Frequently Asked Questions

There is a lag of a few minutes between the information on the map and the information our crews are working from, but the data you see on the map is basically the same as what our operations teams are working from. Occasionally, there will be a delay in an outage getting removed from the map, and crews need to confirm work is complete before the map is cleared.

When you report your outage, a Customer Service representative makes sure that your address is loaded into our outage management system. The computer then looks at all the different calls coming in and takes its best guess based on the information which comes in as to where the trouble originated. A crew is then dispatched directly to the outage. This is another reason why it is so important to call in any outage — the more information that comes in, the better information the computer has, and the faster a crew can get where it needs to go.

The electric outage map is a window into seeing the types of outages our crews are already aware of, and it is based on the information relayed from our Customer Service team. While small delays in updates to the map are always possible, if your outage isn’t on the map, it may not have been reported yet. Always report your outage online or call Customer Service at 1-888-301-7700 if you lose power to ensure your issue is in the system.

First, you’ll want to find out if we are already serving your neighborhood, check this map. If we do service your neighborhood and you’re ready to make the switch, fill out our Switch to Gas form or call us toll-free at 1-888-486-4845 for more information or to check availability in your neighborhood.

The electric revenue meter needs to be owned, installed, and maintained by the electric utility. Installing a second meter behind the utility meter, owned by the customer, is the customer’s option.

In order to Net Meter, you must first apply to interconnect a generating facility through Unitil. We recommend you apply for interconnection prior to purchasing any equipment, since some modifications to the electric system may be necessary and paid for by the customer. When applying to interconnect, you should indicate if you are interested in Net Metering. Net Metering rules are defined by the state government and are different in each state, therefore, you should reference the your state's website.

As a company, we support the idea that our customers should explore all options available, and that they are free to make a decision on an energy contract that is right for them.

Unitil’s electric customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have the option to take supply service from Unitil or purchase their electricity from competitive suppliers. This supply portion of your bill is only one portion of the overall rate that utility customers pay.

All of Unitil’s residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers also may choose the company that supplies their natural gas – a right often referred to as customer choice. Your options will vary depending on your state.

Your account number is the ten-digit number located on your monthly energy statement. Don't have a statement handy? Just call our Customer Service team at 1-888-301-7700 and we'll help you locate it.

Time-of-Use (TOU) rates have different electricity prices based on the time of day electricity is used. Customers can manage their bills by shifting tasks that require electricity to off-peak hours when electricity costs are the lowest. Learn more about Time-of-Use rates here. 

Unitil supports the adoption of Time-of-Use Rates as a method to both increase electric vehicle usage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our service territories.

Time-of-Use Rates are designed to drive consumer behavior to use the majority of their energy during off-peak hours. This change in energy consumption patterns is a great way for customers to save money on their monthly electric bills – and also provides a larger benefit to the entire distributed energy system at a time when energy use continues to grow at an exponential rate and utilities are finding ways to continue to meet demand.