1. Pros And Cons Of Natural Gas Vs Electricity
Natural gas or electricity? A lot of people seem to have this dilemma when choosing the energy source for their households. Here are some pros and cons that can make this choice easier.
Gas is cheaper
Natural gas is a much cheaper source of energy than electricity. The price is its main advantage in this comparison. Lower price = lower utility bills.
However, the location of the company usually has an impact on the gas price.
Gas can be stored and transported easily
Another advantage of natural gas compared to electricity is that it can be transported and stored easily. This makes gas more affordable and a more practical solution for your home.
Electricity is safer
We all know that electricity has certain disadvantages regarding safety. If you don’t take care of the electric system in your house or you put some object into your sockets, it could cause some serious safety problems.
Yet, electricity can’t be poisonous. Natural gas can be both poisonous and explosive. This is why it should be stored and used carefully. Gas detectors can help to prevent some safety issues caused by gas leakages. Check with Atlanta Gas or your local provider if you ever smell gas. GA Power has teams of specialists that can respond immediately to potentially dangerous situations.
2. Find A Natural Gas Provider With These Tips
If you live in Georgia or another state with a deregulated natural gas market, you have the freedom to choose your supplier. With so many companies and options around it can be tricky to pick the right one for you. Maybe these tips could help you make the right choice.
Be familiar with your needs
One of the first things you need to know before you choose your provider is your average gas usage. To find out this check your old natural gas bills. If you’ve just moved to a new house, you can ask the previous owners to check this for you.
Knowing your average usage will help you compare the prices with the amount of gas you need. This is how you can estimate your approximate monthly payments.
Check plan type and rates
Let’s be honest, prices and rates are among everyone’s top priorities. You should know that there are two types of plans – fixed and variable. Before you opt for a certain company you should check the type of plans and rates they offer. Also, check if they will charge you for any additional fees, what affects possible price changes, etc.
Whether you are shopping for electricity or a natural gas provider in Georgia or elsewhere, it is important to know what to look for. Knowing all the important information and terminology helps you make an informed decision and find a natural gas provider with a competitive price.
Once you find the right provider it is also important that you learn ways to conserve energy so you can keep your Gas South bill low.
Company’s reputation and certification
As the natural gas market is deregulated in Georgia (and some other US states) there are plenty of companies offering their services. Having a lot of choices is a great thing, but you need to be careful.
It is a good idea to check consumers’ reviews to check the company’s reputation. Also, make sure the company is on the list of certified providers before signing any contracts.
3. Natural Gas Savings And Safety Tips
As you can see, natural gas is an effective and affordable energy source that helps you keep your energy bills low. Also, it is clean and pretty safe. Yet, there are some measures that can help increase your safety and savings.
If you smell rotten eggs – something is wrong!
In its natural state gas doesn’t have a smell. Therefore, some chemicals are added to it to help natural gas consumers detect leaking. So, if you detect a smell similar to rotten eggs get out of your apartment and call 911.
Check up on your appliances regularly
Make sure you inspect and service your natural gas appliances regularly. It will help you find any possible problems and solve the problem on time.
If you maintain your appliances and change your old furnace on time you can improve your safety. But, you can also make your energy bills significantly lower.
Use a programmable thermostat
If you use natural gas for heating, a programmable thermostat is a great thing for you. These things help you save energy by lowering your heat energy when you are not at home. This can save you a good penny on your heating bills.
Final thoughts
Hopefully, these tips made your choice of natural gas provider for your home easier.