Finding A Natural Gas Provider

    No matter which company you use, there will be fees that you will pay that come under the general heading of "base charges". The base charges should be identical or nearly so from each company. Some bundle them all together or split them out into a bunch of confusing things.  
         
        Your base charge will vary from that of your neighbors or friends as it is set by your individual demand for gas over a year's period. The more gas you use, the more you pay for the base charge.  
         
        The companies DO NOT compete on price on base charge. Remember, it should be about the same with all companies.  
         
        The big price choice you make is for the gas itself. Gas is measured by something known as therms. Companies will quote you so many "cents per therm" or a "commodity price" just like a gas station quotes so many cents per gallon when you fill up your car.  
         
        There are three pricing formulas in the market right now. You first need to decide which you like best:  
         
       

·  1. The price per therm floats with a different price each month.  
       

·  2. The price per therm is fixed with the same price each month for a year or more. In this example, the company is taking the risk that the price of gas rises over time, but they are stuck providing it to you at the guaranteed price. Also, you get stuck paying too much if the price drops below the fixed level.  
       

·  3. You pay a set total bill per month for a year or more regardless of how much gas you use. This is different than budget billing where your bill is adjusted based on your actual use each year. In this case, your price is guaranteed even if you use alot more gas than expected. Also, you end up paying more than necessary if you use alot less than expected.  
         
        Once you decide which of the three methods of pricing you want to shoot for, you are ready to shop.  
         
        Let's say you decide you want a fixed cost per therm for a year. You would call the marketers and ask what their guaranteed rate is. As long as there is no "gotcha" like in the next paragraph, the company that offers the lowest fixed price per therm will be your cheapest company.  
         
        As you get quotes, ask if there is a separate "pipeline" charge. If so, you thank them very much and hang up. Residential customers will usually pay a much higher total bill per month if the marketer charges a pipeline fee.  
         

Here's the most current list of surviving natural gas marketers to choose from:  
                 
  • ACN Energy - 1-877-226-5389  
           
  • Energy America - 1-888-305-3828  
           
  • GasKey - 1-877-427-7539  
           
  • Georgia Natural Gas Services - 1-888-878-3258  
           
  • Infinite Energy - (770) 379-9963 or 1-877-342-5434  
           
  • Southern Company - (866) SOCOGAS (1-866-762-6427)  
     
  • SCANA Energy - 1-877-467-2262  
           
  • Shell Energy Service - 1-877-677-4355
   
  • Walton EMC - Monroe Office: 770/267-2505  
  Snellville Office: 770/972-2917  
  Watkinsville Office: 706/769-5622