Umair Gaines
If you're moving into a new home, you may not know which utility company provides your electricity. In the United States, you can usually find utilities by address or zip code. If you're in the UK, you can call 105 for free to be connected to your distribution network operator, who should be able to tell you who your electricity supplier is. Your electricity network operator is different from your energy supplier—they maintain the wires that bring electricity to your home, but you pay your energy supplier for that electricity. You can also find your energy supplier by looking at a recent energy bill or online account, or by calling your network operator.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to find your electric utility provider | Use an online lookup tool, such as the ElectricityPlans ESID Lookup Tool |
| Search by address or zip code | |
| Contact your town hall or municipal building | |
| Check your energy bill or online account for contact details | |
| Call your distribution network operator (DNO) – in England, Scotland, or Wales, call 105 for free; in Northern Ireland, call 03457 643643 | |
| Find your Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) or Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) | |
| Ask the previous owners or your real estate agent | |
| Check your state's website | |
| Contact your local utility or state regulatory commission | |
| Ask your landlord | |
| Check your natural gas bill | |
| Search for energy suppliers in your state, such as Constellation | |
| Choose your electricity supplier | |
| Difference between utility company and electricity provider | The utility company delivers power to your home and handles emergencies |
| The electricity provider handles customer service, billing, and coordination with the utility company |
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What You'll Learn
How to find your electric company
Finding out which company provides your electricity can be a little tricky, especially if you live in a deregulated area where you can choose your electricity supplier. If you're unsure whether your area is regulated or deregulated, contact your local utility company or state regulatory commissions.
If you live in a regulated area, your utility company and energy provider are likely to be the same, and you can simply check your electricity bill for the name of the company. If you're renting, you can also ask your landlord which utility companies service your region.
If you live in a deregulated area, like Texas and Pennsylvania, your utility company and energy provider will be different. Your utility company will be assigned based on your address, and you can find out which one that is by using an ESID Lookup Tool online, which requires you to enter your address. Once you know your utility company, you can shop around for your energy provider.
If you're unsure whether your area is regulated or deregulated, or you simply want to find out more about the utility companies in your area, you can try visiting your town hall or municipal building, or checking your state's website.
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Utility companies vs electricity providers
Utility companies and electricity providers are two models of the energy sector. While they both offer electricity to customers, there is a difference in the way they deal with the public.
Utility companies facilitate the distribution and transmission of electricity. They are responsible for the physical delivery of electricity to your home or business. They own and maintain the utility poles and power lines. They are the ones to call when there is a power outage or service interruption. Utility companies may provide the exclusive means for electrical power, depending on the laws of a given territory. They are responsible for the power lines that send electrical energy to homes and businesses throughout each area of coverage. As of 2017, there were nearly 3,000 utility companies operating in the US.
Electricity providers, also known as electricity suppliers, purchase wholesale electricity from electricity generators and sell it at the retail level to the general public for use in homes and businesses. They work with the local utility company that delivers that power to customers. They serve as price and contract regulators between utilities and consumers, providing customers with more price and contract options. They purchase electricity at wholesale rates from the market and then supply it to consumers at competitive rates, often lower than what customers might pay when dealing directly with utilities. They compete to earn your business based on plans and pricing, contract terms, and additional services. They may offer fixed and variable-rate options, access to renewable energy, and flexible plans that can save you money, depending on your usage habits.
In the past, utility companies took care of production, transmission, distribution, maintenance, repair, and safety of all the equipment and systems needed to deliver electricity and gas to your home. They had a monopoly over both supply and delivery. However, since the late 1970s in the gas industry and the early 1990s in the electricity industry, some states have deregulated energy markets, giving customers the option to choose their energy provider and plan. Today, residential customers in 17 states and the District of Columbia enjoy some level of energy deregulation and energy choice. In deregulated markets, utility companies own the infrastructure for delivering electricity and gas to customers, but they do not generate electricity.
If you are moving to a new place, you can find out your utility company and electricity provider by asking your landlord, the previous owners, or your real estate agent. You can also search by address or zip code online, or check your state's public utility commission website.
