Common Questions About No-Deposit Lights

Prepaid plans start around $40-75. That's connection plus your first batch of power. If you literally have $0, call 211 for assistance programs in your area. Some churches and nonprofits help with utility deposits too.

Usually, yes. Every light company checks credit and each one has different rules. Company A might want $400 from you while Company B wants nothing. We check multiple companies at once to find one that works. If nobody bites, prepaid gets your lights on the same day.

Prepaid light companies don't care about your credit. Period. Traditional companies all check, but their rules vary. One might want a big deposit, another might not. We shop around so you don't have to call each one.

Prepaid: often within hours if you pick a plan before 2pm. Traditional plans: usually next business day. Weekend? Prepaid is your best bet for same-day.

If we find a $0 deposit option, just the connection fee (around $30). Prepaid plans run $40-75 to start. That covers connection plus your first batch of power.

You add money first, then use it. Your balance goes down each day based on what you actually use. You get text alerts when you're running low. Top off when you need to.

Your lights get cut off. For real. Add more money and they come back on within a few hours. Set up auto-reload so this doesn't happen.

No, it costs more. Rates run 30-50% higher than traditional plans. That's the trade-off for no deposit and no credit check. Worth it if you need your lights on today and can't get approved elsewhere. Once your credit improves or you've paid on time for 12 months, you can switch to cheaper traditional plans.

Yes. After 12 months of on-time payments with any light company, most traditional light companies will waive the deposit. That's your path to lower rates.

Probably a switch hold. If you owe money to a previous light company, they block your address. No company can connect you until you settle up. Not even prepaid. No way around it.

Try to get started with any light company. They'll tell you right away if there's a hold and which company placed it.

Call the company that placed it. Pay the balance or set up a payment plan. Takes 1-3 business days to clear after you handle it.

For prepaid: set up auto-reload and watch your balance alerts. For traditional plans: call your light company BEFORE your due date if you can't pay. Most offer payment plans or extensions if you ask. After they cut you off, your options shrink.

Traditional companies usually won't disconnect Friday through Sunday or on holidays. Prepaid is different. Run out of balance on Saturday night, your lights go off Saturday night.

Usually it's the AC. Summer in Texas can double or triple your bill. Other culprits: old fridge, electric water heater, poor insulation, or a rate that spiked after your contract ended. Check if you're on a variable rate. Those can jump without warning.

Anywhere in Texas where you can pick your light company: Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and most of the state. NOT Austin or San Antonio. Those cities run their own power company.

Austin Energy and CPS Energy are city-owned. You don't get to pick. Call them directly for service and ask about their payment options.