When Does Bge Cut Off Service If I Don't Pay My Bill

Cold weather and rising natural gas prices are to blame

BALTIMORE — Many utility customers have reported receiving unusually loftier bills in the concluding several months.

On its website, BGE is alerting customers to a rate adjustment that will increase bills, however, information technology'll be reflected on next month'due south bill. Recent increases are being driven by the weather and rising natural gas prices.

"I was astounded. I went into a little bit of a panic," said Julea Seliavski, a college student who received a gas bill for more than than $400. "I'g like in a really tough fiscal position and I already work 4 jobs, then now I accept to work them more than."

In the meantime, she's turned off her heat.

"It'southward freezing in my house. If you came in you'd be shivering," said Seliavski.

Dozens of people commented on WMAR-ii News Mallory Sofastaii's Facebook post about recent spikes in utility bills.

Maryland People'south Counsel David Lapp said the culprit is the gas supply charge per unit.

"[For BGE customers] it's now $0.66 and last June it was $0.47," said Lapp.

For nearly three years, prices were beneath $0.sixty per therm until September 2021. These higher rates coupled with a common cold spell led to shockingly high bills.

"January was xv percent colder this twelvemonth compared to last year," said John Frain, the manager of regulatory strategy for BGE.

BGE tries to plan ahead by purchasing gas when information technology's cheaper, only there's only so much they tin can shop.

"Prior to the winter heating flavour, the Energy Information Administration did indicate they expected high energy prices for all types of energy this winter. They expected a thirty percent increase for natural gas prices. It's been less than that for BGE customers equally a result of us purchasing gas in the summer when prices were lower," Frain said.

There's no cap on how much supply rates can increment, however, Frain said information technology's expected to get downwards as demand for natural gas dwindles in the warmer months.

What will go upwards though are distribution charges.

Currently, the distribution rate is $0.69 per therm, which is college than the gas supply charge per unit of $0.66.

"What exactly are customers are paying for and how is it that information technology's more than what natural gas costs?" asked Sofastaii.

"The distribution charge actually pays for all the gas infrastructure that is used to evangelize energy and natural gas to customers in the BGE service territory, so there has been a lot of work to replace crumbling infrastructure in the natural gas system over the terminal several years," said Frain.

The energy infrastructure investment program as well includes installing smart automation equipment and replacing outmoded technologies to better the reliability and safety of energy commitment service to customers.

The multi-year plan charge per unit increases were canonical past the Maryland Public Service Committee.

Tax credits were used to offset the rate increase in 2021. Constructive February 1, 2022, customers will begin to see a rate increase on their bills. And there volition be a tertiary rate increase in 2023.

BGE estimates customers will pay on average $3.28 more than per month for electric and $2.40 per month for gas.

For customers looking to salve money, BGE said the best way to cutting back on your pecker is to exist more than free energy efficient. Your heating source also has a huge impact.

"If you lot are heating your business firm with electricity yous are going to see much less of an increase," said Lapp.

The Part of the People's Counsel helps Marylanders meliorate understand their bills or assists with filing a complaint. And while customers tin't avoid paying the delivery charge, they can shop around for lower supply rates.

Lapp cautions that customers considering switching to retail suppliers need to pay close attention to the terms of the contract. Is the rate variable or fixed? How long is the contract and is there a cancellation fee? While a company may exist able to offering better rates now, it may just be a promotional rate.

Click here to view the PSC's price comparing tool.

Salvage money on heating bills
Energy efficiency improvements tin likewise assistance customers save 20 pct or more on wintertime heating bills. Below are some unproblematic tips provided by BGE:

Keep information technology sealed. A poorly sealed house is costlier to keep warm. Caulk around doors, windows, and whatever openings for utility services. Using the locks on your windows helps brand a tighter seal that is more resistant to drafts. If you take a fireplace, continue your damper airtight when the fireplace is not in use.
Upgrade your insulation. Insulating your abode tin can significantly reduce your heating costs, while also increasing the condolement of your home. Reducing air leaks – around floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplaces, doors, windows, vents, and plumbing – could cut your dwelling's average monthly free energy bill by 10 percent.
Cheque ducts for air leaks. Look for joints that are no longer continued. Leaky ductwork can increment your free energy bill significantly.
Warm up your system. Service your heating system before wintertime begins. A well-maintained system will terminal longer, operate more than efficiently, and save you coin. The potential for carbon monoxide exposure is possible if dwelling heating equipment is non properly tested, serviced, and maintained.
Manage your thermostat. Go along thermostats set up at a comfortable level. You can salve almost 2 percent on your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat. When you lot are comatose or out of the house, try turning your thermostat dorsum ten to xv degrees for eight hours to salve approximately 10 percent on your heating pecker. Consider investing in a smart thermostat that can connect to your mobile devices, helping you stay on tiptop of your free energy usage.
Be prepared for cooler weather. Remove screens and air conditioners from windows and install storm windows.
Do not heat unused areas. Close vents in unused rooms and shut doors to unused rooms, closets, and basements.
Accept reward of the sun's estrus. Open defunction on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home and close them at night to reduce the arctic from cold windows.
Shorter days and longer lights. Arrange outdoor lighting timers equally the nights grow longer. Replace older incandescent bulbs with new energy efficient LED bulbs.
Monitor Usage Through BGE's MyAccount, customers can track their energy utilisation, set upwardly high usage alerts, become tips on how to reduce energy costs, and learn which appliances utilize the most energy.

BGE nib relief and assistance programs
BGE has fabricated new payment plans available, which can spread outstanding remainder payments up to 24 months, with no money down and no interest charged.

Upkeep billing makes short-term fluctuations in monthly bills easier to handle by dividing annual energy costs evenly throughout the year.

Eligible customers can likewise request a 30-twenty-four hour period payment due date extension.

Customers who are unable to afford their utility or heating neb, tin employ for assist through the Office of Home Energy Programs.