Back to The Power Lab

How to set up electricity in an apartment

By Tatjana Steinhardt

Moving to a new apartment can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. In addition to packing up your belongings and transporting them to your new home, you have to file a change of address, update your driver’s license, and make sure your renter’s insurance policy is in order. You’ll also want to prioritize setting up your electricity.

Power Wizard makes getting electricity in your new apartment easier with a smart online shopping tool that compares hundreds of potential plans and curates a custom list of the best ones just for you. The best part? It takes only a few minutes of your time!

Choosing an energy provider is only part of the process, though. If you’re preparing to move, here’s what you should know about how to set up electricity in an apartment. 

Let us find you the best plan in seconds and start saving.


 

Table of Contents

7 steps to help you set up electricity when moving to a new apartment building

How long does it take to set up electricity when you move?

Avoid a high monthly cost by choosing the best energy plan

Apartment in Texas, just moved in

7 steps to help you set up electricity when moving to a new apartment building

One of the last things you want when moving into a new apartment is to flip on the lights only to find you don’t have power. The following seven steps can help you avoid that scenario: 

1. Speak with your property manager to determine if apartment utilities are included

Generally speaking, utilities are separate from the monthly price of an apartment. The base rent may be one price, but what you pay each month may be higher because of utilities, such as trash and water usage. You’re also responsible for setting up your electricity and paying it on a separate bill. 

Some apartments include utilities in the monthly rent. However, every property is different. For some, the rent covers only a few utilities. For others, the rental price encompasses everything, including electricity. 

You may find information regarding what your rent includes in your rental agreement. You can also speak with your property management company directly for specific details. They might also have some energy provider suggestions if your rent doesn’t cover electricity.  

2. Research the average electricity price in your area

If you’re responsible for the electricity in your new apartment, it’s time to do some research. First, take a look at the average energy price in your area. In other words, how much are local renters and homeowners paying per kilowatt-hour? A quick online search should provide you with the information you need. 

3. Shop around and find the electricity provider with the best electric rates

One of the benefits of living in deregulated areas within Texas is the freedom to pick your energy provider. However, you’ll quickly find that not all providers are equal. Each one differs in the types of plans they offer and the prices they charge. Shopping around will help ensure you find the best rates. 

There are a couple of ways you can do this. The first is to look up the plan options and rates of each retail energy provider in your area and compare their prices. Or, you can save time and energy and let Power Wizard do the work for you. 

Power Wizard’s smart technology can filter through 100s of plans in seconds to find top-trending deals, which, in turn, gives you access to the best electricity plans and eliminates the hassle of finding and comparing electricity plans yourself. From finding the best electricity plan and handling the enrollment on your behalf, to canceling your previous plan, and even managing your renewal process when the time comes, Power Wizard takes care of it all. Saving you time and hassle

To start, enter your zip code. This will help us customize the search based on your home’s location to accurately match you with the best plan. The results will show a list of the best electricity plans customized for you.

Let us find you the best plan in seconds and start saving.


4. Look into providers that offer same-day service

Getting your energy connected typically requires a credit check, maybe a deposit, and a couple days’ notice. While this may work for some people, it’s not ideal for everyone. For instance, those with subpar credit often have to pay a much larger deposit, which can be financially restrictive. Others might need to move into a new apartment quickly and can’t wait a couple of days for their energy provider to connect them. 

In situations like these, same-day service can be a lifesaver. Depending on when you set up electricity online (or over the phone), you can have power in about six hours. 

Rather than spend hours searching manually to compare your options and find a provider that does not require a security deposit, let Power Wizard find the best ones for your needs in minutes and look into providers that has a no electricity deposit option.

Let us find you the best plan in seconds and start saving.


5. Take into account your energy habits 

Along with choosing an energy provider, you’ll also need to select an electricity plan. Every provider’s specific offerings are different, but plan types include:

  • Fixed-rateYou pay the same price per kilowatt-hour for the duration of your contract, regardless of market activity.
  • Variable rateYour rate can change monthly based on the energy market, and many plans don’t require a contract. 
  • PrepaidYou pay ahead of time for the electricity you’ll use in the future. 
  • Time of use: Your energy price varies depending on the time of day or day of the week. For instance, some providers offer free nights and weekends plans.

You can also find electricity providers that offer green or clean energy plans. These plans let you support renewable energy projects while saving money on utility bills.

Understanding your energy habits can help you determine the best plan for you. If you aren’t sure, Power Wizard can help you narrow down your options and provide a selection of top plans with the best rates based on your unique needs. Power Wizard saves their customers hundreds of their electricity bills and ensures you never overpay for electricity again.

6. Set up automatic payments to ensure peace of mind and avoid late payment charges

While you know the importance of paying your monthly power bills, life gets busy, and you might forget. Unfortunately, missing payments could result in expensive late fees. In more severe cases, it may also lead to your energy provider disconnecting your electricity, which may require an additional reconnection fee. 

