Setting up utilities is one of the first things you need to tackle when moving to North Alabama, and the process is simpler than most cities — with one important difference worth understanding before you start making calls.
The Key Difference from Most US Cities
In most American cities, electric, gas, and water are separate companies requiring three separate calls. In Huntsville, Huntsville Utilities provides all three — electric, natural gas, and water — to residents within city limits. One call sets up everything. That's genuinely unusual and saves a lot of time on move-in day.
The catch: utility service boundaries don't always match city boundaries. If your address is in Madison, parts of your service may still be handled by Huntsville Utilities for electric while Madison Utilities handles water. In Athens and the broader Limestone County area, Athens Utilities is the primary provider. The sections below lay out exactly who handles what by city.
Call to start service at least 3–5 business days before your move-in date. Huntsville Utilities requires a non-refundable service charge to establish new service, and same-day connections cost extra. Don't leave this until moving day.
Huntsville Utilities
Huntsville Utilities (hsvutil.org) serves residents within Huntsville city limits with electric, natural gas, and water — all through a single account. It's a municipally owned utility, not a private company, which means rates are generally lower than investor-owned utilities.
To start service: Call or visit in person with a government-issued photo ID. A deposit may be required based on a third-party credit check — you can opt out of the credit check but a deposit will then be automatically required. A non-refundable service charge applies to all new connections.
What you'll need: Government-issued ID, your new address, move-in date, Social Security number (for credit check), and a payment method for the service charge and any deposit.
Office: 112 Spragins Street, Huntsville AL 35801. M–F 8am–5pm.
Deposit policy: Deposit required if credit check is declined or opted out. Refundable after 12 months of satisfactory payment history.
After-hours outages: 256-535-4448
Note: Trash service is separate from Huntsville Utilities. Republic Services handles curbside pickup for most Huntsville residential addresses. Service is typically billed through your Huntsville Utilities account but contracted through Republic. If you're unsure whether your address has curbside pickup, call to confirm before move-in day.
Recycling: Single-stream recycling pickup on the same schedule as trash. Check the city's online schedule tool for your pickup day.
Madison Utilities
Madison's utility setup is slightly more complex than Huntsville's because water and electric/gas are handled by different entities. Most Madison addresses get electric and gas from Huntsville Utilities, but water and wastewater from Madison Utilities — two separate accounts, two separate bills.
Some parts of Madison County — particularly areas outside the Huntsville Utilities service territory — receive natural gas from North Alabama Gas District (NAGD) rather than Huntsville Utilities. NAGD serves parts of Madison, Harvest, and surrounding unincorporated areas. If your address is outside Huntsville city limits, verify which gas provider serves your specific address before calling.
To start service: Same process as Huntsville — call 256-535-1200 with ID and move-in date. Single call establishes electric and gas for most Madison addresses.
Note: Water is NOT included for Madison addresses — that's a separate call to Madison Utilities below.
About: A public corporation with 19,000+ water customers and 20,000+ wastewater connections. Not the same entity as Huntsville Utilities — separate account, separate bill.
To start service: Visit madisonutilities.org to set up online or call during business hours. Have your new address, move-in date, and ID ready.
Office: Madison, AL. M–F business hours.
About: NAGD serves approximately 21,000 customers across Colbert, Lawrence, Limestone, and Madison counties. If your address is in an area not served by Huntsville Utilities for gas, NAGD is the provider.
To start service: Must apply in person at the Madison office (217 Palmer Rd). Bring photo ID and proof of residency (lease, deed, or homeowners insurance). A deposit is required if you don't meet credit requirements. Renters need a copy of their lease.
Hours: M–F 8am–4:30pm. Service connections M–F 7:30am–3:30pm.
Athens Utilities
Athens is served by its own municipal utility — Athens Utilities — which, like Huntsville Utilities, is a bundled provider covering electric, gas, and water. One call sets up all three. Athens Utilities serves the City of Athens and surrounding Limestone County areas.
About: Athens Utilities provides electric, gas, water, and wastewater services to 40,000+ customers. It partners with TVA for energy supply. Average monthly residential electric bill is approximately $139/month — below both the Alabama and national average.
To start service: Call or visit the Athens Utilities office. Have your photo ID, new address, and move-in date ready. A deposit may be required for new customers.
After-hours emergencies: Call the main number and follow prompts for after-hours service.
Internet Providers
Internet is set up separately from your utility providers. North Alabama has solid internet infrastructure — fiber is available in most of Huntsville and Madison, though availability varies by address. For a full breakdown of speeds, prices, and provider comparisons, see the Huntsville internet guide. Quick reference by provider:
Typical Monthly Utility Costs
North Alabama's utility costs are below national averages, mainly because of low electricity rates (Huntsville Utilities and Athens Utilities both purchase power through TVA) and Alabama's low property taxes eliminating some infrastructure costs passed to ratepayers.
| Service | Typical monthly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | $80–$180 | Varies significantly by home size and season. Summer AC is the biggest driver — expect $150–$200 in July/August for a 3BR home. |
| Natural gas | $20–$80 | Low in summer, higher in winter for heating. Huntsville Utilities bundles this into the same bill as electric and water. |
| Water & sewer | $40–$80 | Combined water and sewer/wastewater. Rate varies by usage. |
| Trash & recycling | $20–$35 | Often included in city service fees or billed through your utility account. |
| Internet (fiber, 1 Gig) | $55–$80 | AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber run $55–$80/month for gigabit. Xfinity intro rates lower but increase after promo period. |
| Total estimate | $215–$455/mo | Wide range based on home size, season, and internet plan. Summer months run higher due to AC. |
Move-In Utility Checklist
Use this sequence to get everything set up before or on move-in day. Complete the ones marked "before move-in" at least 3–5 business days early.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up utilities in Huntsville AL?
Call Huntsville Utilities at 256-535-1200 at least 3–5 business days before your move-in date. They handle electric, gas, and water in a single account within Huntsville city limits. Have your photo ID, new address, and Social Security number ready. A deposit may be required based on a credit check. Trash is separate — call Republic Services at 256-536-7018 or confirm your address has service when setting up your HU account.
Does Huntsville Utilities cover gas and water too?
Yes — within Huntsville city limits, Huntsville Utilities is a bundled provider covering electric, natural gas, and water in one account. This is different from most US cities. One call, one bill.
What utilities do I need to set up in Madison AL?
For most Madison addresses: call Huntsville Utilities (256-535-1200) for electric and gas, then call Madison Utilities (256-772-5836) separately for water and wastewater. They're two separate bills. If your address is in an unincorporated area served by North Alabama Gas District rather than Huntsville Utilities for gas, you'll need to add a third call to NAGD (256-772-0227) — but this only applies to specific areas outside Huntsville Utilities' service territory.
Who provides internet in Huntsville Alabama?
The main internet providers are AT&T Fiber (most widely available, highly rated), Google Fiber (available in select areas, competitive pricing), and Comcast Xfinity (cable/fiber, available metro-wide). AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber both offer symmetric gigabit speeds for $55–$80/month. Check availability at your specific address — fiber coverage varies by neighborhood, especially in newer developments. See the full internet guide for comparisons.
How much are utilities per month in Huntsville AL?
A typical household in Huntsville spends $215–$455/month total on utilities depending on home size, season, and internet plan. Electric runs $80–$180 (higher in summer due to AC), gas $20–$80, water/sewer $40–$80, trash $20–$35, and internet $55–$80 for fiber. North Alabama utility rates are below national averages — Huntsville Utilities and Athens Utilities both purchase power through TVA at competitive rates.