canadafloridaThe reference manual

Chapter 02 · Topic 02.6 · Utilities

Setting up electricity, water, gas in Florida: FPL, Duke, TECO, water/sewer

Electricity: FPL, Duke, TECO, JEA, OUC. Water/sewer: county/city utility. Gas limited (TECO People's Gas, Florida City Gas), many FL homes all-electric. SSN/ITIN or $100-300 deposit.

Published 2026-04-28Last reviewed 2026-04-29Reading time ≈ 7 minAuthor CanadaFlorida Editorial Team

Direct answer · 60-second summary

The 60-second version

To activate utilities at a new FL property, contact each provider before or right after closing. Electricity: FPL (Florida Power & Light, ~5.9M accounts), Duke Energy Florida (1.9M, north-central), TECO Tampa Electric, JEA Jacksonville, OUC Orlando, Lakeland Electric, etc. Water and sewer: city or county utility. Natural gas: limited in FL; most use propane (TECO People's Gas, Florida City Gas) or electric. No universal service — each county/city has its provider. Typical setup needs: SSN or ITIN for credit check (or cash deposit), proof of ownership, refundable $100-300 deposit.

REFERENCE · ACRONYMS USED IN THIS GUIDE

Acronyms used in this guide

Electricity: who covers what

  • FPL (Florida Power & Light, NextEra Energy): Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Treasure Coast, parts of Gulf Coast and north. fpl.com.
  • Duke Energy Florida: Tampa Bay, Pinellas, Pasco, Marion, Citrus, Volusia. duke-energy.com.
  • TECO Tampa Electric: Hillsborough and surroundings.
  • JEA: Jacksonville municipal.
  • OUC (Orlando Utilities Commission): Orlando municipal.
  • Lakeland Electric, Gainesville Regional, Tallahassee Utilities: other municipals.
  • Rates: $0.12-0.17/kWh typical 2026 residential (varies by provider, season, usage).

Water and sewer

  • County or municipal utility.
  • Typical rates: $30-100/month residential by usage and area.
  • Water often metered; sewer calculated on water usage.
  • Many FL counties have watering restrictions: 2 days/week by odd/even address.
  • For isolated properties: well water + septic system to maintain separately.

Natural gas and propane

  • Natural gas available in some urban areas: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville (TECO People's Gas, Florida City Gas).
  • Outside served zones: propane in bottles or tank (Suburban Propane, AmeriGas, Ferrellgas).
  • Many FL homes are all-electric (heat, water heater, stove) — no gas at all.

Setup: what you need

  1. ID: driver license (FL or any country), Canadian passport acceptable.
  2. SSN or ITIN for credit check. Without: typically cash deposit ($100-300).
  3. Proof of ownership: warranty deed or recent tax bill.
  4. Service address.
  5. US bank account recommended for ACH autopay. Otherwise credit card or mailed check.

For Canadian snowbird

  • Ask about seasonal vacant home rate or adjustment if applicable (rare, but exists at FPL and Duke).
  • Keep electricity on during absence (AC at 80°F min) to prevent mold.
  • Water may be shut off at the main during absence (per concierge advice).
  • Set up auto-pay to avoid disconnection during 4-6 month absence.
  • Plan a US bank account (RBC Bank US, BMO Harris, TD US) for easy ACH without FX fees.

Formulaires officiels et pages de référence

Responsabilité du lecteur

Toujours utiliser la dernière version disponible sur le site officiel cité ci-dessous. Les seuils, taux et délais évoluent. CanadaFlorida ne se substitue pas à un professionnel licencié.

Editorial team

CanadaFlorida Editorial Team

Research drawn from primary public sources cited at the bottom of every guide: U.S. and Florida statutes, U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, official Florida county and state authorities, and Canadian provincial bodies where applicable.

Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.

Sources and references

Public sources verified as of the last review date (Florida Statutes, Florida Department of Revenue, Citizens, FEMA, DBPR).

  1. FPL (Florida Power & Light, NextEra Energy). fpl.com
  2. Duke Energy Florida. duke-energy.com
  3. Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). floridapsc.com

Disclaimer

This guide is for educational purpose only. Figures, rates, thresholds, timelines and rules are drawn from public sources at the date shown and may change.

For any concrete decision, consult a Florida-licensed attorney, a cross-border tax attorney, or a Florida-licensed insurance broker.