Ultimate Guide to Setting Up Utilities in NYC

New York City Moving Day Checklist

The first step to setting up utilities in NYC is creating a moving day checklist. First, make a list of all the services at your current address. Find their contact details on your old utility bills. Send them an end-of-service notice, and use the day after your move as the disconnection date. 

Next, contact utility providers at your new home and open an account to start service. Chat with your realtor or landlord about the best utility providers for the area. Before you begin contacting utility companies, have the information they will need handy:

• Your name and contact details, including a phone number, email address, and current address.
• The service address. Be as specific as possible, including unit number, street name, and zip code.
• The date on which to commence service. If the unit you are moving into will be unoccupied, it is a clever idea to start services the day before you move in to make sure the lights will be on when you arrive on moving day.
• Provide your social security number or check what other proof of ID is permissible. Some utility companies might accept a driver’s license ID, alien ID number, or passport if you don’t have a social security number.
• Your banking details. Enquire about payment methods for your utility bill. Most utility providers prefer to be paid by Direct Payment so that bills are automatically deducted from your account. You will need to provide your bank’s routing number and your check or savings account number.
• If your postal address differs from the service address, be sure to provide that to the utility company as well.
• Find out about a security deposit. Depending on the utility type and your credit rating, you might be required to pay a security deposit as a new customer.

Finally, stay in contact. As moving day approaches, keep your list of utilities for the old and new home handy. Then, call them during the week before you move to confirm that service providers will terminate or start services on the date you ordered them. Also, keep track of your list of phone numbers on moving day in case something goes wrong, and you need to get hold of utility providers in a hurry.

Setting Up Utilities in New York City

Gas, Electricity, and Water in New York City

Electricity in NYC is provided by Con Edison. Open your account by calling them at 1-800-752-6633 (or 1-212-243-1900 if calling from outside the city) or apply online. If you’re renting in NYC, gas will probably be included in your rent. Discuss this with your landlord upfront. If gas is not included, you will need to get your own account. Depending on the area, you need to call either National Grid or Con Edison. Parts of Brooklyn are covered by National Grid, and ConEd provides service throughout most of the rest of the city.

• For gas by National Grid, call 1-718-643-4050
• For gas by Con Edison, call 1-800-752-6633 (1-212-243-1900)

Once you’ve opened a utility account with ConEd or National Grid, you can choose which alternate Energy Services Company (ESCO) you’d like to use as your energy provider. Shop around for the best price and service in your area. Water is included in most rental units in NYC. You may need to set up your own account if you are the property owner. To open your water account, call the NYC Department of Environmental Protection at 718-595-7000 (Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm).

Phone, Internet, and Cable in New York City

Before you decide which NYC cable company to choose, shop around and determine where you’ll get the best price and service. Keep in mind that you will need to be at home when a technician arrives to do the installation. If it can be arranged, booking an appointment to coincide with moving day is advisable, so you don’t need to schedule extra time off work.

• Spectrum: 855-366-7132
• Verizon: 1-800-837-4966
• ​​Optimum Online: 1-866-347-4784

Setting Up Utilities Everywhere Else in New York State

Gas, Electricity, and Water in New York State

In New York, you can decide who provides the gas and electricity your household consumes. Once you’ve established an account with the utilities, you can shop around for an ESCO supplier. Depending on the area, your utility provider will be one of the following:

• Central Hudson: 845-452-2700
• National Grid: 1-800-930-5003 (Long Island & Rockaways) or 1-800-642-4272 (Upstate NY)
• National Fuel: 1-800-365-3234
• NYSEG: 1-800-572-1111
• PSEG Long Island: 1-800-490-0025
• Rochester Gas & Electric: 1-800-743-2110

More than 230 companies provide water throughout communities in New York State. Your local municipality can tell you how to open an account. Alternatively, find information at the New York State Department of Public Service.

Phone, Internet, and Cable in New York State

A variety of companies operate in New York State. Some include:

• ​​Optimum Online: 1-866-347-4784
• Comcast (Xfinity): 1-800-934-6489
• Spectrum: 855-366-7132
• Verizon: 1-800-837-4966

Setting Up Utilities in New Jersey

Gas, Electricity, and Water in New Jersey

When living in New Jersey, you can choose which energy supplier to use. Once you’ve opened a utility account, shop around for the best gas/electricity price from alternate suppliers.

The four main NJ electric utilities are:

• Atlantic City Electric: 1-800-642-3780
• Jersey Central Power & Light: 1-800-662-3115
• Orange & Rockland Electric Company: 1-877-434-4100
• PSE&G: 1-800-436-7734

The New Jersey Board of Public Affairs provides a complete list of regulated utilities. You can also find electric utility service territories and gas utility service territories and check online directories to find out which utility serves your home.

Contact numbers for the four New Jersey gas utilities:

• Elizabethtown Gas: 1-800-242-5830
• New Jersey Gas: 1-800-221-0051 (out of state call 1-732-938-7977)
• PSE&G: 1-800-436-7734
• South Jersey Gas: 1-888-766-9900

In New Jersey, water service is run by local municipalities. You can find a list of NJ water utilities and customer service phone numbers here.

Phone, Internet, and Cable in New Jersey

Here are the main telecommunications companies in New Jersey:

• ​​Optimum Online: 1-866-347-4784
• Comcast Xfinity: 1-800-266-2278
• Service Electric Cable: 1-800-225-9102 (Hunterdon) / 1-800-992-0132 (Sparta)
• Spectrum: 855-366-7132
• Verizon: 1-800-837-4966

TWC operates in the counties of Bergen and Hudson, while SEC is a service provider for the county of Sussex.

Setting Up Utilities in Connecticut

Gas, Electricity, and Water in Connecticut

Eversource is the largest electric utility in CT. United Illuminating services the Greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas.

• United Illuminating: 1-800-722-5584
• Eversource: 1-800-286-2000

In some areas, you need to contact the municipality directly to connect to electricity:

• Bozrah Light & Power: 1-860-889-7388
• Groton Utilities: 1-860-446-4000
• Norwich Public Utilities: 1- 860-887-2555
• South Norwalk Electric and Water: 203-866-3366
• Wallingford DPU: 203-294-2020

CNGC provides natural gas in Connecticut. You can view an area map to see where service is available. Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation: 1-860-524-8361 (Greenwich Area Customers: 203-869-6900)

Phone, Internet, and Cable in Connecticut

• ​​Optimum Online: 1-866-347-4784
• Comcast Xfinity: 1-800-266-2278
• Cox: Online Sales: 1-866-961-0027

You’re Busy Setting up NYC Utilities: Let Us Take Care of the Move

Moving to New York City can be a daunting experience, especially when it comes to the crucial task of setting up utilities. With so many options and providers to choose from, the process can quickly become overwhelming for even the most organized among us. And while we can’t set up your NYC utilities for you, we can pack, carry, and move your furniture, leaving your hands free to do the rest. Contact us today for a personalized moving quote, and let us lighten your load.