Moving to San Antonio? Or thinking about a new life in the second-largest city in Texas?
If so, you’ll be joining more than 1.5 million San Antonians who enjoy paying no state income tax. Also known as the Military City, San Antonio offers excellent job prospects and plenty of year-round activities.
But San Antonio is different from much of Texas, especially regarding energy. Read on for a roundup of what you need to know about setting up utilities when moving to San Antonio followed by everything you need to know about making the most of this renowned city.
How Do Utilities Work in San Antonio, Texas?
Texas has a deregulated energy market for most of the state. In fact, 85% of its residents can choose their electricity provider. Deregulation covers cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and more.
Energy companies offer a wide range of electricity prices and deals, from free nights to free weekends, fixed rates, and variable rates. Customers can even choose to help in the battle against climate change by selecting a renewable energy supplier.
However, 15% of Texas customers live in regulated areas and can’t choose their electricity company — and San Antonio is one of those areas.
People in San Antonio get power from a utility company approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC or PUCT). CPS Energy is the United States’ largest public power company and provides electricity to more than 860,000 San Antonian homes and natural gas to 358,000 customers.
CPS Energy is a member of ERCOT, the independent operator of the Texas power grid.
How Do I Set up Utilities in San Antonio, Texas?
It’s simple to set up your electricity and gas supply before moving to San Antonio.
If you’re moving within the San Antonio area, you need only contact CPS Energy in advance with your new home or apartment details.
Anyone moving from outside the San Antonio area has two steps to follow. First, contact your current gas and electricity suppliers several weeks before the move. Next, register and set up a new account with CPS Energy for your new home.
New customers need to provide:
- Full name, address, and phone number
- Email address
- Social Security and/or driver’s license number
CPS Energy will help set up a contract. There are beneficial conditions for some military personnel, too.
Can I Transfer My Energy Service to San Antonio?
San Antonians moving within San Antonio can transfer their utility bill by contacting CPS Energy. People moving to San Antonio from outside the city or outside Texas will need to register with CPS Energy first.
Pro tip: Get your realtor to send you your new home’s approximate energy usage levels. This information will help you estimate your upcoming energy bills.
What Is the Cheapest Energy Company in San Antonio?
CPS Energy provides electricity and gas for San Antonio city residents.
In January 2022, the average electricity price in San Antonio was 10.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) compared to 11.5 cents per kWh for the last 12 months. For reference, in November 2021, the residential national average electricity price was 14.12 per kWh.
Can I Set up Gas and Electricity Before I Move In?
Yes, you can set up your utilities before moving into your new home. Remember, new customers need to register with CPS Energy while existing customers can transfer their accounts to their new San Antonio address.
What Happens If I Don’t Set Up Electricity When Moving to San Antonio?
It’s imperative to contact CPS Energy before you move to your new San Antonio home. Failure to set up or transfer an account could mean you end up sitting in the dark, possibly without heating. You could even be paying for someone else’s bills in your old home if you do not cancel or transfer your utility bills.
Are There Different San Antonio Electricity Deals?
CPS Energy prices are the same for all customers with tailored options to help reduce bills. The utility offers ways to save and earn rebates via energy-efficiency measures. These include:
- Rebates for using smart thermostats, insulation, heat pumps, and other energy-efficient appliances and features
- Assistance for vulnerable members of society
- Help with lighting, HVAC maintenance, and solar panels
In San Antonio, how you use energy is at the forefront of saving money on utility bills, alongside energy generation.
How Do You Set up Gas and Electricity?
You can set up gas and electricity accounts when registering with CPS Energy.
Can You Do Electrical Work Without a License in San Antonio, Texas?
You can carry out basic electrical work on your own home in San Antonio, as long as it is within your capabilities and isn’t work that requires a professional.
Electricity is a dangerous and potentially lethal energy source that should be treated with respect. Always contact a professional if in any doubt about the work. Electricians who carry out work on your property must be licensed and registered with San Antonio’s Development Services Department.
Moving to San Antonio: What You Need to Know
Now that you know how to set up utilities for your new life in San Antonio, it’s time to focus on the fun stuff. However, moving to San Antonio is not all about your new home or apartment. There’s a whole lot more to explore in the city’s streets and suburbs. Let’s look at what it’s like to live in San Antonio, from entertainment to employment to dining out.
What’s the Lowdown on San Antonio, Texas?
San Antonio, also known as the Military City and the Alamo City, is in Bexar County, south-central Texas. By population, it’s the seventh-largest city in the U.S. and the second-largest in Texas.
The population has leaped by almost 20% since 2010 to more than 1.58 million people, which reaches even higher when you include the San Antonio–New Braunfels Metro Area.
San Antonians have an average annual household income of $52,455, and the median home price is $146,400. The cost of living is 14% lower than the national average, helped by more affordable real estate and housing.
The city has a proud mixed-race heritage, with over 64% of San Antonio residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino, 7% black or African American, and about 3% Asian. But statistics can only tell half a story.
