Moving in Texas? Here's Your Electricity Checklist

Between packing boxes and forwarding your mail, electricity is easy to forget — until you’re standing in a dark house on move-in day. Regardless of whether you decide to stay with your current provider or switch power companies, a little planning—and a few electricity-moving tips—can make the transition much smoother.

Based on your move-in and move-out date, you will want to find out when electricity service needs to end at your current address, when service needs to start at your new address, and whether you can transfer your existing plan. Taking care of these details ahead of time helps prevent service interruptions and gives you one less thing to worry about while you’re unpacking.

What to Do With Your Electricity When Moving

Texas runs on a deregulated electricity market, which means most residents get to choose their own retail electricity provider — your local utility just handles the physical delivery of power, while your provider (like Payless Power) handles your plan, billing, and service, under oversight from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). That’s exactly why you have options when you move, instead of just being stuck with whoever serves the address.

When you’re moving, you generally have three options for what to do with your current electricity:

1. Transfer your current plan
2. Cancel your existing service and choose a new plan
3. Set up electricity at your new home if you’re starting fresh

The right choice depends on your provider, your current plan, and whether your new address is in the same service area.

Before making any changes, check your current electricity plan and contact your provider to find out what options are available for your move. You’ll also want to know your move-out date, new address, and desired service start date so you can coordinate the timing.

Moving Tip: When you schedule your disconnection date, set it for the day after you actually move out — not your exact move-out date. That way you still have power for any final cleaning or a last walkthrough of your old place.

Transferring Your Current Electricity Plan

If you’re happy with your current provider, transferring your electricity plan to your new address may be the easiest option. Start by contacting your electricity provider to ask whether your current plan is available at your new home. Availability may depend on the location, utility service area, and type of plan.

Make sure to have your new address, move-in date, and current account information ready when you contact your provider. You may also want to ask whether transferring your service will change your rate, contract terms, or fees.

Moving Tip: Don’t leave this one until the last minute. Aim to set up your electricity about 1–2 weeks before moving day so there’s time to work through any delays, especially if your new home needs a technician on site.

Canceling Your Current Electricity Plan

Sometimes you can’t take your current electricity plan with you, or you don’t want to continue with the same provider. If your power company doesn’t serve your new address, or you’re ready to try a different plan, you’ll need to cancel your current service and arrange electricity for your new home separately.

Before you cancel, check when your current contract ends. Your plan should include the contract end date, any early termination fee, and the steps for ending service. If you’re moving before your contract expires, find out whether an early termination fee applies — typically ranging from $50 to $200, depending on the provider and how much time is left on your contract — and whether your provider has a specific cancellation deadline.

When it comes time to cancel service, confirm the end date and ask about any final bill or remaining balance. Then provide a forwarding address so your provider knows where to send that last bill.

Once you’ve confirmed your cancellation, make sure electricity is scheduled to start at your new address. That way, you’re not left without power while you’re settling into your new home.

Moving Tip: Moving out doesn’t automatically close your electricity account, so don’t just stop paying the bill. If it goes unpaid, it could be sent to collections, making it more difficult to get electricity set up in the future.

Setting Up Electricity for Your New Home

Now that you know what’s happening with your current electricity service, you can focus on getting power lined up at your new address. Once you’ve picked a plan, schedule your service for the date you need electricity. Confirm the start date with your provider before moving day so you know the power will be ready when you arrive.

Before enrolling, make sure you have the basics ready:

• Your new address, including your apartment or unit number
• Your move-in date and the date you want electricity to start
• A government-issued ID
• Your lease or proof of address, if required
• Your preferred payment method

It’s also worth checking whether your new home has a smart meter. Smart meters are common across Texas, with more than 7 million connected to Smart Meter Texas. Depending on your plan, having a smart meter can help you get same-day service and give you a better view of your electricity usage and account balance.

If you have no credit history or bad credit, prepaid or no-credit-check electricity plans offer an alternative. With a prepaid plan, you pay for your electricity upfront instead of receiving a bill at the end of the month. Depending on the provider and plan, you may also be able to avoid a traditional credit check and security deposit.

Moving Tip: Moving comes with enough upfront expenses. A prepaid electricity plan can give you more control over when and how you pay for your power, while helping you keep tabs on your balance and usage. If that sounds like a good fit, compare our plans today.

Texas Electricity Moving Checklist

Moving soon? Here is an easy-to-use checklist.

Before You Move

• Check your current contract and cancellation terms.
• Confirm your move-out date.
• Find out whether you can transfer your current plan.
• Compare electricity plans at your new address.
• Have your ID, new address, and lease or proof of address ready.
• Choose your electricity plan.
• Schedule your service start date.

After the Move

• Confirm your electricity is active.
• Check your first bill or account balance.
• Confirm your old account is paid in full.
• Keep your final bill for your records.