Centerpoint Energy is one of the largest Transmission and Distribution Utilities (TDUs) in Texas, providing electricity service for Houston and many surrounding cities.
Centerpoint Power Outage Resources
Current Outage Information
- Report an Outage: Call Centerpoint Energy at 800-332-7143
- Outage Updates: Visit the Centerpoint Outage Tracker page for latest outage numbers and restoration times (updates every 15 minutes)
- Power Alerts: Sign up for their Power Alert Service to receive notifications
- Usage Data: Check the impact on your energy usage at Smart Meter Texas using your address and ESID
When the Centerpoint Outage Tracking Map is live, it allows you to:
- Enter your street and intersection for a more granular view of power outages
- Sign up for power outage alerts by text, phone call, or email
- View the number of unplanned and planned Centerpoint outages by city, county and ZIP code
- View the number of customers without power in each area as indicated by this legend:
CenterPoint Outage Tracker Enhancements
Our improved CenterPoint Outage Tracker now features:
- Enhanced service maps
- Clickable outage clusters for easy navigation and outage info
- Ongoing updates to estimated restoration times
- Updated Centerpoint outage causes to provide more transparency to customers
- New message templates for Power Alert Service (PAS) registered customers
Houston Weather Resources
Stay informed with these reliable Houston weather sources:
- KPRC Channel 2 – Weather alerts and storm tracking
- KTRK Channel 13 – AccuWeather and radar
- KHOU Channel 11 – Weather and radar
- Weather.com Houston – Houston weather map
- National Weather Service – Houston-Galveston map
Texas Cities Serviced by Centerpoint Energy
Below are the top largest Texas cities serviced by Centerpoint Energy. Click the links for more info on the cheapest electricity plans and everything else related to home electricity in your area, including power outage information, businesses with energy-savings products and services, EV dealerships and charging stations and more.
During an Outage: Contact Your TDU, Not Your REP
When an electricity outage occurs, contact your Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) directly for faster service—not your Retail Electricity Provider (REP or “light company”).
Understanding the difference between these entities is important:
- TDU (Centerpoint): Manages the power lines and infrastructure
- REP: The company that bills you for electricity usage
Find your utility company’s phone number by service zone to report outages quickly.
Electricity Providers in Centerpoint Service Area
Below are the top energy companies operating within the Centerpoint service area. Explore detailed plans by clicking on any provider in the table below:
Reviews | Phone Number |
|---|---|
888-469-2644 | |
855-258-4797 | |
844-856-9388 | |
844-978-6797 | |
866-858-2841 | |
888-900-7052 | |
855-461-9824 | |
866-485-4005 | |
855-461-1129 | |
833-902-4230 | |
833-962-0262 | |
866-891-7839 | |
866-891-7745 | |
855-947-3015 | |
866-950-9564 | |
866-505-0115 | |
713 537-3000 | |
866-385-6065 | |
833-628-6888 | |
866-702-5033 | |
888-856-1292 | |
866-928-1998 | |
888-774-9846 | |
713-830-1019 | |
888-996-4602 | |
855-898-0060 | |
888-367-7470 |
Smart Meter Resources and Power Outage Protection
Check how power outages affect your monthly energy consumption through Smart Meter Texas. Access your detailed meter data to monitor usage patterns before, during, and after outage events.
For maximum benefit from this tool, explore our Smart Meters guide with quick tips and tutorials.
Protect Yourself From Rate Spikes
Power outages, especially those caused by high demand, can trigger significant electricity rate increases. These spikes particularly impact customers not on fixed-rate plans and occur most frequently during summer months.
Rate Protection Options:
- Switch to a low-cost fixed-rate plan from trusted Houston electricity companies
- Business customers can request a custom quote for stable pricing
- Use our Electricity Fact Label Guide to find plans matching your usage patterns
Additional Resources:
Filing Insurance Claims After Outages
Property damage from power outages (like burst pipes during winter outages) may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. According to Wham & Rogers, a top local insurance claims law firm:
- Read your homeowner’s insurance policy carefully. It likely contains conditions about giving prompt notice of damage and how and to whom you must give notice. Some insurance companies will use failure to comply with conditions to deny claims. If you have missed deadlines, you should still try to comply; “substantial” (but not precise) compliance is often enough to protect your rights.
- Document all your damage by taking pictures and keeping copies of any repair quotes you receive. Save and bag all damaged materials.
- Do not give in to pressure from an insurance company to accept a quick settlement before thoroughly evaluating your damage.
- If your insurance company denies your claim, don’t simply take their word for it. After crises like this, some insurers will start by issuing blanket denials of coverage (this happened after Hurricane Harvey, too). Your property damage may be covered even if your insurer says otherwise.
For assistance with denied or undervalued claims, contact Wham & Rogers at 832-592-1108, text 832-413-1428, or email renerogers@whamandrogers.com.
Centerpoint Power Outage Safety Tips
- Disconnect electronic devices to prevent damage from electrical surges when power returns
- Verify with neighbors that the outage affects more than just your home
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food
- Never use gas stoves for heating—this creates dangerous carbon monoxide risks
- Find alternative power sources for critical medical devices
- Relocate if heating or cooling is urgently needed, especially with vulnerable household members
After disconnecting electronics, contact Centerpoint to report the outage and get estimated restoration times. If you need heating or cooling urgently, consider relocating to a safer location—particularly important for households with seniors or young children.
When using a backup generator, always place it outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If you live in a remote area, maintain an emergency fuel supply for extended outages.
Preparation for Future Outages
- Keep backup batteries and power banks charged for emergency use
- Install a traditional landline phone that works without electricity
- Have backup power solutions for critical medical equipment
- Store Centerpoint’s contact information in an easily accessible place
Starting Your Centerpoint Service
Below is a streamlined process for residents moving into Houston-area homes, whether your location has an existing meter or needs one installed.
