How do I find out which power company services my address?

Enter your ZIP code on our site or check your ESIID (the unique ID tied to your meter). Your ZIP code determines which transmission utility serves your area, which then determines which light companies you can choose from.

Can I choose my own light company in Texas?

In most of Texas, yes. Texas has a deregulated electricity market, meaning you pick which light company to buy from. The exception is areas served by municipal utilities or co-ops, where you have one option.

What is a TDU and why does it matter?

A TDU (transmission and distribution utility) owns the poles and wires that deliver power to your home. You cannot choose your TDU. But your TDU determines which light companies serve your address and adds delivery charges to every plan.

What if no light company will turn on my service?

If you're in a deregulated area and traditional companies require a deposit you can't pay, pay-as-you-go plans are always available. No credit check, no deposit. You can get lights on the same day in most cases.

What Light Company Services My Address in Texas?

You’re trying to get your lights on. Maybe you’re moving into a new place. Maybe your lights got cut off and you need a fresh start. Either way, the first question is the same: which light company actually serves your address?

In Texas, the answer is more complicated than it should be. There’s the company that owns the wires (you don’t get to pick that one) and the company that sells you the power (you do get to pick that one, usually). Here’s how to figure out both and what it means for getting your lights on.

The Quick Answer: Enter Your ZIP Code

The fastest way to find out which light companies serve your address is to enter your ZIP code. That tells us which part of Texas you’re in, which utility owns the wires to your home, and which light companies are available to you.

Enter your ZIP code to see available plans

If you want to understand why it works this way, keep reading.

Two Companies, One Address: How Texas Works

Here’s the part that confuses almost everyone. In Texas, two different companies are involved in getting power to your home:

1. The transmission and distribution utility (the wire company)

This is the company that owns the poles, wires, and meters on your street. They physically deliver the power. You do not get to choose this company. It’s assigned based on your address, like your water or sewer utility.

The major ones in Texas:

Utility	Area Served
Oncor	Dallas-Fort Worth, Waco, Midland-Odessa, much of North and Central Texas
CenterPoint	Houston metro area
AEP Texas	Corpus Christi, McAllen, Laredo, parts of South and West Texas
TNMP (Texas-New Mexico Power)	Parts of North Texas, scattered service areas

Your address is permanently assigned to one of these. Moving across town might mean switching from one to another, but you never get to pick.

2. Your light company (the one you choose)

This is the company that actually sells you power, bills you, and sets your rate. In deregulated Texas, you get to choose this company. Different light companies offer different rates, different plans, and different deposit requirements.

Which light companies you can pick from depends on which wire company serves your address. A light company that operates in the Oncor territory might not operate in CenterPoint territory, and vice versa. That’s why your ZIP code matters.

For a deeper comparison of how Oncor and CenterPoint territories differ, see our Oncor vs CenterPoint guide.

How to Find Your Wire Company (Utility)

Method 1: ZIP code lookup (easiest)

Enter your ZIP code on our site. We’ll identify which utility serves your area and show you every light company available at your address. Takes about 10 seconds.

Check your address now

Method 2: Check a recent bill

If you had lights on at this address before, look at the bill. The delivery charges section will list your transmission utility by name. That’s your wire company.

Method 3: Look up your ESIID

Every meter in Texas has a unique ID number called an ESIID (Electric Service Identifier). This number is tied to your physical address and your wire company. If you know your ESIID, you know exactly which utility serves you.

Not sure what an ESIID is or how to find yours? Read our ESIID explainer.

Method 4: Call the utility directly

Utility	Phone
Oncor	1-888-313-4747
CenterPoint	1-800-332-7143
AEP Texas	1-877-373-4858
TNMP	1-888-866-7456

Give them your address. They’ll confirm whether you’re in their territory.

”What If I’m Not in a Deregulated Area?”

Not all of Texas is deregulated. Some areas are served by municipal utilities (like CPS Energy in San Antonio or Austin Energy) or electric cooperatives. In these areas, you have one option for your light company. You can’t shop around.

How to tell if you’re deregulated:

If your address falls in Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, or TNMP territory, you’re deregulated. You can choose your light company.
If your address is served by a city-owned utility or co-op, you’re not deregulated. You work with that one company.

Most of the major metro areas (Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Corpus Christi) are deregulated. San Antonio and Austin are the big exceptions.

Why Your Utility Matters for Your Light Bill

You might think: “I’m choosing my light company, so the wire company doesn’t affect me.”

Not true. Your wire company adds delivery charges to every single plan, regardless of which light company you choose. These charges are the same no matter who you buy from, but they vary between utilities.

The delivery charges typically make up 30-40% of your total light bill. That’s why two people in different parts of Texas can have the exact same light company and plan but pay different monthly amounts. The light company’s rate is the same, but the delivery charges from their respective wire company are different.

When comparing plans, always look at the total cost (rate + delivery charges), not just the light company’s advertised rate. Plans on our site show you the all-in cost so there are no surprises.

Once You Know Your Utility: Finding the Right Light Company

Now that you know which wire company serves your address, here’s how to find the right light company:

Step 1: Enter your ZIP code. This filters everything to light companies that actually operate in your territory.

Step 2: Decide between traditional and pay-as-you-go.

Traditional plans offer lower monthly rates but require a credit check. Some companies require a deposit based on your credit.
Pay-as-you-go plans cost more per month but skip the credit check entirely. No deposit. Often same-day service.

Step 3: If going traditional, let us check for $0 deposit options. We check multiple light companies simultaneously to find which ones will approve you without a deposit. Different companies have different credit thresholds. One might want $300 from you while another says $0 for the same credit profile.

Step 4: If nobody offers $0 deposit, go pay-as-you-go. Put down $40-$75 to start (that money goes toward your first usage, it’s not a fee or deposit) and get your lights on. No credit check, no waiting.

Common Situations and What to Do

“I’m moving into a new apartment and need lights.” Enter your new address ZIP code. Check what’s available. If you need lights fast, pay-as-you-go can often get you connected the same day.

“My lights got cut off and I need to start over.” You might owe money to your old light company. That doesn’t necessarily stop you from signing up with a different one, unless there’s a switch hold on your meter. Check our switch hold guide if you think that might be the case.

“I keep getting told no company serves my address.” This usually means you’re in a non-deregulated area (municipal utility or co-op territory), or you’re entering the wrong ZIP code. Double-check your address and try again. If you’re truly in a non-deregulated area, you’ll need to contact your local utility directly.

“I found my utility but every light company wants a deposit.” That’s exactly the problem we solve. We check multiple companies at once because deposit thresholds vary widely. If none clear you for $0 deposit, pay-as-you-go is always available as a same-day backup.

What About Apartments?

If you’re in an apartment complex, your options might be slightly different:

Some apartments include lights in the rent (all-bills-paid). You won’t need a separate light company.
Some apartments have a master meter, meaning the complex buys power in bulk and bills you directly. Again, no separate light company needed.
Most apartments let you choose your own light company, just like a house.

Ask your leasing office which situation applies to you before you start shopping for plans.

The Bottom Line

Finding which light company services your address in Texas comes down to your ZIP code. That tells you which wire company (utility) serves your area, and which light companies you can choose from.

The system is more complicated than it needs to be, but the process is simple: enter your ZIP, see your options, pick a plan.

If the credit check is the thing standing between you and your lights, don’t let it stop you. We check multiple companies to find $0 deposit options, and pay-as-you-go is always there as a guaranteed backup.

Ready to see what’s available at your address? Enter your ZIP code below. We show you every light company that serves your area, with the all-in cost and no-deposit options upfront.

Check availability at your address