Moving is stressful enough. You don’t want to have to spend your first night in your new place eating fast food by candlelight and shivering without heat or sweating without air conditioning.

Power is one of those things you are definitely going to need one the first day of your move. Therefore, it is best to set this up prior to moving. Also, if you can get the electricity situation squared away before your move, you will have much easier time setting up your other utilities like your cable and Internet.

Powering Up Your New Home

Electricity is a very straight-forward utility. People usually can’t choose who their power supplier is, and there are no packages or deals to decide among. Instead, your community’s provider charges you a set price for however much you gas or electricity you use during a billing period.

In order to find out who your power supplier will be, ask your new landlord or real estate agent. Then contact the provider to set up service on the day you move. Give yourself a week or two to do this because you probably will have to enter into a contract for your power to be turned on, and in some cases you may have to pay a deposit.

How to Lower Your Electric Bill

Go green – The best way to save money on your electricity is to try to be as “green” as possible. Buying environmentally friendly appliances is a great start. Many appliances have a standby mode that draws out electricity even when it is technically off. Keep this in mind when shopping for new appliances and other home decor.

Turn off the lights – Turning off appliances when they are not in use can also help cut down your monthly electricity bill.  Also, rather than using your air conditioning, open your windows.

Make shade / use blankets – If you have the air conditioning on, try to close the blinds so that the sun doesn’t heat your place too much. Dark curtains and shady trees can help keep your place cool as well.

As for the winter months, using blankets, slippers and your fireplace can allow you to keep your heating costs down.

Return to: Transfer and Connect Utilities

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