Setting Up Utilities in Central Florida: Complete Guide

Which Utility Providers Cover Your Area?

Central Florida's utility landscape is divided among several providers. Which company serves your home depends on your exact location. Unlike some states where one company dominates an entire region, Orlando has multiple electric, water, and gas providers depending on the county and neighborhood.

Below is a breakdown of the major providers and what areas they serve.

Electricity Providers

Duke Energy Florida is the largest electric utility in the region. Duke Energy serves most of Orange County, Seminole County, Osceola County, Lake County, and parts of Polk County. If you are buying a home in any of these areas, Duke Energy is likely your electric provider. Duke Energy has a robust online account management system and a mobile app for bill pay, outage reporting, and usage tracking. Average residential rates in 2026 are approximately 13 to 14 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

To set up service: Visit duke-energy.com or call 1-800-700-8744. You will need your new address, move-in date, social security number, and a form of identification. A deposit may be required if you have no established credit or utility history in Florida. The deposit is typically refunded after 12 months of on-time payments.

Average monthly electric bill for a 1,500 to 2,000 square foot home with Duke Energy: $150 to $250 per month, with higher bills in the summer (June through September) when air conditioning use peaks.

Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) is the municipal utility serving the City of Orlando and parts of Orange County. OUC provides both electricity and water. OUC is known for competitive rates and reliable service. Average residential rates are approximately 11 to 13 cents per kWh, which is slightly lower than Duke Energy.

To set up service: Visit ouc.com or call 407-423-9018. OUC generally requires a $150 deposit, which may be waived if you provide a credit check or a letter of good standing from your previous utility.

Average monthly electric bill with OUC: $130 to $220 for a typical single-family home.

Tampa Electric Company (TECO) serves parts of Polk County, including Lakeland and Winter Haven. TECO's rates are comparable to Duke Energy, around 13 to 14 cents per kWh. To set up service: Visit tampaelectric.com or call 1-888-223-0800.

Lakeland Electric is a municipal utility serving the City of Lakeland and nearby areas. It is one of the largest municipal utilities in Florida. Rates are competitive, around 11 to 12 cents per kWh. To set up service: Visit lakelandelectric.com or call 863-834-6600.

KUA (Kissimmee Utility Authority) serves the City of Kissimmee and parts of Osceola County. Rates are approximately 12 to 13 cents per kWh. To set up service: Visit kua.com or call 407-933-7777.

Important note: Your electric bill in Florida is typically higher in summer (June through September) because of air conditioning costs. Many homeowners see their summer bills double compared to winter months. Budget billing (averaging your payments over the year) is available from most providers and can help smooth out seasonal spikes.

Natural Gas Providers

Natural gas is not universally available in Central Florida. Many homes, especially in newer communities, are all-electric. If your home has natural gas, it is likely used for heating, water heating, cooking, or a pool heater.

TECO Peoples Gas is the primary natural gas provider in the region. They serve parts of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, and Polk counties. To set up service: Visit peoplesgas.com or call 1-877-832-6747.

Average monthly natural gas bill: $30 to $80 for a typical home, with higher bills in winter months when gas furnaces are used.

Water and Sewer Providers

Water and sewer service in Central Florida is provided by a mix of municipal utilities, county utilities, and private companies. Your provider depends on your specific location.

Orange County Utilities serves unincorporated Orange County (areas outside of Orlando city limits). To set up service: Visit ocfl.net/utilities or call 407-836-7890.

Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) provides water to customers within the City of Orlando and some surrounding areas. To set up service: visit ouc.com or call 407-423-9018.

Seminole County Utilities serves unincorporated Seminole County. To set up service: Visit seminolecountyfl.gov or call 407-665-0000.

Osceola County Utilities serves unincorporated Osceola County. To set up service: Visit osceola.org or call 407-742-7800.

Lake County Utilities serves unincorporated Lake County. To set up service: Visit lakecountyfl.gov or call 352-343-9670.

If you live in an incorporated city (such as Winter Park, Maitland, or Altamonte Springs), your water service is likely provided by the city's own utility department. Check with your city's utility billing office.

Average monthly water and sewer bill: $50 to $120 for a typical single-family home, depending on usage and provider rates.

Internet and Cable Providers

Central Florida has multiple internet service providers, but availability varies by neighborhood. Before closing on a home, check which providers serve that specific address.

Spectrum is the most widely available cable internet provider in the region. They offer plans starting at around $50 per month for 300 Mbps, with higher speeds available. Spectrum is available in most areas of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, and Polk counties.

AT&T Fiber offers fiber optic internet in many newer communities and some established neighborhoods. Fiber speeds range from 300 Mbps to 5 Gbps, with prices starting around $55 per month. AT&T Fiber is available in parts of Orlando, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Oviedo, Clermont, and Lakeland.

Xfinity (Comcast) is available in parts of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties. Plans start around $40 per month for 200 Mbps.

Frontier offers fiber and DSL service in parts of Polk County and some areas of Lake County.

CenturyLink offers DSL and fiber in limited areas of Central Florida.

Starlink is available in rural areas where cable and fiber are not available. Monthly service is $120, with a $599 equipment fee.

T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home are available in many areas of Central Florida. Plans start around $50 to $60 per month and can be a good option if wired broadband is not available at your address.

