What do I need to set up electricity in a new apartment?
Apartment electricity setup in Texas is mostly a paperwork problem. Get the ESID right and the rest takes ten minutes.
The five-item checklist
- ESID (Electric Service Identifier). A 17–22 digit code unique to your meter. Find it on the move-in packet, a prior bill, or via free lookup at smartmetertexas.com.
- Lease or move-in date. Required to schedule the connect.
- Government photo ID. Driver’s license, state ID, or passport.
- SSN or ITIN. For the soft credit pull. Decline and you’ll be quoted a deposit instead.
- Deposit (if required) or autopay enrollment. See our deposit guide for the math.
The ‘preferred provider’ trick
Many TX apartment communities push a single REP at move-in. That provider pays the property a referral fee. You are not required to use them — Texas law gives you free choice of any REP serving your ESID. Compare rates first; apartment-preferred plans often run 10–20% above market.
Same-day connection
Most REPs honor same-day connect requests submitted before 5 p.m. local time on a business day. There’s usually a $30–$50 same-day fee, waived if you schedule a few days out. Submit on a Friday after 5 p.m.? Power comes on Monday.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ESID and where do I find it?
ESID = Electric Service Identifier — a 17–22 digit code that uniquely identifies your meter. Find it on the apartment move-in packet, on the bottom of any past electric bill at that unit, or via a free address lookup at smartmetertexas.com.
Do I have to use my apartment's 'preferred' electricity provider?
No. Texas law gives you free choice of any REP serving your ESID. Apartments often have referral kickbacks with one provider — that's their preference, not your obligation. Compare rates first.
What time of day can I set up electricity for same-day connection?
Most TX REPs honor same-day connection requests submitted before 5 p.m. local time on a business day. After 5 p.m., service starts the next business day. Same-day connection often carries a $30–$50 fee that's waived 1–2 days out.
Can I set up apartment electricity online?
Yes. Every major Texas REP supports fully-online signup. You'll need ID, ESID, lease, SSN/ITIN, and a payment method. Most signups complete in under ten minutes.
Images via Wikimedia Commons (Cottrell apartment building, CC BY-SA 4.0 / DPLA; Residential service entrance, CC BY-SA 4.0; Austin skyline, CC BY-SA 4.0).