Natural gas utilities blanket most of Georgia, providing much of the energy used in industrial thermal applications throughout the state. More than 80 municipal gas systems also provide competitively priced natural gas to residential, commercial and agricultural customers. Natural gas prices are largely driven by market conditions and the demand for the commodity. Prices for residential and commercial ga natural gas vary across the state depending on several factors including weather, regional supply and demand, and pipeline capacity.
The state of Georgia has been partially deregulated since 1998. Partial deregulation allows consumers to choose a certified natural gas marketer to supply the gas that goes through their meters. Upon choosing a natural gas marketer, the utility (AGLC) continues to bill for delivery and respond to any customer service issues, and the customer’s new supplier will appear on the monthly bill as a line item.
Consumers can use the Choose Energy marketplace to browse available plans and providers in their area. The site makes it easy to find a great plan, whether switching from another provider or starting fresh with a new home or business. The marketplace is free to use and provides many options for consumers, such as filtering by contract length or price point. Customers can also easily compare plans to make sure they’re getting the best offer.
With the option to select their own natural gas provider, gng georgia gas consumers can save money on their bills by selecting a plan that is right for them. The average Georgia family uses 717 therms per year, and the price of those therms can be affected by several factors. For instance, cold weather can increase prices due to more demand for heating. Likewise, hot summer weather can drive up electricity consumption in order to run air conditioning units, which also increases gas usage.
In addition to comparing the plans offered by different natural gas companies, customers can check the PSC’s Marketer Scorecard to see how each provider handles customer complaints and inquiries. The site also shows each marketer’s average price per therm and various methods of rate regulation. The PSC’s website also has other helpful information about the natural gas market in Georgia, including legislation, orders and reports.
Once a consumer has selected their plan, they can easily sign up online or over the phone and set up a new service date. Depending on the date of their request, the switch will take effect within one to two billing cycles. The new supplier will take over billing for the account and manage the setup process. This way, there are no interruptions in service while the change is made. The customer can then begin to enjoy the lower rates and other benefits of their chosen natural gas company.