Frequently Asked Questions

Following are the answers to some questions that are asked quite often.

Do you pick up old appliances?: The Appliance Pick-Up Program picks up working refrigerators and freezers that are standard sizes for Wisconsin Public Service electric customers in Wisconsin. Please call 866-706-3995 to schedule a pick-up appointment or for more information. There is a reward of $20 for the first appliance and $10 for each thereafter with a limit of 3 total.

Do you offer any rebates?: No, but you might qualify for Cash-Back Rewards from Wisconsin Focus on Energy.

What is the cost for new gas and electric service installation?: The cost for new service varies depending on a number of factors. Some factors include the distance from our distribution natural gas pipes or electric lines, and customer preferences for underground or overhead service and meter location. Generally, we send a Designer to the proposed site to determine an accurate cost projection.

What equipment does Wisconsin Public Service fix and what am I responsible for?: In general, Public Service is responsible for maintaining its equipment while customers are responsible for maintaining their equipment. For example, the electric meter base that was installed by the initial homeowner or contractor is the customer's property. Similarly, any conduit to house electrical wires to the meter is customer owned and maintained. Public Service, on the other hand, owns the gas or electric meter and is responsible for its repair.

Public Service electrical employees are trained to maintain our equipment (meters, wires, poles, etc.) but are not qualified to make repairs to customers' equipment or appliances. Any wiring improvements, appliance repairs, etc., should be done by a qualified electrician.

Wisconsin Public Service no longer services or repairs gas heating equipment or appliances. You can call your local heating contractor or look in the yellow pages under "heating contractor" to find someone to help you. If you do smell natural gas, please call our gas emergency number at 800-450-7280.

How are trees pruned?: Our tree trimming contractors use natural pruning methods. This means they maintain the health of the tree as much as possible. Natural pruning, besides being better for the tree, also reduces re-sprouting in problem areas and limits the length of sprouts that do grow.

Public Service does not allow our contractors to use "round over" trimming, which causes a tree to grow in an unnatural way and wounds the tree severely. Sometimes, if a tree has caused repeated safety problems or power outages, we need to remove it completely.

Wisconsin Public Service