National Grid Customer Service — Rhode Island (RI)

Overview and who to contact

National Grid is the investor-owned utility that delivers electricity and natural gas service to many Rhode Island homes and businesses. If you are a customer in RI you should first confirm whether National Grid is your utility (distribution company) — National Grid handles metering, billing and outages in its service territory, while suppliers may sell the commodity. Regulatory oversight and customer protections in Rhode Island are administered by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC).

For authoritative account management, outage reporting and billing questions, use National Grid’s official US website (https://www.nationalgridus.com) and the Rhode Island residential page (search “National Grid Rhode Island” from that site). If you ever need a regulator or advocate, contact the RIPUC (http://www.ripuc.ri.gov) for formal complaints, tariff details and commission orders. Always keep your most recent bill available when you call so customer service can reference account numbers and meter IDs.

Primary contact methods and practical steps

National Grid supports phone, secure online account management and a mobile app for billing, usage graphs, paperless billing and outage alerts. For fastest resolution of an outage or safety issue, call the number printed on your bill or use the outage-reporting tool on the National Grid website. Use secure login to enroll in e‑billing, view your bill history (12–24 months), and set up automatic payments or budget billing.

• What to have ready when you call: account number (from your bill), service address, meter number, last meter read and preferred contact method. This reduces average handle time and avoids multiple callbacks.
• Online resources: sign up for text/email outage alerts, review hourly usage (if AMI/smart meter is installed), and request payment plans without visiting an office. National Grid’s RI page includes links to start/stop service, move service and view rates.

Billing, payments, deposits and timelines

National Grid RI bills typically include separate line items for distribution (delivery) and supply (commodity) when your energy comes from a competitive supplier. Expect monthly or bi-monthly cycles depending on meter type; the billing cycle length is shown on your bill. If you enroll in budget billing, the company averages 12 months of seasonal usage to produce a fixed monthly payment — useful to avoid winter spikes. Budget billing plans usually require 12 months of account history or a minimum enrollment period.

If you are a new customer or have poor credit, Rhode Island rules commonly allow a security deposit up to the equivalent of two times an average monthly bill, or an alternative such as a letter of credit or co-signer. Payment arrangements are negotiable: short-term plans (30–90 days) and longer-term deferred payment agreements are standard. If a bill is disputed, National Grid must investigate while you retain access to essential service provided you make any undisputed portion of the bill and follow the company’s dispute process.

Assistance programs, protections and filing complaints

Rhode Island residents who struggle with energy bills should review these programs: LIHEAP (federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), state-level crisis assistance, and National Grid’s own hardship programs and weatherization referrals. Eligibility thresholds and funding availability change year to year; LIHEAP typically opens in the fall/winter months and is administered locally through community action agencies — apply early. National Grid also offers medical certificate protections and priority restoration for customers with certified life-support equipment when properly registered.

If you cannot resolve a service or billing dispute with National Grid, escalate to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. RIPUC accepts formal complaints and can require a company response; typical resolution timelines vary but the commission posts dispositions and order numbers on its website. Keep copies of bills, communications and any payment receipts — these accelerate adjudication.

Outages, safety and when to call emergency services

Report downed lines, gas leaks or suspected carbon monoxide immediately: call 911 if there is immediate danger, then notify National Grid via its emergency/outage reporting channels. For non-emergency outages, use the online outage map and restoration estimates; the map shows crew assignments and estimated time of restoration where available. When reporting, provide the precise location, nearest cross-streets, pole numbers (if visible) and any smell of gas or unusual sounds — these details drive prioritization.

National Grid performs work with safety clearances and follows RIPUC-approved restoration priorities: hospitals and critical infrastructure, major feeders and then localized residential service. If you rely on electrically powered medical equipment, register that on your account per National Grid’s medical certification process so you receive priority notifications during outages and assistance with transfer to backup power when feasible.

Starting, stopping or moving service; meters and new connections

To start new service, National Grid requires identity verification, proof of tenancy or ownership, and potentially a service application fee. Typical turnaround for a same-meter reconnection is 1–3 business days; new service requiring construction (new pole, new line, or a new meter base) can take weeks and will include a cost estimate. For customers adding a service upgrade (e.g., moving from single to three-phase), National Grid provides a written estimate and an engineering timeline.

Smart meters (AMI) are installed in many parts of National Grid’s territory; they allow remote reads, outage detection and more granular usage data. If you require manual reads or have metering concerns, request a meter test — utilities often bill a test fee which is refunded if the meter is outside allowable accuracy limits. For meter tampering or safety inspections, expect prompt investigation and potential service interruption until the issue is resolved.

Key practical contacts & resources

Start with National Grid’s US site: https://www.nationalgridus.com and navigate to the Rhode Island residential pages for up-to-date phone numbers, online account login and outage tools. For regulatory issues or formal complaints in Rhode Island see RIPUC at http://www.ripuc.ri.gov. Keep your account number and last bill when contacting customer service to ensure the quickest, most accurate response.

What number is 800 6424272?

Contact Information:
Upstate New York – 1-800-642-4272. Metro New York ? 1-718-643-4050.

What number is 800 322 3223?

National Grid’s Outage Central (found at https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA- Home/Storms-Outages/Outage-Central ) provides customers with multiple ways to receive restoration updates, safety tips, important phone numbers, and more.

How do I contact National Grid customer service?

For National Grid Customers
National Grid customers with questions about their accounts, energy efficiency programs or bill affordability concerns visit our website or contact our customer service team at 800-642-4272.

How do I contact help grid customer service?

If you’re experiencing any issues with your order or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly customer support team. Give us a call at (+1) 302-200-4456. We are open Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm EST.

Is the National Grid open on 24/7?

National Grid US (@nationalgridus) / X. Our team is available Mon—Fri., 9–6 EST. If you suspect a gas leak or have an electric emergency contact us 24/7 at ngrid.com/contactus or 911.

What is the 800 number for Rhode Island Energy?

If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, call 800-640-1595 (available 24/7) or 911. If you need to report an electric outage, call 855-743-1101 (available 24/7), text OUTAGE to 743674 (RIEMSG), or report the outage online.