No deposit

Which Texas light companies need no deposit?

Any Texas electricity company will turn on your power with no deposit if your credit checks out. If it doesn't, prepaid plans never charge a deposit, and some people qualify for a waiver.

Published 13 October 2026

Which companies need no deposit?

Every company, if you pass its credit check. Texas rules let a provider ask for a deposit only when you have not shown good credit.

Every prepaid plan, whatever your credit. By rule, a prepaid provider cannot ask for a deposit, but it can ask for up to $75 up front.

And some people can skip the deposit at any company, even without good credit.

Who can skip a deposit anywhere?

Every company must waive it if you are 65 or older and not behind on a bill. It must also waive it for a family violence survivor with a letter from the Texas Council on Family Violence.

When a company asks you for a deposit, it must tell you about these two options.

Some companies must also accept a good payment record instead. That means 12 months of bills with no more than 1 late payment.

That rule covers the provider tied to your old utility and the provider of last resort. Others may accept it too, so ask before you pay.

How big can a deposit be?

A deposit is money the provider holds in case you do not pay, and you get it back later.

It is capped at the larger of two amounts: one-fifth of a year's bills, or your next 2 months.

For the average Texas home, a year of bills came to about $1,965 in 2024. A fifth of that is about $393.

When do you get it back?

Pay 12 bills in a row on time, and the provider must return your deposit.

While it holds the money, it must pay you interest. The rate for 2026 is 4.12% a year.

How does prepaid power work?

With a prepaid plan, you pay for power before you use it, and your balance goes down as you do.

Your provider must warn you 1 to 7 days before your money runs out.

Is a no-deposit plan the cheaper plan?

Not always. A plan with no deposit can still cost more each month. Compare what each plan would likely cost your home in a year.

Enter your usage, and we will estimate a year's cost for every plan in your ZIP.

1. Good credit? No deposit

   Any company can skip it when your credit checks out.

2. Prepaid never needs one

   Texas rules forbid a deposit on a prepaid plan.

3. Price the whole year

   The yearly cost matters more than the deposit.

Articles are general information for Texas electricity shoppers. Every cost Power Rate Check shows is an estimate, and the Electricity Facts Label is the provider's official price document — read it before you sign.