Setting Up Utilities in a Chicago Apartment (ComEd, Peoples Gas and Internet)

TL;DR In a Chicago apartment, electricity comes from ComEd, gas from Peoples Gas (if it is in your name), and internet from providers like Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, or Astound. Set up each account a couple of weeks before move-in with your address, move-in date, and ID. First, find out which utilities are included in your rent so you only set up what you owe.

Setting up utilities is one of those move-in chores that is simple once you know who provides what. Here is the step-by-step for a Chicago apartment.

Step 0: Find out what is included

Before you set up anything, check your lease for which utilities are included. This is the step people skip, and it saves you from opening an account you do not need.

Many vintage buildings include heat (and sometimes water and trash) in the rent, so you might only owe electricity and internet. Newer buildings often bill you for everything. The lease spells out who pays what, so start there.

Step 1: Electricity (ComEd)

ComEd is the single electricity provider for the city, so if you pay your own power, this is required.

Set up an account at comed.com or by phone. Have your name, the service address, your move-in date, and an ID ready. New service can often start within a few days, and you can usually schedule it up to 60 days in advance, so do it early. ComEd may run an identity or credit check, which determines whether a deposit applies.

Step 2: Gas (Peoples Gas)

Peoples Gas serves homes within Chicago city limits, but you only need this if gas is in your name (common in newer, forced-air buildings; less so in heat-included vintage buildings).

Register online or by phone about two weeks before move-in, with your address, move-in date, and ID. As with electricity, a credit check may determine any deposit. Note that the suburbs use Nicor instead of Peoples Gas, so this is for the city proper.

Step 3: Internet

Internet is competitive, not a single provider, and availability is address-specific, so a building across the street can have different options.

The main providers are Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, and Astound. Enter your exact apartment address on a provider's site to see what is available and at what speed, and if fast internet matters to you, it is worth checking this before you even sign the lease. Book installation 2 to 4 weeks ahead since appointments fill up, though many providers offer a self-install kit that skips the technician visit. Buying your own modem and router avoids the monthly equipment rental fee.

The setup timeline

When	Do this
At lease signing	Confirm which utilities are included
2-3 weeks before move-in	Set up ComEd and Peoples Gas accounts
2-4 weeks before	Schedule internet install or order a self-install kit
Move-in day	Confirm power and gas are on; install internet

A couple of money-saving tips

Two quick wins. Enroll in budget billing with ComEd and Peoples Gas to smooth seasonal spikes into a steady monthly payment, which is especially helpful if you pay your own winter heat. And buy your own modem to skip the internet equipment fee.

That is the whole setup. For what these utilities actually cost each month, see our utility costs guide, and for cutting the winter bill, our save on your heating bill guide. New to the city? Our relocation guide covers the rest of getting settled. Then browse current openings and book a tour.

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