Questions About Electric Meter Usage Data in Houston

If you are an electric customer with an electric service retail supplier in the Harris County Texas area chances are high that Centerpoint Energy services your poles and wires and reads your meter. Have you ever received an electric bill that had an abnormally high TDSP (Transmission and Distribution Provider Charge)? Sometimes electric meters go haywire and misread your electic usage. In these situations it could have been years since the TDSP company has actually tested or performed maintenance on your electric meter.

Electric Meters do from Time to Time Malfunction

If you believe your meter was not read correctly in the Centerpoint Energy service area (Most of Houston) then we have phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information to assist you in tracking down someone at Centerpoint to assist in testing your meter. Be aware that if they have performed maintenance on your meter recently and you still ask them to come out they may charge you for the visit. Be sure to try and negotiate for them to come out with no charge if you believe it is their fault. If they determine that the issue is not their fault but is an accurate meter reading you will likely be charged for their effort.


If you want to confirm your electric bill with your raw electric usage data as Centerpoint Energy reads it you can use the usage file number below to ask for this information to be emailed to you. You will need to have your account information ready as they will need to verify it is you.

This is a list of phone numbers for commercial businesses in Houston who need to contact the poles and wires company for new construction, inspections, and building occupancy certificates. Many times a city inspection is required before electric service in Houston can be turned on.

You can find out just how much energy you use at your house by searching around for some recent electric bills and spending a few minutes to see just how your energy consumption compares to the rest of the nation.

You can begin by filling out the below form with the needed information. We will not sell or give this information to anyone. We hate spam too. You need to have your zipcode, square footage, energy bill totals, occupants, and age for a 12 consecutive month period.

If you need your electric usage history you can contact your utility which could be Oncor Electric Delivery (TXU Energy)(1.888.313.6862) in the Dallas area or Centerpoint Energy (1.800.332.7143) in the Houston area.  

MEASURING TAPE FORM

Centerpoint Energy and Energystar Homes

The federal government in cooperation with the Texas government’s Energystar program has worked with Centerpoint Energy and the Houston electricity coverage area to encourage builder’s and home buyer’s to build and purchase energystar certified homes. Houston is the largest electricity congestion bottleneck in Texas. By creating more energy efficient homes and businesses this can be alleviated and less power plants and infrastructure would need to be built.

Live The Lifestyle

Home owner’s can also benefit by living the lifestyle they would like for less money. If you turn your air-conditioner on high all day but have an energystar home you will likely still be able to afford it. There are a lot of benefits to buy and build an energy star home in Houston Texas.

The below home builder’s are certified Energystar home builders.

Houston Texas Energy Star Home Builders

Ashton Woods Homes
www.ashtonwoodshomes.com

Beazer Homes
www.beazer.com

Carlisle Homes
www.carlislehomes.com

Castlerock Communities
www.castlerockcommunities.com

Centex Homes
www.centexhomes.com

Chesmar Homes LTD
www.chesmar.com

Coventary Homes
www.coventryhomes.com

David Powers Homes
www.davidpowershomes.com

David Weekley Homes
www.davidweekleyhomes.com

Highland Homes Houston LTD.
www.highlandhomes.com

Imperial Homes
www.imperialhomestexas.com

KB Home
www.kbhomes.com

Kimball Hill Homes
www.kimballhillhomes.com

Lennar Homes
www.lennar.com

Lindenwood Homes
www.lindenwoodhomes.com

Maplewood Homes
www.maplewood-homes.com

Meritage Homes
www.meritagehomeshouston.com

Morrison Homes
www.morrisonhomes.com

Partners in Building, L.P.
www.partnersinbuilding.com

Perry Homes
www.perryhomes.com

Pioneer Homes
www.pioneerhomes.com

Plantation Homes
www.plantationhomes.com

Pulte Homes
www.pultehomes.com

Royce Builders
www.roycebuilders.com

Ryland Homes
www.ryland.com/find-your-new-home/11-houston.html

Trendmaker Homes
www.trendmakerhomes.com

Village Builders
www.lennar.com

Wilshire Homes
www.wilshire-homes.com�

More About Energy Efficiency

Improve Home Energy Efficiency With Trees

A program known as Trees for Houston has partnered with CenterPoint Energy of Houston. The purpose of this program is to develop energy efficient landscaping in residential neighborhoods and new home construction projects. By using the right trees and planting them in strategic areas you can lower home cooling costs within a few years. Shade trees can produce years of savings on energy bills. Trees are beautiful and increase the value of the home and land which makes this program a very useful and marketable idea. Shade trees also improve air quality and absorb storm runoff.

