Can I Cancel Gas Service in Summer and Save?
Some people use zero natural gas in Georgia during summer. But they still have to pay a gas bill each month! This is because summer AGL charges far exceed your natural gas provider charges. We can understand that people could feel frustrated paying for a service they aren’t even using. In fact, some customers cancel their gas service for the summer. But does it save you money? Let’s weigh your options and find out if you should cancel natural gas service in summer and sign up again in winter.
How to Cancel Natural Gas Service
Before you disconnect your gas service, you need to figure out three things. Firstly, who is your natural gas supplier? This is the company you pay for natural gas each month. Secondly, figure out if you have early termination fee (ETF) with your plan. Some ETFs are well over $100 and that would cut into any seasonal cancellation savings you might otherwise have. Thirdly, decide what date you want your gas service shut off.
Once you have those three things in line, call your supplier customer service number and tell them you want to stop service. Make sure you call at least two weeks before the day you want to stop service.
What Are Seasonal Reconnection Fees?
Cancelling your natural gas service for the summer comes with its own set of fees. So, let’s lay those costs out.
Firstly, each supplier has their own fees for seasonal reconnection:
- Gas South: $105
- Constellation: $50
- Georgia Natural Gas: $25
- Scana Energy: $75
Secondly, Atlanta Gas Light, your natural gas utility company, charges for seasonal reconnection, too. Reconnect between October 1st and April 30th and the fee is $45. Between May 1st and September 30th, the fee is $25. You’ll also have to pay the service establishment charge of $25.
So, at the high end, seasonal reconnection will cost you $175. At the low end, it will cost you $75. Keep in mind that these amounts don’t include any ETFs.
How Do the Fees Compare with Summer Bills?
According to data from the Georgia PSC the base charge on your summer bills is about $31-$35 per month. The exact numbers from 2023 and 2024 add up to $163.76. This is an estimated total base charge for summer bills for the average customer.
If your reconnection fees are minimal, disconnecting your gas service can save you about $89. Over the five summer months, that comes out to less than $18 per month in savings. So, if you are in a situation where you are hanging on tight to every last penny, seasonal reconnection may save you a few. But you have to get the timing right and make sure you don’t have an ETF! Again, ETFs can add $100 or more to the cost. As a result, for many customers, seasonal reconnection probably isn’t worth the effort.
Instead, you could get natural gas savings a much simpler way! Just compare natural gas rates and find a cheap plan. It’s easy to compare rates and save when you visit us today at https://www.georgiagassavings.com.