Rather than risk forgetting to pay your electric bills every month, set up automatic payments with your energy provider. That way, you’ll never need to worry about missing the payment due date and getting hit with expensive penalties. 

7. Monitor how your service needs change over your contract period

The energy plan you choose when you move into your new apartment might not always be the best one for you. Over time, your apartment usage needs may change. Getting married or having a baby means more occupants, which means you’re likely using more electricity. New energy plans with more affordable rates could become available. 

Changes in your service needs may mean it’s time to switch to a new energy provider. With Power Wizard by your side, you can see what else is out there at any time in only a few minutes. Or, if you become a VIP member, Power Wizard will monitor the market for you and alert you if there’s a better option. This includes accounting for cancellation fees when determining your potential savings and even handling the process of switching for you. 

How long does it take to set up electricity when you move?

How long it takes to set up your electric services depends on several factors. You might want to consider researching service providers and selecting one a few weeks before moving in to avoid delays.

If you’re going with same-day service, setting up your electricity may only take a few hours. Remember that turning on your power the same day you contact your preferred supplier will depend on the time of day you call and the day of the week. If you call past a set time or during the weekend, you may have to wait until the next business day for power. 

Avoid a high monthly cost by choosing the best energy plan

Setting up your electricity is a top priority when moving into a new apartment. With so many options available, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Power Wizard makes shopping for electric providers a breeze and protects you from gimmicks, fine-print gotchas, and bad deals. From electricity shopping to enrollment and renewals, we handle it all.  It only takes a few minutes of your time to discover the best plans for your needs. 

Are you ready to find a great energy plan for your Texas apartment? Visit Power Wizard today to get started. 

Let us find you the best plan in seconds and start saving.


More From the Power Wizard Blog

  • Cost Savings
    Efficiency
    Shop Texas Electricity

    How Time of Use Energy Plans Work

    Once, one company controlled all aspects of your electricity. Whether you liked it or not, you had to agree with the charges of that company and pay the bills. Those days are over, as you can now choose an electricity provider within a deregulated market and pick the best rates for yourself. You even have […]

    View Article
  • Cost Savings
    Shop Texas Electricity

    How to Understand Your Texas Power Bill

    When your Texas power bill arrives, what do you do? Many people only look at the amount due and pay it without a second thought (unless they notice that the total is significantly higher than the month before). Understanding your electricity bill and the charges on your bill can save you from overpaying for electricity. Don’t […]

    View Article
  • Efficiency
    Shop Texas Electricity

    How much electricity does a pool pump use?

    A backyard swimming pool lets you beat the scorching afternoon heat while enjoying the privacy of your home. On the downside, pools have huge installation costs and electricity demands. Therefore, if you want to enhance the elegance of your backyard with a pool, keep in mind its maintenance cost.   Homes with swimming pools consume on […]

    View Article
  • Shop Texas Electricity

    What you should know about electric cars

    Electric cars (also called all-electric or battery electric vehicles) have become increasingly more popular in recent years, providing an alternative to traditional gas-powered vehicles. In addition to all-electric car manufacturer Tesla’s lines of vehicles, nearly all legacy automakers have introduced at least one electric model. Fisker, another all-electric automaker, has also entered the market with […]

    View Article
  • Shop Texas Electricity

    What to do when you see a Texas electric bill increase

    Let’s be honest. Paying monthly bills isn’t something that anyone can avoid. However, opening your energy bill, often your most expensive utility expense, only to discover your costs have drastically increased is more than just frustrating. Have you experienced a Texas electric bill increase? Power Wizard is here to help. We can find you the […]

    View Article
  • Shop Texas Electricity

    How energy brokers can help you save

    At these difficult times, we are all looking for ways to lower our cost of living and adapt to the changing economy. Electricity plays a critical role in daily living and contributes significantly to our utility expenses. That’s why identifying the ideal energy plan to reduce energy expenses is one of the top priorities. Several […]

    View Article
  • Shop Texas Electricity

    Do You Need a Tesla Powerwall?

    What is a Tesla Powerwall? The Tesla Powerwall is a rechargeable home battery storage system for residences. It is made by Tesla Energy, a subsidiary company of Tesla Inc. that makes electric vehicles. Introduced in 2015, the battery has been in mass production since 2017. By 2021, there were over 250,000 units installed. There have […]

    View Article
  • Shop Texas Electricity

    How do power surges affect you?

    Electricity is a fantastic invention that currently plays a crucial role in various aspects of daily living. With dependence on electrical appliances at an all-time high in the modern world, life without electricity, like in a power surge, can be hard to imagine. You often need a reliable and uninterrupted electricity supply to power different […]

    View Article