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Judy Saves

Natural gas, in plain words

Updated October 12, 2026

In short

In many states you can pick the company that sets the price for your gas. Your gas company still brings the gas to your home, reads the meter and sends the bill.

Why your gas price changes

If you never picked a company, you pay your gas company's own price. In many places it follows the market price of natural gas, so it changes every month. Some change every three months.

Each state names it differently. Ohio says Standard Choice Offer (SCO). Michigan says Gas Cost Recovery (GCR). New Jersey says BGSS.

How gas is measured

Your gas bill shows gas in Ccf, Mcf or therms. A Ccf is a hundred cubic feet of gas. An Mcf is a thousand cubic feet, so 1 Mcf is the same as 10 Ccf. A therm is a unit of heat from gas. To compare two gas prices, they must use the same unit. Judy changes the units for you.

Picking a gas company

A gas plan can have a fixed price for a set number of months, or a price that changes each month. Most homes use the most gas in winter, so a price that jumps in winter costs the most.

Before you pick, check the price per unit, the number of months, and any fees. A plan only saves you money if it costs less than your gas company's own price at the amount you use.

A company name on your gas bill

Some gas companies print a company name even on their own standard price. Columbia Gas says you will see a company name on your bill either way.

So a name on the bill does not mean you signed up for a plan. Judy checks your price against the standard price to tell the difference.

Safety comes first

Switching never changes who keeps your gas safe. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas company, not the company that sets your price.

Check your gas bill

Judy reads gas bills too. Check my bill free

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