Why does my bill amount change every month?
There are many factors that go into how your bill is calculated. Some of the factors that may change your bill each month include:
- The weather and seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) - Colder days usually mean you may be using more gas to keep your home warm
- Days in your billing cycle
- A change in lifestyle where you may be using more or less gas compared to previous months
Click the link below to login to our My Account portal and view the My Usage page to compare your usage, the weather and more to prior months.
How to read your Columbia Gas bill
Our bill was designed with you in mind. The interactive bill* below allows you to get a better understanding of the features and charges on your bill so you know you're getting the value you deserve out of your Columbia Gas service.
Click or tap on the bill sections below for details
What is therm billing?
Therm billing is designed to provide you with a more accurate bill that allows us to bill you for the quantity of energy consumed, rather than the volume of natural gas consumed. This also allows us to be consistent with the way natural gas is bought and sold in the wholesale marketplace.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to make a deposit to open an account?
Depending on your credit report, you may be required to pay a security deposit to get service in your name. The deposit is security that the final bill will be paid. It can’t be used to pay current or delinquent bills. The deposit will be applied to your account after you establish a good payment history for 12 months or when you receive a final bill after you stop service.
Can I save money through the Budget Plan?
The Budget Plan is a great tool for spreading your winter heating costs more evenly across an entire year, although it’s not designed to reduce your total costs. It will allow you to know what you can expect to pay each month, and should allow you to have more spending money available during the holidays. It’s easy to sign up, and it’s free.
Why is my bill so high?
Your gas bill will fluctuate depending on the weather, season of year, change in lifestyle or addition of family members. To understand your usage and learn how to save on your energy bill:
- Sign into your account.
- Select the My Usage option in the menu.
- Compare your usage by month, year, average temperature and number of billing days.
Have additional questions about your bill?
Call us at 1-800-543-8911 for other billing questions.
Is therm billing increasing my rate?
No.
Can I join the Budget Plan anytime?
Yes, you can enroll at any time. However, the budget season starts in May and the fewer months you have to spread the costs may result in a higher budget amount.
When will my budget account be reviewed next?
The next budget year begins in May. We review your account in May to establish a budget payment amount for the next 12 months. We review it again in December to see if any adjustments are needed based on the current budget balance and projected cost and usage. Settle Up occurs in May and the new Budget year begins in June.
What is Budget Plan?
Budget Plan is a free service that allows you to balance your monthly gas bill and avoid the seasonal highs and lows. Enroll today.
Where can I find a bill overview?
Watch this short video to get a better understanding of your bill.
What if I decide I don’t want to be on Budget Plan anymore?
If you decide you want to be removed from Budget Plan, you can remove your enrollment in your web account at any time. If you cancel your Budget Plan, your full account balance will be due on your next statement rather than your Budget amount.
Can I download copies of my old bills?
To download a copy of your old bills, sign in to your account and select Bills & Payments from the navigation.
Why did my Budget Plan amount change?
We’ll review your Budget Plan amount and adjust your payment if necessary to keep you from having a large settle-up amount at the end of the Budget year.
What are the distribution charges on my bill?
The distribution charges are the service charges for the delivery service to a retail customer from the point of receipt into our distribution system.
What is the customer charge on my bill?
The customer charge is a flat charge to cover a portion of the cost of installing, maintaining and replacing our lines, meters and other equipment, as well as servicing your account.
What is the difference between budget billing and my actual billing?
Budget billing is our Budget Plan program. It calculates your Budget payment amount based on the history of usage at your address, square footage of your home or building, the projected cost of service, and rates for service and delivery. Your actual billing is based on our regular rates and the actual energy you use.
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A fully regulated energy provider
We’re regulated by the Virginia State Corporation Commission and state and federal agencies. These organizations approve rate schedules and terms that govern our operations.
