Utility Providers in Brooklyn, NJ

Unlike many other places, Brooklyn splits its service. Con Edison (Con Ed) handles your electricity, while National Grid provides your natural gas. We recommend setting both up at least five business days before you move in so you aren’t left in the dark, or taking a cold shower, on your first night.

Yes! New York has a “deregulated” market, meaning you can choose an Energy Service Company (ESCO) to supply your power. This is a fantastic way to ensure 100% of your electricity comes from renewable sources like wind or solar. Just keep an eye on the rates, as they can sometimes be higher than the standard Con Ed supply.

Safety is the absolute priority. If you smell a “rotten egg” scent, do not flip any light switches or use your phone inside. Get everyone out of the building immediately and call 911 or the National Grid emergency line at (718) 643-4050 from a safe distance.

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) recently updated its rules to help keep our streets cleaner and rat-free. If you live in a small building, you must put your trash out after 6:00 p.m. in a secure bin of 55 gallons or less, or after 8:00 p.m. if you are using bags.

It sure is! As of late 2024, all Brooklyn residents are required to separate food scraps and yard waste from their regular trash. You can use your own bin with a lid or request a brown “compost” bin from the city. We love this move, it keeps tons of waste out of landfills and turns it into “New York’s Strongest” compost instead!

Brooklyn makes it easy with bulk collection. You can place up to six large items on the curb on your regular collection day. Just a heads-up: mattresses and box springs must be sealed in a plastic bag to prevent the spread of bedbugs, otherwise, the city won’t pick them up.

In the vast majority of Brooklyn rentals, the landlord pays for the water and sewer service. However, if you are buying a home, you’ll need to set up an account with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). We suggest checking your account online once a month to look for “leak alerts” that could save you hundreds of dollars.

New York City water is often called the “champagne of tap water” because it comes from protected reservoirs upstate. However, because Brooklyn has many older buildings, lead pipes can sometimes be a concern. We recommend ordering a free lead test kit from the city by calling 311 just to be on the safe side for your family.

Actually, no! Under New York law, landlords generally cannot block a provider from installing service if a tenant requests it. While many buildings are pre-wired for Spectrum or Optimum, we highly recommend checking if Verizon Fios or honest networks are available at your address for faster, more reliable fiber-optic speeds.

We know those Brooklyn winters can get pricey. If you need a little help, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides federally funded grants to help low-income neighbors pay for heating. You can also look into the Energy Affordability Program through National Grid or Con Ed for a monthly discount on your bill.

In historic brownstones and pre-war buildings across Brooklyn, routing fiber lines from Verizon Fios or Optimum requires exterior drilling or line drops across historic facades, which often requires express landlord or HOA approval. Before move-in, verify whether active fiber lines are already routed inside your unit; otherwise, you may need to rely on coaxial cable or 5G fixed wireless networks.