We offer many programs to help you get you back on track. Deferred Payment Agreements help customers catch up by paying a past-due account balance in monthly installments while also committing to pay current and future bills in full and on time. 

Visit our Assistance Programs page for details and application information regarding a variety of other payment assistance programs.   

Natural gas is colorless and odorless, so an odorant called mercaptan, which has a rotten egg smell, is added for easier detection in the event of a gas leak.

If you suspect a natural gas leak, STOP. GO. LET US KNOW.

• STOP what you are doing. Do not light or use a match. Don’t turn lights on or off or use a flashlight, cell phone or telephone. Don’t turn on any other appliance or electric/electronic device and please do not flush or run water.
• GO outside immediately and
• LET US KNOW by calling the gas odor hotline at 800-942-8274. Or, call 9-1-1. A representative will come to your location and check for potential leaks or faulty appliances.
  This 800 number can only be used to report gas leaks.

In order to provide a reliable outage restoration estimate on our Outage Map, a Central Hudson repair crew is often required to first conduct an on-site assessment of the damage. As soon as a restoration estimate can be determined, that information is available on our Outage Map and sent to customers enrolled in our Text Message Alerts service.

If an estimate is not available on the Outage Map, we will not be able to provide an estimate by phone, social media, or through other communications channels either. During major storms and widespread outages, the process of providing restoration estimates may be considerably delayed because there are many more sources of damage to assess and work to coordinate between tree and electric line crews. We understand the importance of providing you with accurate restoration estimates and always work to provide those times as quickly as possible.

While Central Hudson and collection agencies hired by Central Hudson do sometimes contact customers about overdue accounts, neither Central Hudson nor any collection agency we do business with would ever require payment with a store-bought debit card. If that is how you were directed to make payment, it is likely an attempted scam. Sophisticated scammers may even be able to mask their caller ID so that the call appears to be coming from Central Hudson.

If you are unsure about the validity of any call claiming to represent Central Hudson, hang up and call us immediately at 845-452-2700. There have been many reports from Central Hudson customers and from utility customers throughout the country of this and other billing and payment scams being perpetrated. 

Visit our Scam Central page for additional examples of common scams. 

To Start service: Click here

To Transfer service: Click here

To Stop service: Click here

If you are a contractor, builder or property owner seeking to relocate a service line or to install a new electric or gas service line connection where service is not already installed, such as in the case of new construction, click here.

We offer many programs to help you get you back on track. Deferred Payment Agreements help customers catch up by paying a past-due account balance in monthly installments while also committing to pay current and future bills in full and on time. 

Visit our Assistance Programs page for details and application information regarding a variety of other payment assistance programs.   

Most residential accounts are billed on a monthly schedule. Meters can be read every other month (between bills based on actual readings, a bill based on estimated usage is issued). Estimated usage bills were included to reduce cost impacts to customers when Central Hudson switched from a bi-monthly to monthly billing cycle in 2016. In September 2023, Central Hudson began transitioning residential accounts to monthly meter readings. 

Estimates are based on past usage at your property. Estimated usage that is too high or too low is automatically corrected for during the next bill based on an actual reading. So you ultimately only pay for the energy you actually use. If an estimate is higher than your actual usage, the correction automatically occurs with your next bill based on an actual reading.

Customers who prefer to not receive bills based on estimated usage can submit a meter reading within a two-day window prior to that estimated bill being generated. 

Commercial accounts customers may be on a bimonthly or monthly schedule, depending on overall electric use.

Customers who opt for Time-of-Use Billing are charged lower prices for electricity used during periods of low overall electric demand (off-peak hours) and higher prices during periods of higher electric demand (on-peak hours). By shifting the consumption of electricity to periods of lower demand, these customers can take advantage of lower-cost energy. Be aware that if you sign up for Time-of-Use Billing and do not sufficiently shift your usage to off-peak hours, it will result in a higher cost of energy that you would experience as a non-Time-of-Use customer.

Visit our Time-of-Use Billing page for more information and to enroll

There are two key factors that tend to drive energy bill fluctuations: 1) How much energy you use; and 2) The market supply price of energy for that period. Consider these factors first when assessing the accuracy of your bill.

