Setting-up your Utilities in Houston
One of the first things you want to do after signing a lease is to set up your utilities so you have all the water, electricity, air-conditioning, internet, and tv you need when on move-in day. There’s nothing worse than moving into your home without air-conditioning, especially in Houston. Here’s a Houston renter’s guide on getting setup with your Utilities.
We partnered with Citizen Home Solutions to provide our residents with FREE One-on-One concierge service to setup your utilities. If you just signed a lease, we have already sent Citizen Home Solutions your information.
Below you’ll find more information about utilities in Houston, TX.
Electricity
Here in Texas, we have a unique deregulated electricity industry. We have one company who owns the infrastructure (poles, wires, transformers, etc) and many companies you can choose from to pay for the electricity. This allows you to shop for electricity in an open market to find the lowest rate. So feel free to shop around and compare prices. Visit www.powertochoose.com or www.awesomepowertexas.com
If you didn’t know, Texas is the largest producer for wind energy. If you’re a Houstonian interested alternate energy options, you can always buy a plan that uses green energy. Check them out when you’re finding a plan.
Gas
Unlike electricity, gas is provided by only one company, Centerpoint Energy. You can set up your gas service through their website at centerpointenergy.com or call them at 713-659-2111.
Water Service
In most parts of Houston, Water Service is going to be managed through the City of Houston. However, if you live in one of the
smaller towns or suburbs, cities, (such as Spring, Bellaire, or the City of West University) in the Houston Metro area, it may be offered by those localities.
To know who to sign up with, visit the Water Districts Map and enter the rental property address.
If it’s the City of Houston, visit houstonwaterbills.houstontx.gov or call 713-371-1400 to set up your service.
Garbage and Recycling Pick-up
First, check your lease to see if it’s included. Many neighborhoods and Homeowners associations contract with private garbage and recycling pick-up to serve the homes under their jurisdiction.
If it’s not included in the lease, you’ll most likely setup the garbage pick-up when you set up your Water and Sewer account with your Municipal Utility District or City of Houston.
If that’s not the case, no problem, let us know and we can find out.
Phone
The phone service is an industry that is constantly changing with the rise of cell phones and VOIP phone technology and other services. However, if you’re looking for a local phone service over traditional phone lines, AT&T is the primary provider to most Houston area homes. You can sign up for that service at ATT.com or call them at 1-800-288-2020.
Cable/Satellite TV
Comcast is the dominant cable TV service in Houston. They can be reached at xfinity.com or by contacting 1-888-739-6076. Houston also has Uverse service from AT&T.com and satellite service from Dish Network and DirectTV. Or if you want to “cut the cord“, you might go with a combination of services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and SlingTV.
