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Set Up Utilities in Detroit

Who provides your electricity, gas, water and internet, how to start or transfer service when you move, and which numbers to call when something goes wrong.

Utility providers Emergency numbers

What do you need on?

DTE Energy

Start, stop or move service online at startstop.dteenergy.com. Residential help: (800) 477-4747.

Call (800) 477-4747

Who to call

Detroit utility providers at a glance

Phone numbers below come from each utility's own website. Save them in your phone before move-in day.

Electricity and natural gas (most of Detroit) Provider DTE Energy How to start or get help Start, stop or move service online at startstop.dteenergy.com. Residential help: (800) 477-4747.
Gas or electric in some suburbs Provider Consumers Energy How to start or get help Call 800-477-5050 or manage service online.
Water and sewer in Detroit Provider Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) How to start or get help Customer service: 313-267-8000, or use the DWSD customer portal on detroitmi.gov.
Water in the suburbs Provider Your city or township water department How to start or get help Most area communities buy water from the Great Lakes Water Authority but bill you locally. Call your city hall.
Internet and TV Provider Varies by address How to start or get help Check which cable, fiber, fixed wireless and satellite providers serve your exact address.
Utility complaints Provider Michigan Public Service Commission How to start or get help After contacting your utility, call 1-800-292-9555 for gas, electric, cable or phone complaints.

Moving day plan

How to set up utilities when you move to Detroit

  1. 1

    Two to three weeks out: electric and gas

    Start or transfer DTE service online with your new address and move-in date. If your new home is outside DTE's gas area, check whether Consumers Energy serves it.

  2. 2

    Two weeks out: water

    Detroit residents open or transfer a water account with DWSD by phone or through its online customer portal. Suburban residents call their city water department.

  3. 3

    Two weeks out: internet

    Compare providers that serve your address and book installation. Good wiring matters; see network cabling pros if you work from home.

  4. 4

    Move-in day: read the meters

    Photograph the electric, gas and water meters so your first bill starts at the right reading.

  5. 5

    First week: check the systems

    Test the furnace or boiler, water heater, sump pump and panel. Book a pro for anything that looks off. Start with Find a Pro.

Emergencies

Utility emergency numbers

  • Smell gas (DTE): leave the area right away, call 911, then call DTE's 24-hour gas leak hotline at (800) 947-5000.
  • Smell gas (Consumers Energy): leave, call 911, then call 800-477-5050.
  • Power outage or downed line (DTE): call (800) 477-4747 and press 2, or report it in DTE's online outage center. Stay at least 25 feet from downed lines.
  • Water main break or sewer problem (Detroit): call DWSD at 313-267-8000.
  • Before you dig: call 811 so MISS DIG can have underground lines marked.
  • More numbers on our Detroit emergency numbers page, and pros on call at emergency help.

Local pros

Plumbers, electricians and HVAC pros for your new home

Water heaters

Repair or replace a tank or tankless water heater.

Compare plumbers

Sump pumps

Keep basements dry during spring storms.

Compare plumbers

Gas lines

New appliance hookups and gas line repair.

Compare plumbers

Sewer lines

Camera inspections and sewer line repair.

Compare plumbers

Panel upgrades

More capacity for modern appliances and EVs.

Compare electricians

EV chargers

Home charger installation and circuits.

Compare electricians

Furnaces and AC

Installation, replacement and tune-ups.

Compare HVAC pros

Boilers

Service for the radiator heat common in older Detroit homes.

Compare HVAC pros

Lower your bills

Cut utility costs in an older Detroit home

Many Detroit houses were built long before modern insulation and air sealing. A home energy audit shows where heat escapes, and utility rebate assistance can help you find programs from your utility. Common fixes include attic insulation, air sealing, energy efficient windows and a smart thermostat.

If a bill is hard to pay, DTE lists energy assistance programs and payment agreements on its website, and dialing 211 connects you with Michigan 211 for local help with utilities.

More Detroit guides

Settling in to Detroit

Moving

Detroit guides

Trades

Who to call

What the state's service maps show for Detroit

Electric and gas shares are the part of Detroit's land inside each company's territory on the state's maps. Where two companies each cover most of the town, the address decides: enter it on the company's start-service page.

Electricity Company DTE Energy. Covers all of Detroit. What to know Main line 800-477-4747, dteenergy.com
Natural gas Company DTE Energy. Covers all of Detroit. What to know Main line 800-477-4747, dteenergy.com
Water and sewer Company The Detroit water department What to know Water is billed by the town: ask it to open or move your account. Many towns buy their water from the Great Lakes Water Authority; some homes in rural townships use private wells.
Complaints Company Michigan Public Service Commission, 1-800-292-9555 What to know For gas and electric problems the utility has not fixed.

Detroit utilities FAQ

6 questions

How do I start DTE service in Detroit?
Go to DTE's start, stop and move page online and enter your new address and start date, or call DTE residential customer service at (800) 477-4747.
Who provides water in Detroit?
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) provides water and sewer service to Detroit homes. Its customer service line is 313-267-8000. Most suburbs bill water through their own city or township.
What number do I call if I smell gas in Detroit?
Leave the building first, then call 911, then call DTE's gas leak hotline at (800) 947-5000. If Consumers Energy serves your home, call 800-477-5050 after 911.
How do I report a power outage in Detroit?
Call DTE at (800) 477-4747 and press 2, or use DTE's online outage center. Stay at least 25 feet away from any downed line and call 911 if it is an emergency.
Who do I complain to if my utility will not fix a problem?
Contact the utility first. If that does not resolve it, the Michigan Public Service Commission takes gas, electric, cable and phone complaints at 1-800-292-9555.
Do I need a plumber or electrician when I move in?
Not always, but it is smart to have the water heater, sump pump, furnace and electrical panel checked in an older home. Compare local pros and get written quotes for the same scope.

Need a plumber, electrician or HVAC pro?

Tell us what your new home needs and we will route your request to local pros who handle it.

Request a plumber, electrician or HVAC pro (888) 471-3135

Sources

Updated September 2026. Rules and procedures change; confirm with the responsible office before a decision.

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