Moving in Texas: How to Set Up Electricity

Same-day power is possible — if you do these four things before the move.

By Marcus Chen 6 min read Updated April 2026

Same-day connection is available in most of Texas if you order before noon.
Smart meters mean no technician visit — activation is remote.
Avoid prepaid plans unless you have credit issues; the per-kWh rate is higher.
Move-in deposits can be waived with a Letter of Credit from your prior REP.

This guide walks through the core decisions and pitfalls for Texans shopping for electricity. Full article content is ported from the design prototype. For production, connect this to your CMS or Convex content collection.

Start 7 days before move-in

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Gather your ID + proof of address

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Pick a plan, not a provider

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Schedule activation (no meter visit required)

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“You're not picking a provider — you're picking a plan. The provider is just whoever sells that plan today.”

— Marcus Chen, Senior Editor

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The Bottom Line

Same-day power is possible — if you do these four things before the move.

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Marcus Chen

Senior Editor

Sarah covers the Texas deregulated electricity market with a focus on rate analysis, consumer protection, and the math behind every plan. She holds the CFA charter and has 8+ years on the energy desk.

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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 Marcus Chen. Articles are reviewed by certified energy market analysts.

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Sources

PUCT — Customer Switching and Move-In Rules
Oncor / CenterPoint — Move-In Service Standards
ERCOT — Smart Meter Deployment Report

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

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Frequently asked questions

Common questions related to moving.

Where do you get your data? +

We source plan and rate data from public REP filings, the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) every plan must publish, and the live ComparePower.com database. Updates flow daily.

Are recommendations independent? +

Yes. ChooseMyPower's rankings and recommendations are made independently from any compensation we may receive when you enroll through our partner.

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We revisit guides on a quarterly basis at minimum, and immediately when material market or regulatory changes happen.

Moving in Texas: How to Set Up Electricity

Key Takeaways

Start 7 days before move-in

Gather your ID + proof of address

Pick a plan, not a provider

Schedule activation (no meter visit required)

Save up to 30% on your electricity bill

The Bottom Line

Marcus Chen

How we research and review.

Sources

Find your best plan

Frequently asked questions

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