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Setting up utilities in Boston

In Boston, Eversource delivers electricity, gas depends on your address, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission runs water and sewer, and the Boston Public Works Department handles trash pickup.

Moving to Boston? Public Grid can set up your electric for you.

Your utilities in Boston

Who to call for each service in Boston, and how to start it.

ServiceProviderHow to start

Electric

Eversource

The electric company for Boston, Springfield and Cape Cod.

To start: Eversource asks for ID when you start service. Public Grid’s setup tells you exactly what you’ll need.

Or let Public Grid set it up →
Start or stop service1 (800) 592-2000Start on eversource.com (opens eversource.com in a new tab)
Read our Eversource guide

Gas

Depends on your address

National Grid

National Grid delivers natural gas to homes across Massachusetts.

All of Boston except Hyde Park

To start: Call National Grid 5 to 7 days before you move in, so it can schedule a crew member to turn your gas on.

Customer service1 (800) 233-5325Start on nationalgrid.com (opens nationalgrid.com in a new tab)

Eversource

Eversource delivers natural gas to towns across Massachusetts.

Hyde Park

To start: Request service online with an eversource.com user ID, and contact Eversource ahead of time so it’s set up when you move in.

Customer service1 (800) 592-2000Start on eversource.com (opens eversource.com in a new tab)

Water & sewer

Boston Water and Sewer Commission

BWSC provides drinking water and sewer service in the city of Boston.

To start: After closing on a home, submit BWSC’s Change of Ownership/Billing Name form to get water and sewer service.

Customer service1 (617) 989-7800Start on bwsc.org (opens bwsc.org in a new tab)

Trash & recycling

Boston Public Works Department

Public Works provides free trash and recycling collection in Boston.

To start: Look up your home address on the City’s waste collection schedule to find your pickup days.

Buildings with more than six units get City curbside pickup only if they qualify.

Customer service1 (617) 635-4900Start on boston.gov (opens boston.gov in a new tab)

What Boston homes pay for electricity

This is Eversource’s average for the homes it serves. Your own bill depends on your home’s size and how you heat it.

$98

Eversource’s average home bill, per month

19.7¢

Eversource’s average price per kilowatt-hour (kWh)

FAQ

Questions about moving to Boston

It’s the City’s electricity supply program, and new Eversource Basic Service customers get a letter saying they’ll be enrolled automatically unless they opt out. Eversource still delivers your electricity and sends your monthly bill. You can leave the program any time without fees.

In Hyde Park, it’s Eversource’s NSTAR Gas Company. Everywhere else in Boston, it’s National Grid’s Boston Gas Company.

Sources: Eversource, National Grid, Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Boston Public Works Department, EIA.

Public Grid isn’t affiliated with these companies.

Report a mistake (opens support.onepublicgrid.com in a new tab)