​​​​​Electric Service FAQs

A: Depending on your Retail Electric Provider, you will call them to request the temporary disconnect be sent to CenterPoint Energy. For further details please contact your Retail Electric Provider.

A: If you are a residential customer, you can contact your Retail Provider and request a Temporary Disconnect and upon completion, a Reconnect Order. These are same day orders and should be worked within 4 hours, Monday through Friday. Some Retail Electric Providers may refer you to CenterPoint Energy Customer Service at 713-207-2222 to request the orders. Important Note: If you are making a wiring change a permit will be required.

If you are a commercial customer, especially when multiple meters can be affected by the outage, you should contact CenterPoint Energy Customer Service at 713 207 2222. If you have a self-contained meter service (400 Amp and less), with no other meters affected by the outage, call Customer Service and request a Temporary Disconnect. If you have a CT service, call Customer Service and ask for referral to your area Service Consultant to assist in coordinating your outage. Important Note: if you are making a wiring change a permit will be required.

A: CenterPoint Energy builds power lines to comply with the National Electrical Safety Code requirements for permanent clearances between power lines and the existing structures or surfaces at the time the power line is installed. For new construction, the required permanent clearance will depend on the then-current National Electrical Safety Code and the type of structure being built.

Building too close to power lines reduces the permanent clearance and can create safety hazards for workers or occupants of the structure. Federal OSHA law and Texas state law (Chapter 752 of the Texas Health and Safety Act) require workers and others to maintain certain distances (“working clearance”) from power lines at all times. Consistent with OSHA law, stay at least 10 feet away from high voltage power lines. In addition, no building or structure should be constructed in a dedicated utility easement (ground or aerial). If you anticipate working within 10 feet of high voltage power lines or have any further questions, please contact CenterPoint Energy Customer Service and ask to speak with your Service Consultant in advance of starting the work to discuss arrangements for making the work site safe.

A: There are strict guidelines regarding pools and hot tubs near overhead and underground energized power lines. Please contact your Service Consultant to discuss pool and hot tub installations.

A: Please contact CenterPoint Energy Customer Service and ask to speak with your Service Consultant to initiate the process for obtaining a security light. The Service Consultant will evaluate the proposed location for the security light. Once the location is confirmed, the customer is responsible for ordering and purchasing the security light fixture from a list of CenterPoint Energy approved manufacturers for installation. The customer is also responsible for paying CenterPoint Energy to install the fixture on existing CenterPoint Energy facilities. Once installed, the customer is responsible for paying the charges for security light service to their Retail Electric Provider.

A:No, customers cannot install any unauthorized equipment or objects on the utility poles. All attachments to CenterPoint Energy utility poles must be approved by CenterPoint Energy and be compliant with CenterPoint Energy’s current Service Standards. The only allowed utilities and equipment must be CenterPoint Energy approved.

A: Contact CenterPoint Energy’s Customer Service at 713-207-2222. For a new street light to be installed CenterPoint Energy will need a request letter from the City or County Commissioner where the street light is desired. For street light outages/issues, please click here to report the issue.

A: CenterPoint Energy’s Service Standards will assist you in determining if CT or PT metering equipment is required. CT and PT cabinets are provided at local service centers. Contact your Service Area Service Consultant for assistance. Please seethe Electric Service Standards here.

A: Generator and automatic transfer switches to be installed must be approved by CenterPoint Energy prior to installation. Please email your meter one line diagram, transfer switch specifications, transfer switch model number, and home address to the following email: ATS.Approvals@CenterPointEnergy.com

A: Please call CenterPoint Energy Customer Service at 713-207-2222. They are able to assist in creating orders for issues such as flickering lights, outages, dimming lights, or tree trimming requests. If further investigation is needed, you can request to speak with a Service Consultant.

A: .Yes, a service technician can come to your home, but you may first want to contact a licensed electrician to inspect your service and in-home/business wiring. If the problem is related solely to customer-owned wiring, CenterPoint Energy cannot fix those issues and will need to charge a $109 fee for responding. If a licensed electrician cannot resolve the issue and you are still having problems, please call CenterPoint Energy Customer Service at 713-207-2222 for a trouble order to be created. If the issue is related to CenterPoint Energy’s equipment, there is no service charge for responding.