Setting Up Utilities in Connecticut: Eversource, Water, Internet, and Timing

We have carried a lot of furniture into dark houses. More often than you would think, our crew pulls up to a Connecticut home on move day and the lights don't turn on, the faucet coughs, or the Wi-Fi router sits in a box because the install isn't until next Thursday.

None of that is a moving problem, but it lands on moving day all the same. So after years of local moves across Hartford County and Western Massachusetts, we put together the guide we wish every customer had: who to call for electric, gas, water, and internet in Connecticut, and exactly when to call them.

If you are still building your overall plan, start with our complete Connecticut moving checklist, then come back here for the utility details.

The short answer: a utility timeline that works

Call your utilities two to three weeks before move day, the same window we recommend for booking your movers. Internet needs the most lead time, water and electric the least. Here is the schedule we give our own customers:

Two rules save most headaches. Overlap service by a day or two so neither home goes dark while you are still moving. And never cancel the old home's service until the last box is on the truck.

If you are moving in winter, timing matters even more. A cold house with no heat is a real risk in January, so check our seasonal guide to moving in Hartford County before you lock in a date.

Electricity: Eversource (or UI) and choosing a supplier

In Connecticut, your electric company is set by your address, not by choice. Across Hartford and Tolland counties, where most of our moves happen, that company is almost always Eversource. Southwestern Connecticut, around Bridgeport and New Haven, is served by United Illuminating (UI), and a handful of towns run their own municipal electric departments.

How to start, stop, or transfer Eversource service

Eversource lets you start, stop, or transfer electric and gas service from your online account, or by phone at 1-800-286-2000. Have these ready before you call:

Moving from Enfield to West Hartford, for example, is a simple transfer because both towns are Eversource territory. If you are coming from out of state, plan on opening a brand-new account.

Delivery vs. supply: the part that confuses everyone

Connecticut electric bills have two halves. Delivery always comes from Eversource or UI. Supply, the electricity itself, can come from the utility's Standard Service or from a licensed third-party supplier.

Standard Service rates change twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, and are announced about 45 days ahead. You can compare them against supplier offers on the state's official rate board at EnergizeCT.com. Type the address in yourself, because many look-alike sites are run by suppliers and don't show every offer. Whatever you pick, Eversource or UI still handles your bill, your meter, and outages.

Our advice: get the lights on first, then shop for supply once you have unpacked. There is no penalty for starting on Standard Service.

Natural gas: it depends on the town

Not every Connecticut home has gas, and having Eversource electric does not mean Eversource gas. In Greater Hartford, gas usually comes from Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG), which serves Hartford, West Hartford, Bloomfield, Windsor, Newington, Wethersfield, Manchester, Glastonbury, and more. Other towns are served by Eversource gas, and many rural homes have no gas line at all.

If your new home uses gas for heat, a stove, or a dryer, schedule the start date at least a week ahead. If a technician needs to unlock the meter or relight pilots, plan for an adult to be home during the appointment window.

Moving between November and May?

Connecticut's Winter Protection Plan shields qualifying hardship customers who heat with gas or electric from shutoffs between November 1 and May 1. If money is tight during a winter move, ask your utility about hardship coding when you open the new account. You can read more on PURA's affordability page.

Water and sewer: find your provider by town

Water is the utility people forget most, usually because the tap already works when they arrive. But someone has to be billed for it, and in Connecticut that is often a closing-day detail your attorney or landlord will ask about. Here is who serves the towns we move in most:

Some towns have more than one provider, so always check by street address. The state's list of water utilities by town is the quickest place to confirm.

For homeowners, the water account usually moves at closing, with a final meter reading ordered by the seller. Renters should confirm with the landlord whether water is in their name or included in rent. Either way, submit your start-service request about two weeks before move day.

Planning a move into one of these towns? Our town pages cover the local details, from Enfield and Windsor Locks to West Hartford and Manchester.

Internet and cable: book this one first

Internet is the utility with the longest wait, especially if a technician has to run a new line. When we hear about a missed first day of remote work, it is almost always an internet install that got booked too late. Call three to four weeks out.

Cable territory in Connecticut is split by region, so your options depend heavily on the town:

Verizon closed its acquisition of Frontier in January 2026, so you may see Frontier fiber marketed under the Verizon name. Check availability by exact address on each provider's site, and ask whether the home already has a fiber terminal or cable drop. An existing line can mean self-install instead of a technician visit.

Two tips from our crews. First, label your router and modem box "Open First" so it doesn't end up under a stack of kitchen boxes. Our packing team will label it that way if you ask. Second, if you work from home, keep your phone's hotspot plan active through the first week as a backup.

Moving a business instead of a household? Internet lead times for commercial circuits can run much longer. Our office relocation checklist for Connecticut businesses covers that timeline in detail.

The services people forget: trash, heating oil, propane, and more

Electric, water, and internet get the attention. These are the ones that surprise people in the first week:

One more thing to set up before the truck arrives: your fridge. If you are bringing it with you, it needs to be emptied and defrosted the day before. Our guide to packing a kitchen walks through it.

Your move-day utility checklist

Print this, or save it to your phone, and check it off before our crew pulls away:

A quick electric check matters for our work too. Our crews need working lights and outlets to reassemble beds, mount TVs, and place furniture safely, especially in winter when it gets dark by 4:30. For more on keeping the day on schedule, see our moving day tips from professional movers.

Need a gap between homes? We can help with that too

Sometimes the timing just doesn't line up. The closing slides a week, or the new house needs work before you move in. When that happens, we load your belongings and hold them in our climate-controlled storage in Enfield until the utilities are on and the house is ready. Then we deliver everything in one trip.

Whether it's a house move across town, an apartment move in Hartford, a senior move, or a long-distance move out of Connecticut, we build a plan around your real move-in date. Request your free estimate or call us at 1-888-553-4503.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I set up utilities in Connecticut?

Two to three weeks before move day for electric, gas, and water. Three to four weeks for internet, because installation appointments book up first.

How do I start Eversource service at a new address?

Log in to your Eversource account to transfer service, or open a new account online or by calling 1-800-286-2000. You'll need your new address, your start date, and your account number if you're transferring.

Do I have to use Eversource for electricity?

Eversource or UI always delivers your power, based on your address. You can choose a different supplier for the electricity itself by comparing offers on the official EnergizeCT rate board.

Who provides water in Hartford, West Hartford, and Windsor?

The Metropolitan District (MDC) supplies water and sewer to its eight member towns: Hartford, West Hartford, East Hartford, Bloomfield, Windsor, Newington, Wethersfield, and Rocky Hill.

Who provides water in Enfield, Suffield, and Windsor Locks?

Most homes in these towns are served by Connecticut Water. Always confirm by street address, since a few areas have smaller local providers.

Should I stop my old utilities on moving day?

No. Schedule stop dates for the day after you move out. That way you still have lights, water, and heat while the crew loads the last boxes and you do your final walkthrough.

What if my new home isn't ready when my utilities are?

That is exactly what short-term storage is for. We can load your belongings, hold them in our Enfield facility, and deliver once the house is ready.