Natural Gas Connection Fee"s"

[myrdale]

My furnace runs on natural gas. Rather than just charge you for the gas you consume, there are multiple service fees and taxes on top of the actual consumption.

Several years ago, on into spring, I turned off pilot light and valved off the line coming into the house, and then gave a couple of months to confirm. Using 0.000 therms of gas, my bill would run about $40 a month from their monthly service fees and taxes alone.

Being that I do not need the gas in the summer, I simply call and have it disconnected around March, and then call to have it reconnected mid-October.

Each year, there is a one time $50 re-connection fee. I am OK with this as the gas company has to send a technician out to inspect the furnace, turn on the gas, and leak check the system. That is paid for the first month that I don't receive a bill.

On Friday, I received my first bill for this season. In addition to the $50 re-connection fee there was a second $45 "seasonal re-connection fee".

I pulled the folder out of storage with my previous years bills. It looks like about half the time I have been charged this second fee and the other half not.

I called Georgia Natural Gas up for a explanation. They gave me a bit of a run around but ultimately agreed to drop the $45 charge.

Don't be afraid to push back a little. I shudder to think how much cash we give away just assuming that there is no alternative.

[ua_guy]

I'd imagine most people with natural gas also run a hot water heater (year round) too, and maybe other appliances too, so they probably aren't connecting/disconnecting service on an annual basis. Makes sense to disconnect if you aren't using it for half the year, even though it's probably a lot of administrative hoopla.

I wonder how propane would compare for you, if that's an option. Higher fuel prices than natural gas, but with your own tank and will-call service (propane delivery 1-2 times per year) it might be comparably cheaper?

[bjl584]

I have oil and coal heat.
My water heater is electric

I don't have any thing that would need to be reconnected, but I can see where that can be a pain.

As mentioned, Propane might be an option. Your furnace can be converted easy enough. Propane does tend to be more expensive up front. You also have to watch how the lease terms work. You don't always have the option to buy the tank.

[myrdale]

Typically it isn't too much trouble for me. This year was a bit different because I had to sit on hold for over an hour before they answered the original call to set up service.

In years past I had a fraud alert on my credit report. That required me faxing in a copy of my drivers license and social security card for them to set up service (this makes no sense to me). After 7 years the fraud alert dropped and now they can just run the credit check over the phone.

Propane is an interesting idea. I have noticed a couple of houses in my neighborhood with propane tanks. I suspect this would require a different burner. Considering the furnace is original to the house (1996) I'd probably be looking at a completely new HVAC unit if I went in that direction.

[bjl584]

Typically it isn't too much trouble for me. This year was a bit different because I had to sit on hold for over an hour before they answered the original call to set up service.

In years past I had a fraud alert on my credit report. That required me faxing in a copy of my drivers license and social security card for them to set up service (this makes no sense to me). After 7 years the fraud alert dropped and now they can just run the credit check over the phone.

Propane is an interesting idea. I have noticed a couple of houses in my neighborhood with propane tanks. I suspect this would require a different burner. Considering the furnace is original to the house (1996) I'd probably be looking at a completely new HVAC unit if I went in that direction.

Natural gas to propane requires a different orifice to work.
With a oven it is a quick conversion.
I converted a range top and oven from nat gas to propane in about 15 minutes.

A furnace works the same way. You can buy the conversion kit to compensate for the different pressure that propane needs to properly burn.
It's best to call a professional since not all furnaces can be converted. It depends on the age of the unit.
But in most cases it can be done fairly simply and inexpensively.

If you go that route find a provider that will allow you to own your own tank and only fill it as needed when you tell them to.
Some companies require a lease program for the tank and annual contracts for filling.