Eligible customers in the Houston Texas area if approved can receive up to 2 trees per household from http://www.treesforhouston.org. You can contact Gary Woods at 281-474-4507 for more information.

Rules For Trees For Houston Program

Trees may only be planted on the west, east, or south side of the residence. You can pick among several species such as Live Oak, Red Maple, and Magnolia. Trees For Houston will deliver, plant, and offer advice for $25. The advice will give the most energy efficient location to place the tree. The program is done on a first come first served basis so the quicker you jump at the opportunity the more likely they can help you.

Be sure to call the electric, gas and water company to verify the place you would like the tree does not have underground pipes and wires underneath the area. Here is where you call to find this information out for Houston Texas: “Call Before You Dig” line at 1-800-669-8344.

Learn more about Houston Texas Energy Efficiency

Texas Utilities Offer Energy Efficiency Programs

CenterPoint Energy offers a program they call the Commercial and Industrial Retro-Commissioning Program. This program would benefit Houston Texas area commercial and industrial businesses who want to save more money on their electric bill by taking steps to update some of their old boilers, light ballasts, and other energy hogs. CenterPoint will come into the facility and locate low cost ways to retrofit the facility to save on peak demand costs. A licensed agent from CenterPoint will come in for free to do a detailed study and suggest the needed changes as well as assist with the changes in exchange that the facility will invest at least $10,000 in some of the recommended ideas.

Facility Services Managers Can Reduce Electricity

The new energy efficiency program CenterPoint offers is similar to an engine tune-up for your car. It doesn’t cost a lot but will save your company money in short order. The Retro-Commissioning Program is set up to achieve both energy and peak demand savings in the Houston area. A systematic evaluation of the electric energy-using systems and machines combined with an immediate implementation of low-cost retro-fitting measures will dramtically reduce electricity costs. This is a win win as CenterPoint does not have to build additional infrastructure if customers will become more energy efficient. This free service will give a facility a competitive edge and can easily justify a facility services manager’s job and salary.

Why is CenterPoint Doing This For Free?

According to Senate Bill 7 passed by the Texas Legislature in 1999 they have too. The Houston Utility must meet a 10% reduction in its annual utility area demand growth.

The Process

To Retro-fit the facility there are two simple steps:

Evaluation

The CenterPoint Energy Consultant will evaluate the energy-using systems in the facility and their condition. They will look for low cost opportunities to improve the energy performance of these systems. A detailed written report shows all the ways to improve the facilities efficiency.

Implementation

To implement the recommendations you can either select a contractor of your choice or have your own staff implement the agreed upon changes to the facility. The recommendations provided have a 1 year back or less making the financial aspect of it a no brainer. All facility managers in Texas should be jumping on board to do this program and if they are not then why not? The only requirement is that you do have to make a minimum investment of $10,000 and have the project completed in 1 year.

Retro-Commissioning Changes

Non-optional control strategies are made more flexible, faulty equipment is replaced; nothing is left deferred but is handled in one quick stroke across the board. Facility Owner’s generally are not aware just how much they could save by changing some things in their facility. CenterPoint brings the brains to you so there is no need to stress as they will study the facility and provide a written report detailing what needs to be done.

Extra Benefits To The Facility

The changes can result in:

Reduced Maintenance And Repair Costs

Extend The Life Of The Facilities Equipment

More Comfortable Work Environment

Ability To Work With Expert Engineers

Learn About Effective Building Operation

Identify Capital Projects Funded By CenterPoint Energy

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