Ohioans now have more choice than ever about the kind of natural gas they buy for their homes. The state’s deregulation of the natural gas market is bringing customers lower prices, better reliability and energy choice. The local natural gas utility companies still deliver the natural gas, read your meter, respond to service and emergency needs and provide customer service and billing. The difference is that you now have the option to shop for a different supplier and choose a plan that fits your lifestyle needs.
You can use our comparison tool to find the best apples to apples ohio gas rates and contract terms for you. The key is to compare Ohio suppliers based on a number of factors, including rates, contract terms, useful benefits and the supplier reputation. The more information you have, the easier it is to make the right choice for your home or business.
Getting Started
The federally regulated local gas utilities in Ohio are now called local distribution companies (LDCs). They’re the delivery system that brings natural gas to your home or business. The LDCs own and maintain the pipelines, meters and other equipment that are used to measure your consumption. The LDCs are required to provide you with basic service at no additional cost. They will continue to deliver your natural gas, read your meter, respond quickly to any emergencies and provide you with excellent customer service. The Ohio Natural Gas Association is the trade association representing all of the LDCs in the state.
Natural gas is a vital source of energy for Ohioans and Ohio businesses. As one of the country’s leading producers, Ohio’s abundant supply of natural gas helps create jobs and boost the economy. The state has more than 26,500 natural gas producing wells and a network of 10,000 miles of pipelines.
Since the late 1990s, Ohio residents have had the ability to purchase their natural gas from alternative providers. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Order 636 opened the natural gas marketplace to competition, eliminating the price caps that had led to shortages that closed schools and factories in the mid-1970s.
Currently, about half of Ohio’s natural gas customers participate in the Energy Choice program, which allows you to shop for a new supplier and contract for a new plan. Your local gas company (Columbus Gas of Ohio, Toledo Edison or Vectren Corporation) will continue to deliver your natural gas, respond to any emergencies and service your meter.
You can use our Ohio energy choice comparison to see a side-by-side comparison of Ohio electric and gas supply offers. This comparison includes the current standard service offer (SSO) rate for each supplier, as well as other terms and conditions that may apply. This Apples-to-Apples comparison is a great way to find the best deal for your Ohio home or business. Our Ohio Energy Ratings also provides an independent view of the quality of each Ohio energy supplier. The unbiased ratings are based on actual experience and the results of our annual survey of consumer satisfaction.