Gas companies (Atlanta, Edison: townhome, commission, company)

[Chris_Davis]

I'm moving to Atlanta in two weeks and am in the process of changing over all the utilities from our landlord to us in the house my wife and I are renting.

Any advice on which gas company to use? I'm from NYC and we only have Con Edison to choose from so I'm not use to having numerous choices. Our landlord uses Walton EMC Natural Gas. Does anyone have any feedback on them or any other companies?

[gt6974a]

clarkhoward.com

[RainyRainyDay]

Compare rates at Georgia Public Service Commission - choose Natural Gas in the left-hand menu, then follow links to find the price charts and other info.

The gas distributer, Atlanta Gas Light, has advice on choosing a marketer on their website, here Atlanta Gas Light Company - Establish Service - Choose A Marketer

There's no particular reason to choose the same marketer as your landlord was using, except that it looks like Walton has offered the cheapest variable rate plan for the last three months. But you should do your own research depending on what kind of plan you want, etc.

[Go Blue 99]

We chose Walton Gas for our new townhome because of their low rates. I've also found they have great customer service.

[applejuice]

Walton

[RainyRainyDay]

I'm curious about all this Walton enthusiasm. They've had the best rates for the last 3 months, but it's summer right now, when most people's gas consumption is less. For the 3 previous months (Jan, Feb and March) Fireside was about the cheapest, overall. I switched marketers from Georgia Natural Gas to Fireside in April, myself, based on the information available at the time. Does anyone have any insight into whether there's any reason to expect Walton to remain the cheapest marketer through next winter?

[hurricanes]

I'm not sure but I use Scana gas and their rate went up per therm drastically.

[ready2move]

Originally Posted by RainyRainyDay

Does anyone have any insight into whether there's any reason to expect Walton to remain the cheapest marketer through next winter?

I am curious too. I am still with GA natural gas, but have no allegiance to them. I am wondering if I should lock in a fixed rate, with no matter whom I go with.

[RainyRainyDay]

Originally Posted by ready2move

I am curious too. I am still with GA natural gas, but have no allegiance to them. I am wondering if I should lock in a fixed rate, with no matter whom I go with.

I'm interested in opinions on that too. I've always favored variable rates, on the theory that ultimately the company has to make a profit on whatever you pay, and since they are taking a risk by providing you with a locked-in rate, the locked-in rate inevitably includes a bit of a premium to offset their risk. But maybe there are other factors at play...?

One thing I did learn from switching from GNG to Fireside, is that you're allowed one free switch of marketers per year. I presume there must be a fee to switch more often than that.

[lookinround]

Originally Posted by RainyRainyDay

Does anyone have any insight into whether there's any reason to expect Walton to remain the cheapest marketer through next winter?

Walton jumped up for the month of June (like others, I assume). No idea why they're lower than others or whether it will stick. There was one marketer - can't remember who, but it was in the AJC - who took their fixed pricing option off the table last month...

Very interested in more Walton feedback.