Washington DC Utilities 💡 | ULTIMATE DC Utilities Guide (Gas, Electric, Water, & More)
Moving to Washington DC or relocating within the District? Whether you’re settling into a new home, switching apartments, or buying property for the first time, one essential task is managing your Washington DC utilities. From setting up electricity to understanding water bills and internet options, getting everything in order can feel overwhelming. But with the right resources, it doesn’t have to be. This guide is designed to help you enjoy a stress-free moving experience by breaking down everything you need to know.
We’ll walk you through how to set up or transfer utilities, how to pay your bills, and what residents can generally expect to pay for essential services like electricity, gas, water, and internet. Whether you’re coming from Virginia, Maryland, or beyond, we’ve got you covered with the most up-to-date news, programs, and helpful links.
In Washington DC, utilities are regulated by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, which oversees service providers to ensure reliability and fairness. Customers in DC can choose their electricity and guess supplier, allowing them to shop for competitive rates.
Looking for a specific answer or service provider? Want to know what's applicable to your neighborhood? Keep reading. We’ve compiled all the essential resources to make setting up Washington DC utilities as smooth as possible.
Average Utilities in Washington DC
Curious about the cost of Washington DC utilities? Depending on where you’re located in the District, the Washington DC weather, and your specific providers, your Washington DC gas and electric bills may differ. According to the 2024 C2ER Cost of Living Index, the average Washington DC utility bill is $214.52 per month. This means that customers in DC will pay around $53.63 per week. This is just about 2% more expensive than the national average.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of Washington DC utilities is on the decline. From May 2024 to May 2025, energy prices are down 2.7%.
To learn more about DC utilities, check out the Department of Energy & Environment’s website.
Washington DC Electric Company | The Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO)
Electric is one of the most important Washington DC utilities. Customers in the District primarily rely on The Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) as their Washington DC power company. This energy supplier provides electric power to the city of Washington DC as well as surrounding communities in Maryland.
PEPCO has been serving the area since 1896, and after years of different owners, it is currently owned by Exelon. It serves 894,000 customers across 640 square miles, with 9 facilities and 156 substations.
According to Fox5 DC, PEPCO increased electric bills in January of 2025. This made the average customer’s bill increase from around $108 to $114 per month.
Transfer or Start PEPCO Service
Want to schedule a start date for your Washington DC utilities with PEPCO? Just head over to the site and click on ‘Start New Service.’ From there, you’ll follow a set of prompts and links to get your service set up. If you’ve never used PEPCO, you’ll need to enter your new address and create an account. If you already live within PEPCO’s service territory, then you’ll simply need to stop service at your existing location and get it transferred to your new destination.
PEPCO Bill Pay
PEPCO makes paying Washington DC utilities quick and simple. To pay your bill, you have several different options, including:
- Sign in and pay online: Schedule an online payment from a bank account or credit card
- Pay as a guest online: Make a one-time payment by e-check, credit, or debit card (fees apply)
- Direct debit: Set up recurring payments
- Find a payment location: Pay your bill in person at PEPCO authorized agents located around DC
- Mobile app: Get the free mobile app and pay on the go
- PayPal: Manage and pay your bills in the app or online
- Mail: You can mail a payment using your bill return envelope to: PEPCO, PO Box 13608, Philadelphia PA 19101-3608
PEPCO Contact Info
- Phone: 1-800-424-8028
- Emergency phone: 1-877-PEPCO-62
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Friday
- Address: 701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Washington DC Gas Company | Washington Gas
When it comes to Washington DC utilities, Washington Gas is a top provider. Washington Gas provides DC natural gas and heating to over 1.2 million customers in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Founded in 1848 through a Congressional charter signed into law by President James K. Polk, this company has been a staple for over 175 years.
Transfer or Start Washington Gas Water Service
Looking to start these Washington DC utilities? Customers can start or stop service in one of two ways. First, you can head to the website and fill out the required information online. The second option is to call 844-WASHGAS to speak with a customer service representative.
