The Complete Guide to Setting Up Utilities After Moving to Edmonton
Everything you need to set up electricity, gas, internet, mail forwarding, and more after moving to Edmonton. Phone numbers, costs, and lead times for every provider.
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You've booked your Edmonton movers, packed your boxes, and survived moving day. Now comes the part nobody warns you about: setting up every single utility and updating every single address. It's tedious, it's time-sensitive, and if you miss something, you're sitting in a dark house with no internet wondering where your mail went.
This guide covers every provider you need to contact after moving to Edmonton, with the exact phone numbers, websites, costs, and lead times. Bookmark it — you'll be coming back to it.
EPCOR — Electricity and Water
EPCOR handles both electricity and water for Edmonton residents on a single combined bill. This is one of the first calls you need to make — ideally before moving day.
Phone: 310-4300 (no area code needed within Alberta)
Online: Set up through EPCOR My Account — fastest option
Lead time: 3 business days minimum. Call or set up online before your move date.
Cost: No setup fee. New customers without Alberta utility history may need a security deposit (typically $200-400, refunded after 12 months of on-time payments).
What you'll need: Your new address, move-in date, and government-issued ID. If transferring an existing EPCOR account, you can do it all online.
Important: If you're moving out of an Edmonton property, you also need to close your EPCOR account for the old address. Otherwise, you'll keep getting billed until the next tenant sets up their account.
ATCO Gas — Natural Gas
This catches a lot of newcomers off guard: natural gas is a separate company from your electricity and water. EPCOR does not handle gas. You need to contact ATCO separately.
Phone: 1-844-687-2826
Online: atco.com — Move Your Account
Lead time: 5 business days. ATCO needs more notice than EPCOR, so don't leave this one to the last minute.
Cost: No setup fee. Gas rates in Alberta are regulated and deregulated options are available — ATCO delivers the gas regardless of your retailer.
If you're moving in winter, gas is critical — Edmonton winters regularly hit -20°C to -35°C. Do not move into a house without confirming gas service is active. If gas has been shut off at the meter, ATCO must send a technician to turn it back on, which can take an additional 1-2 business days.
Telus or Rogers Shaw — Internet and TV
Edmonton has two main internet providers: Telus (fibre and DSL) and Rogers/Shaw (cable). Telus PureFibre covers most of the city, but older neighbourhoods like Bonnie Doon and some parts of Mill Woods may still be on DSL.
Telus: telus.com/moving or call 310-2255
Rogers/Shaw: 1-888-472-2222 or rogers.com
Lead time: 2-4 weeks. This is the biggest bottleneck of all utility setups. Technician install appointments book up fast, especially in summer when everyone is moving. Book as early as possible.
Tip: If your new home already has Telus fibre or Shaw cable run to it, a self-install kit may be available — much faster than waiting for a tech visit. Ask when you call.
Canada Post — Mail Forwarding
Mail forwarding is one of those things that feels optional until you miss a tax document, a medical bill, or your renewed driver's licence. Set it up before you move — it takes effect the same day if done online.
Online: Canada Post Mail Forwarding
Cost: $64.75 for 4 months or $98.00 for 12 months (prices include tax). This covers all mail addressed to your name at the old address.
Lead time: Same-day if done online. In-person at a post office takes 3-5 business days to process.
Pro tip: Even with forwarding active, you should still update your address directly with banks, CRA, insurance, and subscriptions. Forwarding is a safety net, not a permanent solution — it only lasts 4-12 months.
Alberta Driver's Licence and Vehicle Registration
By law, you must update your Alberta driver's licence and vehicle registration within 14 days of changing your address. If you're moving from another province, you have 90 days to switch to an Alberta licence.
Where: Any Alberta registry agent. These are private offices found throughout the city — not a government building. Search "registry agent near me" for your closest location.
Cost: $28 for an address change on your driver's licence. Vehicle registration address update is typically included.
What you'll need: Your current licence, proof of new address (utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement), and payment.
More info: alberta.ca — Change Your Address
City of Edmonton — Waste Collection
Good news: if you're moving into an existing Edmonton home, waste collection is already set up. The bins stay with the property, and service continues automatically. You don't need to call anyone.
If you're in a brand-new build that's never had service, you'll need to register through the City of Edmonton waste services page or call 311.
Edmonton has a 4-stream waste system:
Black bin: Garbage (collected every other week)
Blue bag: Recycling — placed in or beside the black bin on recycling weeks
Green bin: Food scraps and organics (collected weekly spring through fall, every other week in winter)
Seasonal yard waste: Paper bags or bundles collected in spring and fall only
Tip: Look up your specific collection day and schedule at edmonton.ca waste collection calendar. It varies by neighbourhood and rotates between garbage and recycling weeks.
Alberta Health Care Card
If you're moving from another province, you need to register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). If you already have an Alberta health card, updating your address is free.
From another province: Register within 3 months of arriving. Coverage begins after a waiting period (usually the first day of the third month). Your old province's coverage continues during the wait.
Within Alberta: Update your address online or at a registry agent. No cost, no waiting period.
The Complete Address Change Checklist
Beyond the major utilities, here's everyone else you need to notify. This is the list people forget — and then wonder why their Amazon packages keep going to the old place.
Government (update within 14-30 days)
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — update online through My Account or call 1-800-959-8281. Critical for tax refunds and benefit payments (GST credit, child benefit).
Elections Canada — can update when you file taxes, or online at elections.ca
Alberta driver's licence and vehicle registration (covered above — $28 at registry agent)
Alberta Health Care card (covered above — free)
Financial (update within 1 week)
Banks and credit unions — most allow online address changes through their app
Credit card companies — each card needs to be updated separately
Home and auto insurance — your rates may change based on your new neighbourhood and postal code. Notify your insurer before moving day.
Investment accounts (RRSP, TFSA, RESP providers)
Everything Else (update within 1 month)
Employer and payroll department
Doctor, dentist, pharmacy, and veterinarian (if changing clinics, request records transfers)
Schools and daycares (if you have children)
Subscriptions — Amazon, Netflix, meal kits, gym memberships, magazine subscriptions
Edmonton Public Library — free card for Edmonton residents, update your address at any branch or online at epl.ca
Pet registration — City of Edmonton requires all cats and dogs to be licenced. If moving from outside Edmonton, register at edmonton.ca pet licensing
The Timeline: When to Do What
Here's the ideal order to avoid gaps in service:
4 weeks before: Book internet installation (Telus or Rogers/Shaw). This is the longest lead time.
2 weeks before: Set up EPCOR (electricity/water) and ATCO (gas) for your move-in date.
1 week before: Set up Canada Post mail forwarding. Notify your insurance company (rates may change).
Moving day: Verify electricity, gas, and water are all working at your new address. Check the Edmonton noise bylaw hours if moving late in the day.
First week after: Update driver's licence ($28 at registry agent), bank addresses, employer payroll.
First month after: Update CRA, health card, subscriptions, pet licence, and everything else on the checklist above.
Planning an Edmonton move? Get a free moving quote from Two Small Men, or check out our Edmonton moving guide for neighbourhood tips, pricing, parking bylaws, and everything else you need to know about moving in Edmonton.