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How to Sign Up for Electricity Service when Moving In with PSEG Long Island in New York State

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guide to moving in with pseg long island

This page explains how to start your PSEG Long Island electricity service when moving into a new home in New York State.

Moving in New York State?We can help you activate your PSEG Long Island service in minutes. Call us at phone currently not available for more information

Moving In: What You Need to Do

It is a good idea to provide PSEG Long Island about seven (7) days' notice when activating electricity service. If service is still running from your home's previous occupant, PSEG Long Island may just need to make an estimated meter reading, which they can do right from the office. In this case, electricity can be transferred to your name on the same day as your request.

If your service has been deactivated (which may happen if the previous occupant moved out some time ago) your meter will need to be switched on in person. It can take up to five business days from the day of your request, depending on the availability of PSEG Long Island's staff. Unfortunately, there is no way to expedite this process.

You can activate your PSEG Long Island account over the phone at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734), online, or at any one of the PSEG Customer Service Center locations. You will need to provide the following information to start service:

  • Your name and full contact information (phone number, and email address, if you have one)
  • Your Social Security Number, or your passport number
  • The full address of your new home (unit number, street number, street name, zip code, etc)
  • Expected move in date

Note that if you are a tenant, you may need to provide copy of your lease and/or contact information for your landlord (name, address, phone number, etc). You also have the option of providing bank details straight away (if you want to sign up for automated payment), or you can wait until you receive your first bill.

First-Time PSEG Long Island Customer?We're here to help!
Check out our guides to understanding your bill and how to pay your bill

Choosing Your Electricity Supplier

In New York, you have the power of choice when it comes to your electricity supply. Alternate Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) can offer you a wider variety of energy options, including fixed prices, variable rates, and green energy. Many ESCOs are able to offer great deals and superior customer service.

How it Works: Delivery and Supply

The price you for electricity pay can be broken down into two main charges: the costs of delivery and the cost of the energy supply itself.

PSEG Long Island is your transmission and distribution utility, meaning that it is responsible for delivering energy to your home. Delivery encompasses building and maintaining the transmission and distribution infrastructure, and transporting energy from the point of production (an electrical power plant for example) to your home. As a regulated utility, PSEG Long Island is the only company that can deliver your energy service, but their prices are regulated by the New York Public Service Commission.

While you don't have a choice of utility, you do have a choice about how much you pay for the electricity you use. You may decide to stick with your default supplier, or choose any one of the many ESCOs in New York that compete for your business.

Your default option is PSEG Long Island will also be the default electricity supplier, the entity that charges you for energy consumed and takes care of all customer service issues. New York ESCOs offer a wider variety of energy rate options, including the possibility of green energy. Many are able to offer great deals that may be cheaper than what you would pay with on the default rate with PSEG Long Island.

Default Electricity Rates

The default rate with PSEG Long Island is a variable one that changes every month. You will therefore be buying electricity at the fluctuating market price. For example, if you purchase electricity from PSEG Long Island at their default rate, at the end of the month you will receive a bill for electricity with a price of the kWh which is averaged over the entire month.

Signing Up with an Alternative ESCO Supplier

Signing up with an ESCO is simple, but you must have already activated service with PSEG Long Island in order to get a PSEG Long Island account number. Once you've activated your PSEG Long Island account, you can contact your chosen ESCO to start service. You will likely need to provide the following information:

  • Your full name and contact information (phone number, email address)
  • The service address (and billing address, if different)
  • Social insurance number
  • Service start date

Find Out MoreHow to Switch Suppliers

​Contact PSEG Long Island

PSEG Long Island's customer service phone number is 1-800-436-PSEG (7734), and is available from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed holidays).

Find more contact information for PSEG Long Island.