When starting your service, you can expect to pay an initiation fee, which starts at $33.
Washington Gas Bill Pay
So how do you pay these Washington DC utilities? The options for paying your bill include:
- By cash at participating retail stores
- By internet using the My Wash Gas App or the Customer Portal
- By mail to Washington Gas, PO Box 37747, Philadelphia, PA 19101-5047
- By phone
- In person at a walk-in office
Washington Gas Contact Info
- Phone: 844-WASHGAS
- Emergency phone: 844-WASHGAS, option 1
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday
- Address: 2288 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Washington DC Water Service | DC Water
When it comes to Washington DC utilities, your Washington DC water service is an important one to know. DC Water provides water and sewer services for customers living in the DC area. This service provides water to more than 600,000 residents and 16.6 million annual visitors. They also provide wholesale wastewater treatment for 1.6 million people in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia.
If you are curious about your average water bill in DC, you can use the Rate Comparison Tool on the DC Water website.
Transfer or Start DC Water Service
To set up these Washington DC utilities as a property owner, you’ll want to create an account on MYDCWater.com. You can then expect your first or final bill within 30 days. As a renter, you will need to request to be added to the property owner’s account, where you can add your name to the bill if needed.
DC Water Bill Pay
It’s important for customers to pay their monthly Washington DC utilities on time. When paying your water bill, you have a few options.
- Online payment: You can pay online with My DC Water using credit card, checking, or savings account.
- Check or money order: Mail a check or money order to: District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Customer Service Department, PO Box 97200, Washington, DC 20090
- Automatic bill payment: DC Water offers automatic bill payment through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
- Credit card: You can pay with VISA, Mastercard, Discover Card, or AMEX online or by calling (202) 354-3600.
- Cash payments in person: You can pay with cash at a number of Western Union locations.
DC Water Contact Info
- Phone: (202) 787-2000
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Address: 1385 Canal St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Washington DC Trash & Recycling | The Department of Public Works (DPW)
Trash is one of the most useful Washington DC utilities you’ll encounter, and customers can enjoy Washington DC trash pickup from The Department of Public Works (DPW). Single family homes and apartment buildings with three or fewer units receive free trash and recycling collection as a part of their property taxes.
Most households receive a 96-gallon rolling cart. Homes in neighborhoods with narrow streets and alleys receive twice-weekly trash collection and use smaller 32-gallon plastic rolling carts. To find the collection day for your area, use the Trash and Recycling Collection Day App.
Washington DC Internet Providers
Cable and internet are also important Washington DC utilities. A few of the most popular Washington DC internet providers include:
Astound Broadband
- Connection: Cable
- Speed range: 300-1,500Mbps
DC Access
- Connection: Fixed wireless
- Speed range: 25-200Mbps
Starry Internet
- Connection: Fixed wireless
- Speed range: 200-500Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet
- Connection: Fixed wireless
- Speed range: 87-415Mbps
Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Connection: Fixed wireless
- Speed range: 50-250Mbps
Other Washington DC Public Services
In addition to managing your Washington DC utilities, new customers in the District should be aware of other essential public services that help keep neighborhoods clean and safe year-round.
The District Department of Public Works handles many citywide operations, including snow plowing, leaf removal, street sweeping, and storm cleanup. These services typically run on seasonal schedules, with updates provided on the DC DPW website. Residents can also request dead animal pickup through the city’s 311 system.
While these aren’t technically part of your Washington DC utilities, they’re crucial services for customers moving to or living in the city, and knowing how and when they operate can make settling into your new home much smoother.
Give Our Washington DC Movers a Call Today
Now that you know how to handle your Washington DC utilities, it’s time to get in touch with the Washington DC movers at Express Moving and Storage. We make choosing a moving company easy, and our team can offer you high-quality moving services at an affordable price. To get started with a free quote, give our team a call at (571) 332-9682.
"*" indicates required fields