How to confirm the utilities work and photograph the meters
On the day you get the keys, check the utilities in your new house: test the lights, hot and cold water, and heating or cooling. Then photograph each electric, gas and water meter so you have a dated start reading. If gas appliances won't light, call the gas utility and don't relight anything yourself.
Why check utilities in a new house on day one
You're confirming two things: that each service actually switched on when your account started, and what each meter said on the day the house became yours. An account can be open while the supply stays off, particularly if a house sat vacant or the seller closed an account early.
Do this before the movers and cleaners arrive, so you've got time to call. Moving guides suggest confirming activation with each provider a few days ahead. Water and trash are often set up through your city or county, which may ask for proof of identity, proof of residence such as your mortgage papers, and a completed application. Have those ready.
The meter photos matter when your first bill arrives. A dated image lets you check the starting reading, so you pay only for what you used.
How to check utilities in a new house, step by step
- Turn on some lights
Test a light and an outlet on each floor, plus the garage.
- Run the water
Open a faucet hot and cold. Give the hot side a little time to warm up.
- Try the thermostat
Set it a few degrees past room temperature and wait for heating or cooling to start.
- Find every meter
Look for electric and gas meters outside, and check a curbside box or the basement for water.
- Photograph each reading
Get the full dial or display in focus, and keep the date stamp or add one to the file name.
- Store the photos
Save them in an album with your closing papers so you can find them at bill time.
- Compare your first bills
Match the starting reading on each bill to your photo.
Utilities checklist for moving in and what each result means
| Check | Normal | Not normal | Who to call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and outlets | Work in every room | Whole house dead | Check the main breaker, then the electric utility |
| Lights and outlets | Work in every room | One area dead | Check breakers and GFCIs, then an electrician |
| Cold water | Steady flow | Nothing, or only a trickle | Check the main valve, then the water utility |
| Hot water | Warms up after a short run | Stays cold | Check the heater's power or gas supply, then a plumber |
| Heating or cooling | Starts soon after you change the thermostat | No response | Check the breaker and thermostat, then an HVAC tech |
| Gas appliances | Light normally | Won't light | Gas utility. Don't relight anything yourself. |
| Water meter | Still when nothing is running | Moving with everything off | Possible leak. Recheck after two hours. |
That last check comes from the EPA's leak test: read the meter, use no water for two hours and read it again. If the reading changed, you probably have a leak, which is good to know on the first day.
If the gas is off in your new house or a reading looks wrong
Call the provider right away, and have your account number, address and start date handy. Book any visit before move-in day if you can, since same-day service isn't always available.
Gas is the exception to any DIY. If gas service has been off, Ready.gov says only a qualified professional can turn it back on. If you smell gas or hear hissing at any point, get everyone out, then call the gas company from a neighbor's home.
If the first bill starts from a number far above your photo, send the provider your dated picture and ask for a correction. Some providers charge a connection or transfer fee, so check that line too before you dispute the total.
When to turn on utilities in a new house, and other questions
When should utilities be turned on in a new house?
Plan to have them active by the day you get the keys. Moving guides suggest contacting providers 2 to 4 weeks ahead and confirming a few days before your move.
Why should I photograph my utility meters when I move in?
A dated photo gives you proof of the starting reading. If your first bill includes use from before you owned the house, you've got something to send the provider.
What do I do if the gas is off when I move in?
Call your gas utility and ask them to turn it on and relight pilots. Only a qualified professional should restore gas service, so don't open a closed valve or relight appliances yourself.
Sources: updater.com, EPA, Ready.gov
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.