Seasonal Usage Impacts

Be aware that your usage can fluctuate significantly from season to season. Many homes have far greater energy demand in the winter and summer months. Heating systems, air conditioning and pool equipment are common drivers of substantial seasonal energy demand fluctuations. Heating and cooling typically accounts for about half of a home's total energy usage, so if you rely on natural gas or electric heat or central air conditioning, you can expect to see significant usage increases and therefore cost impacts on the bills for those months. 

Tip: Review your usage history graph here or on your billing statement to gage your seasonal usage habits. Compare your most recent months with the same period from the previous year.

Market Supply Cost Fluctuations

Energy market supply prices are variable. Supply costs are collected by Central Hudson and used to purchase your electricity and/or natural gas from power plant operators and natural gas supply providers. Central Hudson does not mark up or profit from these supply costs. Energy market pricing continuously varies and is influenced by seasonal, regional, domestic and international factors. Supply prices tend to be highest during winter and summer seasons when energy demands are greatest.

Tip: Compare the rates and costs in the "Energy Supply Charges" section of your bill in question with other bills to determine if energy market pricing volatility is the source of unexpected billing variation.

Helpful Resources

• Your Energy Usage History page
• Your Bill Explained
• Electric & Natural Gas Supply Rates
• Energy Supply Price Volatility explained
• Save Energy & Money
• Enroll in Budget Billing for a consistent amount due

If you still suspect your bill is inaccurate, please Contact Us and a customer service representative will review your account.

Budget Billing provides cost consistency and helps avoid unexpected fluctuations in month-to-month bill amounts due. As a Budget Billing customer, your payments will be uniform for 11 months of the year at a price based on your actual cost and usage history. The bill for the 12th month, referred to as your "adjustment month," will include an annual plus-or-minus adjustment to reflect the actual costs you incurred throughout the year. The adjustment month bill in the 12th month of the plan could be for an amount greater or lesser than the fixed amount due on your previous 11 bills. 

Click here to sign up for Budget Billing. You will be provided a monthly Budget Billing plan amount that you can choose to accept or reject before completing enrollment.

Note: Budget Billing plans are assessed and may be automatically adjusted up or down every six months. This is done in an effort to keep your monthly amount due in better alignment with your actual costs.

Most residential accounts are billed on a monthly schedule. Meters can be read every other month (between bills based on actual readings, a bill based on estimated usage is issued). Estimated usage bills were included to reduce cost impacts to customers when Central Hudson switched from a bi-monthly to monthly billing cycle in 2016. In September 2023, Central Hudson began transitioning residential accounts to monthly meter readings. 

Estimated usage is based on past usage at your property and other factors, such as weather impacts. If your estimated usage is too high or too low, your next bill based on an actual meter reading will automatically correct for that. Because of this automatic true up, you are only charged for the energy you actually used for the entire period between actual readings. 

If you feel your estimated usage is being calculated too high or too low, here are options to consider:

• Enroll in Budget Billing: Budget Billing spreads your energy bills evenly, making payment amounts predictable and uniform for 11 months. The 12^th "adjustment month" bill includes a plus-or-minus adjustment to reflect actual costs incurred throughout the year. Thus Budget Billing eliminates the temporary bill amount due impact of months where usage is estimated too high or too low. To enroll in Budget Billing, click here.
• Customers who prefer to not receive bills based on estimated usage can opt to submit a meter reading online within a two-day window prior to that estimated bill being generated. Click here for instructions on reading your meter and to access the meter reading form.

Customer Energy Choice provides you with opportunity to purchase energy supply from independent marketers rather than through their utility.

Previously, your electricity and natural gas had been supplied and delivered by Central Hudson at prices regulated by the New York State Public Service Commission. But in the competitive electric and natural gas markets, this has changed. In addition to Central Hudson, energy service companies can also supply your electricity and natural gas now at market-based prices, and you will be able to choose your energy supplier from among these companies. 

No matter which supplier you select, Central Hudson will continue to operate and maintain the delivery system that brings energy to your home or business. We'll still be there to answer your calls and respond when storms and other emergencies interrupt service. And, we'll still be here as a committed corporate citizen doing what we can to help the communities we have served for more than a century.

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) allows participating municipalities to procure energy supply service on behalf of eligible energy customers in their communities. Through this model, independent, third-party companies provide energy supply to every eligible home and business within a municipality or group of municipalities under one agreement. Central Hudson remains responsible for energy delivery and billing. Residents have the opportunity to opt out of the CCA and to receive their energy supply from Central Hudson or another supplier of their choice.

