Why is my gas bill suddenly high?

Six things to compare first

Compare average daily usage when billing periods differ

If one statement covers more days than another, divide total gas usage by the number of billing days. Average daily use gives a cleaner comparison than the total alone.

If daily usage is similar but the bill is much higher, focus more on rates, delivery charges, fixed fees and taxes. If daily usage rose sharply, weather and household demand are more likely to explain the change.

Cold weather can raise usage without changing your thermostat

A heating system may run much longer when outdoor temperatures fall, even if the thermostat stays at the same setting. That means gas consumption can rise simply because the home requires more heating hours.

Compare the current bill with a similar winter period when possible. A month-to-month comparison can be misleading when one period was much colder than the other.

Separate supply from delivery

Many natural-gas bills split the commodity or supply cost from delivery, distribution or customer charges. A higher total can therefore come from the gas price itself, from the delivery side, or from both.

If the delivery portion is confusing, use our gas delivery charge guide to compare fixed customer charges, usage-based delivery rates and supply separately.

Estimated readings can create a catch-up bill

If one or more earlier statements used estimated readings, a later actual reading can correct the difference. That may shift usage from earlier periods into the current statement and create what looks like a sudden spike.

Check our estimated meter reading guide if the bill shows estimated, actual or corrected reading labels.

Water heating and other appliances can be easy to overlook

Gas water heaters, dryers, fireplaces, ranges and boilers can all affect consumption. More hot-water use, guests, longer showers, a new appliance or a change in operating schedule can raise gas use even when the furnace is not the main cause.

If physical equipment appears unsafe, damaged or is producing unusual odors, shut down the situation only if it is safe to do so and contact the appropriate utility or qualified professional. Bill review cannot diagnose appliance safety.

Rate changes can raise the bill even when usage is stable

Compare the current price per therm or other usage unit with the previous statement. If usage stayed nearly the same but the unit rate rose, the bill can increase without any major household change.

Also compare fixed customer charges, taxes and delivery lines. For broader utility diagnosis, use why a utility bill is too high.

A seven-step high-gas-bill review

Questions to ask the utility

• How much gas usage did you record this cycle?
• How many billing days are included?
• Was the meter reading actual, estimated or corrected?
• Did the commodity rate change?
• Did delivery or fixed customer charges change?
• Was any adjustment carried forward from an earlier bill?
• Which charges are usage-based and which are fixed?

For unfamiliar charges, use our utility bill fee guide. For a bill that is high mainly because the cycle is longer, see the longer billing cycle guide.

Calculate the recurring impact

Use the free monthly bill change calculator to compare the old and new amount, percentage change and the cost difference over twelve months.