Are you ready for Arlington? Moving to Arlington VA gives you access to beautiful parks, exciting attractions, and lucrative jobs in one of the best places to live in America. Yet Arlington can be pricey for some people.
You need to know Arlington utilities so you cover your bills and get all the services you need. The Division of Public Utility Regulation of the Virginia State Corporation Commission regulates all utilities in the state, so you will have high-quality services. The county government gives you choices of providers for natural gas and recommendations for all utilities. Here is your comprehensive guide to Arlington County utilities.
Average Cost of Utilities in Arlington
You may get a few estimates for the cost of utilities in Arlington VA. The C2ER Cost of Living Index (2021) states that the average cost of Arlington electric services is $85.08. Other utilities cost an average of $68.70, so the average total cost of energy is $153.78 per month.
Doxo states that the average cost of utilities in Arlington is $144 a month, which is less than half of the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics breaks down the cost of electricity and piped gas. One kilowatt-hour of electricity in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area cost $0.155 in February 2023, while one therm of gas cost $1.831. Electricity cost 1.3 cents less than the national average, but gas cost 22.2 cents more. The prices of electricity and gas have risen in recent years; between February 2020 and February 2023, the price of gas increased by 60 cents per therm.
Virginia has the 11th-highest utility costs of any state in the country. The average monthly utility bill in the state equals $414.25, $16 higher than the national average. Though the cost of living in Arlington is high, housing and inflation keep the cost up, not utilities.
Arlington Electric Company | Dominion Energy
The Arlington County government recommends that residents use Dominion Virginia Power for electricity. Dominion is the most experienced Arlington power company, providing electricity to more than seven million customers across 16 states. Dominion was founded in 1983, and it has its headquarters in Richmond.
Start Dominion Service
You can start a Dominion service account through its online portal. You must provide your new street address, full legal name, Social Security Number, and email address. You do not need your meter number, but the company recommends that you have it on hand.
You can request your Dominion power to be turned on between Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Dominion charges $14.10 to start your electricity service, which will appear on your first bill. You must also pay a security deposit if you are a new customer.
Dominion Energy Bill Pay
Dominion Electric in Arlington VA has rate schedules you can use to determine the cost of your Arlington electric supply. Most residential customers pay a basic charge of $6.58 per month. Dominion Electric Arlington VA currently charges 2.1086 cents per kilowatt-hour for the first 800 kilowatt-hours you use. After you use 800 kWH, you must pay 1.1943 cents for each additional kilowatt-hour.
You can make immediate payments or schedule payments from your checking account. You can pay your Arlington VA electric company bill in a few different ways:
- Transferring money from your bank account; sign in to your Dominion account and enable it to transfer money
- Using your credit or debit card, you can pay through Paymentus or call Dominion at 866-366-4357 and provide the company with your information
- Visiting an authorized payment center to pay the bill with cash, a money order, check, or debit card
- Mailing Dominion Energy Virginia with a check
Dominion Electric Arlington Virginia Contact Info
- Phone: 866-366-4357
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Headquarters address: 600 East Canal Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Arlington Gas Company | Washington Gas
The Arlington County government recommends that residents use Washington Gas. Washington Gas was founded in 1848, making it one of the oldest utility companies in the United States. It serves more than one million customers in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
Washington Gas Start Service
You can start your Arlington natural gas service by calling 844-927-4427 or using the company’s online portal. You must provide your mailing address and other personal information to create an account. If you have gas appliances with an electronic ignition, your electric service must be set up before you get gas.
The Arlington gas company needs at least 48 hours’ notice to start your gas service, excluding weekends and holidays. Washington Gas charges a service initiation fee of $60, and you may need to pay a security deposit depending on your history of utilities payments.
Washington Gas Bill Pay
Washington Gas charges a system charge of $12.40 for all billing months per customer. Their distribution charge is 57.3 cents per therm for all gas used during the billing month. The company offers Weather Normalization Adjustment, modifying its prices based on the weather. If the winter is colder than normal, Washington Gas will offer credits to its customers; if the weather is warmer, the company can charge a surcharge. You can also use Washington Gas’s Budget Plan to keep your costs down.
