Moving to Texas mid-summer? Here's what to know about setting up electricity before the heat hits

If you're moving to Texas this summer, getting electricity set up before move-in day matters more than most people think. Showing up to a hot apartment with no AC running is not a great first Texas experience. A few things to know before you sign up: Most of Texas has a deregulated electricity market, meaning you actually get to choose your provider rather than being assigned one. If you're coming from a state where that wasn't an option it can feel like a lot at first, but taking a few minutes to compare before defaulting to whoever the apartment recommends is genuinely worth it.

When you're comparing plans, the rates shown at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh are your all-in price at different usage levels. Find the tier closest to what you think you'll use monthly and go from there. First summers in Texas almost always run higher than people expect, especially if you're keeping the AC on during the day.

A 12 month fixed rate is usually the safest starting point when you're new to shopping your own provider. Locks in your rate while you get a feel for your usage in a new place. And make sure your service start date lines up with your move-in day so you're not walking into a hot place on day one.

We're Just Energy, one of the providers serving most of Texas. If you're signing up this summer, our Summer Saver plan includes a 2¢/kWh bill credit during June, July and August, right when your usage will be at its highest. Check it out at justenergy.com/reddit and drop any questions below!