What Con Edison Is and Who It Serves

Con Edison (Consolidated Edison) is the electric, gas, and steam utility that serves most of New York City and Westchester County. If you live or run a business in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, or parts of Westchester, Con Edison is almost certainly your utility — meaning they own the lines that deliver power to your building, read your meter, and send you a bill each month.

Con Edison is a regulated utility, which means the New York Public Service Commission sets the rates Con Edison can charge and oversees how the company operates. You cannot choose a different electric provider in Con Edison's service area the way you might in some other parts of the country. Your account is with Con Edison, and your bill comes from Con Edison.

Key Takeaways

  • Con Edison serves electricity, gas, or steam to most of New York City and parts of Westchester County, and you cannot switch to a different provider in their service area.
  • You can set up a Con Edison account online, by phone at 1-800-752-6633, or in person at a payment location, and you will need your address and a photo ID.
  • Con Edison bills are based on meter readings taken monthly or every two months, and you can view your usage and pay online through your account.
  • If you cannot pay your full bill, Con Edison offers budget billing and hardship programs that may reduce your monthly payment or prevent service shutoff.
  • You can report outages, request service changes, or file complaints through Con Edison's website, phone line, or the New York Public Service Commission.

How to Open and Manage a Con Edison Account

To start service with Con Edison, you need to contact the company directly. You can open an account online at conedison.com, by calling 1-800-752-6633, or by visiting a Con Edison payment location in person. When you open an account, have your address ready, know the date you want service to start, and bring a photo ID if you are opening an account in person.

Con Edison will ask for your name, service address, phone number, and email address. If you are the property owner, you may also need to provide proof of ownership. If you are a tenant, you typically need only your lease or a letter from your landlord confirming you live there. Con Edison may also run a credit check to determine whether you need to pay a deposit upfront.

Once your account is open, you can manage it online through your Con Edison account portal. Log in with your account number (on your bill) and a password you create. From your account, you can view your current and past bills, see your usage by day or month, pay your bill, set up automatic payments, and report problems.

Understanding Your Con Edison Bill

Your Con Edison bill shows how much electricity, gas, or steam you used during the billing period, the rate Con Edison charges per unit, and any taxes or fees. The bill also lists any credits, adjustments, or past-due amounts. Most residential customers receive a bill every two months; some receive one monthly.

Con Edison reads your meter to measure usage. If you have a smart meter (which most customers now do), Con Edison reads it remotely. If you have an older meter, a Con Edison representative may visit your home to read it in person. You can also read your own meter and report the number to Con Edison if you want to verify the reading.

Your bill includes the supply charge (the cost of the electricity or gas itself), the delivery charge (the cost to maintain the lines and infrastructure), and taxes. The supply charge can vary month to month based on market prices and your usage. The delivery charge is set by the Public Service Commission and changes less often.

Payment Options and Due Dates

Con Edison bills are due within a set number of days from the bill date — usually 20 to 25 days. You can pay online through your Con Edison account, by phone at 1-800-752-6633, by mail, or in person at a payment location. Online and phone payments are processed when ready; mail payments take several business days to reach Con Edison.

You can set up automatic payments so your bill is paid from your bank account or credit card on a date you choose each month. This prevents missed payments and late fees. To set up automatic payments, log into your account online or call Con Edison.

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact Con Edison before the bill becomes past due. Con Edison offers payment plans that let you spread the cost over several months. You can also ask about budget billing, which averages your usage over the year so your monthly payment stays roughly the same instead of spiking in winter or summer.

What to Do If You Cannot Afford Your Bill

Con Edison has programs for customers who struggle to pay. Budget billing calculates an average monthly payment based on your usage over the past year, so you pay the same amount each month instead of facing large bills in cold or hot months. You can request budget billing through your online account or by calling Con Edison.

Hardship programs may reduce your bill or prevent service shutoff if you are facing financial difficulty. Con Edison works with community organizations to identify customers who may may have access to. You can also contact Con Edison directly to ask about hardship options. Have your account number and recent bill ready when you call.

If you receive public information, you may also may have access to for the Low Income Home Energy information Program (LIHEAP), which is run by New York State and can help pay your Con Edison bill. You can find out more through your local Department of Social Services or by calling 1-800-342-3009.

Reporting Outages and Service Problems

If your power goes out, you can report it to Con Edison through their website, by calling 1-800-752-6633, or through the Con Edison mobile app. When you report an outage, Con Edison asks for your account number and address so they can confirm the outage and estimate when power will be restored. Con Edison also sends text or email updates if you have signed up for outage alerts.

If you smell gas, see downed lines, or suspect a safety hazard, call Con Edison when ready at 1-800-752-6633 or 911. Do not try to fix the problem yourself. Con Edison has crews available 24 hours a day for emergencies.

If you have a problem with your bill, your meter, or your service, you can file a complaint with Con Edison through their website or by calling 1-800-752-6633. If Con Edison does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint with the New York Public Service Commission at 1-800-342-3377 or online at dps.ny.gov.

Requesting Service Changes and Disconnection

If you need to change your service — such as adding a new meter, upgrading your service capacity, or moving to a different unit in your building — contact Con Edison to request the change. Some changes require a technician visit and may have a fee. You can request service changes through your online account, by phone, or in person.

If you are moving and want to disconnect your service, contact Con Edison at least three business days before your move date. Con Edison will schedule a final meter reading and close your account. You will receive a final bill based on the actual usage through your move date. If you have paid more than you owe, Con Edison will send you a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if Con Edison serves my address?

You can check Con Edison's service map on their website at conedison.com, or call 1-800-752-6633 and provide your address. Con Edison serves most of Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Westchester County. If your address is outside their service area, a different utility serves you.

What if I think my meter is reading incorrectly?

You can request a meter test through your Con Edison account or by calling 1-800-752-6633. Con Edison will send a technician to inspect and test your meter. If the meter is faulty, Con Edison will replace it at no cost and may adjust your bill for past overcharges. If the meter is working correctly, Con Edison may charge a fee for the test.

Can I get a copy of my bill online?

Yes. Log into your Con Edison account at conedison.com and view or read any bill from the past several years. You can also request paper bills by mail if you prefer not to use the online portal.

What happens if I do not pay my bill?

Con Edison will send you a notice that your account is past due and give you a important date to pay before service is shut off. If you do not pay by that date, Con Edison may disconnect your service. You can call Con Edison to arrange a payment plan or ask about hardship programs before disconnection occurs.

How do I report a billing error?

Contact Con Edison through your online account, by phone at 1-800-752-6633, or by mail. Explain the error and provide your account number and bill date. Con Edison will investigate and send you a written response within 30 days. If you disagree with the response, you can file a complaint with the New York Public Service Commission.