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How can I reconnect electricity in Texas?
You might face what most of us have experienced at one time or another: electricity disconnection.
This can happen when you forget to pay your bill or auto-pay doesn’t work.
You can reconnect your electric service, usually within 24 to 48 hours, by paying all overdue charges and disconnection and reconnection fees.
If you cannot afford to pay your past-due balance today, you can try setting up a payment plan with your provider or shop for a different light company with no deposit on ComparePower.
Despite your outstanding balance with the old energy company, you may be able to get your lights on the same day with a new company while you work out a payment plan with your old provider.
To stay with your current electric provider and pay your balance, you might be asked to make a deposit equal to one-fifth of your average annual billings or two months’ estimated billings, whichever is greater.
Customers who have received a termination or disconnect notice or whose accounts have been disconnected within the past 12 months may be asked for an additional deposit by Retail Electric Providers (REPs).
Light company disconnects in Texas
By understanding your obligations and rights regarding the electric service disconnection process, you may avoid the cost and hassle of losing your electric service.
➡️ Learn how to lower your electricity bill and avoid future surprises.
Your service agreement with a Retail Electric Provider (REP) is a legal contract. If you fail to pay your bill on time or violate other parts of your agreement, the provider may have your electric service disconnected.
If your power is turned off, you may have to pay disconnection and reconnection fees and a deposit to reconnect your service.
➡️ Learn how to get no-deposit lights in Texas.
Call your electricity company if you receive a disconnection notice to find that your power is out.
Even if you cannot afford a payment, if you have an excellent standing payment history, most electric companies will work with you to set up a payment arrangement.
Don’t wait until it is too late. Be proactive and call your provider.
When can my electric service be disconnected in Texas?
After proper notice, a REP may disconnect service under Texas law:
– If you fail to pay your bill on time or do not make arrangements with the REP to pay the charges you owe.
– Deferred payment arrangements with your REP are not met.
– When you use your electric service in an unsafe manner.
– If you fail to pay your REP’s deposits.
REPs may disconnect service without notice:
– In case of an immediate safety issue.
– The service is unauthorized or hooked up without a contract.
– Equipment, such as the power company’s meter, has been tampered with.
You cannot be disconnected for the following reasons:
– If a previous resident of your home did not pay their electric bill.
– Not paying charges unrelated to electric service.
– Charges are in dispute until the REP wins the dispute.
– Billing errors or charges not appearing on your bill.
– If you were underbilled for a service rendered more than six months ago.
– Weather alerts from the National Weather Service.
– Failure to pay an estimated bill other than a meter-reading plan bill.
What if my electric service contract is canceled for non-payment?
In cases with no immediate safety issue or evidence of theft of service, the REP must provide written notice to shut off your power at least ten (10) days before the disconnection date.
The notice must tell you why your service is disconnected, what you can do to avoid disconnection, the charges you will have to pay for disconnection and reconnection, and the total overdue amount.
The notice must explain how you can make arrangements to pay your overdue bill over time and how the company will try to collect your unpaid charges if you do not pay or don’t make deferred payment arrangements before the shut-off date.
There are special rules for disconnecting service for seriously ill or disabled customers whose health would be impaired by shutting off power, customers served by energy assistance programs, and residents of master-metered apartments.
If you fail to meet your obligations by the disconnection date, your service may be shut off the next day unless that day is a weekend or holiday.
How do I report a power outage?
In the event of a power outage, please immediately contact your local poles wires company (TDSP) listed below:
- CenterPoint Energy 713-207-2222 or 1-800-332-7143
- Oncor Electric Delivery 1-888-313-4747
- Texas-New Mexico Power 1-888-866-7456
- AEP Texas 1-866-223-8508
Texas electricity providers
Instantly enroll for service with reputable electricity providers such as TXU Energy, Reliant, Direct Energy, Green Mountain, and more.
Energy Companies | Phone Number |
---|---|
4Change Energy | 855-550-6663 |
Reliant | 855-887-2194 |
Frontier Utilities | 866-763-5084 |
Constellation | 855-798-2889 |
Gexa Energy | 855-639-8210 |
TXU Energy | 866-370-2440 |
Payless Power | 855-854-8482 |
Pulse Power | 888-853-4522 |