You can choose an electric or natural gas supplier by comparing offers with Central Hudson’s supply costs. The New York Power to Choose website lists available ESCO offerings and some rate information to help you compare. The  Energy Choice section of our website also provides information about these programs.

Central Hudson must receive notification from your selected provider that you have elected to participate in Customer Energy Choice. For electric customers, Central Hudson must be notified at least 5 business days prior to your start date. For gas customers, Central Hudson must be notified 10 business days prior to your start. We will send a confirming letter to you the next calendar day of receiving your enrollment. If you do not contact Central Hudson after receiving your confirmation letter, your account will be enrolled in Customer Energy Choice.

If you return to Central Hudson for full-service, you or your supplier should provide Central Hudson written or telephone authorization at least 5 business days for electric customers and 10 business days for gas customers. Upon receipt of this notice, we will send a confirming notice to you and your existing energy supplier.

There is no fee charged by Central Hudson any time you switch your account from our full-service to an alternate supplier, nor is there a fee charged for any voluntary switch back to Central Hudson. However, customers voluntarily returning to Central Hudson or switching to a different energy supplier may be subject to certain contractual restrictions with their current supplier.

For electric customers, any change in energy suppliers or return to Central Hudson for full-service will become effective with your next scheduled Central Hudson meter reading date. For gas customers, enrollment is effective on the first day of the applicable month if changing to an energy supplier and on the next meter read to return to full-service. For other alternatives, refer to the previous "Meter Reading" section, above.

Visit our Employment page to search available openings. All open positions will be posted on our website. If there are no available opportunities or you cannot find what you are looking for, you may also want to follow us on LinkedIn to see when new positions become available.

No. In order to be considered for employment, an electronic application must be completed for each position you are interested in. If you have a condition that hinders your ability to apply online, please click here.

Log in to your account and click on "Update My Information" to edit your name, address or phone number. To edit your email address, go to "Account Settings" and type in your new email address. This will update your email address on your active job applications and Workday account.

If you’re not sure if natural gas is available in your neighborhood, use our Natural Gas Finder tool. 

Fill out this form and a natural gas sercvice representative from Central Hudson will contact you to discuss your options. You may also call 800-527-7214 and set up an appointment for a free on-site estimate for the cost of switching your home to natural gas heat. You may also email us. Please provide your name, street address, phone number and (if available) your Central Hudson account number.

Electric vehicles offers numerous benefits for customers and communities including improved sustainability, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy efficiency, energy security and lower vehicle operating costs.

Visit the Electric Vehicles section of our website for information about the basics and topics such as purchase incentives, how to charge, transitioning a fleet to electric vehicles and more.

We offer a variety of Residential Incentives for HVAC equipment, water heaters, refrigerator recycling and more. 

We also offer assessments and tailored Business Incentives for commercial customers seeking to upgrade their facilities. 

Contact the installation contractor of your choice. Most installers offer you the opportunity to sign an agent authorization letter and will submit the interconnection application on your behalf. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) maintains a list of certified contractors and accredited companies which can be found here.

Certain interconnection guidelines must be met when installing and operating a solar generating system in parallel with the electric grid so that the system operates safely and properly. Technical requirements, applications and more are available in the Solar Energy & Distributed Generation section of our website. 

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers many incentives for the cost of grid-tied solar and wind generators, and lists qualified contractors. Please visit its website for more information.

This page offers answers to some specific questions on this topic.

Report your power outage and check for a restoration estimate here. Information about your outage, including restoration estimates, can also be found on our Outage Map. You can also report an outage through our Text Message Alert service, via our mobile app, or through our automated phone system by calling 845-452-2700.

Visit the Outages section of our website for more resources and tips.

In order to provide a reliable outage restoration estimate on our Outage Map, a Central Hudson repair crew is often required to first conduct an on-site assessment of the damage. As soon as a restoration estimate can be determined, that information is available on our Outage Map and sent to customers enrolled in our Text Message Alerts service.

If an estimate is not available on the Outage Map, we will not be able to provide an estimate by phone, social media, or through other communications channels either. During major storms and widespread outages, the process of providing restoration estimates may be considerably delayed because there are many more sources of damage to assess and work to coordinate between tree and electric line crews. We understand the importance of providing you with accurate restoration estimates and always work to provide those times as quickly as possible.

