To download Texas usage data, create a residential Smart Meter Texas account with the ESIID and meter number from your bill, select a 12-month Energy Data range, and export the report as a CSV. The file contains interval consumption and, for solar homes, surplus-generation records that can be matched to plans and buyback offers using real seasonal usage.
Every Texas homeowner in a deregulated area has access to incredibly detailed electricity usage data - most people just don't know it exists. Your smart meter records how much electricity you use in 15-minute intervals, 24 hours a day. That data is the key to finding the cheapest plan for your actual usage pattern. An energy monitor can also help you review usage between downloads.
Here's how to access it - and how WattTrim puts it to work for you.
Smart Meter Texas (SMT) is a state-run website that stores your electricity usage data. It's managed by the transmission and distribution utilities (TDUs) - Centerpoint, Oncor, AEP, and TNMP - not your retail electric provider.
Every meter in a deregulated area automatically uploads readings. The data is available through SMT's secure portal and API.
Go to smartmetertexas.com and click "Sign Up" in the top-right of the login box.
You'll need:
The registration process takes about 5 minutes. You'll get a confirmation email to verify your account.
Once logged in, you'll land on your Dashboard. This is where you can view and export your usage data.
Here's what to do:
Your export contains a row for every 15-minute interval:
| Column | What It Means |
|---|---|
| DATE | The calendar date |
| USAGE_START_TIME | Start of the 30-min window |
| USAGE_KWH | Electricity consumed in that window |
| CONSUMPTION_SURPLUSGENERATION | "Consumption" for usage, "Surplus Generation" for solar export |
You don't need to download or handle any files yourself. When you start a WattTrim analysis, just snap a photo of your electricity bill. WattTrim reads your ESIID and meter number from the bill, then retrieves your usage data directly from Smart Meter Texas through a secure, state-regulated API.
Your personalized results are ready within minutes - comparing every available plan against your actual usage pattern to find the cheapest option.
Texas electricity usage is wildly seasonal. Your August AC bill might be 3x your March bill. Plans that look cheap based on one month's usage might be expensive across a full year.
A 12-month analysis captures your summer peaks, winter lows, and everything in between - so the results match your real-world usage pattern, not just a snapshot.
Browsing plans is a great start - but every home uses electricity differently. WattTrim analyzes your actual Smart Meter usage data to find the cheapest plan for how you use power, not just a generic benchmark. Just snap a photo of your electricity bill, and your personalized results are ready within minutes.
Get a Personalized Electricity AnalysisCompare your current plan against 1,500+ options across all 6 Texas TDU service areas, including exclusive broker-negotiated rates not found on PowerToChoose.org. Always free.
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