How to Set Up Utilities in NYC: Gas, Electric & Laundry

Setting up utilities in a new city can feel like a maze of accounts, providers, and "wait, who do I call for that?" In New York, it's more manageable than it seems — especially once you know which services you handle yourself and which the building takes care of. Here's a plain-English guide to getting your essentials running at The Anthem.

Electricity: Your Con Edison Account

In most NYC apartments, electricity is the tenant's responsibility, and the provider is Con Edison. Set up your account in your name before or on your move-in date so the lights are on when you arrive — you can do it online in a few minutes with your address and lease details. If you're moving from another Con Ed address, you can often just transfer service. Do this early; an unactivated account on day one is a classic, avoidable headache.

Gas, Heat, and Water: Who Pays What

This varies by building, so confirm the specifics with the leasing office rather than assuming. In many Manhattan rentals, heat and water are included in the rent, while electricity — and sometimes cooking gas — is billed to you. Knowing exactly which utilities are bundled helps you budget accurately and avoid paying twice for something already covered.

Laundry

On-site laundry saves you the New York rite of passage that is the laundromat. Find out how your building's machines are paid — typically a reloadable card or an app — and top it up before the night you actually need clean clothes. Keeping a small balance loaded means laundry is never a scramble.

Save the Right Numbers

A little prep prevents day-one stress:

• Con Edison — for billing questions and, importantly, gas or power emergencies.
• Building management and concierge — for anything inside your walls: maintenance, heat, hot water, and laundry issues.
• Your leasing contact — (212) 684-3222 — for questions about what's included.

If you ever smell gas, leave and call Con Edison's emergency line right away — that's the one utility issue you never wait on.

Internet and the Extras

Two more setup items round out your essentials. Internet isn't a traditional utility, but it's just as important — schedule installation as early as you schedule electricity, since appointment slots fill up fast. And think about the small recurring services that quietly shape daily life: streaming subscriptions, a subway pass, and any building app for amenities or payments. Setting these up in your first week, while you're already in "admin mode," means you won't be chasing them piecemeal for the next month. Keep a simple checklist as you go — electricity, internet, laundry, renters insurance, address changes — and tick each off. There's real satisfaction in knowing every system that makes your apartment run is handled before your first weekend.

Handle electricity early, confirm what's included, and load your laundry card, and your utilities fade into the background where they belong. Curious what's already taken care of at The Anthem? See our building amenities, browse available residences, or schedule a tour. Our team is at (212) 684-3222.