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There are different types of electric providers in Texas and in Houston. It’s important to know the difference when choosing a provider as well as who to call if there’s a power outage. Some electric companies, known as the local-wires company, preserve the poles and wires that transmit and distribute electricity to your home. They are responsible for sending out employees to fix damages during an emergency outage. You can identify your local-wires company by looking on your electricity bill. In the Houston area, the main electrical provider is CenterPoint Energy. To the north in The Woodlands and the Conroe area, the electrical provider is Entergy.
An affiliate electricity provider is an electric company that was split from your area’s original electric company that produced and sold electricity. The affiliate, also referred to as the incumbent provider, only sells electricity and provides customer service.
The competitive retail electric provider offers lower pricing, alternative energy choices, innovative customer service options and special promotions to gain your business. The city-owned utility is a nonprofit utility that is owned and operated by the city. City-owned utilities do not have to allow competition within a regulated market.
The municipally owned utility is a nonprofit utility that is owned and operated by the municipality. Utilities owned by the municipality do not have to allow competition within a regulated market.
— Utility Resources
To learn more about utility choices in the Houston area, visit the following informative websites:
Texas Electric Choice (www.powertochoose.org), maintained by the PUC, enables you to shop for electricity providers by price, length of contract and fuel source. Customers can find several dozen available offers by connecting to the website and entering their ZIP code or wires company. After reviewing available products, customers can simplify their options based on price, fixed or variable rate, renewable energy products, contract length and individual provider offers. The website also includes links to an Electricity Facts Label for each offer to allow for direct comparisons among the providers.
There are also links to a Terms of Service document, which contains important information regarding deposit policies, cancellation fees and other contract terms that can affect overall cost. If customers are interested in a particular offer, direct links are provided to sign-up pages to start the enrollment. Retail electric providers (REPs) are required by law to provide accurate and current information to customers, and they are now expected to honor prices and terms posted on www.powertochoose.org.
Customers who believe an REP is not honoring an offer on the site or is posting misleading information can file a complaint with the PUC at www.puc.state.tx.us or by calling (888) 782-8477.
Houston Consumer Choice (www.houstonconsumerchoice.com) helps Houstonians compare various electrical providers. By entering a ZIP code at the website, a consumer can select a plan, compare available providers’ services and make a selection.
Texas Ratepayers Organization to Save Energy (www.texasrose.org) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to affordable electricity and a healthy environment. The website provides straightforward information to consumers, and members advocate for energy efficiency programs, fair customer-service practices and customer education at the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Call (512) 472-5233.
— Gas
CenterPoint Energy supplies gas to Houston-area residents. Service requests may be completed over the phone or online. To apply for service and obtain information, call (713) 659-2111 or visit its website at www.centerpointenergy.com.
— Water
The city of Houston Public Works and Engineering Department provides water and sewer services, which are available to city of Houston residents by calling (713) 371-1400. Billing is on a monthly basis and is based on water usage. Water system improvements have earned a “Superior” public water supply rating for Houston since 1995. To promote a higher standard of quality, the Surface Water Branch joined the Partnership for Safe Water in 1996. The Houston Public Works Department tests and treats the water above and beyond state and federal requirements.
An affiliate electricity provider is an electric company that was split from your area’s original electric company that produced and sold electricity. The affiliate, also referred to as the incumbent provider, only sells electricity and provides customer service.
The competitive retail electric provider offers lower pricing, alternative energy choices, innovative customer service options and special promotions to gain your business. The city-owned utility is a nonprofit utility that is owned and operated by the city. City-owned utilities do not have to allow competition within a regulated market.
The municipally owned utility is a nonprofit utility that is owned and operated by the municipality. Utilities owned by the municipality do not have to allow competition within a regulated market.
— Utility Resources
To learn more about utility choices in the Houston area, visit the following informative websites:
Texas Electric Choice (www.powertochoose.org), maintained by the PUC, enables you to shop for electricity providers by price, length of contract and fuel source. Customers can find several dozen available offers by connecting to the website and entering their ZIP code or wires company. After reviewing available products, customers can simplify their options based on price, fixed or variable rate, renewable energy products, contract length and individual provider offers. The website also includes links to an Electricity Facts Label for each offer to allow for direct comparisons among the providers.
There are also links to a Terms of Service document, which contains important information regarding deposit policies, cancellation fees and other contract terms that can affect overall cost. If customers are interested in a particular offer, direct links are provided to sign-up pages to start the enrollment. Retail electric providers (REPs) are required by law to provide accurate and current information to customers, and they are now expected to honor prices and terms posted on www.powertochoose.org.
Customers who believe an REP is not honoring an offer on the site or is posting misleading information can file a complaint with the PUC at www.puc.state.tx.us or by calling (888) 782-8477.
Houston Consumer Choice (www.houstonconsumerchoice.com) helps Houstonians compare various electrical providers. By entering a ZIP code at the website, a consumer can select a plan, compare available providers’ services and make a selection.
Texas Ratepayers Organization to Save Energy (www.texasrose.org) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to affordable electricity and a healthy environment. The website provides straightforward information to consumers, and members advocate for energy efficiency programs, fair customer-service practices and customer education at the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Call (512) 472-5233.
— Gas
CenterPoint Energy supplies gas to Houston-area residents. Service requests may be completed over the phone or online. To apply for service and obtain information, call (713) 659-2111 or visit its website at www.centerpointenergy.com.
— Water
The city of Houston Public Works and Engineering Department provides water and sewer services, which are available to city of Houston residents by calling (713) 371-1400. Billing is on a monthly basis and is based on water usage. Water system improvements have earned a “Superior” public water supply rating for Houston since 1995. To promote a higher standard of quality, the Surface Water Branch joined the Partnership for Safe Water in 1996. The Houston Public Works Department tests and treats the water above and beyond state and federal requirements.
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