small commercial (under 10 kW peak demand) usually picks an indexed or fixed retail plan similar to residential. Mid-market and large commercial (over 10-50 kW peak demand) typically negotiate a custom rate based on the load profile — energy + capacity + transmission + ancillary, each priced separately.

How long it takes

Standard new-service activation is 1-3 business days on the TDU's side. Account approval (credit underwriting) at the REP can add 2-7 days for new commercial accounts. Plan a 2-week buffer for medium and large commercial moves.

The Bottom Line

Talk to a commercial advisor

Frequently asked.

Do I need a credit check for business electricity?: Yes — commercial accounts run a Dun & Bradstreet check or equivalent. Thin/poor business credit may require a deposit (typically 1-2 months of estimated usage) or a personal guarantee.
Can I shop providers as a business?: Yes, in deregulated Texas TDU territories (Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, TNMP). Municipal utility territories (Austin Energy, CPS, El Paso Electric) don't allow commercial shopping.

Editorial Standards

How we research and review.

Independently researched. Every claim is verified against primary sources (PUCT, ERCOT, EFLs).
No paid placement. Rankings are never influenced by advertising or referral compensation.
Reviewed by Enri Zhulati, Consumer Advocate. Plan data is pulled live from the electricrates.org API on every build and cross-checked against the EFL each REP publishes.

Read our full standards

Enri Zhulati

Consumer Advocate

Enri knows the regulations, the fine print, and the tricks some retail electricity providers use. He's spent nearly a decade learning how to spot hidden fees, misleading teaser rates, and contracts that sound good but cost more. He writes the guides that show you what they're hiding — his goal is to help Texans avoid the traps and find plans that actually save money.

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Sources

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) — Commercial Rate Filings
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) — Wholesale Market Reports
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) — Texas Industrial Electricity Data
ComparePower.com — Real-Time Plan & Rate Database

Sources are cited for informational purposes. Data may have been updated since publication.

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Ready to shop your commercial account?

Compare every plan available in your TDU territory or call our advisor team to scope a custom RFP for mid-market and large accounts.

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How enrollment works

Enrollment happens at ComparePower.com — our enrollment partner, built by the same team. If you'd rather skip the ZIP entry, Live Link pulls your real usage from Smart Meter Texas in about 30 seconds. Same plans, same checkout, less typing.