All FAQs

​Your electric bill is based on the amount of electricity you use and the rate charged by your Retail Electric Provider (REP), which includes Oncor’s costs to deliver the electricity to your home or business. You can reduce your bill in one of two ways: reduce your usage, or evaluate your REP's price or rate.

​Energy conservation is important because it will help reduce the state’s electricity demand, lessening the need for new power plants and transmission lines. The state of Texas requires every electric delivery company like Oncor to develop programs that help consumers conserve and funds the programs through charges paid by Retail Electric Providers operating in Texas. Oncor has lowered energy use in its service territory every year since its energy efficiency programs began. From 2002 to 2009, Oncor’s energy efficiency programs have saved enough electricity to power more than 109,000 homes and have caused annual greenhouse gas emission reductions equal to removing more than 255,000 cars from Texas highways.
-Price R., Oncor Energy Efficiency Expert​

​No credible scientific evidence suggests the weak and intermittent radio-frequency (RF) signals used by advanced meters pose a health or safety risk to the public.

​Transmission lines are the high voltage conductors that move electricity from power plants to distribution systems, which deliver power to customers. Adequate transmission capability is essential for electric reliability and to serve growing population and foster economic growth.

-Wes S., Oncor Transmission Expert

​Typically, for overhead residential service the consumer owns and is responsible for the meter base and wiring in the meter base, as well as conduit and wiring connecting the weather head at the top of the house. Oncor owns the pole and transformer serving the premise and the wires that connect to the weather head and meter.

-David R., Oncor Distribution Expert

​Based on the information available during an outage event, the estimated restoration time is when we think power will be restored.

​In most cities, streetlights are owned and maintained by Oncor. In some cases, cities, homeowners’ associations, planned developments, etc. choose to install and maintain their own streetlights.
-Steve T., Oncor Streetlights Expert

​Electricity theft is more than just a petty crime. Many times, the theft involves tampering with the metering equipment and energized electrical wires. This can result in a dangerous and hazardous situation. Since apartment buildings often have one service line feeding a combined enclosure of meters, it is often necessary to disconnect the service line feeding the entire building to secure the hazard. This may result in some innocent tenants losing electricity. When these situations occur, Oncor works with the building management, city officials, police and various aid groups to keep the residents informed of the situation and what needs to be done for power to be restored quickly and safely.

In addition to building CREZ (Competitive Renewable Energy Zones) transmission lines to connect wind energy in West Texas to other parts of Oncor’s service territory, Oncor is invested in renewable energy through our energy efficiency programs. We offer incentives for wind, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and biomass projects. The solar thermal and photovoltaic projects are available for both residential and commercial customers, while the wind and biomass are limited to commercial customers. For more information on Oncor’s energy efficiency programs, visit our Take A Load Off, Texas website.

-Price R., Oncor Energy Efficiency Expert