If you or someone who resides in your household needs electricity to operate a life-sustaining device you may call our office or download an application for the Life Support Equipment Program. Return your completed form (which requires your doctor’s certification) to Central Hudson; Attention Consumer Outreach, 284 South Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601.

This identification on your account will remain in effect as long as the device is required. We will mail an annual certification form to you to be completed and returned by your attending physician.  As an added service, we will place a special tag on your meter and code your account to identify that life support is in use.  The service is also available for any tenants who require life support equipment and receive electricity service through the landlord’s account.

Back-up generators require proper, professional installation. For safety, never plug a generator into any electric outlet in your home. A wrong connection could feed electricity back through the lines and endanger the lives of our repair crews. Check local ordinances to see if you need a special permit and inspection. For additional safety information, visit our Generator Safety page.

The property owner is responsible for clearing vegetation along the service line (the wire that connects to your home). For a fee, Central Hudson crews will disconnect and later reconnect service wires so that your contractor can safely trim or remove limbs or trees. To request more information or to request to schedule a temporary line disconnection, contact us or have your tree contractor make the arrangements.

Visit the Trees and Your Service section of our website to learn more.

During major storms, when tree branches fall or are cleared in order to restore electrical service, the property owner or town in which you reside is responsible for clearing the tree debris. If this is the case, contact your town's highway or public works department to inquire about removal services. During Central Hudson’s scheduled line clearance maintenance work on our existing off-road rights of way, debris from our line clearance activities is typically placed along the edge of the rights of way. Line Clearance work performed along roadways typically includes chipping the brush, but logs are left behind for the property owner to use or remove at their discretion. Central Hudson does not remove all types of trimmed vegetation.

Call us at 845-452-2700 to report trees or limbs that are in contact with primary electric wires (which are usually the top wires on utility poles located along streets and highways). Please note that Central Hudson is not responsible for trimming limbs near telephone and cable television wires (usually grouped near the bottom), or service wires that attach to individual homes.

Since storm-related damage to trees is the principal cause of power outages, Central Hudson regularly maintains clearance between the trees and distribution lines through a regularly scheduled program of inspection and line clearance. We routinely perform line clearance along the 7,300 miles of our electric distribution system approximately every four years, and we also have initiated a more focused program to remove limbs or trees where tree related damage could have the greatest impact on service. Line Clearance crews may stop by to discuss clearing and/or the removal of danger trees (those which are dead, dying or leaning sharply) that are located on or near customer property and which threaten power lines. Also, new laws require Central Hudson to clear our transmission lines to the full extent of our easements. These programs are important in improving electric reliability for everyone. 

Natural gas is colorless and odorless, so an odorant called mercaptan, which has a rotten egg smell, is added for easier detection in the event of a gas leak.

If you suspect a natural gas leak, STOP. GO. LET US KNOW.

• STOP what you are doing. Do not light or use a match. Don’t turn lights on or off or use a flashlight, cell phone or telephone. Don’t turn on any other appliance or electric/electronic device and please do not flush or run water.
• GO outside immediately and
• LET US KNOW by calling the gas odor hotline at 800-942-8274. Or, call 9-1-1. A representative will come to your location and check for potential leaks or faulty appliances.
  This 800 number can only be used to report gas leaks.

While Central Hudson and collection agencies hired by Central Hudson do sometimes contact customers about overdue accounts, neither Central Hudson nor any collection agency we do business with would ever require payment with a store-bought debit card. If that is how you were directed to make payment, it is likely an attempted scam. Sophisticated scammers may even be able to mask their caller ID so that the call appears to be coming from Central Hudson.

If you are unsure about the validity of any call claiming to represent Central Hudson, hang up and call us immediately at 845-452-2700. There have been many reports from Central Hudson customers and from utility customers throughout the country of this and other billing and payment scams being perpetrated. 

Visit our Scam Central page for additional examples of common scams. 

To Start service: Click here

To Transfer service: Click here

To Stop service: Click here

If you are a contractor, builder or property owner seeking to relocate a service line or to install a new electric or gas service line connection where service is not already installed, such as in the case of new construction, click here.

Do so online with our Report a Streetlight Out form.

Note that some streetlights, particularly those on metal poles, are maintained by the local municipality - Central Hudson will notify the proper agency if that is the case.