What to Expect from Your Natural Gas Bill

Moving to a new home that uses natural gas for the first time? While part of your bill is from how much natural gas you’re burning, there are additional factors at play.

Price-per-therm: A “therm” is simply the unit for measuring natural gas consumption. What are you paying per therm? If it’s more than these rates, we have some good news for you.

 

Rate plan: Most Georgia natural gas marketers offer two options for rate plans: either “variable” or “fixed.” Depending on your needs, you may find you can start saving right away by switching to a new plan. Not sure which one is for you? Take our quiz.

 

Late fees: While the Georgia Public Service Commission enforces limits on late fees, unpaid and overdue balance fees can add up over time.

 

Usage: The more natural gas you burn, the higher your bill will be. Start saving right away by cutting down your natural gas usage.

 

Billing options: The best way to avoid being surprised by a high natural gas bill is to enroll in a “budget billing” program. With budget billing, your natural gas costs stay the same each month for a year.

 

Five things to look for on your natural gas bill

1. Fixed Charges

There are certain charges that remain constant from month-to-month – like the Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) Pass-Through Charge, which includes services for maintaining pipelines, delivering gas to your home, and reading meters.

2. Usage 

This is the obvious one. The more natural gas you burn, the higher your bill will be, regardless of other factors. We have plenty of resources to help you manage your usage and save on natural gas, from winterizing your home to adjusting your natural gas water heater settings. Try these tips to start saving right away.

3. Price-per-therm 

A “therm” is simply the unit of measure for natural gas consumption (and you can learn more about them in our handy FAQs). Georgia natural gas prices are typically quoted in cents per therm.

4. Late fees

 While there are limits to late fees, these can certainly add up over time. The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) states that a late fee “shall not exceed $10 or 1.5% of the past due balance, whichever is greater.” The PSC also restricts natural gas marketers from applying any late fee to bills less than $30. But, depending on how much of an unpaid gas bill payment or overdue balance you’re carrying, these can significantly impact your bill.

5. Billing Options 

The best way to avoid being surprised by a high natural gas bill is to enroll in a “budget billing” program. With budget billing, your natural gas costs stay the same each month for a year. If you’re eligible, your provider will average your 12 previous monthly bills and estimate the costs of energy for the next 12 months, then divide your predicted energy use into equal monthly payments. Instead of big natural gas bills in the winter, you can spread those expenses across the whole year and be much friendlier to your budget.

Lower your gas bill today with SCANA Energy

If you’re a SCANA Energy customer, learn more about enrolling in our budget billing program. If you’re not a SCANA Energy customer, we’d love to serve you.

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