If you’re a natural gas customer in Pennsylvania, you’ve probably heard of PA gas choice. This is a result of deregulation in the energy industry which allows customers to choose their own gas supplier. However, if you’re confused about how this works, you’re not alone. The process of shopping for a new provider can be confusing and there’s a lot of information about price, supply and delivery that can be difficult to understand. Let’s break it down for you.
When you’re looking for a gas supplier, you’ll find that they offer different pricing plans to attract customers. These plans include things like fixed rates, discounts for senior citizens and prepaid options. When choosing a plan, it’s important to consider the price per therm (Cost Per GigaJoule) and the estimated costs on your monthly bill to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Also, keep in mind that a company’s rate can change at any time, so it’s always a good idea to shop around and compare prices before making a decision.
To help you shop for a new gas supplier, the state has created PA Gas Switch, an online marketplace that offers competitive natural gas offers from suppliers. This website is available for both residential and commercial customers, but you must be a current PUC-approved gas or electric customer to use it. The site makes it easy for you to compare natural gas offers by entering your ZIP code and other information about your home. Once you’ve found the right offer, you can make your switch in minutes.
Regardless of whether you choose a gas supplier or stick with your utility, the distributor will continue to deliver your gas and maintain the pipelines. The distribution company will still send you a bill that includes a purchase charge for the gas, plus a fee for providing service to you, including customer support and billing functions.
If you choose to switch, your new supplier will handle the billing and the delivery of the gas to your home or business. The distribution company will continue to check for leaks, maintain the infrastructure and handle emergency situations. The natural gas will come from the supplier, which is a separate company that contracts with the gas producers to buy the gas and sell it to you through your distributor.
While it’s important to shop for the natural gas rates, be aware that many energy providers have hidden fees and escalating prices. You can avoid these issues by using a comparison tool, such as Arbor’s TrueRate Protection. This service automatically finds the lowest pa electricity pa rates and switches you to it when your term is up. You’ll never have to worry about paying overpriced energy again. Enter your ZIP code and start shopping now. You can save up to 50% on your power and gas bills!