Average monthly internet bill: $50 to $80 for standard broadband. Fiber plans may cost $60 to $100 per month.

Tip: Always check availability at your specific address before signing a lease or buying a home. If you work from home and need reliable high-speed internet, confirm that your preferred provider serves the neighborhood. Some newer communities have exclusive agreements with a single provider.

Trash and Recycling Services

Trash and recycling collection in Central Florida is typically handled by the county or city government, or by private haulers under contract with the municipality.

If you live in an unincorporated area of Orange County, Orange County Utilities provides curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste collection. Service is included in your property taxes or utility bill. Recycling is collected every other week.

In the City of Orlando, trash and recycling are collected by the city's Streets and Stormwater Division. Recycling is collected every other week on the same day as trash. The city provides 96-gallon carts for trash and recycling.

In Seminole County, Waste Management and Republic Services are the primary haulers. Residents typically contract directly with the hauler or pay through the county.

In Osceola County, trash collection is provided by the county through a contract with a private hauler. Fees are included in the annual property tax bill or non-ad valorem assessment.

In Lake County, trash collection is typically managed by the individual city or through private haulers. Unincorporated areas may have multiple haulers to choose from.

In Polk County, most cities and the unincorporated county contract with private haulers for collection services.

Average monthly trash collection: $20 to $40, often included in your property tax assessment or utility bill.

How to Set Up and Transfer Utility Accounts

Here is a practical timeline for setting up utilities when you move to Central Florida:

Two to three weeks before your move: Research which providers serve your new address. Contact each provider to start the setup process. Most providers allow you to schedule a start date up to 30 days in advance.

One week before your move: Confirm your start dates with all providers. Make sure electricity, water, and internet will be active on your move-in day. Some providers require a deposit, which you can pay in advance.

Move-in day: Test all utilities. Check that the power is on, water is running, and the internet is working. Report any issues to the provider immediately.

What you will need to set up service: Your new address and move-in date, social security number or tax ID, a valid driver's license or state ID, previous utility provider information (for credit history), and a method of payment (bank account or credit card).

Transferring from another Florida address: If you are moving from another Florida address, many providers can transfer your existing account to your new address. You may not need to pay a new deposit if you have a good payment history.

Setting up as a new Florida resident: If you are moving from out of state, you will likely need to pay a deposit. The deposit is usually the estimated cost of two to three months of service. It is refunded after 12 months of on-time payments.

Average Monthly Utility Costs in Central Florida

Here is a realistic budget for a typical single-family home (1,500 to 2,000 square feet) in the Greater Orlando area:

• Electricity: $150 to $250 (higher in summer)
• Natural gas (if applicable): $30 to $80
• Water and sewer: $50 to $120
• Trash and recycling: $20 to $40
• Internet: $50 to $80
• Total monthly utilities: $300 to $570

Newer homes with energy-efficient windows, insulation, and HVAC systems tend to have lower electric bills. Older homes with single-pane windows and older AC units can have significantly higher costs. Pool pumps add $30 to $80 per month to the electric bill. For a full picture of living costs, see our Cost of Living in Orlando guide.

Tips for New Residents

• Start early. Do not wait until the week of your move to set up utilities. Some providers require several days to process applications and verify your identity.
• Check internet availability before buying or renting. If you work from home, need fast internet for streaming, or rely on a specific provider, confirm availability at the exact address. Some neighborhoods have exclusive agreements with a single provider.
• Consider budget billing. Most electric providers offer budget billing, which averages your monthly payments over the year. This prevents the shock of a $350 summer electric bill.
• Sign up for paperless billing and autopay. Many providers offer discounts of $5 to $10 per month for paperless billing and autopay enrollment.
• Keep your account numbers handy. Save your utility account numbers in a safe place. You will need them for address verification, credit checks, and future service transfers.
• Check for HOA or CDD utility requirements. Some communities, especially master-planned communities, have specific utility arrangements or preferred providers. Ask your real estate agent or the HOA about any requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Utilities in Central Florida

How do I know which electric company serves my address?

You can check your county's property appraiser website or contact the county utility department. Your real estate agent can also tell you which provider serves the property. Duke Energy provides an online lookup tool on their website.

Do I need to set up water service separately?

Yes. Water and sewer service is typically set up separately from electric service. In some areas (like the City of Orlando), OUC handles both electricity and water. In other areas, electric and water are provided by different entities.

Is natural gas available in Central Florida?

Natural gas is available in many areas but is not universal. Many newer homes are all-electric. If natural gas is available at your property, it is typically used for heating, water heating, cooking, or pool heating.

What is the average electric bill in Orlando during summer?

For a typical single-family home, expect electric bills of $200 to $350 per month from June through September. Air conditioning accounts for roughly 40% to 50% of your summer electric bill.

Can I transfer my existing utility account from another state?

No. You will need to set up new accounts with the local providers. However, a letter of good standing from your previous utility may help you avoid a deposit requirement.

What happens to utilities during a power outage?

Duke Energy and OUC both have 24/7 outage reporting and restoration systems. Report outages by phone, through their website, or via their mobile app. For more on outage preparation, see our Hurricane Preparedness Guide.