Has everyone's gas bill gone up, and why?

[babylonsister]

This month mine is around $50 more than usual. Is this an error or is everyone experiencing this? And why? I'm about to call them; we changed all of our appliances to gas so we wouldn't have to deal with such huge electric bills (with A/C, we still do, but we do what we can), and now this.

Thanks for any insight.

[Baby Snooks]

1. Natural gas has gone up along with oil.

The price for natural gas has doubled in the past year and most of the increase has occured in the past several months and so of course your gas bill has gone up along with your electric bill.

So much for deregulation. And be sure to thank the Democrats who voted for it as well.

Your gas bill will come down as the price of natural gas goes down but your electric bill may not. If you negotiated a contract within the past two months, most who did are paying 14-16 cents a kilowatt hour, you are stuck with the rate for the duration of the contract unless you switch providers and while some providers will allow you to switch without any problem you may have to pay another deposit to do so if there is an early termination fee with your current provider.

[momrois]

2. Should come down but don't count on it

According to an article in the Houston Chronicle this AM, gas prices have taken a tumble so electricity prices should fall soon. But, it's anyone's guess how much and if.

Myself, I locked in on 100 percent wind at 15.5/kwh a couple of months ago before the rate skyrocketed. Now, if the bottom falls out, I guess I'm screwed, but right now I'm doing OK.

If you read the article, the comments are the best part. Seems Austin and San Antonio are still really cheap due not not deregulating. Another example of wonder Republican leadership and the "free market."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5904589.html

[babylonsister]

3. Thanks for the link: so, there's been a steep drop in the price of

natural gas, and my bill goes up? I'm suspicious only because Centerpoint has overcharged me in the past. I think I will be calling.

'The lower rates followed a steep drop in the price of natural gas — a key power plant fuel that essentially sets the price of power in Texas — which has plummeted nearly 28 percent this month.'

As for electric, I also locked in when I went from Gexa back to Reliant, at .139, two months ago.

[Baby Snooks]

4. Previous month's price determines current month's rate...

I forget the actual method they use but basically the price of natural gas in June determines the rate providers charge in July. So the rates for August will be lower for gas and lower for electricity if you're on a 30 day variable rate plan. Variable rate plans are good for winter, not so good for summer. Summer is just a bummer any way look at it.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

5. We budget bill

to spread the cost out over the year, so no humongous bills in Jan or Feb when the heater is running non-stop. I did notice that the bill before last was about $30 more than expected but the last bill down to normal. We're about caught up and will start running a credit against next winter. I am NOT looking forward to this winter.