If your Atlanta Gas Light bill seems higher than expected, you're not alone. Many Georgia residents experience significant bill fluctuations, especially during winter heating season. Understanding the factors that influence your bill can help you make sense of the charges and identify potential areas for savings.
Atlanta Gas Light serves approximately 1.6 million customers across Georgia. Unlike electric utilities, Georgia's natural gas market is deregulated, meaning you receive two sets of charges: delivery charges from AGL and supply charges from your chosen gas marketer.
Deregulated Market Structure
Georgia's natural gas market is deregulated, which means Atlanta Gas Light only handles delivery—the pipes, meters, and infrastructure that bring gas to your home. The actual gas commodity is purchased from a separate company called a gas marketer.
This two-part structure means your total bill includes both AGL's delivery charges (regulated by the Georgia PSC) and your marketer's supply charges (competitive market rates). If your bill seems high, the issue could be with either component.
Winter Heating Costs
Natural gas usage in Georgia homes is heavily seasonal. While summer bills might only reflect water heating and cooking (10-20 therms), winter heating can push usage to 100-200 therms or more per month. This 5-10x increase in usage is the primary driver of high winter bills.
Georgia's climate means heating is typically needed from November through March, with January and February seeing the highest usage. A poorly insulated home or an inefficient furnace can significantly increase heating costs during these months.
Gas Marketer Rates
Your gas marketer's rate per therm can vary significantly—from around $0.64 to over $1.00 per therm depending on your plan type and market conditions. Fixed-rate plans lock in a price for 6-24 months, while variable-rate plans fluctuate monthly.
If you haven't reviewed your marketer's rate recently, you may be paying more than necessary. The Georgia PSC maintains a pricing comparison tool to help you compare current rates from certified marketers.
Check Your Bill for Accuracy
Before assuming your high bill is due to usage or rates, it's worth verifying that the charges are calculated correctly. Check that your meter reading matches what's shown on your bill, and verify that both AGL delivery charges and marketer supply charges are calculated correctly.
Use our free sanity check tool below to see how your bill compares to typical Atlanta Gas Light bills. If your effective rate appears significantly higher than expected, it may be worth requesting a bill review or having an independent verification performed.