Setting up utilities in a new Florida home is more complex than most states because Florida's utility providers vary significantly by geography, the electricity market is not deregulated (unlike Texas), and several Florida-specific requirements — like deposit policies and irrigation meter setups — catch new residents off guard.
Electric
Florida's electric service is provided by regulated monopoly utilities — you don't choose your electric provider based on your address. The major providers:
Florida Power & Light (FPL/NextEra): Serves most of South Florida, the Treasure Coast, and parts of the Space Coast. About 5.7 million customers. Reliability is generally good. Average residential bill for a 1,500–2,000 sq ft home: $130–$200/month summer, $80–$120/month winter. Set up at fpl.com.
Duke Energy Florida: Serves Orlando, Crystal River, and parts of the Gulf Coast. Average bills comparable to FPL. Set up at duke-energy.com.
Tampa Electric (TECO): Serves Hillsborough County (Tampa area). Generally considered reliable with slightly lower average rates than FPL. Set up at tampaelectric.com.
Gulf Power / FPL (Panhandle): Northwest Florida. Now operated by FPL/NextEra.
Deposits: If you have no Florida credit history with the utility, expect a deposit of $150–$400. This is returned with interest after 23 months of on-time payments.
Water and Sewer
Water service is provided by your municipality or county utility authority — check with your local government. Many Florida areas also have separate irrigation meters for lawn watering, which is billed at a lower rate than potable water. If your home has a separate irrigation meter, you'll need to set up service for that account separately.
If your home is on a well and septic system (common in rural and semi-rural Florida), you pay no water or sewer utility bills but are responsible for well pump maintenance and septic pumping (typically every 3–5 years, $300–$600).
Internet
Florida's internet market is less competitive than many states. In most areas, you'll have 2–3 options:
Spectrum (Charter): Cable internet, available across most Florida cities. Speeds up to 1 Gbps. Generally reliable. No data caps. No contracts required but promotional rates expire after 12 months.
Comcast/Xfinity: Available in many Florida markets, particularly South Florida, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Data caps apply to most plans unless you pay for the Unlimited Data option.
AT&T Fiber: Available in select Florida markets — expanding but not universal. Where available, fiber internet is faster and more reliable than cable. Check at att.com/internet.
Local fiber providers: Communities like Lake Nona, Celebration, and some master-planned communities have built-in fiber infrastructure through HOA agreements with providers like Hotwire Communications or Bluestream Fiber.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is not universally available in Florida. Many Florida homes run entirely on electricity — including the HVAC, water heater, and range. If natural gas is available in your area and you want it (for a gas range, gas water heater, or whole-home generator running on natural gas), verify availability at your specific address before buying. TECO Peoples Gas serves much of the Tampa Bay area. FPL/NextEra Gas serves parts of South and Central Florida.
Trash and Recycling
Solid waste service is typically contracted through your municipality or county. In many areas, this is included in your property tax bill or utility bill automatically. HOA communities often have separate contracted service. Confirm with your local government or HOA whether trash service is automatic or requires separate setup.
Setup Timeline
Allow 1–2 weeks for utility setup before your move-in date. Electric and water can usually be set up online with a 3–5 business day lead time. Internet installation appointments are often 1–2 weeks out, especially during peak moving seasons (June–August). If possible, schedule internet installation the week before your move-in date so you're connected from day one.