The move-in process in 4 steps

1

Call at least 3 business days before move-in

Phone 1-800-743-2110 Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. If the previous tenant has not had service disconnected, RG&E can usually transfer the account by phone using your meter reading.

2

If service is off, a tech visit is needed

If service has already been disconnected at the meter, RG&E sends a technician to reconnect. Visit timing depends on technician availability and cannot be expedited; expect roughly 5 business days.

3

Decide on default supply or an ESCO

By default, RG&E supplies your power and gas at the monthly default rate. You can switch the supply half of the bill to any PSC-licensed ESCO at any time. Delivery stays with RG&E.

4

Set up auto-pay, paperless and budget billing

Once the account is active, enroll in auto-pay and paperless billing through your RG&E online account. Budget billing can wait until you have a few months of usage history.

What you need to open an RG&E account

Have the following ready when you call. Identity verification is required under PSC rules to prevent fraud; if you decline to provide a Social Security Number, RG&E may accept a passport or alternate ID at the cost of a security deposit.

  • Identity

    Social Security Number or passport. Date of birth.

  • New address and move-in date

    The full street address and the date you want service to start. If your move date changes, call back to update it.

  • Employer or income source

    RG&E may ask for employer information as part of credit verification.

  • Rental status

    If you rent, the lease type and landlord contact may be requested. If you own, the closing date.

  • Prior service history (if available)

    A prior RG&E or other utility account in good standing speeds up the process and reduces the chance of a deposit request.

Security deposit: when RG&E can ask for one

New York's HEFPA tightly limits when a utility can require a security deposit from a residential customer. RG&E follows the statutory triggers:

  • Generally not required

    Most residential customers do not pay a deposit. A prior account in good standing, or a positive credit reference, is usually enough.

  • May be required if

    You have an unpaid balance on a prior RG&E account, you were disconnected for non-payment in the last two years, or you cannot provide acceptable identification. The deposit is capped under state rules and refunded with interest after a period of timely payments.

  • Never required for

    Senior citizens (65+), recipients of public assistance, SSI, SSD, veterans benefits, or HEAP. These households are exempt by state law from deposit requirements.

Source: NY PSC HEFPA regulations, applicable to all NY investor-owned utilities including RG&E.

Default RG&E supply or pick an ESCO?

When you open an RG&E account, you are automatically placed on the RG&E default rate for both electricity and gas. The default rate is reset monthly through wholesale auctions and reflects RG&E's actual cost to procure energy on your behalf. You can switch to a PSC-licensed ESCO at any time without penalty from RG&E.

Default RG&E supply

When it fits

  • ·You are new to RG&E and want one bill from one provider while you settle in.
  • ·You want a price reset every month rather than a multi-year contract.
  • ·You do not want any early-termination fee risk.

PSC-licensed ESCO

When it fits

  • ·You want a fixed price for 12 or 24 months to insulate yourself from monthly resets.
  • ·You want a renewable-energy supply (100% wind, 100% solar) and are willing to pay a small premium.
  • ·You have time to read the contract terms, including the renewal clause and the post-introductory rate.

Warning on variable-rate ESCOs. The April 2026 PSC enforcement action against NRG-affiliated ESCOs was triggered in part by introductory teaser rates that floated well above the RG&E default after month three. Always check the renewal language and the post-introductory price before signing. See NY supplier profiles.

Frequently asked questions about moving in

Plan on calling at least 3 business days before your move-in date. If service has not been disconnected at the previous tenant's move-out, RG&E can usually start the new account by phone using a meter reading. If service is off, a technician visit is required, which typically takes about 5 business days depending on availability.

Generally no, for most residential customers. Under state law, RG&E may require a deposit if you have an unpaid balance on a prior account or were disconnected for non-payment within the last two years. Seniors (65+), HEAP recipients, and recipients of public assistance are exempt from deposit requirements by NY state law.

Social Security Number or passport, date of birth, the new address, the move-in date, your employer or income source, and your rental status. A prior utility account in good standing speeds the process and reduces deposit risk.

You do not have to. RG&E will supply your electricity and gas at the monthly default rate by default. You can switch to a PSC-licensed ESCO at any time. The common approach is to start on the default rate, observe your usage for a couple of months, and then shop a fixed-rate ESCO if you want price certainty.

No. RG&E delivers both electricity and gas in its territory, and one account covers both services on a single combined bill.

Call RG&E back at 1-800-743-2110 to update the start date. Do this as early as possible; if a technician visit is already scheduled, it will be rebooked subject to availability.

More about RG&E

RGE RG&E utility profile Phones, outage numbers, Avangrid family, rate case and service area. MOVE OUT Moving out Close the account, schedule the final read, avoid lingering charges. PAY Pay your RG&E bill Auto-pay, online, by phone, by mail and in-person options. BILL Understanding your bill A line-by-line decoder of every block on the RG&E paper or PDF bill. SUPPLIERS NY ESCOs and suppliers Compare PSC-licensed retail suppliers available in RG&E territory. MOVING NY moving guide Step-by-step move guide for New York renters and homeowners.
18 deregulated jurisdictions

More U.S. states with energy choice

Same playbook, different utility. Pick another deregulated state to compare utilities, suppliers and switching rules.

See all states