Oncor is the largest electricity transmission and distribution utility provider in Texas.
Read on to learn more about Oncor power outages, including the Oncor outage map and severe weather information in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area (including Arlington, Plano, Garland, and Irving), as well as move-in, usage and rate information.
Oncor Power Outages
In the event of a power outage in Dallas, call the Oncor Electric power outage number at 888-313-4747.
Oncor Power Outage Map
The company services more than 10 million customers, and its Oncor outage map provides a variety of information to help you track power outages in your region.
This map also shows the current weather radar in Texas so you can better gauge the conditions. To monitor the effect an Oncor outage has on your energy usage, you can review your usage data at Smart Meter Texas.
As the sole Transmission and Distribution Utility company (TDU, or TDSP) in the Dallas area, Oncor addresses power outages, checks meters, and provides maintenance on the electric poles and wires, and the electricity infrastructure.
The Oncor power outage map allows you to:
- View the map based on your location, county, and zip code for a detailed view of power outages
- Sign up for alerts to receive power outage information by email, text, and phone call
- Review the number of outages in your vicinity by city, county, and zip code
- View the number of customers experiencing a power outage in each area as indicated by the following legend:
How Do Outages Impact Your Usage?
When a power outage occurs, check the impact that the outage has on your energy use for a given month by reviewing your Smart Meter Texas meter usage data. If you wish to easily review your electric meter usage history gathered by Oncor in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, set up an account at Smart Meter Texas.
Read more: Guide to Smart Meters
Avoid Rate Spikes from Demand Surges
Power outages caused by excess electricity demand can result in sizable electricity rate spikes, creating large increases in your monthly energy bills if you’re not on a fixed-rate plan that locks in your rate.
Demand spikes are more likely to occur during the sweltering summer months when electricity is needed most.
If you’re on a variable energy rate plan such as an index rate plan, month-to-month plan, or wholesale rate plan that floats with the market, you can prevent unexpected bill increases by protecting yourself with a low-cost fixed-rate plan from the trusted electric companies.
What To Do When Oncor Has an Outage
- Check with your close neighbors to confirm the outage is not just at your house.
- Avoid electricity surges when the power turns back on by unplugging your electronic devices
- Keep your freezer and refrigerator closed up to preserve perishables.
- Go to another location in case of a dire need for cooling or heating.
- Try to find an electrical source for power-dependent medical devices.
After unplugging your devices, find the phone number to call based on your location in the table above to determine when the outage will end or check the Oncor Outage Map.
Then move to another place in case of any immediate need for cooling or heating. If it’s cold, don’t use a gas stove for heating due, as it can be very dangerous.
Prepare for outages by having batteries or other power sources for backup power. Consider having a corded home phone available, which work without electricity so you can make calls in case of emergencies. Extra power sources are also important for medical devices requiring electricity.
If you use a generator, place it outside your home and keep it away from windows and doors. If you live in a rural area and rely on your generator, have an extra supply of gas/fuel for use in emergencies.
Print out and keep the phone numbers to call in case of outages in a location you can remember, and save it in your phone’s contacts.
Dallas Weather Resources and Outage Alerts
- KDFW Channel 4 TV: weather alerts
- NBCDFW Channel 5 TV: weather and radar
- WFAA Channel 8 TV: Accuweather and radar
- Weather.com: Dallas weather map
- National Weather Service: Dallas map
Texas Cities Serviced by Oncor
Below are the top largest Texas cities serviced by Oncor.
Reporting outages: Call Oncor
When an electrical outage happens, you’ll receive a more prompt response by contacting the TDU (Oncor) rather than the electric provider who sells your electricity in Texas.
It’s helpful to know the difference between the TDU (also called TDSP) and electric company and to have a list of Texas TDU phone numbers you can call in Texas when an outage occurs in your zip-code.
Top Electric Providers in Oncor’s Service Area
Below are the top Texas energy companies which reside within the Oncor service area. You can find detailed plans on our pages for each of the providers shown in the table below:
Retail Energy Provider | Our Rating | PUCT Score | BBB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Reliant Energy | 4.7 | 5 | NR |
Green Mountain Energy | 4.7 | 4 | A+ |
TriEagle Energy | 4.7 | 3 | A+ |
Rhythm Energy | 4.5 | 2 | NR |
Frontier Utilities | 4.4 | 4 | NR |
TXU Energy | 4.3 | 5 | A+ |
Champion Energy | 4.3 | 4 | F |
Direct Energy | 4.3 | 4 | F |
Gexa Energy | 4.2 | 4 | C |
Cirro Energy | 4.2 | 2 | A+ |
Oncor Move-in Information for Starting your Electric Service
Below is information for moving into houses with an existing meter and without a meter in the Dallas area.
Signing Up for Service with an Existing Meter
Here are the steps if the home you are moving into has an existing meter:
- Choose an electricity company (also called a retail energy provider):
- Enter your zip code in our comparison tool to compare plans from top energy providers in your area.
- If you need to upgrade your existing meter or energy transmission to your home, find the Oncor Service Center nearest you.
- Enroll in an energy plan from the electric company of your choice. You can view vetted plans from trusted energy providers and enroll online in less than 10 minutes by entering zip code on this page.
- Your new electric company will send an order to start service to Oncor. When Oncor receives that order, they’ll flip the switch and turn on your electricity on the date you request, assuming that the weather and their backlog of other jobs permit.
Signing Up for Service with an No Meter
Here are the steps if your new house does not have a meter installed:
- Call the Oncor phone number:
- If you are a homeowner or business owner, call 888-313-6862 to have Oncor create an Electric Service Identifier number (ESI ID).
- Choose an energy provider (also called an electric company or light company) at least 2 business days after you receive your ESI ID number.
- Enter your zip code in our comparison tool to compare plans from top energy providers in your area.
- Enroll in an energy plan from the electric provider you choose.
- Your new energy provider will send an order to start service to Oncor. Oncor will turn on your electricity generally within 7 business days of the date you request, assuming that the weather and their schedule for other jobs permit.
- Obtain your permit by checking with the permitting entity for your area. Call 888-313-6862 for more information.
About Oncor
Founded in 1912, Oncor is the largest energy delivery company in Texas. The regulated utility company has more than 130,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines and serves more than 400 communities, 98 counties, and more than 10 million Texans.
Oncor works closely with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to determine electricity infrastructure needs and make sure it keeps pace with capacity.
