Yes, in most cases you can arrange CPS Energy electric service before your move-in day, and doing it early is the safest approach. At Westmount at Three Fountains, residents must provide a CPS account number before getting keys, so waiting until move-in day can create an avoidable delay.
For this community, electric service is through CPS Energy, not a long list of competing electric providers. That matters because your task is usually not shopping plans, it is making sure service is placed in your name for the correct apartment and effective date before you arrive.
What to set up with CPS Energy before you move
In San Antonio, CPS Energy is the local utility that provides electric service for addresses in its service area. If you are moving to an apartment that uses electric service, the practical question is usually timing, not provider choice: you want the account active as of the date your lease begins or the date management tells you to start service.
When you contact CPS Energy, be ready with the exact service address, including the apartment number, and the date you want service to begin. For any apartment move, accuracy matters because utility accounts are tied to a specific unit, not just the main street address. A wrong unit number can slow down key pickup and create confusion about billing.
It is also smart to ask CPS Energy what identification or account-holder information they require, whether any deposit applies to your account, and how they confirm that a start order has been placed. Utility requirements can vary by customer situation, so getting those details directly from CPS Energy is better than assuming your last move will match this one.
If you are moving from another San Antonio address served by CPS Energy, ask whether your service can be transferred rather than started from scratch. That can simplify the process, but you should still confirm the effective date for the new apartment and make sure the old address is scheduled to stop service so you are not billed in two places longer than expected.
Why doing it early matters at Westmount at Three Fountains
At Westmount at Three Fountains, move-ins must provide a CPS account number before keys are released. That is the most important property-specific fact for this question. Even if your lease is signed and your apartment is ready, a missing utility account number can hold up the final handoff.
The community also offers contactless move-in if upfront and move-in costs are paid, with keys and move-in materials able to be left in the apartment on move-in day. If you are relying on that option, setting up CPS ahead of time becomes even more important because there is less room for last-minute problem solving at the office counter.
Key pickup is listed for 4:00 PM on move-in day, which means a same-day utility setup attempt can be risky. If CPS Energy needs additional verification, if a start request is not processed when you expected, or if your account number is not yet available, your move can become more stressful very quickly.
This is especially relevant if you are moving into an all-electric apartment community. Westmount at Three Fountains states that its units have electric service, and resident features include energy-efficient appliances. Electricity affects basic first-night needs immediately, including lighting, refrigeration, climate control, charging phones, and, in select homes, any included washer and dryer. You do not want those details unresolved after the moving truck arrives.
How to avoid common move-in mistakes
The best approach is to contact CPS Energy as soon as your lease start date and unit number are confirmed, then ask exactly when service should begin for your apartment. Some renters assume the correct answer is always “the day I pick up keys,” but management may want service active on the lease start date or another specific date. Confirm that with both the leasing team and CPS Energy so the dates line up.
After you set up service, save proof of the order and your account number in a place you can access on moving day. A screenshot, confirmation email, or written confirmation details can help if you need to quickly show that the account has been established. This is a simple step that can prevent back-and-forth calls while you are trying to move in.
If you are moving on a weekend or later in the day, give yourself even more lead time. Westmount at Three Fountains lists office hours Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday closed. If anything about your CPS setup needs clarification, limited office hours can make last-minute corrections harder.
If you want the lowest-stress path, call the leasing office before move-in and ask what exact CPS documentation they want to see, then confirm the start date directly with CPS Energy. That one short check can tell you whether your account is ready, whether your move-in file is complete, and whether you can expect a smooth key pickup on the day you arrive.