Planning a relocation can be a daunting task with many steps involved. Even if you manage to find movers and get your things packed, you still have to safely get everything to your new place and unpack it without any mishaps.
Unfortunately, there is one task many people forget when they move to a new home: setting up their San Francisco utilities.
Before you relocate to the area, you need to get your electricity and other utilities hooked up. Many people put off setting up their San Francisco city utilities until the very last moment, which can lead to major issues. To make the process easier, we’ve compiled a guide about how to get utilities in San Francisco turned on and set up.
Table of Contents
Pacific Gas and Electricity Company – Electric/Gas
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is the main San Francisco electric utility provider. Originally, the company began in the 1850s under the name of San Francisco Gas. Over the years, it has taken on new services and expanded into the large organization it is today.
In addition to being the main San Francisco electric utility company, PG&E also offers the area’s main gas services as well. Setting up electricity is easy. You simply have to go to this page to turn on service for a new account.
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With a new account, you will need to have your Social Security number or an alternative form of identification. You will also need your new address and new start date. If you are already an existing customer, you can log in to PG&E’s online portal to manage your account.
When you use PG&E for your San Francisco utilities, you can pick several different rate plans. You can choose to have a time-of-use plan, SmartRate add-on, or a tiered rate plan. The company also offers other power plans, like solar and renewable energy plans.
The easiest way to pay your bill is online with a credit card, bank account, or debit card. You can pay a bill as a guest or through your account. As long as you have your 11-digit account number ready, you can pay over the phone by calling 1-877-704-8470.
If you don’t want to stress about paying your San Francisco utilities, you can set up automatic payments through your online PG&E account as well. You can pay with a debit card, Visa, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or bank account. If you use a credit or debit card, there is an additional $1 fee.
You can also pay in person at one of PG&E’s in-person payment centers across San Francisco. Or you can take care of your San Francisco utility billing through the mail by sending a check or money order to the following address:
PG&E
P.O. Box 997300
Sacramento, CA 95899-7300
During the summer, you should remember to plan ahead for wildfire season. PG&E may turn off electricity to prevent wildfires from starting, so there may be hours or days where it isn’t possible to turn on service and power your home.
Average Electric Bill
The average monthly electric bill in San Francisco is $183.27. varies significantly based on your usage, the rate plan you chose, and the time of year.
Contact Information for Pacific Gas & Electric
- Website: PG&E
- Address: 2225 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Phone Number: (800) 743-5000
San Francisco Water Power Sewer – Water
At San Francisco Water Power Sewer, you can take care of your San Francisco water bill, sewer costs, and power bill as well (depending on where you live). You can start a new account by calling (415) 551-3000 during normal office hours. They require a starting deposit of twice your normal monthly charges, but the deposit must be at least $50. Note that this agency is also known as the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
To start service, you will need to provide your name, mailing address, and service address. In addition, you must provide a prior service address in San Francisco, other SFWD accounts, and a close of escrow date if these requirements are applicable. You will also need a home number, work number, and identification number.
How to Pay Your Water Bill in San Francisco
You can pay your San Francisco water bill in several different ways. You can call the public utility company at (415) 551-3000 and follow the recorded instructions to pay by phone. You can also call the automated payment service provider at (844) 737-8222.
To pay your public utilities by mail, you can send a check or money order to the following address:
San Francisco Water
P.O. Box 7369
San Francisco, CA 94120-7369
San Francisco public utilities can be paid online by signing up for the online bill pay service or using the bill pay service offered by other financial services companies. By going to directpaymentplan.com, you can also set up an automatic payment service for your San Francisco city utilities.
To pay in person, you need to go to the office building for the San Francisco public utilities, which is located at 525 Golden Gate Avenue. Payments can be made at the dropbox using checks or money orders. You can also pay in cash at 7-Eleven Stores.
Your San Francisco utility billing must be paid within 15 days after the bill date. If you haven’t paid for your utility bill by then, you will be assessed a late payment penalty fee.
Average Monthly Water Bill in San Francisco
The average water bill in San Francisco is $137 per month, with an expected increase to $149 per month in 2021.
Contact Information for San Francisco Water Power Sewer
- Website: San Francisco Water Power Sewer
- Address: 525 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Phone Number: (415) 551-3000
Recology – SF Garbage/Recycling
If you are searching for the local garbage utility program, Recology is the place. Along with being the main San Francisco trash provider, Recology offers recycling options for electronic waste, boxes, debris, and hazardous waste.
To get your San Francisco utilities set up with Recology, you don’t have to do anything other than put your trash out on the right collection day for your neighborhood.
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How to Pay for San Francisco Trash Services
To pay for your San Francisco city utilities, you can use their online portal. You can pay your San Francisco trash bill with an existing account, a new account, or as a guest user. These bills can be paid from your bank account or through a credit card.
Average Monthly Cost of Trash & Recycling in San Francisco
The minimum rate for the smallest trash can size in San Francisco is $43.04 per month. For the largest trash, recycling, and composting options, a single unit can end up costing $73.98 per month. If you want to reduce your monthly bill, you can choose a smaller garbage can size and recycle more of your items.
Contact Information for Recology
- Website: Recology
- Address: 501 Tunnel Ave, San Francisco, CA 94134
- Phone Number: (415) 330-1400
Xfinity – Internet/Cable
If you are looking for a public service like cable or internet, you’ll find a lot of options around the city. Xfinity is considered one of the most popular providers of cable and internet in San Francisco, but you can also find contracts with AT&T, Sudden Link, and DirecTV.
To get the best possible deal on your San Francisco utilities, you should take some time to research all possible options and pricing plans before settling on a specific provider.
Starting a new account with Xfinity is fairly straightforward. You have to create an Xfinity ID and password. Then, you can verify your account by using your mobile number or Social Security number.
Once you verify your account, you can add your email address to the account and set up your services at your location in San Francisco. You can pick from different bundles for television and internet services. Once you have agreed on a particular plan, Xfinity will send you the router and any other hardware to set up at your home.
After all of your hardware is set up, you can begin enjoying your internet. Xfinity will send you an email when your bill is ready each month, so you can easily pay it online with your credit or debit card. You can also set up automatic payments, so you never have to accidentally miss a payment.
The cost of internet services depends on the package you get. With their introductory promo, you can pay as little as $44.99. After the initial year ends, the special price promotion ends.
Contact Information for Xfinity
- Website: Xfinity
- Address: 244 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Phone Number: (800) 934-6489
Prepare for Your Move to San Francisco
The process of moving to San Francisco can be intimidating. Before you leave your current home, you’ll have to pack up all of your belongings, hire movers, and switch your San Francisco utilities. If you forget to set up your utility services, you could end up spending the first few days in your new home without any electricity or water.
Thankfully, the process of setting up San Francisco city utilities for your home is fairly straightforward. With a little advance planning and preparation, you can make your upcoming move as easy as possible.
Get help with your upcoming transition with our top-rated San Francisco movers! Call AMS Relocation today at (650) 284-2931 or complete the Request a Quote form above for a free moving estimate!