What to See and Do in San Antonio
San Antonio offers a small-town feel with big-city amenities, perfect for people fleeing huge metropolises like New York and Los Angeles.
The city strides the San Antonio River, and it’s the riverwalk (Paseo del Rio) that is one of the city’s most popular recreation points. Shops and restaurants line the river’s landscaped banks, making it a popular place to dine out, sip a margarita, or enjoy the nightlife.
Some 25 miles northeast of the center is the Natural Bridge Caverns, featuring some fantastic caves, mines, and family fun. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is perfect for adrenaline junkies with roller coasters and other popular fairground rides; people flock for miles to visit.
Tourism is significant in San Antonio, boosted by the San Antonio Zoo and Seaworld. One of the city’s most important events is the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, now attracting up to 1.5 million guests, coming a long way from its inception in 1949.
Art lovers can head to the McNay Art Museum, Texas’s first modern art museum, which opened in 1954. If you like basketball, NBA fans can watch the San Antonio Spurs shoot some hoops at the AT&T Center.
The city of San Antonio is no stranger to history, either. San Fernando Cathedral was founded in 1731 and is said to be the oldest and continuously functioning religious community in Texas. Don’t forget to visit the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which protects several Spanish missions built when the Spaniards first settled the area.
Of course, The Alamo is a must-visit in downtown San Antonio. The Alamo was the scene of the famous 1836 Battle of the Alamo, a pivotal moment in the battle for Texan independence.
Why Is San Antonio Called the Military City?
The Battle of the Alamo made San Antonio famous almost two centuries ago. Nowadays, the city is still renowned for its military ties and population. San Antonio is estimated to be home to 250,000 veterans and 80,000 active military personnel, making up a considerable part of the local job market and population.
Joint Base San Antonio is in the center of San Antonio and covers one of four military installations in the city: Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Camp Bullis, and Randolph Air Force Base.
What to Eat and Drink in San Antonio
Considering its history, there’s a significant Mexican influence on San Antonio’s cuisine — it also produces superb Tex-Mex food. The city is only the second spot in the United States (along with Tucson, Arizona) to be awarded UNESCO’s Creative City of Gastronomy title.
There’s a vibrant food and drink culture, from breakfast tacos to tamales, and much of the food comes at great value prices from street vendors. Margaritas are often house specialties, so look out for those in riverside bars.
After some fine dining and drinking, people enjoy heading to the Pearl of the City, just outside downtown San Antonio. The Pearl is the place for live music, thanks to traditions established by the Pearl Brewery.
Wine connoisseurs won’t be disappointed, either. San Antonio wineries from the Texas Hill Country wine region form the second-largest viticultural area in the United States. In total, there are more than nine million acres of vineyards. Dozens of beautiful wineries nestle among farms, hills, and towns, growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc. Most are within easy reach on a day trip from San Antonio.
Of course, going out may have to wait while you settle into your new home. Fear not if your abode is empty when you arrive. You can place an order with H-E-B — it’s a grocery store offering curbside deliveries and the biggest employer within the city boundaries.
You’ll be able to enjoy a freshly cooked meal in your new home because you’ll have remembered to switch your electricity and gas supplier to CPS Energy in good time.
What’s the Job Market in San Antonio?
San Antonio offers excellent job prospects with a 4.1% unemployment rate, just a shade above the national average. San Antonio’s military and tourism industries are complemented by the healthcare, food services, and technology sectors.
Other areas like biosciences and healthcare work alongside higher education services, creating a learning-to-employment circle. Indeed, the San Antonio Independent School District is one of the city’s largest employers.
There is a manufacturing base — Toyota is a big player — and factories supplying machinery to Texas’ oil and gas industries. Renewable energy is also a potential growth area with the authorities pledging to lead the nation in clean energy.
Are There Any Universities in San Antonio?
There are many universities in San Antonio, including the University of Texas, St. Mary’s University, Our Lady of the Lake University, and St. Philip’s College (1898).
What’s the Best Way to Travel Around San Antonio?
San Antonio doesn’t have a metro system. Instead, VIA Metropolitan provides public transportation through buses and a streetcar, offering 96 routes with almost 7,000 bus stops.
Moving to San Antonio and Setting Up Utilities Can Be Easier Than You Think
Moving to San Antonio offers positive and life-changing possibilities. Texas’ second-largest city is a vibrant mix of forward-thinking modernity paired with rich traditions and history.
Its regulated electricity and gas market means switching or registering for utilities is a straightforward process. New customers need to contact CPS Energy and register details before moving while remembering to terminate previous contracts. People moving within San Antonio need only get in touch with CPS Energy with all their new details.
You can reduce your energy bills by talking to CPS Energy about various energy-efficiency products or installing solar panels or water heaters. And remember, if you do ever leave the Alamo City for another part of Texas, deregulated markets mean you have the freedom to choose your new electricity company.
Brought to you by amigoenergy
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