Moving to a new home would need a lot of preparation. You will need not just a day to settle in.
The stress begins from the moment you pick a home. The frustration does not end and even passes the day of the actual moving.
You do not usually know what to do and tend to make mistakes. This event could happen when setting up your utilities in your new home. There are companies like Utility Bidder that can help. They can save you from all troubles in moving and setting up utilities for your new home.
What utilities do you need to set up?
The utilities you need to set up will depend on where you will move. Many utilities-included apartments save you time to set up. However, there are houses that you will be responsible for this.
Here are some of the utilities that you need to set up on your new home:
Electricity
Electricity is an essential part of the home. We use electricity for heating, cooling, lighting, and operating our home appliances. Here are some reasons why electricity is necessary:
Electricity keeps us warm.
Electricity can help in giving warmth to the body. The cold winter can lead to complications like hypothermia and freezing to death. Appliances like heaters can keep the bodies warm during winter.
We can cook easier with electricity.
We should adapt to the modern way of living. We can not always rely on cooking through firewood. Devices like electric stoves, ovens, and microwaves can help us to cook easier.
Electricity can help us prolong and store our food.
Modern inventions like the refrigerator and freezers help us to store food. Storing will prolong the shelf life of our food.
Electricity powers our devices.
It is impossible to survive in a metropolitan home without the existence of phones, laptops, and televisions. These devices help to make us live better. You can use these devices for work, navigation, and entertainment.
Electricity can help us to be healthy.
Electricity can power equipment we use to keep us fit such as treadmills and cardio machines. Electricity is also for other health-related activities like detoxing and sleeping.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is necessary for food. A residential home has many appliances that use natural gas, including:
- stoves
- gas ranges and ovens
- barbeque grills
- cooktops
- air conditioner
- clothes dryer
- water and patio heaters
- furnace
- fireplace and firepits
- refrigerators and freezers
There are a lot of things that natural gas can do for our homes, this includes:
- generating electric power
- heating
- cooking for food
- use a clothes dryer to dry your laundry
- cooling the home
- hot showers
- sanitizing your laundry and dishes
TV cable, telephone, and internet
TV cables, telephones, and the internet need setting up when moving to a new home. You have to call your providers to have them set all the connections before you move to the house.
TV cables, telephone, and internet are necessary at home because of the following reasons:
- provides entertainment
- for communication
- for surfing the web
- keeping a connection with other people
- for getting information
Home security system
You need to set up a home security system in your new home for security. Installing the system is necessary because:
- it gives you peace of mind
- it keeps your family secured
- it prevents burglary and theft
- keep unwanted people going inside your house
Water and sewer
Some residential homes have a ready water and sewer system. Some are not. You will be in charge of setting up the system in your home.
Setting up your water and sewer is necessary because:
- for the safe and potable supply of water
- drain wastewater
- a proper water disposal system
- to keep your family safe and healthy
How to set up utilities in your new home?
Setting up utilities is not an entirely hard task. You can enjoy setting up with your family. To have you guided, here is a list of things you can do to set up utilities in your new home:
Step 1: Start setting up utilities individually.
Start setting up one at a time. You can start with setting up gas and then proceed to electricity. You should also begin the process two to three weeks before your moving day.
Step 2: Call your utility providers
Set up your utility accounts in advance. Most utility providers have online portals or telephone you can use to contact. You will need to provide the following:
- new home address
- moving date
Some locations have different provider requirements. If moving to an apartment, you can ask your landlord for help. Otherwise, you can ask the homeowner’s association or your utility service provider.
Step 3: Contact utility providers for confirmation
After you have reached out to a utility provider, call them to confirm at least one week before the day of moving.
If you need to cancel utilities from your previous provider, inform them about shutting down the service.
Step 4: Transfer your utilities, if necessary
Transferring utilities is possible for the same utility providers. Inform them of your new location. Let your provider know where to transfer their services. You are going to provide the following details:
- old address
- new home address
- service utility that you need to transfer
- payment information
This also applies when you want to switch utility providers. When planning to switch to a different energy provider, use informational tools and websites such as choose power texas to get the best offer from different energy providers.
Step 5: Check if you install the utilities properly
Double-checking your utilities is necessary. Here are some tips and walk through you can do:
Check the lights
Flip the lights and see if they are working. Notice if the light bulbs and electric wires are loose.
Turn on the stove
Your stove should be able to turn on and off. See if there are any leaks in the stove pipers.
Flush the toilet
Check if you can able to flush the toilet. Look for flowing water and a working bidet.
Check for the TV cable, telephone, and internet.
You should be able to check if the TV, telephone, and internet are working. Try different channels on your TV and see if the cable wires installation is proper. Try making telephone calls and surfing the net to verify.
Checking will prevent future problems. Here are some reasons why you should need to check your utilities’ condition:
- to know if the utilities are faulty
- to keep you out from paying more
- to ask for reimbursement
- give you peace of mind
- to cancel with your utility provider
- prevent disasters like fire, shortages, and electrocution
Helpful setting up tips for your new home
Here are some setup tips you can try to do when moving to a new home:
Tip #1: Start with the necessary
When moving to a new house, you should always prepare the necessary items. This involves setting up your utilities and changing your mailing address.
Tip #2: Plan what you need to do
Planning your setup will make the task easier for you. Make a checklist of the things you need to accomplish first. You can add details like contact your utility service provider, following up, and inspection.
Tip #3: Keep a maintenance calendar of your utilities
Utilities need maintenance. Make a maintenance calendar to keep track of the time you will have to clean and check your utilities.
Tip #4: Declutter your things
Get rid of the things you will not need in your new home. Throw away garbage and faulty furniture and appliances. Remove old pipes and replace them with new ones to avoid pipe bursting.