Texas ESID Lookup & More

An ESID (also written as ESI ID or ESIID)—short for Electric Service Identifier—is a unique number assigned to every electricity service address in Texas. It’s how utilities, such as CenterPoint Energy or Oncor Electric Delivery, and retail electric providers (REPs) determine where electricity is being delivered.

Your ESID is tied to the property address itself, not to your meter number or your account number. That means even if the meter is replaced or your account changes hands, the ESID for the location stays the same. Both residential and commercial meters have ESIDs.

ESIDs are typically 15, 17, or 22 digits long, depending on the utility. The structure usually follows this pattern:

• Prefix: All ESIDs begin with the number 10.
• 5-digit DOE/TDSP ID: This part identifies the utility company that owns and operates the poles and wires in your area. DOE stands for Department of Energy and TDSP for Transmission and Distribution Service Provider.
• Remaining digits: These uniquely identify the meter tied to your specific address.

Here’s a look at some common prefixes and the utilities they belong to:

Your ESID is how Retail Electricity Providers enroll customers, switch service, and track meter usage. It also shows which utility—like Oncor or CenterPoint—delivers power to your property. In Texas’ deregulated market, you’ll need your ESID to shop and compare electricity plans (most electricity websites will automatically find your ESID).

ESIDs are assigned to every electric meter in Texas. However, only residents of deregulated areas of Texas, where consumers can choose their retail electricity provider, usually need them. If you live in one of these areas, you’ll need your ESID to shop for electricity plans and switch providers.

Some utilities, however, operate outside of deregulation, meaning customers there usually don’t have ESIDs. These include:

• El Paso Electric
• Southwestern Public Service Company
• Entergy Texas
• Southwestern Electric Power Company

Many municipal utilities and electric cooperatives also run their own systems. For example, Austin Energy (a municipal utility) and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative don’t participate in deregulation. Customers served by these types of providers will likely only need their electric meter number.

You know that an ESID number is important, but how do you find it? Fortunately, there are multiple Texas ESID lookup options:

1. Use an online ESID lookup tool: Enter your street address into our lookup tool to see your ESID, service status (active or inactive), premise type, and utility.
2. Check your electricity bill: Most bills list the ESID right under your account number.
3. Contact your utility or transmission/distribution service provider (TDU): If your online search returns a “no address found” error or you can’t locate your ESID, call your TDU. For new construction, your builder or the utility will need to request and assign a new meter/ESID before service can begin.
4. Ask your property manager: If you live in an apartment or a rental property with multiple meters, ask your property manager for the ESID. Each unit or building may have its own.
5. Commercial ESID lookup: Businesses can also use online lookup tools to find their ESID. Our tool can confirm whether the meter is residential or commercial.

Troubleshooting Texas ESID Lookup Issues

Sometimes an ESID search doesn’t return what you expect. Below are a few common issues you may run into, and what they mean.

• Meter inactive or de-energized: If your lookup result shows “inactive,” it usually means the meter has been retired or permanently de-energized. In this case, the utility must assign a new ESID.
• De-energized due to vacancy or non-payment: A “de-energized” status may also appear if the property is vacant, you’ve recently switched providers, or service was disconnected for non-payment.
• Multiple units: In apartment complexes or multi-unit properties, there may be multiple ESIDs or a shared ESID for the whole building. Always confirm with your property manager or utility to ensure you have the correct one.

If you’re unsure why you’re experiencing an ESID lookup issue or don’t know how to resolve it, contact your utility company directly.

Your ESID number is the unique identifier that connects your property to the Texas power grid. Knowing your ESID makes setting up service, comparing plans, and resolving issues much easier.

Ready to put your ESID to work? Use Power Wizard’s smart comparison tool to instantly view dozens of local electricity providers side by side and find one that fits your needs.