Power Outages

What to Do & Who to Contact

At Lumify Energy, we know how power outages can impact your business, from lost productivity to revenue disruptions. While we work hard to optimize your energy contracts and improve efficiency, it’s important to be prepared for any outages and know who to contact for help. Here’s everything you need to stay informed and take action during an outage within the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) region.

Steps to Take During a Power Outage:

Check Your Breakers – Before assuming it’s a widespread outage, make sure your building’s circuit breakers are in the correct position.
Contact Your Local Utility (TDU) – In Texas, power outages are managed by Transmission and Distribution Utilities (TDUs), not your Retail Electricity Provider (REP). The TDU is responsible for the infrastructure that brings electricity to your business.
Stay Informed – TDUs provide real-time updates via online outage maps and text alerts. Check these resources to stay updated on restoration times.

Who to Contact During a Power Outage:

If you experience a power outage, contact the TDU responsible for your area. Below is the contact information for the main TDUs within the ERCOT region.

Houston Area: CenterPoint Energy

Outage Reporting: 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143
Online Outage Map: CenterPoint Outage Map

Text Alerts: Text “OUT” to 27627 to report an outage or check the status.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area: Oncor Electric Delivery

Outage Reporting: 888-313-4747
Online Outage Map: Oncor Outage Map

Text Alerts: Text “OUT” to 66267 to report an outage or check the status.

San Antonio Area: CPS Energy

Outage Reporting: 210-353-4357
Online Outage Map: CPS Energy Outage Map

Text Alerts: Text “OUT” to 86777 to report an outage or check the status.

Central Texas (Austin, Waco, Temple): Austin Energy

Outage Reporting: 512-322-9100
Online Outage Map: Austin Energy Outage Map

Text Alerts: Text “REG” to 287846 for alerts and outage status updates.

West Texas (Midland, Odessa, Abilene): AEP Texas

Outage Reporting: 866-223-8508
Online Outage Map: AEP Texas Outage Map

Text Alerts: Text “OUT” to 23768 to report an outage or check the status.

Additional Resources for Power Outage Preparedness

While outages can’t always be avoided, you can take steps to ensure your business is prepared to minimize downtime and protect your operations.

1. Backup Power Solutions

Investing in a reliable backup power system can significantly reduce the impact of outages on your business. Consider the following options:

Standby Generators: These automatically provide power to essential systems during an outage, keeping critical operations running.
Portable Generators: A more affordable option that can power specific areas or equipment as needed.
Battery Storage Systems: Paired with solar energy or other renewable sources, these can store energy and keep your business powered even when the grid is down.

2. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems

For businesses with sensitive equipment such as servers or data centers, a UPS system can prevent damage and data loss by providing short-term backup power during an outage. This allows for an orderly shutdown of critical systems.

3. Surge Protection

When power is restored, it can sometimes come with surges that can damage equipment. Ensure your business has proper surge protection installed to safeguard valuable electronics and machinery.

4. Communication Plans

Have a clear communication plan in place for your staff during outages. This should include:

Procedures for notifying employees of the outage.
Backup communication methods in case phone or internet services are disrupted.
A plan for updating clients or customers on service delays or temporary closures.

5. Power Outage Kit

Prepare a power outage kit that includes essentials like flashlights, extra batteries, first aid supplies, and instructions for backup systems. This ensures that your team is ready to manage the outage safely and effectively.

6. Preventive Maintenance

Regularly maintain your electrical systems and any backup power solutions to ensure they are in good working order before an outage occurs. This includes:

Testing standby generators and UPS systems regularly.
Having an electrician check wiring and electrical panels for potential issues.