Moving house: how to close and start electricity and gas service
Coordinate service dates, supplier contracts, final bills, deposits, and account records when moving to a different US home.
When moving, coordinate the old account's closure and the new home's service start separately, then check what happens to any competitive supply contract. A new address may have a different utility territory, tariff, and supplier-choice arrangement. Do not assume a contract transfers automatically or that ending supply alone closes utility service. Use verified utility channels and keep the requested dates and confirmations in writing.
Identify responsibility at both addresses
For the new home, confirm which electricity and gas utilities serve the property and whether the landlord or resident is responsible for each account. Read the lease or closing information, but verify unclear arrangements with the relevant parties. A building can have individual meters, shared services, or a landlord-managed billing arrangement; this guide does not assume one universal setup.
For the old home, determine the date your responsibility ends under the applicable agreement and utility process. Coordinate with the landlord, buyer, or property manager without exposing your account credentials. Do not access another resident's account or assume that their application automatically closes yours. Ask the utility how to avoid an unintended overlap or gap while maintaining appropriate service for the property.
Request service through trusted channels
Find the utility's official website independently or use a number on a trusted bill. Ask what identification, service address, start date, access, deposit, or other information is required for your circumstances. Provide sensitive information only through the verified process. The site does not collect identity documents or process applications.
| Action | Old address | New address |
|---|---|---|
| Utility service | Confirm closure date | Confirm start date and eligibility |
| Supplier contract | Review move-out provisions | Check whether available or transferable |
| Meter information | Retain permitted readings or records | Confirm correct service and meter |
| Money | Final balance and deposit treatment | Deposit and initial fees |
| Contact details | Forwarding address for final notices | Current billing and payment setup |
Ask about timing rather than assuming same-day activation. Gas service or equipment may require access or a safety process specified by the utility. Do not attempt to turn on a disconnected gas service, alter a meter, or perform utility work yourself. A move checklist is an administrative aid, not technical authorization.
Read the supply agreement's move provisions
Check whether the current competitive supply agreement can continue at the new address, whether transfer is possible, and whether any fee or exception applies. A move across a utility boundary may change eligibility. Do not infer a nationwide fee waiver from a general statement that moving is common. Obtain the relevant provision and ask what documentation is required.
If a new offer is needed, compare it using a cautious usage estimate for the new property rather than copying the old home's exact bills. Size, insulation, equipment, heating fuel, and occupancy can change consumption. Historical data supplied for the property, if legitimately available, can provide context but does not guarantee your future use. Mark forecasts as illustrative and plan to review them after actual billing cycles.
Keep closing costs distinct from energy prices
Track the final service charges, prior balances, cancellation fees if applicable, deposit refunds or offsets, and any new deposit separately. A large final amount due may combine several items, so it should not be interpreted as a new unit rate. Likewise, a refund can lower a payment without making the month's energy cheaper.
Illustrative example: current final charges are $90, an earlier unpaid balance is $25, and a $60 deposit is applied to the account. The resulting balance is $90 + $25 − $60 = $55 before other adjustments. These invented numbers show a ledger, not a rule about how your utility must return deposits. Ask when and how your actual deposit will be reconciled and keep the closing statement.
Preserve useful meter and account evidence
If safe, permitted, and accessible, retain a dated record of the visible meter reading or utility usage summary at the relevant transition. Do not open enclosures, enter restricted areas, or disturb equipment. A photograph can support a question but does not override the utility's billing process or establish a legal boundary of responsibility by itself.
Save closure and start confirmations, the requested dates, a forwarding address confirmation, and final payment records. Check the final bill against the dates and ask promptly about unexplained ongoing charges. Remove obsolete autopay instructions only in coordination with the account process so a legitimate final bill is not unintentionally missed. Review whether payment details or reminders need updating for the new account.
Review the first new-home bill
Verify the service address, fuel, rate class, billing period, opening readings or usage, supplier, deposits, and recurring fees. An initial cycle may be shorter or longer than a normal month. Compare daily use cautiously before extrapolating it to a year. If the property has electric heat or a new EV, the old household pattern may be particularly misleading.
Once enough actual history exists, revisit the plan comparison with the new home's data. If the first bill seems wrong, prepare a specific question and use the official dispute route. For safety concerns or a suspected gas leak, use the utility's emergency guidance or emergency services as appropriate; do not wait for a billing response. Administrative convenience must not delay an urgent safety action.
FAQ
Does cancelling a supplier close utility service?
Not necessarily. Supply and delivery accounts or processes can differ. Confirm the required closure action with the utility.
Can I transfer the same plan anywhere in the state?
Do not assume so. Territory, product availability, and contract terms may limit transfer even within one state.
Should I use my old home's kWh for the new home?
It can be a labeled starting scenario, but equipment, building characteristics, and occupancy can differ. Replace assumptions with actual history when available.
Related reading
Sources
- EIA: customer choice — utility territory and eligibility context.
- PAPowerSwitch — contract and switching guidance; verify your local utility's move process.
