Setting up utilities when moving to a new address can be a daunting task, amidst the chaos of packing and organizing your belongings. Whether you’re transitioning to a new apartment or settling into a new house, ensuring your utilities are set-up before departing your current residence is crucial.
How To Set Up Utilities When Moving
First, begin researching your new neighborhood’s utility providers well in advance, typically three to four weeks before the move. This includes researching water, gas, electricity, home phone, home security, TV, internet, trash and recycling services. Be mindful that certain providers may only service specific areas or buildings, necessitating a switch to a different provider.
About two weeks prior to your move, reach out to your current utility providers to notify them of your address change and the date you’ll need services discontinued. If you’re staying with the same provider, you can simply transfer your services to your new location. Otherwise, you’ll need to cancel your current service and switch to a new provider. You should coordinate with the new provider to establish utilities at your new residence.
Prepare all necessary documentation and information to facilitate the transition smoothly. This typically includes your current account number, proof of identity (such as a driver’s license or passport), proof of address (like a lease agreement or mortgage paperwork), your social security number for credit history checks, and payment information.
To simplify the process, utilize tools like our zip-based utility search to identify the utility providers that will be available and consider using moving comparison tools to compare cost-of-living adjustments between your old and new locations. These steps can streamline the often complicated process of setting up utilities during a move.
Moving To an Area with Deregulated Utilities
When relocating to a state with deregulated electric or natural gas services, there are a few specific considerations to keep in mind. Most providers offers a variety of plans, ranging from variable month-to-month plans to long-term agreements lasting several years. Some plans offer fixed rates, while others are variable rate
Committing to a contract can be daunting, as life’s circumstances are unpredictable. What if you need to move before your contract term ends? Is it possible to terminate your deregulated energy contract?
The answer is generally yes. In states with deregulated energy markets, provisions exist for such situations. If you’re moving within the same region covered by your utility company, transferring your service to the new address typically incurs no penalty. However, if your relocation takes you beyond your current utility company’s service area, you may face an early termination fee (ETF) for canceling before your contract expires. The applicability of such fees depends on the laws of your state.
Transferring Services Between Multiple Residences
When moving, it’s typical to require utility services at both your old and new addresses simultaneously. It’s important to remember that the moving process takes time, especially when cleaning out your old home, which may involve multiple trips. Additionally, you will need to keep at least some utilities active in your old residence until it sells.
Fortunately, most electricity providers allow residential customers to maintain two homes under the same contract for up to 60 days. Simply call your utility provider to inform them that you want to keep service active at your current home while scheduling the activation of service at your new address.
Alternatively, if you prefer to handle the process online, many utility companies offer a “Transfer My Service” or similar option on their website. Through this portal, you can set a move-in date for your new address and a move-out date for your old residence. If your home takes longer than anticipated to sell, you can always contact the company to request an extension of service.