Utilities | Faculty & Postdocs

Columbia Residential provides guidance on how utilities such as gas, electricity, and internet are managed across its buildings. Utility billing and service arrangements may vary depending on building infrastructure. Residents are responsible for understanding their building’s setup and ensuring appropriate service is established where needed. 

Electricity and cooking gas are not included in the rent for faculty and postdoc apartments.

Residents must make arrangements with Con Edison for service prior to moving in. Questions concerning the gas and electric bill should be addressed to Con Edison. If residents experience problems or delays in getting gas and electric service turned on, please contact us.

In general average electricity and gas bills in NYC may range between $100 - $300 fluctuating during the year based on usage. Residents may sometime find their bills are higher during the Summer and lower during the Winter.

Master Metered Buildings

In select buildings with master meters, gas and electricity charges are added to the monthly rent bill based on individual usage. Residents in these buildings do not need to open a separate account with Con Edison.

The following buildings are billed this way:

  • 600 West 125th Street
  • 455 Central Park West

Building owners are legally required to provide heat and hot water to residents:

  • Hot water must be available year-round at a constant minimum temperature of 120°F.
  • Heat must be provided from October 1 through May 31.

For more details, residents can review the Columbia Residential Heat & Hot Water Policy.

image of temperature requirement during winter months

Columbia Residential does not provide phone or cable TV services.

However, most apartments are wired for cable, and residents who wish to obtain these services must arrange them through an external provider (e.g. Spectrum, Verizon, etc.).

Internet service is not typically included in the rent for faculty and postdoc apartment. However, residents have options for obtaining service:

Columbia University Wired Internet Service (ApartmentNet)

Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT) provides ApartmentNet, a wired internet service available in over 100 Columbia Residential buildings equipped with Ethernet jacks in every apartment.

  • Residents in ApartmentNet-wired buildings must bring their own router to set up a personal Wi-Fi network.
  • For a list of wired buildings, visit the Morningside Heights Wired ApartmentNet Buildings page.
  • Apartments that include this option may have a monthly charge added to the monthly rent. Residents can view the service available in their building by logging into the Housing Portal to review the amenities link on the Assignment page.
Buildings Without Columbia-Provided Internet

Residents in buildings not equipped with Columbia-provided internet must arrange service through an external internet provider (e.g. Spectrum, Verizon, etc.). Phone and cable TV services are also available through these providers.