If you need financial assistance, you can apply for the Virginia Energy Assistance Program. Washington Gas runs the Income Qualifying Energy Efficiency Program, which provides installation services to improve your energy efficiency so you pay less on utilities.
You can pay your bill through the following methods:
- Using the One-Time Payment portal and paying with your debit card, credit card, or bank account
- Logging into your account
- Calling 888-360-5647 and giving your debit or credit card information
- Creating an EZ-Payslip and paying in cash at a 7-Eleven store
- Visiting an office and paying in person
Washington Gas Contact Info
- Washington Gas customer service phone number: 703-750-7944
- Emergency line: 844-927-4427
- Hours: Monday, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Address: 350 Hillandale Lane, Winchester, VA 22602
Arlington Water | Arlington County Utilities Services
The Arlington County government provides water, sewer, and trash services to any resident who needs them. There is no separate Arlington water department, but you can order Arlington water utilities from Arlington County Utilities Services.
Transfer or Start Arlington Water Service
To set up a new utilities account, you should call the Customer Call Center at 703-228-5000. The center is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m-7:00 p.m. Call at least one day before the day you want to start receiving utilities. The city charges a $25 turn-on fee for a new account.
If you’re renting a house and want an account in your name, provide the owner’s name, phone number, and mailing address to the operator. The owner should fill out an Owner Authorization Form giving you permission to use utilities.
Arlington Water Bill Pay
Arlington’s water-sewer rates can be a little complicated. The county charges a base charge for all residential users; you must pay $13.76 every three months to use water and $11.09 to use sewer services. However, during the winter, sewer use rates are capped at $9.61 for every 1,000 gallons you use. The annual household solid waste rate is $307.89, regardless of how big your household is.
If you use less than 9,000 gallons of water, you will pay $3.98 for every 1,000 gallons. If you use more than 9,000 gallons, you will pay $6.38 for every subsequent 1,000 gallons.
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is available to Virginia residents who have a gross household income below 150% of the federal poverty level. Eligible households can receive funds equal to the amount of their past water and wastewater debts, up to $2,500. LIHWAP offers only one-time payments. You can fill out a LIHWAP application online.
You can pay your Arlington water bill in several ways:
- Calling 1-888-272-9829 (Code 1000) and paying with a credit card
- Using the Customer Assessment and Payment Portal
- Mailing a check or money order to the Arlington County Treasurer
- Visiting the Treasurer’s Office at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 215 (open from Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
- Dropping a copy of your bill and a check off in a Treasurer’s Office drop box
Arlington County Utilities Services Contact Info
- Phone: 703-228-5000
- Emergency number: 703-228-6555
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
- Address: 2020 14th Street North Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22201
Arlington Trash Pickup | Arlington County Department of Environmental Services
The Arlington County government handles Arlington trash and recycling services for all residents. The government has a map to determine when your Arlington County trash pickup day is; your cart must be out by 6:00 a.m. on pickup day.
Each household has one black wheeled cart for trash and one blue wheel cart for recycling. If you need additional carts, you can order one for $6 every quarter.
Arlington charges $319 a year for Arlington VA trash pickup and recycling. If you need heavy appliances like refrigerators or stoves picked up, the county can remove them for additional fees.
Arlington Internet Providers
The government recommends using Verizon Arlington as a cable and phone provider, so you may save money by packing your internet with cable and phone services. Verizon Arlington VA’s internet rates start at $25 a month, while 5G unlimited phone service starts at $30 a month. Verizon’s address in Arlington is 1100 South Hayes Street, Suite 3032, Arlington, VA 22202.
Arlington utilities are more expensive than the national average, but they are high-quality. The county government handles your water, sewer, and trash access, and you can hire experienced companies for all of your other utilities. All companies let you set up accounts on their websites or through phone calls.
When you’re ready to start using Arlington utilities, hire a team of great Arlington movers. Suburban Solutions has more than 10 years of experience in the moving industry. Get a free quote by calling 301-928-8669.
