Gas rates

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Thanks scrook.

JoeV_2

Gas rate query

Down here in NC it has been brought to light that low natural gas consumers (households that consume less than 1 therm per month during June, Jul, and August) are charged a seasonal rate that's 25% higher than the standard rate.

PSNC Energy even goes so far as to recommend gas powered tiki torches, pool heaters and grills to exceed 1 therm per month. This flies into the face of conservation.

Is this done in other parts of the country?

Murph'_5

interesting!

given the time of year it would be fair to charge a little more for the cost to service the account. but we are talking utility company here and they are not in the buisiness of being fair, only profitable. Every time the energy companies lobby for laws to be changed the windfall is tremendous even if it kills a few people along the way....Happened here in Pa, just two short years ago!!

Fees, taxes, late charges, deposit requirements all drive up the profits for investors. I was always fond of the bills that were dropped on the tenth, due on the 25th, and a late charge imposed on services that needed paid in advanced.

Starting to rant... I am a former Nat gas customer so I have no bills to decipher, wish I had more info for you!!


Murph'

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Frenchie

Happy Days

Last Feb. I ripped out my nat gas boiler. I was on the phone for over an hour pushing buttons and holding to get to talk to someone at the utility. Now I call for oil and get a live person on the first ring!! Sooooo much nicer to do business this way!!!!!

Unknown

Joe V,

I`m a little lost on the "therm" terminology here, up here it`s sold to us in Cu.ft or Cu. meters. Just got my bill yesterday and its 22.51c per Cu.M.- 1Cu.M.=35.31 Cu.ft.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

> I`m a little lost on the "therm" terminology

> here, up here it`s sold to us in Cu.ft or Cu.

> meters. Just got my bill yesterday and its 22.51c

> per Cu.M.- 1Cu.M.=35.31 Cu.ft.



A therm is 100 cubic feet.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

A therm is 100 cubic feet and approximately 100,000 btu.

Unknown

Thanks Mike,,,,,

Then 1 "therm" must be equal to about 1 of our cubic meters, or very close, right?

Xc8p2dC_2

I would say,

Not unusual for pricing that way.. In the summer we were using 12-20 CCF and paying around $1.75 per... last month used 60 CCF and now paying around $1.51 per.. [this is the total cost with delivery and supply charges]and there was no great supply charge reduction from the utility

S Ebels

$1.75!!!!!!!

Where are you located? Here in Northern Lower Michigan I'm paying $.86 including all delivery and surcharge fees.

JoeV_2

It seems they're gonna get you one way or the other. Burn 25% more gas or pay 25% more...If it's not illegal, it sure sounds unethical. Since it's coming out of my pocket, it feels unethical.

Xc8p2dC_2

Lucky you

In Mass. Keyspan Utlity. last winter after Katrina was mostly hit around $1.98+ per CCF. I wonder if it's a supply and demand cost ratio, being in MI, you probably almost always draw more fuel? or maybe just bad regulation. Our avg winter temps [Nov- March] is around 35 degF

Leo

Keyspan

Keyspan has to have higher rates. How do you think the "Freee Boiler" to switch from oil program is paid for? There have been times after hook up and installation fees that free boiler is more than a replacement oil system would have cost.

Leo

scrook_2

Gas rates Therm vs CCF

> is 100 cubic feet and approximately 100,000 btu <

That should read: "a Therm is 100,000 BTU, and approximately 100 cubic feet" 100,000 BTU can vary from about 98 to 104 cu ft, the energy content is measured during the billing period (month usually) and the measured cu ft are converted to Therms. for rough purposes assume 1 Therm is equiv to 100 cu ft.

scrook_2

NE pipeline

Don't think it helps price that NE is at the end of the gas pipeline and also dependant on LNG tanker deliveries in winter to augment the supply. Makes oil more attractive here than it is farther south/west relative to NG.

scrook_2

NE pipeline

Don't think it helps price that NE is at the end of the gas pipeline and also dependant on LNG tanker deliveries in winter to augment the supply. Makes oil more attractive here than it is farther south/west relative to NG.

Rich W

Mich gas

Michigan is full of gas storage fields (old gas wells). The gas co. buys cheap gas in the summer and stores it for winter. Atleast our MI economy has that going for it. Yes,it is a supply and demand issue. I used to know some people up-north who lived above a storage field. They got free gas from the gas co. That program stopped years ago.

I stopped to purchase 6 zone valves on Friday. They wanted more than our normal SELLING price.It was worth driving 2 more miles to save $200. Supply and demand...our supplier buys more zone valves and gets a better price.

Leo_6

Last spring I too ripped out my gas boiler. I installed a coal boiler. I had 6 tons dropped in my basement window. The boiler is self-feeding, hooked up to the thermostat, and does the hot water. All I do is throw out the ashes. My wife had twin boys last Feb, so this winter I'm heating my house full time. I'm saving a ton of money!