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Natural Gas & You: Choosing a Natural Gas Marketer
- Buying From a Natural Gas Marketer
- Knowing which option is best for you
- Returning to the local natural gas utility
- Questions to Ask When Considering a Contract with a Natural Gas Marketer
- How to Learn More
- Who is the OEB?
Buying From a Natural Gas Marketer
As a natural gas consumer in Ontario, you don't have to purchase your natural gas supply from your local natural gas utility. While your natural gas utility will always deliver natural gas to your household because it operates and maintains the natural gas system, you can choose to purchase your natural gas from a natural gas marketer.
There are two key things you need to know about buying from a natural gas marketer:
- The price you pay is set out in your contract with the natural gas marketer.
The price you pay per cubic meter (m3), as shown on the "Gas Supply" line of your natural gas bill, will be the price stated in the contract you sign. This price is determined by the natural gas marketer and is not regulated by the OEB. Usually the price is fixed for a number of years, but it may change during the term of the contract. - Your natural gas utility will continue to bill you for other items.
If you switch to a natural gas marketer, there are items on your bill that are still charged to you by the natural gas utility. The natural gas utility will continue to deliver your natural gas and charge amounts for the "Customer Charge" and "Delivery" lines on your bill. Your contract with the natural gas marketer only affects the "Gas Supply" line of your bill.
Knowing which option is best for you
The option that may work best for you will depend on your individual preferences.
The choice is much like the decision you make when selecting a variable or fixed-rate mortgage.
A fixed price contract can let you know what you will pay for your natural gas supply from month-to-month or year-to-year. Some consumers may prefer this certainty.
Rates from local gas utilities change with the forces of supply and demand in the natural gas market. At any time, rates may be higher or lower than the prices offered by marketers. Consumers who are comfortable with regular changes to the rates may choose to buy system gas from their utility.
Returning to the local natural gas utility
If you sign with a natural gas marketer, you are making a commitment to purchase natural gas from the marketer for a certain period of time. If you terminate your contract early, you may have to pay a charge. That charge will be specified in your contract with the marketer. If you terminate your retail contract, you will automatically return to service with the local natural gas utility.
Questions to Ask When Considering a Contract with a Natural Gas Marketer
- What is the price being offered?
- How long is the term of the contract?
- Do you offer contracts that differ in length?
- Does the price stated in the contract differ depending on the length of the contract?
- What other fees or charges would I be required to pay?
- Would I be required to pay any charges if I leave before the contract ends?
- When would the contract take effect?
How to Learn More
Visit the Contact Us page.
Who is the OEB?
The OEB regulates the province's electricity and natural gas sectors in the public interest. It envisions a healthy and efficient energy sector with informed consumers, and works towards this vision through regulatory processes that are effective, fair and transparent.