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What to do if you're moving home
If you're moving home, there are several things you should do to ensure a smooth transition with your electric utility provider. Firstly, it is important to identify whether you are responsible for paying the electric bills in your new home. If you are renting, check your tenancy agreement to see if bills are included or if you need to set up your own account with an energy supplier. If you are buying a home, it is recommended to reach out to the real estate agent or the seller's agent during the closing process to find out the utility companies serving the address and whether there is a separate supplier.
Once you have identified your responsibility for electric bills, you should contact your current energy supplier to inform them of your move. Provide at least 48 hours' notice, but it is advisable to notify them earlier. Check if your current plan has an early exit fee, as some suppliers may waive this fee in the case of a move. Your current supplier may also ask if you want to continue their services at your new address, but you can decide later and compare the best energy deals before making a decision.
Before moving, gather all your utility bills and account information, as these documents will contain the details needed to complete the switch. You can then contact your new utility provider and set up your account. If your new home has a prepayment meter, you will need to take additional steps, such as putting money on the meter before using any gas or electricity.
To ensure a seamless transition, it is recommended to schedule a technician to visit your new home before you move in to confirm that all utilities are functioning. You can also schedule a technician to visit your old home to perform a final meter reading and ensure an accurate final bill. Remember to call your former utility company after moving to confirm that your account is closed and paid up, preventing any issues with your credit score.
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What is an electricity network operator?
When moving into a new place, it is important to know your utility companies and your electricity provider. In the United States, you can find utilities by address or zip code. Usually, there is only one electric utility for a region, but in some states, you may have additional energy choices to make.
An electricity network operator (also known as a distribution network operator or DNO) is the operator of the electric power distribution system that delivers electricity to most end users. They are different from your energy supplier, which is the company that bills you for your energy usage. In addition to connecting your home to electricity and handling emergencies, they also fix power cuts that are not caused by a problem inside your home. They can also move your electricity meter.
Each country may have many local distribution network operators, which are separate from the transmission system operator, which is responsible for transporting power in bulk around the country. In Great Britain, for example, distribution network operators are licensed by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets. There are fourteen licensed geographically defined areas where the distribution network operator distributes electricity from the transmission grid to homes and businesses.
In some cases, an independent distribution network operator (IDNO) takes care of a smaller part of the electricity network. An IDNO focuses on specific areas, ensuring that electricity flows smoothly in those particular places. A further, smaller level of distribution is the building network operator (BNO), usually a company employed by the building owner of a large building with many meters, such as a block of private flats.
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How to find your energy supplier
If you're unsure who your energy supplier is, there are several ways to find out. Firstly, if you have a recent energy bill, the name of your energy supplier will be listed there. If you don't have a bill, you can try contacting your network operator, who should be able to provide your supplier's details.
If you're moving into a new home and don't have access to previous bills, you can try the following:
- Check your state or local government's website, which may list energy suppliers by address.
- Ask the previous owners or your real estate agent.
- Visit your local city hall, which may be able to provide information on energy suppliers in your area.
- Use an online utility lookup tool, such as the ElectricityPlans ESID Lookup Tool, which can identify your energy supplier based on your address.
In some states, such as Texas, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, you may be able to choose your electricity and/or natural gas provider. In these cases, it can pay to shop around and compare prices from different suppliers before making a decision.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find out which utility company provides electricity to your home by contacting your town hall or municipal building. You can also use an online utility lookup tool by entering your address or zip code.
A utility company delivers power to your home and handles emergencies. An electricity provider handles customer service, sends your bill, and coordinates with the utility company.
If you have a recent energy bill or online account, you should be able to find contact details for your current energy supplier there. If you don't have a recent bill, you can find out who your network operator is and ask them for your supplier's details.
Your electricity network operator information can be found on your electricity bill under 'Distributor ID'. You can also call your distribution network operator (DNO) to find out. In England, Scotland, or Wales, you can call 105 for free. If you're in Northern Ireland, call 03457 643643.
