Setting up utilities in Texas works a little differently than it does almost anywhere else in the country. In most of the state you get to choose your electricity provider, while your water and gas usually come from a single provider tied to your address. If you’re moving to a new home in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, or anywhere in between, knowing how each service works — and how far ahead to schedule it — is the difference between flipping the lights on move-in day and unpacking by flashlight.
Here’s a plain-language walkthrough of how to get electricity, water, and gas turned on in a new Texas home, plus a realistic timeline so nothing slips through the cracks.
The three utilities you’ll set up — and who controls each
Before you make a single call, it helps to understand the structure. In Texas, these three core utilities each follow their own rules:
- Electricity — In most of the state, you choose your provider from a competitive market. This is the one utility where you have real shopping power.
- Water — Almost always provided by your city or a local Municipal Utility District (MUD). You don’t get to pick; you sign up with whoever serves your address.
- Natural gas — A regulated service delivered by a single company for your area (such as Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy, or Texas Gas Service). Again, no shopping — you set up service with the provider assigned to your neighborhood.
So of the three, electricity is the only one that asks you to make a decision. The other two are mostly a matter of knowing who to call. Our team put together a broader guide to setting up new-home utilities if you want the full checklist across every service, including trash and recycling.
Electricity: Texas’s deregulated market explained
Back in 2002, Texas opened most of its electricity market to competition. Today roughly 85% of the state lives in a “deregulated” area, which means you select a Retail Electric Provider (REP) rather than being assigned one. The major exceptions are Austin (served by Austin Energy), San Antonio (CPS Energy), and certain rural electric cooperatives — in those areas, you’ll simply sign up with the local utility, no shopping required.
If you’re in a deregulated area — which covers most of Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and their surrounding suburbs — here’s how to approach it.
How to compare plans
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) runs an official, impartial comparison site called Power to Choose (powertochoose.org) where you can browse plans from licensed providers. Third-party comparison sites exist too, but the PUCT site is the neutral starting point. As you compare, pay attention to:
- Rate type. Fixed-rate plans lock your price per kilowatt-hour for the length of the contract. Variable-rate plans can change month to month, which adds uncertainty.
- Contract length. Terms commonly run from month-to-month up to 12, 24, or 36 months. Longer terms often mean more price stability but less flexibility.
- The Electricity Facts Label (EFL). Every plan comes with this one-page disclosure. It’s the single most important document to read before signing — more on that below.
- Green energy options. Many providers offer plans backed by renewable energy if that matters to you.
Always read the Electricity Facts Label
The advertised headline rate rarely tells the whole story. The EFL breaks down the actual average price at different usage levels (typically 500, 1,000, and 2,000 kWh), lists any monthly base charges or minimum-usage fees, and spells out early-termination penalties. A plan that looks cheap at 1,000 kWh can be expensive if your household uses more or less than that. We walk through this in more detail in our guide on how to choose an electricity provider in Texas.
One reassuring note: in a deregulated area you can switch providers with no penalty once your contract ends, so you’re never locked in forever. And because you’re choosing a retail plan rather than waiting on physical infrastructure, electricity is often the fastest utility to activate — frequently same-day or next-day when you sign up in advance.
Water: sign up with your city or MUD
Water and wastewater service in Texas is handled locally. In an established city, you’ll set up service directly with the municipal utility department — for example, Houston Public Works, Dallas Water Utilities, or Austin Water. In newer suburban developments, your water may instead come from a Municipal Utility District (MUD), a special taxing district that provides water, sewer, and drainage for that community.
To find the right provider, check with your real estate agent, the seller or builder, or your city’s website. If you’re in a MUD, the closing paperwork or HOA welcome packet usually names it. To start service, you’ll typically need:
- Your new address and move-in date
- A government-issued ID
- Proof you own or are renting the property (closing documents or a lease)
- Payment for any deposit or connection fee
Plan ahead here: many water providers ask for two to three business days’ notice to activate new service, and some don’t process same-day requests. A deposit is common, especially if you don’t have prior service history with them.
Natural gas: a regulated, single-provider service
Not every Texas home uses natural gas — plenty of newer homes are all-electric — so your first step is confirming whether your home has gas appliances (a furnace, water heater, stove, or dryer) at all. If it does, you’ll set up service with the one gas utility that serves your area. There’s no competition to shop; the provider is determined by location.
Common Texas natural gas utilities include Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and Texas Gas Service, though the exact provider depends on your city. Gas service can take a little longer to turn on than electricity — often three to five business days — and if the gas has been shut off at the meter, someone may need to be home for a technician to relight pilot lights and check appliances safely. Build that into your schedule.
A realistic setup timeline
Utilities are one of those tasks that feel like they can wait until the last minute — until they can’t. Here’s a sensible order of operations built around a typical Texas move:
- 2–3 weeks before move-in: Confirm which providers serve your address for electricity (deregulated area or municipal), water, and gas. Start comparing electricity plans on Power to Choose.
- 1–2 weeks before: Sign up for your electricity plan with your chosen REP and schedule the start date for your move-in day. Set up water service with your city or MUD, and gas service if applicable.
- 3–5 days before: Confirm all three activation dates in writing. This is your buffer — the window where a slow gas connection or a required deposit can still be resolved without drama.
- Move-in day: Test the lights, faucets, and any gas appliances. If something isn’t on, you’ll have your confirmation numbers handy to sort it out quickly.
Don’t forget the utilities beyond the big three, either. Internet often has the longest lead time of anything on your list because it may require an in-home installation appointment — see our timeline on setting up internet and TV so you’re connected on day one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get to choose my electricity provider everywhere in Texas?
No. About 85% of the state is deregulated, meaning you choose a Retail Electric Provider. But in cities like Austin and San Antonio, and in some rural cooperative areas, electricity is provided by a single local utility and there’s nothing to shop — you just sign up.
Can I set up water and gas online?
Often, yes. Most Texas cities, MUDs, and gas utilities let you start service online or by phone. You’ll typically need your address, move-in date, ID, and proof of residency, plus payment for any deposit or connection fee.
How far in advance should I set everything up?
Aim to have providers identified two to three weeks out and service scheduled one to two weeks before move-in. Electricity is usually the fastest to activate, while water needs a couple of business days and gas can take three to five. Scheduling early leaves room for deposits and installation windows.
Will I need to pay deposits?
Sometimes. Electricity providers may waive deposits with a satisfactory credit check or a small prepaid-plan option, and water and gas utilities often require a modest deposit — especially for first-time customers without a service history. Costs vary widely, so treat any figure as a general range and confirm with each provider.
Get your whole move organized
Setting up utilities is just one piece of a smooth Texas move. Our free move-in checklist walks you through every step — from choosing an electricity plan to scheduling water, gas, internet, and home security — so nothing gets forgotten in the shuffle. Grab the free Move Ready Pro checklist and start your move with a clear plan.