Should I Get a Fixed Or Variable Rate Atlanta Gas Plan This Winter?
Posted onCozy Up to Cheap Variable Rate Gas Plan This Winter?
Holiday shopping is high on many to-do lists this month. But if you want to lower monthly expenses, shopping for a natural gas plan is the way to go! In Atlanta, you have dozens of options for cheap gas. But you may notice the cheapest natural gas plans are all variable rates. So, is it better to get a fixed or variable rate Atlanta gas plan this winter? Let’s find out!
Cheap Variable Rate Gas Plans
Three variable rate gas plans have crazy-low rates this month. But keep in mind that these are introductory rates that only last a month or two. After that, the rates jump up to the standard variable rate from that provider.
Firstly we have the Scana Energy Introductory Variable Rate plan at $0.299 per therm. This low rate lasts one month before going up to the provider’s standard variable rate, currently at $1.899, according to the GA PSC. The monthly charge is $5.95 and you get a $5 bill credit on your first 20 bills.
Following up is the Georgia Natural Gas® Market Intro plan at $0.349 per therm. This low rate lasts two months with a $0 customer service charge for that period. Additionally, you can get up to $200 in contract exit fees covered. The current standard variable rate for the provider is $2.059 and the customer service charge is $3.99-$6.99, according to the GA PSC.
Finally, it’s the Gas South Acquisition Variable plan at $.390 per therm. The rate lasts one month before going up to the standard variable rate for the provider, currently $1.890, according to the GA PSC. There is no deposit and you get $20 in bill credits. The monthly charge is $6.95-$9.95.
Best Fixed Rate Gas Plans
Now for the cheapest fixed rate plans!
Firstly, it’s the Scana Energy 12 Month plan at $0.459 per therm. For a quick comparison, this rate is 54% higher than the cheapest intro variable rate. However, the rate is less than 25% of the standard variable rate for the cheapest variable plan. There is a $6.95 monthly charge and $150 ETF with this plan.
We also have the Georgia Natural Gas® 12 Month Fixed at $0.459 per therm. This rate is a $0.20 discounted rate for new customers only. The plan has a $5.99-$8.99 monthly charge. It also has a sliding scale ETF: $100 in the first six months and $50 in the last six months.
Which Way to Go?
Let’s compare potential savings with the Scana Energy Introductory Variable Rate plan and their 12 Month plan.
For the first month, the variable rate will cost you $10.55 (including bill credit), and the fixed rate will cost you $23.87 just for the gas you use. That’s a difference of $13.32. For the second month, the variable rate will cost you $93.75 (including bill credit), and the fixed rate will cost $23.87 just for the gas you use. That’s a difference of $69.87.
In other words, the variable rate plans cost a ton of extra cash if you keep them longer than the intro period. Because fixed rate plans could go up next month with the start of winter, the savings from the intro variable rates may not be worth it.
I recommend a fixed rate plan. Otherwise, you roll the dice on prices for December and that you will make the switch in time to avoid paying for a month of a provider’s standard variable rate. However, either way you go, shopping and saving with Georgia Gas Savings is the way to do it. Visit us today at https://www.georgiagassavings.com.