Starting Service with an Existing Meter: 3 Easy Steps
Here are the steps if the home you’re moving into already has a meter:
- Choose an electric company: Review our top electric companies in Texas and compare plans by entering your ZIP code. With our comparison tool, you can seamlessly compare top energy plans. We recommend choosing a fixed-rate plan without gimmicky bill credits. If you need to change or upgrade your existing meter or energy transmission to your home, find a Centerpoint Service Center near you.
- Enroll in an energy plan: Easily sign up for a new energy plan directly on Home Energy Club in less than 5 minutes. After signing up, you won’t need to do anything else – the light company will handle your switch.
- Your new electric company will send an order to start service to Centerpoint Energy. When Centerpoint receives the order, they’ll turn on your electricity on the date you request, assuming that the weather and their inventory of other jobs permit it.
Starting Centerpoint Service with No Meter Installed: 5 Easy Steps
Here are the steps you’ll need to take if your new home does not have a meter installed:
- Call Centerpoint Energy: Contact Centerpoint at 713-207-2222 whether you’re a homeowner or business owner. They’ll create an Electric Service Identifier number (ESI ID) for your location.
- Choose an electric company: Wait at least 2 business days after receiving your ESI ID, then review our electric companies in your location and compare plans by entering your ZIP code. Our rate comparison tool lets you easily find and evaluate plans based on your specific needs. We suggest selecting a transparent fixed-rate plan for most households without hidden fees or conditional bill credits.
- Enroll in an energy plan: Register for your selected plan through our secure portal in just minutes. The process is straightforward and requires minimal information—once complete, your chosen provider handles all the technical details of switching your service.
- Service activation: Your new electric company will send an order to start service to Centerpoint Energy. When Centerpoint receives the order, they’ll turn on your electricity generally within 7 business days of your requested date, weather and workload permitting.
- Obtain your permit: Check with the permitting entity for your area. For more information about permits, call Centerpoint at 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143.
Need help with electricity terminology? Read our glossary of terms related to electricity.
About Centerpoint Energy
Centerpoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 140 years.
In 1866, Houston Gas Light Company was formed to supply gas made from oyster shells and coal for the street lights in a coastal village in southeast Texas. In 1882, the company, operating as Houston Electric Light & Power, was granted a franchise by the Houston City Council. For the next century, HL&P generated electricity for sale and delivery to retail customers in the Houston area.
The company was renamed Reliant Energy in 1999. With the restructuring of the electricity market in Texas, the retail electric division was spun off as Reliant Resources, and the company also sold off its electric generation assets. The remaining regulated energy transmission company (TDU) was named Centerpoint Energy, servicing the greater Houston area.
Houston is located in a deregulated energy zone in Texas, where consumers can choose their electricity provider and receive competitive energy rates.
Austin, San Antonio and Beaumont are examples of regulated Texas cities with energy monopolies. In other states, examples of utilities in regulated cities that provide power include the Los Angeles Dept. of Water & Power (which offers electricity and corrects power outages in Los Angeles) and San Diego Gas and Electric.
Examples of combination energy provider-TDUs in other deregulated states include Con Edison, which corrects power outages in New York City, and PECO, which corrects power outages in Philadelphia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Restoration times vary based on the cause and scale of the outage. For localized issues, power may be restored within hours. During significant weather events like storms or hurricanes, Centerpoint prioritizes critical infrastructure first, followed by repairs that will restore service to the most significant number of customers.
Widespread outages may take several days to resolve completely, with customers in heavily damaged areas experiencing longer wait times. For updates during an outage, use Centerpoint’s Outage Tracker or sign up for their Power Alert Service for notifications.
Your electric bill might increase after a power outage for several reasons. During outages, utility companies like CenterPoint may initially estimate your usage based on historical data if they can’t communicate with smart meters. When power returns, your home may use more electricity than usual as appliances work harder to recover (refrigerators cooling down, HVAC systems re-stabilizing temperatures, etc.).
Additionally, seasonal rate adjustments can coincide with outage periods. CenterPoint typically charges higher TDU rates during winter months (starting September 1) to maintain its baseline budget. You can check your Smart Meter Texas portal for accurate usage data or contact your retail electric provider if you notice any discrepancies.
To report a power outage in Houston, you have three main options:
- Call CenterPoint Energy: Call CenterPoint’s dedicated power outage number is 800-332-7143. This is the most direct method.
- Report Online: Visit CenterPoint’s Outage Tracker Map online and click the red “Report” button to access the outage reporting site. You’ll need to provide your phone, meter and house numbers.
- Use the CenterPoint Mobile App: Download and use the CenterPoint Energy mobile app to report outages from your smartphone.
Bad weather is the most common cause of power outages. Lightning strikes during thunderstorms can disrupt power. Flooding, ice storms, and strong winds that knock down trees are among other leading causes of power outages.
Utility companies also must undergo maintenance to provide the best service, so sometimes power outages are scheduled.
During a power outage, refrigerated perishable foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) remain safe for only 4 hours if the refrigerator door stays closed. After this window, these items should be discarded to prevent food poisoning.
Frozen foods last longer—a full freezer maintains safe temperatures for about 48 hours, while a half-full freezer keeps food safe for approximately 24 hours. The golden rule for food safety during outages is “When in doubt, throw it out,” as harmful bacteria may be present even if food appears normal.
The first thing you should do if your power goes out is to unplug all your electronic devices. If power is restored while they are plugged in, the surge of electricity can heavily damage or destroy your devices.
It’s advisable to have all of your electronics plugged into surge protectors, especially in case you aren’t home during an outage.
