Moving to a new home in British Columbia means transferring or setting up electricity service before you arrive. BC Hydro is the primary electricity provider for most of Metro Vancouver and the province, and updating your account is one of the practical tasks that needs to happen in the days before your move.
This guide walks through exactly how to transfer BC Hydro service to a new address, what to do if you are moving into a home with no existing service, how to close your old account, and what to expect with your final bill.
Does BC Hydro Serve Your New Address?
Before you start, confirm that BC Hydro serves your new home. Most of Metro Vancouver and British Columbia is covered by BC Hydro, but there are exceptions:
- City of New Westminster — served by New Westminster Hydro (a municipal utility)
- Some strata and apartment buildings — electricity may be included in strata fees or managed through a sub-metering company
- Parts of the Interior — some areas are served by FortisBC or municipal utilities
Ask your landlord, strata manager, or real estate agent which utility provider serves your new address. If it is not BC Hydro, the process is similar but you will contact the relevant provider instead.
For natural gas, the provider in most of BC is FortisBC — covered separately at the end of this guide.
How to Transfer BC Hydro Service When Moving
If you already have a BC Hydro account at your current address, transferring service is straightforward.
Step 1: Log In to Your BC Hydro Account
Go to bchydro.com and sign in. If you do not have an online account, you can create one or call 1-800-224-9376 to handle the transfer by phone.
Step 2: Select "Move Service"
In your account dashboard, look for the option to move or transfer service. You will be prompted to enter:
- Your current address (move-out date)
- Your new address (move-in date)
- Your preferred billing method at the new address
Step 3: Confirm the Dates
Enter your move-out date for the old address and your move-in date for the new address. BC Hydro will close your account at the old address on the move-out date and activate service at the new address on the move-in date.
Timing: Submit your transfer request at least 3 business days before your move date. This ensures electricity is active when you arrive.
Step 4: Confirm Your New Billing Address
If your new mailing address differs from your service address (for example, if you are moving into a strata and want bills sent to a P.O. box), update this during the transfer.
Step 5: Check for a Deposit
BC Hydro may require a security deposit at the new address depending on your account history. If you have a strong payment history, this is typically waived. Any existing deposit from your old account is applied to your final bill there.
Setting Up BC Hydro at a New Address (No Existing Account)
If you are moving into a home that has never had BC Hydro service, or if you are a first-time BC Hydro customer, you need to set up a new account rather than transfer an existing one.
- Go to bchydro.com and select "Start service"
- Enter your new address and your move-in date
- Provide your personal information and contact details
- BC Hydro may request a security deposit for new accounts
- Confirm your billing preferences
Call 1-800-224-9376 if you have questions about whether the address requires a new connection or a simple account transfer.
Closing Your Old BC Hydro Account
When you submit a move or transfer request, BC Hydro automatically closes your account at the old address on your specified move-out date. You do not need to take a separate step to cancel the old account.
After your move-out date:
- A final meter reading is taken at the old address
- A final bill is generated and sent to your new address or email
- Any security deposit on file is applied to the final balance
- If the deposit exceeds the final bill, the difference is refunded
Keep your new address updated with BC Hydro so the final bill reaches you. If you set up mail forwarding through Canada Post, the bill will be redirected, but updating BC Hydro directly is faster and more reliable.
What to Do on Move-In Day
When you arrive at your new home, check that electricity is active. If the power is off:
- Check the breaker panel — a tripped breaker is the most common cause
- Confirm your move-in date was entered correctly in your BC Hydro account
- Call BC Hydro at 1-800-224-9376 if the issue is not resolved
Take a photo of the meter reading on move-in day. This creates a record of the reading at the start of your tenancy, which can be useful if there is ever a billing dispute.
BC Hydro Equal Payment Plan
If you were on BC Hydro's Equal Payment Plan (EPP) at your old address — which spreads your annual electricity cost into equal monthly payments — this does not automatically transfer to your new address. You need to re-enroll at the new address after your account is active there.
FortisBC: Natural Gas Address Change
If your home uses natural gas for heating, hot water, or appliances, you also need to update your FortisBC account. FortisBC is the natural gas provider for most of BC.
To transfer FortisBC service:
- Go to fortisbc.com and log in to your account
- Select "Moving" or "Transfer service"
- Enter your old address (move-out date) and new address (move-in date)
- Confirm billing preferences
Alternatively, call FortisBC at 1-888-224-2710.
As with BC Hydro, submit your request at least 3 business days before your move date. FortisBC will close your account at the old address and activate it at the new one.
Other Utilities to Update When Moving in BC
Electricity and gas are the two most time-sensitive utilities, but there are others to update around the same time:
- Internet and cable — contact your provider to transfer service or set up at the new address. Booking a technician visit often requires 1 to 2 weeks notice.
- Water — in most Metro Vancouver municipalities, water is billed through the municipality or strata. Check with your landlord or strata manager.
- Waste collection — if you are moving to a house, confirm your garbage and recycling pickup schedule with your new municipality.
How This Fits Into Your Overall Moving Plan
Updating BC Hydro is one task in a longer address-change checklist. For a complete list of every organization you need to notify when moving in BC — including ICBC, CRA, Canada Post, and more — read our BC address change checklist.
For the full picture of what to do in the weeks before your move, our 8-week moving checklist for Metro Vancouver covers everything from booking movers to packing and utility transfers.
When you are ready to book professional movers in Metro Vancouver, get a free quote from 4 You Moving. We serve Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, North Vancouver, and the surrounding Lower Mainland.
Summary
Transferring BC Hydro service when moving in BC takes about 10 minutes online. Log in to your account, select "Move service," enter your old and new addresses with the correct dates, and submit at least 3 business days before your move. BC Hydro handles the rest — closing the old account, generating a final bill, and activating service at the new address.
If you use natural gas, do the same with FortisBC. And if you are moving into a building where utilities are managed differently, confirm with your landlord or strata before assuming BC Hydro applies.
4 You Moving serves Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Call 778-200-8825 or request a free quote online.